Subscriptions

[Hoffs]

I know there are always mutterings about the accuracy of these charts, and it looks as though there has been no data on UO for some time, but all the same, it does not look good for EA/Mythic.

http://users.telenet.be/mmodata/Charts/150k-1m.png

 

[Petra Fyde]

How much credibility do those figures have given that EA don't release subscription figures to anyone?

 

[Hoffs]

No idea, but the guy always insisted that they were pretty accurate. He said the info used to come from various sources including official releases, company accounts, insider information, etc. He used to give an accuracy rating for each game, but I can't see that at the moment.

 

[Vortex]

How much credibility do those figures have given that EA don't release subscription figures to anyone?

Not saying he did it this way, but its not difficult to monitor the number of connections to a given ip over time.

 

[Wulf2k]

Not saying he did it this way, but its not difficult to monitor the number of connections to a given ip over time.

I believe the topic was the number of subscriptions, not the number of people connected.

As anybody on Siege should know, the number of active subscriptions has absolutely no relation to the number of connections to the server at any given time =]

 

[Skylark SP]

Accuracy of the figures aside, the chart shows that UO subs have remained totally constant for the last 3 years. That doesn't seem like a gloomy outlook to me.

-Skylark

 

[Draxous]

How much credibility do those figures have given that EA don't release subscription figures to anyone?

Years ago that chart was verified as accurate.

Today, I'm not sure it still is... but that's worth considering/thinking about.

It's also interesting to see Warhammer... from what I know, that's exactly what's happened to subs. Talking with a few devs from other games/companies.. there's a huge PvP market the industry has been trying to cater to for the last 2 or so years. None successful so far (It's a mix between lack of development capital or lack of hitting what the target market really wants.)

Profitability is the key though. I imagine UO is wildly profitable still. Warhammer... I'm pretty sure a few heads have rolled for that one unless Mythic was able to again do what they did with DAoC (which is spend next to nothing on development costs.)

*shrugs*

EA is working on the new Star Wars MMO which has the largest budget/team working on it of any MMO... ever. I'm assuming that ones being expected to be their golden ticket and I know droves are anxiously awaiting it.

 

[Draxous]

I believe the topic was the number of subscriptions, not the number of people connected.

As anybody on Siege should know, the number of active subscriptions has absolutely no relation to the number of connections to the server at any given time =]

Players on other shards weren't forced to play only one character. Soul Stones definitely paved the way for much consolidating, but Siege players on average have more subs per player than any other shard I'd imagine.

Players on other shards do use extra accounts for housing though, so there is truth to what you say.

 

[Vortex]

I believe the topic was the number of subscriptions, not the number of people connected.

As anybody on Siege should know, the number of active subscriptions has absolutely no relation to the number of connections to the server at any given time =]

But thats not really the point. If he is using that same method to examine ALL of the MMORPG's that he has listed, and across all times, then the comparison is still valid.

As I said, I doubt that is what he did, but was pointing out to Petra, that would be a method to get around the non-publishing of stats.

Looking at the chart, my assumption would be that he had access to UO information until 2007, and the reason for the flat line of UO after that would be he no longer has that information.

 

[Vortex]

Profitability is the key though. I imagine UO is wildly profitable still.

I would think so too. Enough that they went ahead with Sygian Abyss and Live Content.

 

[Timothy_SP]

The two games that really stand out are Eve Online and Age of Conan.

Eve has been growing, gradually. As a current account holder, and player at times, I've noticed the greater "online numbers" at login. BTW it's only one server, everyone plays in the same universe.

Conan spiked quickly, then dropped off just as fast. Short lived much? I've known a few people that left Eve and UO for it, but apparently it lost it's luster fast.

That being said UO isn't at the bottom of the graph at this point.

 

[Nurse Miss Maude]

Accuracy of the figures aside, the chart shows that UO subs have remained totally constant for the last 3 years. That doesn't seem like a gloomy outlook to me.

-Skylark

I agree, if that is accurate, it shows that UO never had over 250,000 subscribers. Yes and had the same number of 100,000 for the last 3 years. I would say things look bleaker for the ones that peaked much higher and dropped off drastically. It shows the fickleness of gamers...but again UO seems to be holding steady for the last 3 years, with only a gradual decline over the last 7.

 

[Calibretto]

I know there are always mutterings about the accuracy of these charts, and it looks as though there has been no data on UO for some time, but all the same, it does not look good for EA/Mythic.

http://users.telenet.be/mmodata/Charts/150k-1m.png

Good to hear from you Hoffs. If you ever play again let me know.

 

[AEowynSP]

Get your ass back in game Sir!