MMOG Subscription Growth Analyzed

Wtcher writes "Bruce Woodcock has cobbled together a chart recording the growth of various massive multiplayer online games in subscriber numbers, relative to each other. I just found it interesting to see a visual summary of how well each MMOG was doing compared to one another." Apart from Lineage, which is omitted because the author says "trying to compare it to other MMOGs is almost like comparing apples to oranges", it seems that Everquest is still way out there in front, but there's a number of more recently-launched titles jockeying for position in this very competitive market.

Comments

A few points addressed.

[Inoshiro]

Everquest is the only MMOG mentioned that has online game cards. I know at least a few customers who don't have or use credit cards who can only play EQ because of this.

Related to this, the EQ online adventures for the PS2 has been the biggest flop ever. A handful of people bought it. Then they lowered the price within a week. A week later it was free with the PS2 network adapter. People didn't even want it then. Their next step? The game retails for 20$ USD, and they have free week game discs that are supposed to be given to every network adaptor owning PS2 user. It's still a flop.

Anarchy Online spikes up right in 2001 when they let everyone who applied for a beta have a copy + a month of game time. It quickly lowers because it was buggy as all shit, and a major turn off for most people.

WW2 online came and went in 2001. Anyone past there would've started to play Battle Field 1942. Another flop, although not as spectacular as EQ online adventures.

I can't wait to see how True Fantasy Live online for Xbox goes. That one looks good :)