Analyst: The Old Republic Shoots for 2 Million Subscribers

[Worgen]

Im torn about this game, I mean its bioware and they tend to do awesome jobs with games but its also star wars and.... since the new movies I just havent really cared about the star wars universe, not to mention that having it based on an ip like that seems like it would be limiting, I mean since blizz owns the wow outright they can pretty much do anything they want with it but george lucas seems to pretty much lord over anything that happens in starwars and since the new ones Im not sure how much I trust his hand.

 

[Mr_Paisley]

PS: Just to further drive the point home, it's Bioware. They LISTEN to their customers and fix their games accordingly. If something's wrong with the game at launch, I'd say all would be well within 24hours.

Don't count on it. Remember when the newest patch broke DA:O? That took longer than 24 hours to sort out.

I'm okay with one exception to every rule

 

[Jared]

I think given the brand and the hype it is getting. It could possibly happen. If you look at it the number isnt that large in the scope of things...and, everyone wants to be a Jedi

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

WoW was successful (oh yes, here it comes) for many reasons, but being part of a huge mainstream brand and produced by a company with an enormous mainstream following were the most obvious. I don't plan to play MMOs again myself, but it certainly has those going for it. With a solid design it could easily achieve success. 2 million is the high point for what I expect. It could happen, maybe even more. I think advertising will be key- they need to make SWaTOR mainstream by targeting Star Wars fans and Bioware fans. Other games have targeted a niche.

 

[Pirce]

I certainly know that I'll be playing, oh so much playing shall I do.

 

[John Funk]

How many does WoW have? I reckon this could do it, easy.
It's the only MMO I've ever been interested in, and the rule of thumb of the internet; you're never the only one.

WoW has 11 million worldwide.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

I will be one of the two million subscribers, seriously I'm getting this on day one.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

See, a Star Wars MMO has the makings right from the off of being a great game. But I won't be playing it. Why? Subscription fees.

Drop subscription charges for MMOs and companies like Blizzard and Bioware would get a lot more subscribers, a lot quicker...

They're incredibly expensive to operate. That won't happen.

I will never understand being so against subscription fees when you get so much more per dollar than you do with most full length games.

That and the ongoing costs of finding other entertainment. Since i quit WoW that $15 a month is now easily $50. With your common movie costing around $15 for 2-3 hours. And going out more often which = Gas Money, Food Money and Drink Money.

Plus most Single players have on going DLC Costs which are usually $10+ each.

a $15 MMO subscription is huge Bang for your buck, considering the amount of time you actually spend online. Only thing you need to watch out for is Overplaying/Addiction

 

[Credge]

I don't see it happening, and it doesn't have a thing to do with how good the game might be but more in step with the reality of the industry.

Make a game that is similar to WoW, you don't give players enough of a reason to make the move. Make a game that's too different from the MMO formula (as is the case with this game), you're not going to get a large number of subscribers (as has been showcased with games that have gone away from the formula).

1 million subs is a realistic number for this game right off the bat. While the source material is more popular than the Warhammer and Conan source material, it's still an MMO and MMO's attract a certain crowd.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

See, a Star Wars MMO has the makings right from the off of being a great game. But I won't be playing it. Why? Subscription fees.

Drop subscription charges for MMOs and companies like Blizzard and Bioware would get a lot more subscribers, a lot quicker...

They're incredibly expensive to operate. That won't happen.

I will never understand being so against subscription fees when you get so much more per dollar than you do with most full length games.

Its just the mentality that it gives some people.

A subscription makes some people feel like they are bound to play this game regardless of how much free time they do or don't have. It also makes some people feel like they have to play this game over others they have...

In all honesty, I'd be more receptive to an MMO if it offered other subscription models...

Took the words right out of my mouth. Subscriptions have a habit of making people feel obliged to play, if only to get their money's worth, by, ironically, spending more money.

It also can hamper people who want to go at their own pace. For an MMO that is aiming to be story driven, it would be pretty grating for players who want to hear the story continue at a leisurely pace, only to be cut off because their subscription expired.

 

[Poomanchu745]

See, a Star Wars MMO has the makings right from the off of being a great game. But I won't be playing it. Why? Subscription fees.

Drop subscription charges for MMOs and companies like Blizzard and Bioware would get a lot more subscribers, a lot quicker...

Can people please quit complaining about subscription fees? If it weren't for subscription fees we would have to buy potions or armor in game which would then make the game feel pointless. And if you don't pay for anything in an MMO its very likely its a piece of shit. I love the subscription fees and if the game is worth it then I will continue to pay. I mean in the long run I save a shit ton of money by paying only 15 bucks a month instead of buying new games on a regular basis.

OT: 2 million will actually probably be met with the way other MMO sales have gone. The real question is: how many people will keep their sub? That is really the only number that matters. I am in no way a star wars fan but because of the Bioware tag i will be buying this game.

 

[funksobeefy]

well Im playing it, so thats one!

 

[Whytewulf]

Wasn't a huge fan, but I'll be checking it out. Need to find some previews to check out game play though. I am not a good twitch player.

 

[Zing]

Since trials usually take months to be available I'll probably buy it on day one. This is the most promising MMO i've seen since WoW, all the others I knew would be failures long before they came out...

 

[Steeveeo]

You know, take the word "for" out of the title, and this bit of news becomes even more interesting.

"The Old Republic Shoots 2 Million Subscribers."

 

[rembrandtqeinstein]

See, a Star Wars MMO has the makings right from the off of being a great game. But I won't be playing it. Why? Subscription fees.

Drop subscription charges for MMOs and companies like Blizzard and Bioware would get a lot more subscribers, a lot quicker...

They're incredibly expensive to operate. That won't happen.

I will never understand being so against subscription fees when you get so much more per dollar than you do with most full length games.

Guild Wars and DDO more recently and maybe Free Realms if you count that have proven you can be incredibly successful and still not charge subscription fees. I would never have tried DDO unless the game was structured the way it was. But I did and liked it and ended up subbing for three months.

I'm not against subs, but paying 50 for a boxed game that can't be played offline, then paying 15 to continue using that game seems like the game company wants to have their cake and eat it to.

 

[soapyshooter]

I highly doubt it. I dont think they'll reach 2 mil immeadiately after launch, it might take up to 3-4 months.

 

[Verus76]

I think they just might get those numbers. Just like with wow they got a well respected game company and a big IP.

 

[ben---neb]

I think it will easily make more than 2 million at launch because its a) Bioware and b) Star Wars. Keeping those will be another matter but I trust Bioware.

The only main problem is that the Bioware fanbase may be baised towards single player gamers with little interest in MMOs.