Support NeoGAF

[bitwise]

Following the launch, the World Of Warcraft website (thanks HomeLanFed) updated last night with day one sales results. According to the official site, an estimated 250,000 copies were sold in just one day, with over 200,000 accounts activated. This came alongside over 100,000 players online concurrently as of 5:00 p.m. (PST) yesterday.

"We had a lot of confidence in World of Warcraft, but the success on day one far exceeded our expectations," said Mike Morhaime, president of Blizzard Entertainment. "We are extremely happy that players are enjoying our game, and we are doing everything we can to meet the demand and maintain a fun and smooth game experience for everyone playing."

General numbers aside, Blizzard Entertainment further reported that retail outlets across North America, including: Wal-Mart, Electronic Boutique and GameStop, are reporting that they're sold out of World Of Warcraft.

 

[DSN2K]

amazing amount... :O

 

[Kweh]

Deservedly so too. The game is awesome.

 

[JackFrost2012]

Yeah, I mean ... I know people were complaining about the launch (rightfully so, in many ways). On the other hand, I don't think even Blizzard themselves saw these sort of numbers signing up on Day One (and all in the newbie zones, to boot...)

It'll all be sorted out in a week, anyways. Yay WoW!

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

 

[firex]

that's insane. now how many more will they pick up over the years? honestly, this could wind up breaking the records for most active subscriptions.

 

[hobart]

I'm trying to justify, though, how they came up with 250,000 units sold when only 200,000 activated on day one. For those of you counting at home, that's a 25% increase... ASTOUNDING considering that you can only play the game by actually creating an account and logging on.

I'm not raining on Blizzard's and WoW's parade... I'm a big fan and I love to see people buying into this MMORPG... but the numbers seem a bit off. How can you justify that 20% (One fifth) of your first day sales DID NOT install and play the game at the day of purchase?

Whatever, I'm not an investor so it means little to nothing to me.

...I've got that "Q" Dance to keep me entertained until Dec. 17th.

 

[carbonbased]

I'm trying to justify, though, how they came up with 250,000 units sold when only 200,000 activated on day one. For those of you counting at home, that's a 25% increase... ASTOUNDING considering that you can only play the game by actually creating an account and logging on.

I'm not raining on Blizzard's and WoW's parade... I'm a big fan and I love to see people buying into this MMORPG... but the numbers seem a bit off. How can you justify that 20% (One fifth) of your first day sales DID NOT install and play the game at the day of purchase?

Whatever, I'm not an investor so it means little to nothing to me.

...I've got that "Q" Dance to keep me entertained until Dec. 17th.

Christmas shopping? And not all people can play games whenever they feel like it, some might have a little thing called a job that they have to worry about.

 

[JackFrost2012]

Christmas shopping? And not all people can play games whenever they feel like it, some might have a little thing called a job that they have to worry about.

Yeah, I bought the game but won't be lpaying it for a few more weeks. Job, and other games, and stuff.

 

[hobart]

Christmas shopping? And not all people can play games whenever they feel like it, some might have a little thing called a job that they have to worry about.

Totally agree... which is why you can account for, maybe, a 10% increase... not 25%. You cannot convince me that a fifth of your user base says... "Hmmm not today, I've got work tomorrow."

Furthermore, Christmas shoppers ARE NOT launch day buyers... got to remember this. The official season of Christmas Shopping begins tomorrow.

Even if we were to account "I don't wanna play today"ers and Christmas Shopping... I don't see an addition of 25%... no way.

Am I missing something? Are they counting PRE-ORDERS not shipped?! That would make more (or the most) sense to me.

 

[krypt0nian]

Since it launched on a Tuesday then X-mas shoppers are very much launch day shoppers.

Tuesday is new release day for alot of things and most shoppers know to hit their shops then, gamers or non gamers alike.

Plus there have been MANY times that I bought a game and couldn't play it for a week or so.

This is not difficult to fathom.

 

[Son of Godzilla]

I know alot of people who bought the game to ensure they get a copy but are holding off till after Thanksgiving to activate so they actually use the entire free month.

 

[ChrisReid]

And Collectors Editions were sold out way in advance on preorders at many places. If someone wanted a Collectors for Christmas, their parents/spouse/etc had to get it on launch day to ensure they got it at all.

 

[Suikoguy]

(posting from virginia)

Yes, its been crazy, the lag was insane last night... I was so worried Blizzard bit off more then they could chew, but today things improved tremendously and its more then playable with very infrequent lag.

Blizzard has impressed me with how quick they addressed the situation!

 

[Scalemail Ted]

Totally agree... which is why you can account for, maybe, a 10% increase... not 25%. You cannot convince me that a fifth of your user base says... "Hmmm not today, I've got work tomorrow."

Furthermore, Christmas shoppers ARE NOT launch day buyers... got to remember this. The official season of Christmas Shopping begins tomorrow.

Even if we were to account "I don't wanna play today"ers and Christmas Shopping... I don't see an addition of 25%... no way.

Am I missing something? Are they counting PRE-ORDERS not shipped?! That would make more (or the most) sense to me.

Maybe online sales?

 

[SlickWilly223]

WoW is out, and I didn't buy it?

The fuck!?

 

[Fxp]

Is the WoW CE sold out? I've got a copy ordered @ dvdboxoffice and yesterday my order disappeared from their system, together with WoW CE listing on their page. Guess I'll wait for European release...

 

[Synbios459]

Does WoW have an offline single player game? If not, how well do you think it'd run on Satellite?

 

[Zaptruder]

Dunno what the deal is here in australia, but I'm going to have to wait until next friday for my copy.