Why did Warhmmer Online "fail"?

[Mechanix]

Being bored of WoW, I've been snooping around for odd games to try, so I tried out the Warhammer demo. I remember it coming out and people saying it was a pretty solid game, but it never really took off. I've been having tons of fun with it, and it reminds me of my first days playing WoW.

So what were the issues that made people unsub? I looked at wikipedia and it said at one point they had 800k subs, but now its down to 300k. What happened?

 

[Infinatex]

It hasn't really failed. It's just WoW has done really well, so all other MMO's subscription base pale in comparison.

 

[Flying-Emu]

Bad advertising, subpar design, and the fact that it's VERY hard to bring people into an MMO from WoW and expect them to start from scratch.

I didn't really like going from killing colossal demigods back to skinning sewer rats.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Might I suggest you watch Extra Credits? You will find your answer there.

Everyone just goes back to WoW.

 

[Janus Vesta]

Warhammer Online failed because it followed WoW. No one has ever beaten the leader by copying it. As soon as MMO developers learn that they can't copy WoW and expect to be great successes and actually develop new systems we'll start seeing WoW competitors, but very few will beat the beast back now.

 

[Vek]

I prefer WAR to WoW. I have an active WAR account, paid up through gametime cards. RvR is awesome. That was basically what I was looking for in WoW. Actual warfare. Not faggotry.

Also, WAR didn't fail. EA said it's reached total profitability, and will continue running servers for the foreseeable future (at least to 2011, they said.) Hell, if the fix a lot of the geometry, the game would be pretty damn great.

 

[MrHero17]

I've heard a lot of people mention that the lack of a 4 a 1 or a K might have had something to do with it. WoW and warhammer both feature swords, spells, dwarfs, orcs and elves. They were trying to sell WoW players something they already had.

 

[Canid117]

Because WoW is lord and master and none can stand before it!

 

[Sanguinius- The Angel]

The fact that unless you PvP your gear is complete shit. Not to mention the RvR realms were better on paper than in reality. I remember levelling my Warrior Priest and constantly being camped by Destruction characters.

 

[Mechanix]

Well in that case I would consider now a great time for it to prosper. WoW is very boring right now and people want to find something to occupy their time instead of doing icc over and over. If I was able to right now, I'd sub to warhammer, at least until cata came out.

 

[Worgen]

because it launched too soon with too many bugs right before a bit wow expansion pack, if it had launched after when the bugs were mostly fixed and when ppl were getting bored of the expansion it probably would be in a much better position

 

[Mcupobob]

*Stares confused at thread for a few mituets*OOH Warhammer, I sat here confused and was thinking about Warhammer 40k. Well For one horrible markting I've barly heard of it and didn't even know they came out with a MMo of it. Also

I've heard a lot of people mention that the lack of a 4 a 1 or a K might have had something to do with it. WoW and warhammer both feature swords, spells, dwarfs, orcs and elves. They were trying to sell WoW players something they already had.

Warhammer Online failed because it followed WoW. No one has ever beaten the leader by copying it. As soon as MMO developers learn that they can't copy WoW and expect to be great successes and actually develop new systems we'll start seeing WoW competitors, but very few will beat the beast back now.

This right here too, i'm guessing.

Well Hopful 40k will be a rousing success!

 

[slipknot4]

It tried to be WoW and nothing is better than WoW at being WoW and that's why Warhammer online failed.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

They released a game that wasn't ready for the market.

 

[wasalp]

because it launched too soon with too many bugs right before a bit wow expansion pack, if it had launched after when the bugs were mostly fixed and when ppl were getting bored of the expansion it probably would be in a much better position

basically this. I believe the bugs(along with other issues) we're what ultimately made war less of a success then it should have been at launch. Now I know most of those are ironed out by now but mmos either make or break at launch; or take a long time to develop a strong stable player base.

 

[senataur]

I never played WAR, WoW kept my attention too fiercely.

40k Dark Millenium on the the other hand stands a very strong chance at diverting my attention for some period of time.

I think the people posting to the effect of 'you can't beat WoW at its own game' have got it right. It is going to take something very different to rock the boat and hold people's attention. I'm hoping 40k will be that. Guild Wars 2 seem to be trying their best.

 

[Shnazz]

I played it when it first came out. The biggest problem I had was the population imbalance. Every time I tried the open world PvP, there was always a side that had significantly more people. Another problem with the game is the lack of content outside of the open world PvP.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

I hope 40k becomes good, though I have my doubts despite it looks like WoW with guns.