How many are we? - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

HawkofStorms · Aug 25, 2010, 11:07 PM // 23:07

Keep in mind that guild wars HAS NO WAY to measure "active members" since there is no monthly fee. Somebody who plays WoW once for 30 miniutes every month and pays a fee is "active." GW has no fee, so no reason to keep track of stats like that, and no real way to do so.

And "why is this game not as popular as wow" is a dumb question. That's like saying the Dark Knight was a terrible movie because it didn't make as much as Avatar. Guild Wars 1 is still the 4th most played MMO in the United States according to xFire statistics (behind WoW, LoTRO (I think, I don't actually remember what is in 2nd place), and DDO). It's still HIGHLY successful. Also, that 250,000 number is probably low (and also, is completely made up).

Honestly, MMO players are weird. Why does every MMO player play "accountant" when it comes to player statistics. What does it matter? I've never seen somebody on a Modern Warfare 2 forum go "this game is in financial trouble because Halo sold more copies." Why obsess about the difference between 1 million players or 10 million players when the most you will ever have on your friends list is 50 and the most you can ever have in your party is 8.

great sir s · Aug 25, 2010, 11:59 PM // 23:59

@hawkofstorms Some people are simply curious, like myself. Many other games i've played actually show you how many players are online at that second in time, and it would be cool for Guild Wars to do that, but at the same time pointless and i dont care that much.

And it is quite annoying when people choose a game to play based on the size of the player base. It makes some difference in my eyes but not all that important. Guild wars will remaine my favorite game simply because its not like any other mmo- it requires SKILL and an actual TEAM, inheriting every meaning of the word.

Ive played WoW myself for a few months, got to lvl 51, and suddenly found myself asking "am i going to be doing this till level 80?" Honestly, as you progress through levels in that game, the only thing that changes are the numbers. Higher armor, higher damage, higher level, everything just seems to get proportionately higher. fighting lvl 80 creatures at lvl 80 will remain as fair a fight as fighting lvl 25 creatures at lvl 25- except the battle may last a little longer and the numbers flying across the screen get bigger and bigger (eye candy?)

In guild wars its not the same damn setup wherever you possibly decide to go. You must alter how to play, what skills you use, etc., so that you are able to overcome whatever you encounter in each unique environment, hence the word skill i used earlier, which ironically is the only word not existant in the WoW dictionary.

*lemming* · Aug 26, 2010, 12:15 AM // 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

It's still HIGHLY successful. Also, that 250,000 number is probably low (and also, is completely made up).

It's made up, but it's probably not all that low.

How many outposts are there on 9 rings afk weekends and hat days? Those peak times are probably the best chance of a peak population estimate.

Angel Killuminati · Aug 26, 2010, 12:20 AM // 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by great sir s

And it is quite annoying when people choose a game to play based on the size of the player base.

Not when I'm choosing a MMORPG type game, or in fact any other online based game, FPS etc. I want to play with a thriving player base, plus having plenty of players keeps the longevity of the game - which in turn grants you plenty of enjoyment over a longer period.

The last thing I want is a player base of say 100, worldwide. Sorry.

HawkofStorms · Aug 26, 2010, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Yeah, except most MMOs are split into servers Angel.

So, if MMO #1 has 3 million players on 6 servers, how is it worse then MMO #2 that has 10 million players on 20?

The actual total number of players doesn't actually mater, so long as it is above a needed critical mass on every server.

Eskimoz · Aug 26, 2010, 03:05 AM // 03:05

You are at least one more.

Bought Prophecies today. Great game for a player on a budget.

orton · Aug 26, 2010, 09:38 AM // 09:38

Quote:

No, there are over 6 million copies sold of all GW campaigns and expansions. 1 account could have all 3 campaigns plus the expansion, which counts as 4 copies sold.

hi dear are you sure about that,.. please explain,..

ranger rothers · Aug 26, 2010, 12:31 PM // 12:31

It would be very easy for ANET to publish figures for active users as we all of course log on.

*Darcy* · Aug 26, 2010, 01:07 PM // 13:07

Both WoW and GW figures are those used to highlight income. ArenaNet says 6 million units as that is how they make their money; Blizzard says 10 million subscriptions because that is how they make theirs. From a corporate standpoint (the source of the numbers), neither of them is interested in how many people are actually playing the game.

You will know when the player base drops below the critical point when the notice comes out announcing the closing of the servers. I don't believe we have to worry about that for at least several years.

Quaker · Aug 26, 2010, 03:49 PM // 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

Keep in mind that guild wars HAS NO WAY to measure "active members" since there is no monthly fee.

Not true. It's easy enough to monitor how many accounts are logged on at any particular time. GW has no way for you to determine the number, but the number can be determined by ANet (and probably is).

Quote:

And "why is this game not as popular as wow" is a dumb question.

Not really - there are no dumb questions...

It's not an easy question to answer though - the short answer is "because more people like WoW".

Quote:

What does it matter?

It matters in many ways. From a player's perspective, it affects the likelihood of finding a good Guild/clan/kinship, the chance of forming a good party/group/fellowship, the amount of items available to be bought (from players), the number of players to sell to, etc., etc., etc.
From a business perspective, it affects decisions as to whether or not to add new content, close down/open up servers, increase/decrease bandwidth of connections, bring out new campaigns/expansions and/or new versions, etc., etc., etc.

nizaru · Aug 28, 2010, 12:26 AM // 00:26

Quote:

And "why is this game not as popular as wow" is a dumb question.

It's not a dumb question, it's from pure curiosity, that's all.

I asked the main question of "how many players are we" because it sucks to do all of the main missions alone, or only with one player. I mean, I know that solo-playing is kinda' promoted by the game itself ( the HEROES/HENCH existence..) but seriously, it's frustrating to do everything alone, just like a single-player game... In addition, I'm kind of person who likes to be surrounded by people, and when I notice that I'm playing all alone for more than 4 months, it just sucks (with all the respect..). For the record, I'm playing on the Euro servers so I think it explains the amount of activity. And for all of those who intend to suggest about moving to the American servers I'll tell you that - I have tried this before and experienced massive lags all of the time, even at this very moment..

Secondly, I think the real reason for the light "crash" of GW is the current GW2 development (which is obvious to all I believe). And this is why so many people who wish to return ask themselves the 'what if GW2 will come out...' question... (although it won't comeout in 2010).

Quaker · Aug 28, 2010, 04:18 PM // 16:18

Given the current state of the game - including the lower number of active players and the existence of Heroes - your best solution would be to try to find a friendly, active Guild to join. Don't be afraid to try a few Guilds until you find one you like, but be sure to be upfront about it when you join.

It sucks that you get bad pings to the America region servers, as this is where most of the activity seems to be these days.

P.s - I'd invite you to join my Guild but:
a. It's in the America region.
b. It's not active. No one (except me, just now) has been on for 2weeks.

*Darcy* · Aug 28, 2010, 04:24 PM // 16:24

I would think that when GW2 is released a lot of current GW players (myself included) will start splitting their time between the two games, unless they have accomplished everything in GW that they are interested in doing. Then of course they will just move over completely.

I have GW friends who might not purchase GW2 for various reasons (money, requirements, etc.), so I might continue with GW for social reasons.

Aug 25, 2010, 11:07 PM // 23:07	#21
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	Keep in mind that guild wars HAS NO WAY to measure "active members" since there is no monthly fee. Somebody who plays WoW once for 30 miniutes every month and pays a fee is "active." GW has no fee, so no reason to keep track of stats like that, and no real way to do so. And "why is this game not as popular as wow" is a dumb question. That's like saying the Dark Knight was a terrible movie because it didn't make as much as Avatar. Guild Wars 1 is still the 4th most played MMO in the United States according to xFire statistics (behind WoW, LoTRO (I think, I don't actually remember what is in 2nd place), and DDO). It's still HIGHLY successful. Also, that 250,000 number is probably low (and also, is completely made up). Honestly, MMO players are weird. Why does every MMO player play "accountant" when it comes to player statistics. What does it matter? I've never seen somebody on a Modern Warfare 2 forum go "this game is in financial trouble because Halo sold more copies." Why obsess about the difference between 1 million players or 10 million players when the most you will ever have on your friends list is 50 and the most you can ever have in your party is 8. Last edited by HawkofStorms; Aug 25, 2010 at 11:10 PM // 23:10..

Aug 26, 2010, 01:07 PM // 13:07	#29
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Both WoW and GW figures are those used to highlight income. ArenaNet says 6 million units as that is how they make their money; Blizzard says 10 million subscriptions because that is how they make theirs. From a corporate standpoint (the source of the numbers), neither of them is interested in how many people are actually playing the game. You will know when the player base drops below the critical point when the notice comes out announcing the closing of the servers. I don't believe we have to worry about that for at least several years. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Aug 28, 2010, 04:18 PM // 16:18	#32
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	Given the current state of the game - including the lower number of active players and the existence of Heroes - your best solution would be to try to find a friendly, active Guild to join. Don't be afraid to try a few Guilds until you find one you like, but be sure to be upfront about it when you join. It sucks that you get bad pings to the America region servers, as this is where most of the activity seems to be these days. P.s - I'd invite you to join my Guild but: a. It's in the America region. b. It's not active. No one (except me, just now) has been on for 2weeks. Last edited by Quaker; Aug 28, 2010 at 04:23 PM // 16:23..

Aug 28, 2010, 04:24 PM // 16:24	#33
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	I would think that when GW2 is released a lot of current GW players (myself included) will start splitting their time between the two games, unless they have accomplished everything in GW that they are interested in doing. Then of course they will just move over completely. I have GW friends who might not purchase GW2 for various reasons (money, requirements, etc.), so I might continue with GW for social reasons. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Aug 25, 2010, 11:59 PM // 23:59	#22
great sir s Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The depths of Africa Guild: [LotU] Profession: N/Me	@hawkofstorms Some people are simply curious, like myself. Many other games i've played actually show you how many players are online at that second in time, and it would be cool for Guild Wars to do that, but at the same time pointless and i dont care that much. And it is quite annoying when people choose a game to play based on the size of the player base. It makes some difference in my eyes but not all that important. Guild wars will remaine my favorite game simply because its not like any other mmo- it requires SKILL and an actual TEAM, inheriting every meaning of the word. Ive played WoW myself for a few months, got to lvl 51, and suddenly found myself asking "am i going to be doing this till level 80?" Honestly, as you progress through levels in that game, the only thing that changes are the numbers. Higher armor, higher damage, higher level, everything just seems to get proportionately higher. fighting lvl 80 creatures at lvl 80 will remain as fair a fight as fighting lvl 25 creatures at lvl 25- except the battle may last a little longer and the numbers flying across the screen get bigger and bigger (eye candy?) In guild wars its not the same damn setup wherever you possibly decide to go. You must alter how to play, what skills you use, etc., so that you are able to overcome whatever you encounter in each unique environment, hence the word skill i used earlier, which ironically is the only word not existant in the WoW dictionary.

Aug 26, 2010, 01:36 AM // 01:36	#25
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	Yeah, except most MMOs are split into servers Angel. So, if MMO #1 has 3 million players on 6 servers, how is it worse then MMO #2 that has 10 million players on 20? The actual total number of players doesn't actually mater, so long as it is above a needed critical mass on every server.

Aug 26, 2010, 03:05 AM // 03:05	#26
Eskimoz Academy Page Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: My house Profession: W/	You are at least one more. Bought Prophecies today. Great game for a player on a budget.

Aug 26, 2010, 12:31 PM // 12:31	#28
ranger rothers Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2008	It would be very easy for ANET to publish figures for active users as we all of course log on.