Comments on: Live by Subs, Die by Subs

By: Radishlaw

Radishlaw — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:10:26 +0000

Thanks to Grimnir I see your blog now, thanks for everything you have done for WAR so far Aiiane.

In response to the article, I do agree people seems to think very highly of sub numbers as an indicator of “success” and “failure”, which is strange considering the whole market exploded since days of the first MMOs, and a “failed” game can easily be at top of the chart before .Sure, from a business standpoint sub numbers are important, but it is also a game. As a player I would have thought personal enjoyment is the sole deciding factor, but apparently arguments doesn’t work that way.

To me, every software has its life cycle. As long as I enjoy it, and the company is maintaining it, all is well. If they ask for feedback, I give them. If they change the direction so that I don’t enjoy it anymore, I leave. It’s not that hard right? Why all the agonizing over minute details, numbers and such? Those are the job of the company’s management, my job is go into the world they set up and bash some heads.

By: Ysharros

Ysharros — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:29:50 +0000

Ahhh, I didn’t know you blogged! (Blame Frank at Overly Positive for linking to you ) +1 on the linkage, per Grim above.

Great article! Seems that the broader issue isn’t just counting-by-subs, it’s the endless “My game is good if it’s better than that game” — which really isn’t much of a logical proposition at all.

I understand that comparison is a natural human process, but as you say: shouldn’t we start judging these games we play on their own merits rather than on endless comparisons with extreme yardsticks (in terms of both success and failure)?

By: Aiiane

Aiiane — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:41:11 +0000

Thanks Grimnir! I enjoy doing my work.

By: Grimnir

Grimnir — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:35:26 +0000

There’s a handful of games holding really low numbers in subs that just refuse to die, based on that I can’t really accept the notion that subs = life in MMO’s. Aside from the money issue, I think it’s more a developer vs publisher that takes games out. Nothing to really support that theory, but there’s been games with more than enough subs that catch a shutdown notice and really throw the playerbase for a spin. This just reeks of internal problems as opposed to cashflow issues. Really, any amount of cashflow in the green will keep a game living for years beyond it’s time. A few ill mannered words spoken to the wrong guy in suit however…

OT: I just discovered your blog, I absolutely love your work. Big kudos, a small feature, and a spot on my blogroll for ya.

-Cheers!

By: xXJayeDuBXx

xXJayeDuBXx — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:10:40 +0000

After re-reading your post, I stand corrected. But you still make some good points!

By: Aiiane

Aiiane — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:43:44 +0000

I’m not actually saying Aion -is- a failure (after all, I still play and enjoy it!), I’m just noting that it’s one of the MMOs that a lot of people have been bringing up in such a debate.

By: The Silly Subscriber Number Worship

The Silly Subscriber Number Worship — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:35:26 +0000

[...] after reading what Up Past Midnight’s Aiiane had to say the other day regarding living and dying by the subscriber number, I begun really thinking about how worthwhile a simple number is for an MMO to be considered a [...]

By: xXJayeDuBXx

xXJayeDuBXx — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:31:36 +0000

I think you bring up some really good points. I would disagree with saying Aion is a failure just yet, I think it’s still too early.

I think Fallen Earth may be in the same category as EVE one day. I think it’s low key release along with a dedicated dev team will make Fallen Earth a success.