Analyst: 1.5 Million People Already Playing The Old Republic

[Greg Tito]

Analyst: 1.5 Million People Already Playing The Old Republic

The MMO officially launches tomorrow, but servers are already full with folks who pre-ordered TOR.

With the growth of free-to-play games overtaking might be able to stick with a subscription [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9013-Evolve-or-Die], at least for a while. A financial analyst has taken the comparison of WoW and TOR to an extreme by looking at the numbers of WoW's servers and extrapolating an estimate of how many people are playing The Old Republic right now.

Doug Creutz from financial firm Cowen & Company reported today that TOR has opened up 140 servers (77 in the US and 63 in Europe) to customers who've already forked over the cash. Based on Creutz' experience, those servers feel fuller than WoW's. From those two pieces of information, he estimates that 1 million to 1.5 million are already playing The Old Republic.

How did he get there? Well, we know that WoW has 491 servers in operation in North America/Europe and he estimates that Wow's population in those territories is around 4 to 4.5 million.

"Based on the number of servers now in operation, and the relatively high densities thereon, we feel fairly comfortable estimating that the game already has in excess of 1 million players, and potentially could have as many as 1.5 million," wrote Creutz in the report.

"Our (very rough) estimate is based on (1) The Old Republic now has 29% as many servers in operation as World of Warcraft in North America and Europe; (2) the average player density (relative to server capacity) on the The Old Republic servers appears higher than it is on World of Warcraft; and (3) we estimate that World of Warcraft has around 4.0-4.5 million subs in North America/Europe," he said.

Crutz is quick to point out that these numbers will not necessarily translate to paying subscribers, but he's confident that 1.5 million playing TOR before the game has even launched means his prediction of 2 million paying customers for Electronic Arts and BioWare in 2012 is still spot on.

The Old Republic launches on PCs tomorrow December 20th in both North America and Europe. Check out Steve Butts' preview of the Republic forces in the beta here. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/previews/9186-Star-Wars-The-Old-Republic-Hands-On]

Source: CVG [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/330180/the-old-republic-already-has-over-1-million-players-analyst/]

Permalink

 

[Cowabungaa]

However, the question is, of course:

Will they stay?

We all know by now *cough*AgeofConan*cough* that player numbers at launch mean absolutely nothing when talking about MMO's.

 

[direw0lf]

yes but Age of Conan only had the 1st island completed and the rest was fairly barren.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

at least he explains how he is getting the number, i hate it when people just toss it out there like a matter of fact and then don't back it up with anything.


still, until the game is actually out and running for at least a solid 2 months i wouldn't hold my breath on anything

 

[SonicWaffle]

We all know by now *cough*AgeofConan*cough* that player numbers at launch mean absolutely nothing when talking about MMO's.

Yeah, but...Star Wars! Who could turn their back on that, godforsaken prequel trilogy excepted?

 

[SonicWaffle]

at least he explains how he is getting the number, i hate it when people just toss it out there like a matter of fact and then don't back it up with anything.

My figures actually disagree with his. I believe that everyone currently playing this game is actually an advanced computer built for the purpose of making the game world look more populated and beating WoW's number for PR.

I'd tell you my source, but it's a top-level secret. Just trust me on this.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

at least he explains how he is getting the number, i hate it when people just toss it out there like a matter of fact and then don't back it up with anything.

My figures actually disagree with his. I believe that everyone currently playing this game is actually an advanced computer built for the purpose of making the game world look more populated and beating WoW's number for PR.

I'd tell you my source, but it's a top-level secret. Just trust me on this.

hmm...

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

good enough for me! your logic is astounding good sir.

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

at least he explains how he is getting the number, i hate it when people just toss it out there like a matter of fact and then don't back it up with anything.

My figures actually disagree with his. I believe that everyone currently playing this game is actually an advanced computer built for the purpose of making the game world look more populated and beating WoW's number for PR.

I'd tell you my source, but it's a top-level secret. Just trust me on this.

As a pre-order guy, I call bull, mainly because I was playing on a right off the shelf PC. Graphics were okay on my less-than-stellar video card, but a decent card should run the game without problems.

As for population estimates, getting those via visual cues can be difficult, as each zone has "phases" to prevent the appearance of overpopulation and reduce the strain on an individual graphics card. However, a player does have access to the number of people in the zone that they are operating in in the upper-left corner, so the density measurements may be done via that number.

 

[sir.rutthed]

And of those 1.5 million, roughly a million of them are playing Empire. It's kinda silly. I spent half an hour cruising around Republic questing zones on Tatooine yesterday and never saw a single Republic player.

 

[6SteW6]

I was going to pre-order TOR but then I took a lightsaber to the pelvis.

 

[Qitz]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the last Subscription Required MMO and I'd be completely fine with that as not many people want to drop dough for both the box AND the subscription fee. I can see it doing an Endless Trial style like WoW as well, which I wish more MMO's would consider if they're going to charge.

 

[Draconalis]

I'm fairly sure that Wow does not have 4.5 million people on their US/E servers... most of Wow's subscriptions come from china.

I suspect these numbers are WAY off base. Even if Wow DID have 4.5 in the US/E alone, the way he got his numbers doesn't seem well informed and makes too many assumptions.

Example, Wow has 491 servers with 4.5 bajillion people on it.

What's Wow's server caps compared to TOR's server caps?

 

[DanielBrown]

However, the question is, of course:

Will they stay?

We all know by now *cough*AgeofConan*cough* that player numbers at launch mean absolutely nothing when talking about MMO's.

Pretty much this. Every "WoW killer" has had impressive numbers in the beginning, but quickly gotten empty.
I think SWTOR will do pretty well. Got no intrest in playing it myself however.

 

[Azmael Silverlance]

hOW ABOUT Australia??? When are we getting the game?

 

[viranimus]

It is a realistic number. You walk into any starting zone right now and it looks like first day at Hogwarts with people running everywhere. From what ive seen thus far Im seeing planets populated at around 200 people at a time.

Now what is likely to happen is that you will see the figure increase after saturday (IE christmas) where the next major influx of people is going to come from those who get the game as a christmas present most likely in physical format. Population will hold pretty steady for the first month. Youll see some initial drop off after the first month from the people who were only going to play the first month anyway, and youll see some more drop off about 3 months after launch because content wise thats about as long as it will take anyone to level cap.

Sooo.. Bioware had better have tons of content ready to keep players occupied through the first year or they will see massive drop offs. However, after seeing the polish on ToR.. I think its pretty safe to say they have a pretty good handle on WoW2.0 and will have that all under control.

Via word of mouth that the game doesnt suck/the game is like wow in a good way and extensive marketing campaigns the population is going to slowly start to plateau around 2-3 million or so, but it will take over a year for that to occur I think.

 

[LetalisK]

Can we please stop using logic based around "killing WoW"? It's meaningless. WoW failed to "kill" EQ2, so does that mean WoW is a failure?