World of Warcraft

Just to give some history.  When WOW launched BC, it had 7M subscribers and sold 2.4M copies of BC on the first day.  WOW now has about 10.7M subscribers.

I used the 3.5 breakoff point on purpose.. that is proportionally the same as BC.   All things being equal, Wrath 'should' sell 3.5M.

Does that include pre-orders?

Nah.. it's meaningless to count people who pre-order unless they actually buy the game on the first day.   The 2.4M for BC was actual game sales the first day.

Well if its like the last xpac, in my area there won't be a box left on the shelves.

Originally posted by Azrile

Nah.. it's meaningless to count people who pre-order unless they actually buy the game on the first day.   The 2.4M for BC was actual game sales the first day.

I am quite sure those 2.4 inc pre-orders... when TBC was released it was only released in the west at the time to its 3.7million player base (as it was then), sold 2.4 million in 24 hours which I am sure included pre-orders and those crazies who queued up at midnight, within a month blizzard sold a told of 3.5million (to a player base of 3.7million). Thats almost 100% conversion rate.

since then the western playerbase has grown to 4.5 million (as of january 2008), is it still 4.5 million or higher? I dont know.. but just like with TBC i expect an almost 100% conversion rate with the month.

Originally posted by coffee

Originally posted by Azrile

Nah.. it's meaningless to count people who pre-order unless they actually buy the game on the first day.   The 2.4M for BC was actual game sales the first day.

 

I am quite sure those 2.4 inc pre-orders... when TBC was released it was only released in the west at the time to its 3.7million player base (as it was then), sold 2.4 million in 24 hours which I am sure included pre-orders and those crazies who queued up at midnight, within a month blizzard sold a told of 3.5million (to a player base of 3.7million). Thats almost 100% conversion rate.

since then the western playerbase has grown to 4.5 million (as of january 2008), is it still 4.5 million or higher? I dont know.. but just like with TBC i expect an almost 100% conversion rate with the month.

Here is a quote that I think shows that it was actual sales, and not preorders.. take it for what it's worth.  This is from the Blizzard press release regarding the 2.4m number

"By the end of the first day of availability, more than 1.7 million players had logged on and upgraded World of Warcraft to play The Burning Crusade. "

to me, that strongly suggests the 2.4M number is actual sales and no preorders.

I know I have two on order. One collector and one standard.    I know, but it's a fun game!

preorder is same as simple sale on release day ..

never in gaming history preorder and simple sale were separated..

when xx game says they sold xxx means they sold with preorders not just from stores..

and so on

when they say xxx logged on first day , they mean that xxx players had xxx game at that day.. and doesnt matter from where..

selling over 3 millions just in stores withing 12 hours are insane.. considering stores work for 8-9 hours..  most ppl work/attend school that leaves last 2-4 hours to sell 3 mln ?

wont mention the fact that half europe wont have wow on release day.. apart from preorders.. and even that probably gona be late 1 day ..