Originally posted by ZeGerman

Originally posted by angzt

bottom line:

 

The company reported an operating profit of $371 million, up 175% from a year ago.

WoW is not their only producet this means nothing with regards to WoW.

Well yeah, Blizzard only had WoW last year, no new releases.

Their operating profit is more this year than it was in 2010 when they had the release of the new Starcraft and Cataclysm.

So yeah, they're doing exceptionally well for themselves. And continuously making more money.

Originally posted by Hurvart

Originally posted by Gudrunix

Originally posted by Icewhite

But a uniquely large population would logically equate to a uniquely large inertia as well.

I agree.  The inertia is both their biggest strength - they get solid monthly revenue - but also their biggest weakness - it will be difficult to do anything else.

Blizzard is still doing well by nearly any measure - any measure, that is, except long-term growth.  They have a solid game with a huge subscription base, but it is a steadily declining base.  The big news of the drop in subscriptions has shown what some people have long suspected:  that the boost from expansions is temporary and masks a long-term decline.

Blizzard will do fine for the next five or so years, although there likely will be more layoffs.  But beyond that, they have only one real option:  build another, better MMORPG.  But they can't do that, because the second they start work in earnest, subscriptions at WoW will tank.  Players remain invested in WoW because there is a wide-spread belief that it will be around forever (one thing that kills Blizzard's competition is the widespread belief - often confirmed - that its competitors won't be around for long, so there's no sense in investing time in them).  As soon as it becomes clear that Blizzard will be phasing out WoW, its subscriptions will fall off a cliff.  And as such, the executives are not going to seriously consider that option.

Blizzard is stuck.  They have a game that has been hugely successful, but no real way to even try to replace it without taking a huge chance and forgoing a huge amount of revenue.  And if the Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 designs have shown anything, it's that the current design staff are not interested in taking big chances; it's all about playing it safe.  All that points to a long-term decline for Blizzard and World of Warcraft in particular.

I do not think Blizzard is seriously considering a replacement to World of Warcraft, and the expansions have clearly failed to boost its long-term growth.  They are going to live or die on it, and based on the subscription numbers, sooner or later it will be the latter.

They are working on "titan". All the best talent is on that project. I guess it will be released 2015. Next WoW expansion 2014 probably. So I think they have a plan...

I dont know if Titan will be a better MMO. Personally I dont like Blizzard games anymore. But I can also understand why they are mainstream popular and very successful from a business POV. Blizzard probably think Titan will be the new "king"...

The games are very mainstream and they try to satisfie people in general and not to offend anyone. This is good for profits. But not good for true gamers that are hardcore or  nerds. Blizzard is not trying to make games for them anymore. Because it would be bad for profits.

Why do I get multi-quote when I don't choose it?

Yep to Hurvart.  

Blizzard became popular because it let people make mods when other games would not.  The same reason Sims did well.  

Originally posted by halflife25
So at this rate game will be dead in another 10 years? i feel sorry for Blizzard.

LOL!

Originally posted by sammandar

Originally posted by Praetalus
Bottom line... There is still a shit load of players. Never understood why some of you care so much about blizzards financials. Wait til mop hits and everyone goes back lol. Happens every time. 

Not everyone. Since WOW maxed out at 12 million subs, they've only been going down. I can't speak for others, I myself do not care much for Blizzard's finances, but as a company who's game (wow) I played for several years, i guess I do like to stay in touch.

As for MoP, you are right, it will be interesting how WOW does with it's newest expansion. Some call for feast or famine, I call for me of a continual steady decline; having said that, I do believe that MoP will be the worst selling wow expansion since Vanila.

/agree I bought MOP but doubt if I will stay long. The talent changes since WOLK are what turn me away. I am interested in Blizzard's financials as I like to know that they are still doing "ok". I don't think Titan will be the next second coming but it will give them a big shot in the arm (a la Diablo 3) but that surge, like D3 will fade in time.