Press Release 4/3/06 Half A Million Gamers Played More Than Three Million Hours - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Zehnchu

Popcorn Fetish

Join Date: Dec 2005

[GODS]

Mo/Me

03 Apr 2006 at 23:56 - 1

Quote:

From 12:01 AM on Friday, March 24 until 11:59 PM on March 26, more than 500,000 players participated in the invitation-only preview event and cumulatively spent more than three million hours online, making the Guild Wars Factions Preview Event (FPE) one of the largest preview events in gaming history.

http://guildwars.com/press/releases/...2006-04-03.php

Wow Congrats Anet

Mercury Angel

Avatar of Gwen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Wandering my own road.

04 Apr 2006 at 00:15 - 2

~2 hours a day per player on average. That's only about what you might expect from casual gamers in general, not for a special event. Though, the 500k players is not so trivial.
(Actually, I'd imagine that had it been only one day, during the weekend, the average hours per day would be much, much higher, that's just speculation.)

In any case, congratulations.

Cjlr

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

SMS

E/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 00:18 - 3

Wow. That is some sh*t.

And I only got in like, 10 minutes

, damn sister and her basketball tournament...

Zegorzalek

Academy Page

Join Date: Oct 2005

The Last Platoon

04 Apr 2006 at 00:50 - 4

Heh...logged nearly 35 hours and had saturday kids baseball games in there too....

Rhedd

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

You ever have to clean up after a Moa bird?

True Solunastra [SLA] Profession: Moa Wrangler

04 Apr 2006 at 01:01 - 5

I'm trying to decide if that's something to brag about. O_O

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

04 Apr 2006 at 01:06 - 6

Its more of a projection of sales. They should release their pre order info.

KvanCetre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

The Madison Scouts

E/Mo

04 Apr 2006 at 01:28 - 7

I got in 0 hours.

I left an hour before it started
I got home right after it ended.

Stupid West Virginia

Kool Pajamas

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2005

Maryland

Mage Elites [MAGE]

04 Apr 2006 at 02:42 - 8

I expected more. Average of 6 hours for a whole weekend per person? I played almost twice that on the first day.

Maybe I'm just a hardcore player.

Esprit

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dvd Forums [DVDF]

E/

04 Apr 2006 at 02:54 - 9

Congrats ANET

I know I played a considerable more time than 2 hours that weekend playing Factions.

DJ Josh

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

04 Apr 2006 at 02:58 - 10

hmm wonder how many of those were current players who sent them self an invite though.hopefuly there will be many newbies to gw though to help keep the ball rolling over at a.net.

LifeInfusion

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

in the midline

E/Mo

04 Apr 2006 at 04:11 - 11

grats to Anet. The word is spreading.

*cough*DOWN WITH WOW and their 20th century graphics,server downtime, and monthly fees!!!*cough*

mass

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2005

04 Apr 2006 at 04:16 - 12

in my opinion it seems like the world preview event was a complete failure. My reason being is that about 2 million people who already own guild wars who played during the weekend would be considered as part of the participants in the WPE. That's less then half of the current users. Now what if the half a million were new users? My guess is that 1 of 10 people invited themselves for the extra slots, leaving roughly 50,000 new users I don't find that impressive at all.

Esprit

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dvd Forums [DVDF]

E/

04 Apr 2006 at 04:20 - 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mass

in my opinion it seems like the world preview event was a complete failure. My reason being is that about 2 million people who already own guild wars who played during the weekend would be considered as part of the participants in the WPE. That's less then half of the current users. Now what if the half a million were new users? My guess is that 1 of 10 people invited themselves for the extra slots, leaving roughly 50,000 new users I don't find that impressive at all.

Speculation.

It was the fact that half a million players were there for a preview event. Most games cannot not even boast a tenth of the players that ANET got, when they preview/beta their games.

mass

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2005

04 Apr 2006 at 04:29 - 14

oh and not to mention those who tried it and may not have liked it and don't plan on buying it.

Rayne Nightfyre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Acolytes of Lyssa [AL]

Me/A

04 Apr 2006 at 05:15 - 15

Wow, that is quite amazing! Congrats ArenaNet

I did enjoy the FPE overall, can't wait for the actual release.

Dav85

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2006

04 Apr 2006 at 05:17 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury Angel

~2 hours a day per player on average. That's only about what you might expect from casual gamers in general, not for a special event. Though, the 500k players is not so trivial.
(Actually, I'd imagine that had it been only one day, during the weekend, the average hours per day would be much, much higher, that's just speculation.)

In any case, congratulations.

500.000 gamers
3 milions hours...

that makes abot 6 hours average not 2, sir...

Rancour

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Camp Rancor (Rancour :D)

I'm a free spirit (that's not what the guild is called, I just am)

W/R

04 Apr 2006 at 06:20 - 17

Which is even more cool!

Congratulations!

Sunai

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

04 Apr 2006 at 06:35 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by mass

in my opinion it seems like the world preview event was a complete failure. My reason being is that about 2 million people who already own guild wars who played during the weekend would be considered as part of the participants in the WPE. That's less then half of the current users. Now what if the half a million were new users? My guess is that 1 of 10 people invited themselves for the extra slots, leaving roughly 50,000 new users I don't find that impressive at all.

They most likely just counted how many unique accounts accessed the Marketplace, or some such technique. I'm not sure how many copies have been sold, but 2 million struck me as a little high. Maybe it is that much though, it definitely wouldn't be a bad thing.

Anyway, keep in mind that the "copies sold" figure is just that - copies sold. Not how many people are actively playing. There's probably a lot of people who decided they didn't like it, got bored of it, etc. and shelved it for a while. Not checking up, they totally missed the event. There's player ignorance, as well, evidenced by how people were still asking what the Battle Isles were weeks after the PvP event. Additionally, not everyone even had the weekend free.

Some of that is balanced by the fact that lots of account holders actually own more than one account. Everyone's been ranting about these "sweatshop farmers" who have 10+ accounts, they probably bought theirs too. There were undoubtably new players too, but I don't have any clues about that.

Basically, 500k isn't anything to sneeze at. There's so many factors to consider with something like this that just placing the turnout number next to copies number and labelling it a failure isn't too logical.

If only the US had this kind of turnout with voting! :P

damocles

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

The Netherlands

Guidless :(

W/

04 Apr 2006 at 06:42 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav85

500.000 gamers
3 milions hours...

that makes abot 6 hours average not 2, sir...

500.000 gamers
3 million hours
3 days

that makes 2 hours average a day like Mercury Angel said, which ofcourse is 6 hours the whole weekend.

dreamhunk

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

:P

E/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 06:47 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunai

They most likely just counted how many unique accounts accessed the Marketplace, or some such technique. I'm not sure how many copies have been sold, but 2 million struck me as a little high. Maybe it is that much though, it definitely wouldn't be a bad thing.

Anyway, keep in mind that the "copies sold" figure is just that - copies sold. Not how many people are actively playing. There's probably a lot of people who decided they didn't like it, got bored of it, etc. and shelved it for a while. Not checking up, they totally missed the event. There's player ignorance, as well, evidenced by how people were still asking what the Battle Isles were weeks after the PvP event. Additionally, not everyone even had the weekend free.

Some of that is balanced by the fact that lots of account holders actually own more than one account. Everyone's been ranting about these "sweatshop farmers" who have 10+ accounts, they probably bought theirs too. There were undoubtably new players too, but I don't have any clues about that.

Basically, 500k isn't anything to sneeze at. I'd say the community is in pretty good shape still.

I would agree, the question that should be asked is how does Anet really know people liked it?

The sales could be different.

For me I was not disapointed I was indifferent. I really loved the seens and graphics.

The horses or unicorns j/k made the game feel real.

Zehnchu

Popcorn Fetish

Join Date: Dec 2005

[GODS]

Mo/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 07:13 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunai

I'm not sure how many copies have been sold, but 2 million struck me as a little high. Maybe it is that much though, it definitely wouldn't be a bad thing.

Yeah considering you added a million,

Sagaris

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Netherlands.

04 Apr 2006 at 07:27 - 22

Damn, A.Net knows how to throw parties! IMHO, they've made a brilliant game. Prophecies and Factions. Give a round of applause for A.Net!

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

04 Apr 2006 at 13:38 - 23

Wow, I'm the "average" player...

I played about 2-3 hours a day, all three days! And had a blast as well...

CyberNigma

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

San Antonio, TX

W/R

04 Apr 2006 at 14:36 - 24

Most of the people I know that still play frequently logged in for about an hour before quitting (aka the Ferndale effect). A very few that are somewhat obsessed like me and had to do all the missions/map all of the areas, regardless of grind or frustration spent a large number of hours in-game. I had to take several breaks though to keep my sanity :-) It was worth it for me, as the post-mission areas were beautiful..

Snowman

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Wales, UK

Devils Scorpions

W/E

04 Apr 2006 at 15:00 - 25

Its the largest preview event in gaming history

If your not impressed by that then your just sad!

kalvon

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Dec 2005

soldiers of heaven

E/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 15:44 - 26

I used one invite for pve chars and didn't invite anyone. None of my friends were willing to leave WoW for a chance to play GW. Also the servers had great stability during this event.

Fates

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Kanuckistan

Mirror of Reason [SNOW]

R/

04 Apr 2006 at 18:11 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Strain

"We knew that by focusing on new ways to play and new things to do within the game, such as the 12x12 Alliance Battles, which were extremely popular with both PvP and roleplaying gamers, that fans would respond enthusiastically,"

Apparently Jeff hasn't spent too much time reading the forums about the 12v12.

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

04 Apr 2006 at 18:13 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fates Monk

Apparently Jeff hasn't spent too much time reading the forums about the 12v12.

Apparently, you haven't either. Most people seemed to like them, including resident celeb Ensign.

Fates

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Kanuckistan

Mirror of Reason [SNOW]

R/

04 Apr 2006 at 18:17 - 29

Can't say I read many positive reviews from PvE'ers, of which your 'celeb' isn't one.

MSecorsky

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

So Cal

The Sinister Vanguard

Me/

04 Apr 2006 at 18:27 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fates Monk

Can't say I read many positive reviews from PvE'ers, of which your 'celeb' isn't one.

Hey, I'm primarily PvE and had a complete blast with the 12 v 12s. Actually, the more blended missions were a blast as well... the Luxom one where you capture the mine or something with the thermonuclear turtles in support. Loved it.

CyberNigma

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

San Antonio, TX

W/R

04 Apr 2006 at 18:32 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSecorsky

Hey, I'm primarily PvE and had a complete blast with the 12 v 12s. Actually, the more blended missions were a blast as well... the Luxom one where you capture the mine or something with the thermonuclear turtles in support. Loved it.

lol, yeah that was pretty funny - seeing them for the first time, along with the juggernaughts. If you liked that, you should've done the Hatchery mission where u get a small convoy of those guys and some smoke bombs to hit the enemy mobs with :-)

MSecorsky

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

So Cal

The Sinister Vanguard

Me/

04 Apr 2006 at 18:37 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberNigma

lol, yeah that was pretty funny - seeing them for the first time, along with the juggernaughts. If you liked that, you should've done the Hatchery mission where u get a small convoy of those guys and some smoke bombs to hit the enemy mobs with :-)

I did! First time was a disaster, second try we succeeded and had an absolute blast going it. By far the best GW mission I've done to date. Swarms of would be turtle-baby-killing Kurzick dogs. I became a huge fan of the new Snare trap on that mission. With that and barbed I could slow down groups enough that they made great targets for the seige turtles.

Ah, good times, good times...

CyberNigma

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

San Antonio, TX

W/R

04 Apr 2006 at 18:43 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSecorsky

I did! First time was a disaster, second try we succeeded and had an absolute blast going it. By far the best GW mission I've done to date. Swarms of would be turtle-baby-killing Kurzick dogs. I became a huge fan of the new Snare trap on that mission. With that and barbed I could slow down groups enough that they made great targets for the seige turtles.

Ah, good times, good times...

It took me twice as well. I was doing it with henchies (was an A/R). I basically would set the smoke cannister in front of one group before they triggered and went off to fight another group coming from the other direction. Another technique was to drop the smoke cannister on the baby turtles when the melee mobs came in.. Kept them alive pretty good :-) The Kurzick one was a bit easier in that respect, just killed the Siege Turtles and let the juggs kill the mobs.. The Afflicted were definitely much tougher in the Kurzick mission than the Luxon mission..

Also, if anyone has ever seen the animated version of Azimov's Light Years, they will recognize the Afflicted from the cut-scene in the Kurzick mission right away :-)

Jiao Yang

Lunar Rabbit

Join Date: Dec 2005

04 Apr 2006 at 18:44 - 34

I know that its definately not 100% completely obvious, but for some reason I think Factions could be fairly popular. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 19:25 - 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fates Monk

Can't say I read many positive reviews from PvE'ers, of which your 'celeb' isn't one.

Rubbish. Anyway, I'm nearly pure PvE, and here's a positive review: the faction battles were the most fun I've had in GW in a long while, and definitely the most fun PvP mode.

Wrath Of Dragons

Burninate Stuff

Join Date: Aug 2005

New Mexico

E/Mo

04 Apr 2006 at 19:39 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

Rubbish. Anyway, I'm nearly pure PvE, and here's a positive review: the faction battles were the most fun I've had in GW in a long while, and definitely the most fun PvP mode.

exactly

kalvon

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Dec 2005

soldiers of heaven

E/Me

04 Apr 2006 at 21:15 - 37

I am still having withdrawls from the alliance battle. April 27th please come and end my withdrawl.