This is all just becoming one massive /facepalm.

Originally posted by sookster54

Betting that they're counting the free weekend accounts.

Of  course they are, and the people they gave a free 30 days to etc etc, anything to pad up the numbers.

I'm probably still on the list though my sub runs out at the end of the month.

At least gamers can get a good glimpse into how the hype/marketing BS works.

Never thought Bioware would stoop down this low and be in denial.  Though I guess if it came officially from Bioware's tongue that they are losing players panic would spread and many more would follow.

"No, I wouldn't say that. Were still growing and we haven't even released in Asia yet, so it's really exciting"

-Warhammer Online dev, 1 month after the first subscriber report was released.

Movie studios can absorb the occasional bomb because they have 5 more in the pipleline.  They have to run up a few in a row to get into trouble.

A place like (even) EA doesn't have that luxury.  If TOR is really cratering to the extent it's looking like, it could put the entire company into a hole it may take years to dig out of, if it even can at all.  Madden can't save them, because they've already written out the budget assuming it'll get the usual big sales.  It's not likely they have a project that can turn into a surprise mega-hit anytime soon, let alone cover for TOR.

That's why EA's already gone desperate.  Never in their wildest dreams did they think Old Republic would tank (which is some of the reason it HAS) and now they realize how dangerous of an anchor it is to the rest of company if they don't act to stop it.

The #1 question is if it's already too late to prevent the consequences.

Bioware and EA are trying the squeeze the last few dollars they can before the mass exodus becomes public:

- Denying any problems with SWTOR to the press

- paying  a lot of marketing shills to spam their official forums with positive spin

- not addressing important issues with the game like server populations/merges and class balance

- not putting up a new PTS for a new patch with the missing content from 1.2 (ranked warzones? nope)

Basically, it's Warhammer all over again.

New content will get cut back and development will stop completely.

Just faster... and with a larger drop in subs.

Soon to be seen. SWG is reactivated. SWTOR is closed Dec 2012. Then the end comes.

Originally posted by Greyhooff

Bioware and EA are trying the squeeze the last few dollars they can before the mass exodus becomes public:

- Denying any problems with SWTOR to the press

- paying  a lot of marketing shills to spam their official forums with positive spin

- not addressing important issues with the game like server populations/merges and class balance

- not putting up a new PTS for a new patch with the missing content from 1.2 (ranked warzones? nope)

Basically, it's Warhammer all over again.

New content will get cut back and development will stop completely.

Just faster... and with a larger drop in subs.

Thought it was just me but I got the Warhammer feeling from beta and into release. It's obvious now, it's very much like how Warhammer went down.

Well the person that PC Gamer spoke to isn't quoted as saying that su bs have not dropped - check the quote marks.

So the "EA claims that subs are not dropping" is, imo, PC Gamer speak based - maybe? - on what JR told the analyst conference at the start of March. At that point he used the same 1.7M number as was given out in February i.e. EA says that subs are not fropping as of start of March.

So I think this is old news - since when EA have gone into marketing overdrive.

"There is no reduction in subs! "

I'm still playing and still having a good time and will keep sub'ing til I'm no longer having fun. To be completely honest.. the only thing keeping me here is the fact that it's Star Wars, 1 and 2, there's really nothing better out to play right now imo. 

As I'm a really casual player, I'm still having a blast going through the story line of several characters. I must admit though.. it does seem like my server is getting smaller. There is a lot of talk of server merges in general chat and the need for them. 

Spose we'll see. 

Originally posted by unclemo

"There is no reduction in subs! "

 

This actually made me choke on my water...thanks....LOL

They are lying through their teeth.  

Originally posted by unclemo

"There is no reduction in subs! "

 

LMAO! Brilliant!

Originally posted by unclemo

"There is no reduction in subs! "

 

Originally posted by Teala

They are lying through their teeth.  

Of course they are, one cant help but see how the population is dwindling.  There will be server merges soon.

There has been thread after thread on the official forums asking for server merges. Those threads are quickly closed and merged with the one thread asking for them.

I used to defend this game but after having 4 50's to max even with their companions at max, there is nothing left to do.  Folks are not running ops,  the daily missions on belsavis, ilum and  and now Corella I solo most of the time without seeing a soul.   The first few days after the patch you could not find a mob to kill.

Folks are board to death.

They reactivated former subs for free and then they say they have lost no subs. Sure, that's right, 100% retention, no problem.

Originally posted by Praetalus

I'm still playing and still having a good time and will keep sub'ing til I'm no longer having fun. To be completely honest.. the only thing keeping me here is the fact that it's Star Wars, 1 and 2, there's really nothing better out to play right now imo. 

 

As I'm a really casual player, I'm still having a blast going through the story line of several characters. I must admit though.. it does seem like my server is getting smaller. There is a lot of talk of server merges in general chat and the need for them. 

 

Spose we'll see. 

Disclaimer: I'm not attacking you.

I think you represent the majority of players who play this game in several ways.  Most people who have stated that they still enjoy the game have followed that up by pointing out that the Star Wars aspect is the reason they're playing.  Many people also say that they are still having fun, and they play quite casually by experiencing several character stories.

I think this speaks to the things that TOR has going for it: Star Wars lore and compelling character stories reminscent of KOTOR.  It's really too bad that BW tried to force this into an MMO schema.  The entire game would be better served as a KOTOR 3 with different characters.   Imagine playing through a story with 4 or 8 different perspectives?  It would have been amazing.  Instead, they've provided a themepark MMO for casual players with no end game progression of any substance.  Once these types of players are finished with experiencing player stories and the novelty of the Star Wars universe, they will move on just like any other B2P title you would play through a couple times. 

Originally posted by pags411

Originally posted by Praetalus

I'm still playing and still having a good time and will keep sub'ing til I'm no longer having fun. To be completely honest.. the only thing keeping me here is the fact that it's Star Wars, 1 and 2, there's really nothing better out to play right now imo. 

 

As I'm a really casual player, I'm still having a blast going through the story line of several characters. I must admit though.. it does seem like my server is getting smaller. There is a lot of talk of server merges in general chat and the need for them. 

 

Spose we'll see. 

Disclaimer: I'm not attacking you.

 

I think you represent the majority of players who play this game in several ways.  Most people who have stated that they still enjoy the game have followed that up by pointing out that the Star Wars aspect is the reason they're playing.  Many people also say that they are still having fun, and they play quite casually by experiencing several character stories.

 

I think this speaks to the things that TOR has going for it: Star Wars lore and compelling character stories reminscent of KOTOR.  It's really too bad that BW tried to force this into an MMO schema.  The entire game would be better served as a KOTOR 3 with different characters.   Imagine playing through a story with 4 or 8 different perspectives?  It would have been amazing.  Instead, they've provided a themepark MMO for casual players with no end game progression of any substance.  Once these types of players are finished with experiencing player stories and the novelty of the Star Wars universe, they will move on just like any other B2P title you would play through a couple times. 

It being SW themed can only go so far. The core game itself is so awful and uninspiring, i question Bioware's competence on so may levels. They sold a mmorpg on the box, but what's inside has very little mmorp to it.