Corinthar Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) In the last month we have had the 'INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!' programme, which at the time I thought was al little strange when you consider that the playerbase would seem to be larger than any new MMO which I have played in recent years. Now BioWare have brought down the servers during peak time for European countries in order to deploy an emergency patch to ensure that those participating in the upcoming weekend trials have a smooth experience. Do you think that Electronic Arts are putting pressure on BioWare to increase subscriber numbers in advance of their annual financial reports? This isn't a 'whiner' thread. I'm hoping to provoke a discussion based on the recent evidence that EA are doing just that. So, with that said, /DISCUSS Edited March 15, 2012 by Corinthar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaalsMistress Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 More subscribers never hurt any companies bottom line. I'd expect regular incentives to people to start playing or return. Sadly I'll miss them all since I subbed at launch and can't see any reason not to keep my subscription current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyceratops Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I doubt they're under some kind of pressure - Bioware Austin probably just wants its game to succeed and, thus, is putting out solid marketing tactics to help expand the subscriber base. A good company isn't going to try to draw more people in because the game is doing badly (which TOR certainly isn't) - a good company is going to try to draw more people in because they want to be more successful, make more money, etc. They're not reactive; they're proactive. This definitely isn't a 'OH GOD SKY IS FALLING' thing, nor is it a sign of anyone 'up top' pressuring Bioware Austin. Asdfguhyfu.j why can't people learn business tactics before posting these threads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dego_Locc Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) In the last month we have had the 'INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!' programme, which at the time I thought was al little strange when you consider that the playerbase would seem to be larger than any new MMO which I have played in recent years. Now BioWare have brought down the servers during peak time for European countries in order to deploy an emergency patch to ensure that those participating in the upcoming weekend trials have a smooth experience. Do you think that Electronic Arts are putting pressure on BioWare to increase subscriber numbers in advance of their annual financial reports? This isn't a 'whiner' thread. I'm hoping to provoke a discussion based on the recent evidence that EA are doing just that. So, with that said, /DISCUSS Your font color choice is horrible against the forum background, good luck getting ppl to read that. But on topic, yes, ship is sinking. Edited March 15, 2012 by Dego_Locc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiaa Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Yes and this is not new for any business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkCry Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I just think it's sad that the people that have been paying and putting up with all the bugs since launch get pushed to the side so people can play for free this weekend. Where was the emergency maintenance for some of those nasty bugs they ignored for so long? I understand they want to stop the bleeding from the loss of subscriptions, but take care of the ones that have put up with this and are still here. EA will ruin this game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewser Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Your font color choice is horrible against the forum background, good luck getting ppl to read that. But on topic, yes, ship is sinking. Yup, just like McDonalds is closing down and they are desperately selling $69 cheeseburgers on Sundays and putting out coupons for buy one get one free, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbowsin Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I would imagine long before release they had a game plan for marketing and keeping subs coming in. I don't think this is anything that they just came up with out of necessity or orders from the parent company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDeas Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 It's not out of the question. Perfectly likely that EA is putting pressure on BW but to make more money although I don't see why they would need to. BW are hardly the sort of company that makes small games and they are a business so obviously want to turn profits as high as possible. Now BioWare have brought down the servers during peak time for European countries in order to deploy an emergency patch to ensure that those participating in the upcoming weekend trials have a smooth experience. Where did you hear this from though? As far as I've seen there hasn't been a reason yet other than to say 2 hour downtime. On balance it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they were but EA moaning and BW would most likely not change a thing about what BW do unless someone at EA has suggested to do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corinthar Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Your font color choice is horrible against the forum background, good luck getting ppl to read that. But on topic, yes, ship is sinking. Indeed, I think I'll stick with the default colour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisftw Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 DDDDDDOOOOOOoOOooooooommmmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagepotato Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Yup, just like McDonalds is closing down and they are desperately selling $69 cheeseburgers on Sundays and putting out coupons for buy one get one free, etc... $69 cheeseburger? Damn, that better be one tasty burger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amnie Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 am I the only one actually thankfull for the free week-end hoping - against all odds - that it might actually help the empty server? (since I doubt most week-end-tester will actually take their time to figure out the heavy populated servers) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfninjajedi Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Why does everyone think, that just because theres a trial program(which shockingly, other MMOs have) that BW is being pressured, or that the game is failing?.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebbikenezer Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 So, is a parent company getting their affiliate to... try and.... make more money? Is that what's being asked? I don't understand why the answer isn't obvious. I also don't understand why people think a sign of a "healthy" business or product is "not trying to make more money". /sigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goretzu Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Yup, just like McDonalds is closing down and they are desperately selling $69 cheeseburgers on Sundays and putting out coupons for buy one get one free, etc... I guess EA are getting worried too about the amount of subs just not playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiferUK Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 wtb different time for maintenance in europe plx ffs agrhgrhg. left in the 3rd week. Re'subed a week ago and have been unable to get on 4 times *** O_o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goretzu Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Why does everyone think, that just because theres a trial program(which shockingly, other MMOs have) that BW is being pressured, or that the game is failing?.... Probably because usually in most MMORPGs at this point their still pushing boxed sales. Which means this is either an new marketing strategy or they are worried about subs already (or both I guess). Which it is is anyone's guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaskava Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 The company that is out to make more money is trying to make more money? No way! Shock freaking horror! It doesn't mean that the game is dying, it means that they want more. Just like pretty much every company ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duhakalock Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 You people think free trial accounts are the go to thing to "save" swtor Oh please. if the game was dying, which it is clearly not. They would implement something like captial ships or something big to redeem the game. Free trials dont hurt anyone and ONLY increase subs. People ************ about more players, give me a break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomuningen Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) Do duh.....subs are bleeding and people who still have active subs are not playing Edited March 15, 2012 by Gomuningen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkCry Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 So, is a parent company getting their affiliate to... try and.... make more money? Is that what's being asked? I don't understand why the answer isn't obvious. I also don't understand why people think a sign of a "healthy" business or product is "not trying to make more money". /sigh I understand them marketing and wanting to make money thats not the issue. The problem is they dont do emergency maintenance for things that actually need to be fixed. They took the servers down so people can have a better time playing for free. How about the ones that pay and play with all the issues? Wheres our emergency maintenance to make our quality of life better when playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nytak Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Free weekends and invite-a-friend program are pretty much standard these days. I fail to see where you are finding the conspiracy. More players in an MMO is always a good thing. 1.7 million is great, lets see if we can get that number up closer to 10 million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagadeath Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 didn't rift have a free week program shortly after it launched? i don't see a issue here. all mmo's have gone the free trial route it's going to happen so might as well get it going early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnsignSorrow Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I understand them marketing and wanting to make money thats not the issue. The problem is they dont do emergency maintenance for things that actually need to be fixed. They took the servers down so people can have a better time playing for free. How about the ones that pay and play with all the issues? Wheres our emergency maintenance to make our quality of life better when playing. Dude how do you even know that is what this is about? Point being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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