World of Warcraft hits 11 million subscribers worldwide
by Michael Gray 
Oct 28th 2008 at 1:00PM
Even in the middle of zombies, nerfs, and Death Knights, World of Warcraft has continued to grow. Blizzard announced today that World of Warcraft has achieved 11 million subscribers. To help with perspective, that's as many people as had been employed by the construction industry last year, or just slightly under the population of Greece.
When WoW hit 10 million back in January, Blizzard acknowledged how big the holiday season had been for them. Now consider that we're going into a new holiday season with a brand new expansion on the way. Even if other games are looking to get a piece of the action, we should expect Blizzard to keep steamrolling with their great success. Word of mouth from the recent zombie event might be exciting older players to return, and programs like Recruit-a-Friend will keep growing their active base.
We should expect to see the 12 million landmark sometime in 2009. WoW had hit 9 million subscribers back in July of 2007. Like we said, 10 million subscribers was reached in January of 2008. It took a little longer to grow from 10 to 11 than it did to get from 9 to 10, but if they keep up this rate, we should see the 12 million announcement around February or March.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Rihlsul Oct 28th 2008 1:09PM
"Word of mouth from the recent zombie event might be exciting older players to return"
Really? Wonder how that balances against the HUGE QQ's from people 'quitting' over it. (Of course, people who decry they're leaving... who knows if they DO or stay gone.)
Manatank Oct 28th 2008 1:17PM
No one who is addicted enough to complain about not being able to carry on their normal "business" in WoW is going to quit. I think the big reason many people were complaining about the zombies is that they had completely forgotten that WoW is a game that can change, and prefer their favorite drug stay just the way it always has. If they can't get their high from watching the gold roll into their mail box from AH sales, then they lash out just like any other addict. It didn't matter that the event was on a short time line. They need their fix right away.
Draenors Oct 28th 2008 1:20PM
I'm pretty sure the amount of players leaving because of the plague is very, very low.
If a dead innkeeper is enough to make you quit, then you would have quit for a long time ago, because there were already several others, permanent, more annoying things in the game.
Rihlsul Oct 28th 2008 1:29PM
True enough!
andyjay220 Oct 28th 2008 1:29PM
In fact, I would argue that is WHY the ppl complain. They aren't going anywhere because they're hooked on WoW like the rest of us, and this upsets them. They can't do anything to change it, so they feel helpless, so they complain.
Metal Geario 360 Oct 28th 2008 1:38PM
Based on my own observations, those whiners in trade chat etc...Seem to be around hours after i return to from a few quests and/or instance, still there, still saying "threatening" to quit.
My question to those folks is:
"Why announce it?" The game continues, for those of us who loved WoW since we signed up...
Sleepy Oct 28th 2008 2:54PM
11 million QQers and growing. Small nation of crybabies imo.
Metal Geario 360 Oct 28th 2008 1:10PM
Are the trial and non active accounts counted in this census? I assuming no, but if they are, for shame! For aluding people into thinking this is accurate.
Kolo Oct 28th 2008 1:13PM
Obviously not, stop your whining.
Magnetite2 Oct 28th 2008 1:14PM
No they are not. 11 million active accounts.
alex.rushing Oct 28th 2008 1:24PM
From the press release:
World of Warcraft's Subscriber Definition
World of Warcraft subscribers include individuals who have paid a subscription fee or have an active prepaid card to play World of Warcraft, as well as those who have purchased the game and are within their free month of access. Internet Game Room players who have accessed the game over the last thirty days are also counted as subscribers. The above definition excludes all players under free promotional subscriptions, expired or cancelled subscriptions, and expired prepaid cards. Subscribers in licensees' territories are defined along the same rules.
Metal Geario 360 Oct 28th 2008 1:42PM
@ Kolo
Whining?? For asking a question, then adding a geeky "for shame" if my speculation is right?
pfft
troll is as troll does.
Kolo Oct 28th 2008 1:13PM
The zombie thing was like 4 days? Most people who "quit" still have a subscription active, and realise its now over.
Vortal Oct 28th 2008 1:18PM
Old news peeps, they hit 11 million a few months ago but never made a big deal until now as now is a better PR time for them.
Gishar Oct 28th 2008 1:19PM
Honestly though, how many of those new subscribers are people doubling up on accounts and multiboxing for the ease of leveling alts and giving levels to characters? I doubt that WoW has that many more players than it already had, as much as many players taking on more accounts. Oh well, grats to Blizzard though.
MooNinja Oct 28th 2008 1:25PM
I highly doubt 1million additional people were from people multi-boxing. Some are, of course, but not nearly a vast majority.
I saw much much more multi-boxing in EQ than I do on here. Since I started playing in Beta, I've only personally known 1 person who has more than a single account for themselves personally.
Smurk Oct 28th 2008 1:31PM
I don't know how many players really shell out for multiple copies of the game and subscriptions, but even 5% would boost the overall numbers a lot. Even so, I don't think there is doubt that more people are playing WoW than ever.
I have taken breaks of 6 mo. to a year before, and the zombie plague is something that could have drawn me back if I heard about it, or make me feel like I missed out (like the original Scourge invasion, I didn't get to participate in that).
Arkanhell Oct 28th 2008 1:53PM
Hi,
I don't think it's such a surprise. Every time a new MMO comes out, it's more publicity for WoW. I mean, the constant mention from Warhammer ppl about how Warh it's going to take WoW place and subsc, or how Age of Conan is better, or how the new Star Wars MMO is going to be bigger than WoW. I mean, every MMO player will eventually learn about WoW and will play it, and there is a good chance they will keep playing. I have bought and played EQ2, CoV, AoC, and currently Warh, and I still come back to WoW.
Omestes Oct 28th 2008 2:34PM
I doubt a significant portion, maybe as much as 5% tops. Think of the investment needed to multibox WoW (two copies of the game and expansion, another computer, and then another recurring $180/yr), and then think of the economy, especially in WoW's growing markets.
Bslashingu Oct 28th 2008 3:15PM
I can imagine that it's less than 5% of the WoW subscriber base that multi-boxes. I'm thinking about maybe 1% of the subscriber base multi-boxes, maybe even less.