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Ctaesis
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:34:00 -
[1]
Sorry, but recently I've heard that EVE has dropped to the bottom shelf at the retailers and repriced at $19.99. Also, we should realize that lots and lots of bad press are being spread about by reviews regarding EVE (55%) which prevents the "bread and butter" Joe Casual Player from subscribing. Third, we all can plainly see on eve-i.com how the peak server load continues to dwindle week by week. Finally, we know that S&SI has already "downsized" Campion, so we can surmise that they know EVE is a money-loser.
With all this factual evidence, does anyone seriously think EVE will still be around this time next year? Or even, this Christmas?
I think CCP is about to go through a rough year if they want to fight to keep EVE alive.
________________
"Warp to Desktop" -- American PCGamer
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Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:39:00 -
[2]
Neocron has just over two-thousand users.
It's been constantly belittled and labelled all sorts of things under the sun.
People continuously screech about how it won' survive past tommorow/next week/next month/Christmas.
It's been going for years and shows healthy signs of life (While only having fifteen people working on it altogether, only three of those people being coders).
It's similar to EVE in a lot of respects.
Success is measured in more than just subscription numbers.
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Stavros
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:40:00 -
[3]
Neocron is dead, games like this need HUGE playerbases in order to live up to their full potential.
And neocron never has more than a couple of hundred users online at a time, so dont quote that 2000 rubbish.
Cheers
--
"Keep On Flaming Lamers, Like Your Ships Did When We Ended You" |
NGRU Rix
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:42:00 -
[4]
Most of the people doing the reviews for this game are morons. They play the game for a day at the most and write the review. They have deadlines to meet. Anyone who listens to game reviews and takes their words as gold are fools.
As for the pricing down to $20 - smart move IMO. Less to buy the game and you still get the subscription $$ from the player.
I think the game will last a long time and I intend to be here for the duration. People just expect too much too fast.
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Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:43:00 -
[5]
 Quote:
And neocron never has more than a couple of hundred users online at a time, so dont quote that 2000 rubbish.
Cheers
Whenever I've been online there have been around six-hundred people on Jupiter, just under five-hundred on Saturn and Uranus plus around four-hundred on Pluto.
Likewise, Thanatos has stated that the company is doing well as well as mentioning, several times, that the actual amount of Subscribers is well in advance of two-thousand, five-hundred.
If Neocron is dead then it will blow peoples' socks off when it's ressurected.
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Mulu Xump
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:45:00 -
[6]
Edited by: Mulu Xump on 18/08/2003 15:45:22
NO.
Not in it's present form. CCP have some serious work to do in ALOT of departments.
I hope they pull it off. The game deserves to do well. They've tried to break the MMORPG mold and they're struggling because of it.
It's a shame that Sony can publish EQ in space and make it success of it whether it's rubbish or not while the new kids on the block suffer as they try to create something unique(ish).
-----------------------------------------
Don't jump off the roof dad.
You'll make a hole in the yard.
----------------------------------------- |
Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:46:00 -
[7]
Quote:
It's a shame that Sony can publish EQ in space and make it success of it whether it's rubbish or not while the new kids on the bloke suffer as they try to create something unique(ish).
That's capitalising on an already huge, and established, market.
Even an utter Gibbon could sell Star Wars: Galaxies.
It's just bad luck for CCP that their game has been largely ignored in favour of something so well recognised.
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Ctaesis
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:47:00 -
[8]
Alexia, that's a fair point.
If you are claiming that their 2000 subscribers are covering their overhead and the costs of development, then that's cool.
But if EVE has 2000 subscribers paying 12.95 a month, then CCP and its investors are making roughly 310,000 USD per year. They have to pay off labor, bandwidth and servers, investors, etc. If you think 310k can do that, cool.
Actually, I was lead to believe that EVE has somewhere around 20,000 subscribers. That would be 3.1M per year before taxes. So maybe they have a little breathing room.
________________
"Warp to Desktop" -- American PCGamer
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Macumba
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:47:00 -
[9]
I think so. Look at AO, people continuously said that it'd be dead and buried before x date. Its still going strong. We're not talking EQ numbers here, but obviously somebody somewhere thinks its worth keeping the servers running (and writing two expansion packs for).
EVE is far from perfect, but I think it'll go the distance.
What SSI need to do is advertise the game. I haven't seen one ad since the game was first announced. The only way people find out about Eve is through word of mouth or morbid curiousity when they read a bad review. Even the odd banner ad couldn't hurt, it's cheap enough.
That and get a community manager who actually knows the community/fulfils the role, instead of just the people who were here 2-3 years ago.
Mods who had a clue would be a bonus too.
"PVP = griefing" Papa Smurf |
Dominion Alaris
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:48:00 -
[10]
Check the server graphic display on Eve-i better m8y... You can see that it is peeking again(reaching 5700 last despite very severe server issues) after the summer so you don't have to worry. According to the tone of your post it seems to me you aren't even trying to ask to get honest reply... you just negative..:P
Eve will go on forever while there is money.. and there is indeed money because they reached over 25.000 active user in June and i can promise you that a lot of new user has joined the game since tho some have also left...:)
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Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:50:00 -
[11]
Quote:
Alexia, that's a fair point.
If you are claiming that their 2000 subscribers are covering their overhead and the costs of development, then that's cool.
But if EVE has 2000 subscribers paying 12.95 a month, then CCP and its investors are making roughly 310,000 USD per year. They have to pay off labor, bandwidth and servers, investors, etc. If you think 310k can do that, cool.
Actually, I was lead to believe that EVE has somewhere around 20,000 subscribers. That would be 3.1M per year before taxes. So maybe they have a little breathing room.
Well, as I said, the company behind Neocron (Reakktor Media Ltd) is fairly small, and privately owned, so the subscription base is more than adequate for it's needs.
However, about EVE....although I'm not claiming to know about their bandwith costs, employee numbers and so forth, from what I've seen it does appear as if they're able to survive on the current player base.
Personally, I'd prefer a smaller amount of players that get along with one another as opposed to the hostile, all-out war-esque community we have now.
But...eh, I'm not a businessman.
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Ctaesis
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:51:00 -
[12]
Quote:
What SSI need to do is advertise the game. I haven't seen one ad since the game was first announced. The only way people find out about Eve is through word of mouth or morbid curiousity when they read a bad review. Even the odd banner ad couldn't hurt, it's cheap enough.
We all know that reviewers are morons blah blah blah. This isn't that thread.
And that's my point, the only way people find out about EVE is from a bad review and morbid curiousity. That's sad.
And you're right, there has never been any semblence of a marketing campaign. Perhaps S&SI wants CCP to just rot on the vine.
________________
"Warp to Desktop" -- American PCGamer
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Erty
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:53:00 -
[13]
Edited by: Erty on 18/08/2003 16:02:35
The server population isn't going down.
This sunday there was more players on than last sunday, and last sunday there was more players on than the sunday before.
It WAS going down during the summer, but that isn't strange. Most people don't play games in the summer.
But it's still lower than before :)
Offcourse it will survive until christmas, why not? Can't see a single reason.
Campion worked for SSI, not CCP.
When the game was released I think his job was finished.
BTW it's strange that many americans think that just because someone from their country is thinking and doing something, the whole world is.
I have only seen bad reviews in american magazines.
Look at some of the european ones:
PC Gamer UK - 90%
PC ZONE - 88%
Edge - 8/10
PC Gamer Sweden - 87%
Super Play - 9/10
Not too bad I think...
This is my signature. |
Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:55:00 -
[14]
Quote:
It WAS going down during the summer, but that isn't strange. Most people don't play games in the summer.
True dat, been having record heatwaves lately so people, unless they're like me, are going to be spending time outside, soaking it up while they can.
When the weather gets colder, wetter and more miserable, like it is now, then expect to see the server population (Not the subcription rate neccesarily) take a jump.
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KIAEddZ
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:58:00 -
[15]
Yes it will.
cba to re-itterate any more than that.
http://oldforums.eveonline.com/?a=topic&threadID=176347
www.kia-corp.co.uk/killboard
CEO of KIA Corp - Been doing it for the Laydeez since 1993, now we i |
scam artist
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:58:00 -
[16]
Most of the people doing the reviews for this game are morons
the truth hurts sometimes
as for topic answer nope
lets see what as this game got going for it hmmm pvp anything else hmm no
is pvp easy in this game hmm lets see no
will it get easyer hmmm no not likly they want you to fight they want you to stay and replace what you fight over they will make it harder to replace what you lose
these boards need a search engine |
scam artist
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Posted - 2003.08.18 15:59:00 -
[17]
Quote:
True dat, been having record heatwaves lately so people, unless they're like me, are going to be spending time outside, soaking it up while they can.
 24 hour sunshine
these boards need a search engine |
Turtle
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:03:00 -
[18]
Why do post like this exist. In all the games I have played you see this. DOAC, AC1, AC2 all of them have this type of post. What will be will be, period.
Looking at the referenced graph it looks like the number bottomed in June/July and are back on the upswing again. I know in my corp approx 50% of the people are on summer holiday. I myself have a very hard time plying when the weather outside is 85+ and there is sun.
And did you by chance see that this game will be marketed by cable providers in the USA. This may be a first for an online game and may bring huge numbers of new players in.
Reviews are for idiots IMO. They never provide the detail or objectivity required for this type of game. If the reviewers hand isn't being held or if they really have to play and think then the game gets trashed. Its not in the reviewers best interest to spend alot of time in any game. They get paid on a per review bases I think and spending alot of time in game means less money per hour.
6 months from now ask this question. At that point it may have some validity.
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Drefsab
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:06:00 -
[19]
It is sadly true that the game isnt making enough money or doing enough to attract more players, so how about making a vaulentary increase in the charges, I would pay more per month to keep eve going on all of my accounts. Maybe if this is implimented such people that pay more could get something in return (to encourge people to do it). Im not talking like tech 5 items or battleships but how about involvement in events, or new tech releases (instead of using the bigger favored corps).
"Death Before Dishonor" |
Mulu Xump
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:07:00 -
[20]
I guess they would't have got any investment if the business plan hadn't been good.
Anyone know of any MMORPGs that haven't succeded?
-----------------------------------------
Don't jump off the roof dad.
You'll make a hole in the yard.
----------------------------------------- |
Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:11:00 -
[21]
Quote:
Anyone know of any MMORPGs that haven't succeded?
How is Shadowbane going? Last time I heard that game had crashed and burned.
Likewise, I hear people are flocking _away_ from Planetside on a weekly basis.
Just hearsay and rumour though, so I can't confirm it.
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Aten
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:15:00 -
[22]
I think there will be a group of people that want to mine all day so they can purchase a station for no real purpose. Kind of like the Honeycomb Hideout. They'll have a secret knock and everything... but the pvp people will be long gone in a few months. |
MrPops
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:27:00 -
[23]
This game will still be around for christmass, this game will still be around next year, this game will still be around for a long time to come.
These games all have their audiences, so even if you think this game may suck it will still have people supporting it and new people joining the playerbase.
Just look over to E&B, it's going to celebrate its one year anniversary even though most of the EVE population would agree it sucks. Look at UO, still going strong after all these years even after many similar games with better gameplay, graphics and storylines have come out.
"The human species suffers from a dimensional limitation. They are not able to understand that matter and mind are just one aspect of something more fundamental. We must strive to expand our perspective so we can see what our true reality is."
Deep toughts by Mr.Pops, while consuming large quantities of Blue Pill and staring at the EVE gate in Genesis.
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Khand
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:31:00 -
[24]
Quote:
Sorry, but recently I've heard that EVE has dropped to the bottom shelf at the retailers and repriced at $19.99. Also, we should realize that lots and lots of bad press are being spread about by reviews regarding EVE (55%) which prevents the "bread and butter" Joe Casual Player from subscribing. Third, we all can plainly see on eve-i.com how the peak server load continues to dwindle week by week. Finally, we know that S&SI has already "downsized" Campion, so we can surmise that they know EVE is a money-loser.
With all this factual evidence, does anyone seriously think EVE will still be around this time next year? Or even, this Christmas?
I think CCP is about to go through a rough year if they want to fight to keep EVE alive.
Who made you the expert? Maybe you should look at other MMORPGs (particulary Anarchy Online) and then think again.
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Jash Illian
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:38:00 -
[25]
Quote:
Who made you the expert? Maybe you should look at other MMORPGs (particulary Anarchy Online) and then think again.
AO underwent some massive changes in infrastructure to start survive. More importantly though, they had to drastically change their way of thinking and acting.
CCP mirrors their old methods.
I mean its like you want corporations to oblige each other like its sex or something. Pffft I would rather **** my enemy.- Rohann
Be careful out there. That other guy waiting in the queue for the gate MIGHT be a baby-munching frock-burner, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!- Lallante |
loci
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:44:00 -
[26]
Edited by: loci on 18/08/2003 16:44:45
Quote:
the only way people find out about EVE is from a bad review and morbid curiousity. That's sad.
maybe the casual gamer, but eve isnt suited for the casual gamer.
most online gamers, for whichever genre they are into, are smart enough to know that the only way they will know if they like the game, is by playing it.
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Turtle
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Posted - 2003.08.18 16:48:00 -
[27]
Quote:
It is sadly true that the game isnt making enough money or doing enough to attract more players
Could you please quote your source. Please point to the finacial analysis that you got this information.
Its this kinda information, presented as fact that makes me laugh.
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NastyLlama
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:06:00 -
[28]
Quote:
Sorry, but recently I've heard that EVE has dropped to the bottom shelf at the retailers and repriced at $19.99. Also, we should realize that lots and lots of bad press are being spread about by reviews regarding EVE (55%) which prevents the "bread and butter" Joe Casual Player from subscribing. Third, we all can plainly see on eve-i.com how the peak server load continues to dwindle week by week. Finally, we know that S&SI has already "downsized" Campion, so we can surmise that they know EVE is a money-loser.
------------------------------------------------
OMG not the 55% rewiew again
Why dont people just play or leave, simple eh
And as for your ot scare mongering, get some facts firts before you rant on about how eve's going to fail any time now.
If eve did fail I would find some other game to play, not hard is it, or the end of the world, but I cant see it failing any time soon.
Eve's biggest threat would be another online game that was better, anyone know of one,I tyried some but, naaaaaa not for me
This game rocks, sure some things suck, show me a morg that dont in places or at times
==================================================
I'M not a carebear, I'M a total coward, beware of cornerd carebares and cowards, we winge and cry like cornered pirates..........
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Mulu Xump
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:08:00 -
[29]
Quote:
AO underwent some massive changes in infrastructure to start survive. More importantly though, they had to drastically change their way of thinking and acting.
Lets hope CCP have the capacity to change and survive.
-----------------------------------------
Don't jump off the roof dad.
You'll make a hole in the yard.
----------------------------------------- |
Darth Tom
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:10:00 -
[30]
Quote:
It is sadly true that the game isnt making enough money or doing enough to attract more players
How would you know? Seriously?
Concurrent online users went down during the summer - as expected - and is now on it's way up again - as expected.
As others have pointed out, reviews and overall take up has been very very good in Europe. Poor magazine reviews in the US does not mean EVE is dying.
I have to say I have been impressed with these forums - never had I had the displeasure of seeing so much demanding nastiness. Ever.
My God, Pann - please never let any of the devs near any of this stuff. If I worked for 2-3 years, and saw the ungrateful *****ing that is prevalent on these forums, I'd throw in the towel and walk.
Everyone I have mentioned EVE to has gone out, bought it, and signed up for 6 months. That number is over 25 so far.
The only threat to EVE is n00bs and potential players coming here, reading these forums, and being put off by the obscene level of vitriol and bitterness.
You think EVE is good? You want it to last?
Stop *****ing on the forums and start posting about all the good things you enjoy in the game.
Because, quite frankly, anyone who has nothing but negative playing experiences, yet still plays, and still actively whines, is just not right in the head.
I'd like to see stats from CCP about how many people who actively whine on these forums play regularly on Chaos, and send constructive bug reports to the Devs
Cheers,
TOM
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Marcus Grisbius
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:13:00 -
[31]
Turtle, thank you for that good advice.
People have no clue what CCP is doing, much less S&S. Truth is though, that several major companies have invested in this game. I am pretty sure that the game will definitely last to Christmas. These companies know, unlike most of the ingame companies, that you don't have to have an immediate profit to succeed. There is a good sense of long term investment in a game such as this.
Do you think that CCP would want to advertise the game full force yet? Of course not, it's still summer. People start shopping for video games around the end of the year for Christmas presents. Also people spend more time indoors in the fall and winter that translates into increased time in front of the old pc. Knowing this, it has given CCP extra time to work out bugs that would occur with huge amounts of people. It's always better to have slower planned growth than explosive overnight popularity. People will not be turned off so much in the next few months as some were when the game released.
As far as the game mag reviews, the American mags did give the game fairly bad reviews. The Euro mags however, gave the game incredibly good reviews. But in spite of the bad American review numbers, several of them said that this was a game to keep an eye on. Although they tested the game at a current, buggy state, they did see an incredible amount of potential.
Eve will go strong for a long time because there are enough people like me who like it and will pay for it. If we don't get 20 Billion people online at one time it won't take away from the game. You don't have to have to be the best ever to be a success. But people love hopping on band wagons.
All that to answer the question, but yes the game will be around for a long time.
Certainty of death... little chance of success... what are we waiting for? - Gimli, son of Gloinn |
Endureth
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:15:00 -
[32]
Heh, not sure if it'll make it to Christmas but I know some people that are getting coal in their stockings this year.
-E
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Ubiq
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:15:00 -
[33]
Please, all you have to do is play the game to know its a winner. Go play the competition, see what is out there, and you will agree.
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Mandilater
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:16:00 -
[34]
This damn game better be around I just baught it !
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NastyLlama
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:18:00 -
[35]
quote:
Stop *****ing on the forums and start posting about all the good things you enjoy in the game.
Because, quite frankly, anyone who has nothing but negative playing experiences, yet still plays, and still actively whines, is just not right in the head.
------------------------------------------------
Thats soooo true
==================================================
I'M not a carebear, I'M a total coward, beware of cornerd carebares and cowards, we winge and cry like cornered pirates..........
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Danton Marcellus
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:19:00 -
[36]
I should've put in a buy order on the damn thing! 
Convert Stations
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Eniatur Mamsalari
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:33:00 -
[37]
As for he topic. Yes, i do believe it will.
There is no other online-game around that provides what i look for in Eve. And i know of none in the near horizon.
And even in the single player front i see little in terms of new ideas. Maybe Flashpoint 2 but that is almost 2 years away...
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Lao Tzu
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:38:00 -
[38]
I'll be playing for ages, even if I have to make blackbirds out of wood and fly them around the house jamming the cats
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Jash Illian
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:39:00 -
[39]
Quote:
quote:
Stop *****ing on the forums and start posting about all the good things you enjoy in the game.
Because, quite frankly, anyone who has nothing but negative playing experiences, yet still plays, and still actively whines, is just not right in the head.
------------------------------------------------
Thats soooo true
No. Actually, those that complain the most are usually the ones the like the game the most. And it's their like for the game that pushes them to complain when something frustrating happens to them.
Someone apathetic would simply cancel and leave without a word. And that is something that has been proven. Out of 4 people that have an issue with customer service, usually only 1 will make a complaint. The other 3 will simply not give you their business anymore. That was from CS training I underwent 10 years ago.
I mean its like you want corporations to oblige each other like its sex or something. Pffft I would rather **** my enemy.- Rohann
Be careful out there. That other guy waiting in the queue for the gate MIGHT be a baby-munching frock-burner, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!- Lallante |
Veng
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Posted - 2003.08.18 17:54:00 -
[40]
The sad fact is most of the negative posts come from the same people while they rant and moan the vast majority of players are playing and enjoying the game.
These people that rant and moan all the time that the game is crap (ect ect) are still playing so they cant honestly think the game is that bad.
For every one that leaves more join (the server numbers are rising steady).
So in answer to your question yes this will last way longer than christmas and it has the potential to be the best online game to date.
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Lexington Cabot
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Posted - 2003.08.18 18:10:00 -
[41]
"Whenever I've been online there have been around six-hundred people on Jupiter, just under five-hundred on Saturn and Uranus plus around four-hundred on Pluto."
Wow that's a lot of people on Uranus!!
Sorry I had to say it, you don't get to use many Uranus jokes these days.
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Karash Amerius
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Posted - 2003.08.18 18:14:00 -
[42]
advertise...its part of economics 101. SSI needs to retake that class.
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Singular
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Posted - 2003.08.18 18:30:00 -
[43]
LOL, you people aint seen nothing yet.
Anyone who played AC2 KNOWS this game is doing outstanding. AC2 numbers dropped like 10% PER WEEK, and that game still isnt shut down.
Actually, I think this game is doing very well (though Im not sure exactly why), but CCP better get off its ass and put some "non-TTI" content in this game, or its all over.
Im Yo Huckleberreh |
var'ulfur
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Posted - 2003.08.18 18:48:00 -
[44]
 i see the care bear/whine and chese type have a banner now and a revolution
omg i have not laugh so hard in a long time. the forums should be renamed the pain in the butt forum all that post here are sniving little whiners that want to play with no loss or death and doom and gloom chicken little the sky is falling people. god if you dont like the game get off the server and shut up already your giving me a head ack  the door is that way dont let it hit you in the ass on the way out...
talk is cheap the cost of action is enormus
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Jash Illian
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Posted - 2003.08.18 19:00:00 -
[45]
Quote:
i see the care bear/whine and chese type have a banner now and a revolution
omg i have not laugh so hard in a long time. the forums should be renamed the pain in the butt forum all that post here are sniving little whiners that want to play with no loss or death and doom and gloom chicken little the sky is falling people. god if you dont like the game get off the server and shut up already your giving me a head ack the door is that way dont let it hit you in the ass on the way out...
And if the rules were applied equally, I wouldn't have a chance to respond to your post. It'd have been editted for flaming and trolling.
I mean its like you want corporations to oblige each other like its sex or something. Pffft I would rather **** my enemy.- Rohann
Be careful out there. That other guy waiting in the queue for the gate MIGHT be a baby-munching frock-burner, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!- Lallante |
Graffix
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Posted - 2003.08.18 19:27:00 -
[46]
The game better last til christmas, jeez, my training for the titan will probably take me to christmas to complete ;)
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Keo Morigan
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Posted - 2003.08.18 19:35:00 -
[47]
Quote:
Neocron is dead, games like this need HUGE playerbases in order to live up to their full potential.
And neocron never has more than a couple of hundred users online at a time, so dont quote that 2000 rubbish.
Cheers
The thing is the fact that eve got thousands systems, close to 5000 if i remember the ads for eve.
And Neocron got a world which takes less than 30 mins to WALK straight over.
So if your looking at map size over playerbase, I would say Neocron wins over Eve.
If your not a part of the solution, then you'r probably a part of the problem. |
Mynobe Soletae
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Posted - 2003.08.18 19:45:00 -
[48]
I think the game will last till Christmas and possibly beyond. The current server hardware supports exactly the playerbase we have (note that we get lag when servers reach 5500+ people), and their support expenses are minimal. It's quite possible that the (small) profit they get from the current player base is sufficient to cover the dev expenses.
Despite all the whining on the boards, the current player base seems resilient. I'm not sure what you found on eve-i, but I know we consistently get 5300 users at server prime time, and to me it doesn't look like the number of players is decreasing.
An equilibrium has been reached. Game will sustain itself as long as we don't dip too much. If I start seeing consistent 2000 player peaks, then maybe I'll get worried. |
Calalbran
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Posted - 2003.08.18 20:06:00 -
[49]
Funny how loads of people post about the lack of advertising for the game.
I bought the game back in May - the magazine I read the review in also had a full colour advert for the game on a different page, which incidently gave the website address. So I looked at the game, then decided to buy it.
Here in the UK I've seen 3 magazines advertising the game. Maybe its just certain magazines they aren't advertising in.
I do a lot of adverts in my own business - some magazines and papers are way too expensive for the number of people to be reached (work out distribution (mag will tell you), then work out cost, then work out the number of people needed to respond to break even).
A lot of magazines do price rather high - so unless you have money to burn, you spread your advertising budget over a few places, then some more a little while later.
A big advert in the right place is worth far more to you than a small advert spread right around.
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Torik
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Posted - 2003.08.18 20:18:00 -
[50]
I've been playing Earth and Beyond for almost a year. The E&B forums have been plagued by 'the game is dying' posts since about December. Well, the game has certainly not died and is actually experiencing a resurgence for the last few months. IMO the reason for that is that the game had enough appeal to keep most of its playerbase during the rough times and then managed to address the main concerns of its key player demographic.
EVE is a interesting and challenging game. It has great potential. I believe that the game has enough staying power to last through a few months of 'rough times'. Every new MMORPG has technical problems and balance issues. The real challenge is whether the Devs and GMs can address these issues while keeping their key player demographic interested.
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Tool
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Posted - 2003.08.18 20:37:00 -
[51]
Edited by: Tool on 18/08/2003 20:37:49
Well, if anything the number of people subcribing to the game is at the very least equal to those who leave. The online user numbers have not changed drastically enough to indicate a decline or an increase in user base.
As I see it, they'll be around for a while, at least a year or 2. There will definitely be those who stay no matter how bad the game is to show their ever undying support for their drug. The game will survive, unless something so drastically better is released that you literally **** yourself just looking at screen shots...that hasn't happened.
"remember, you can get f'd up just like anyone else. So have a Quafe, smile, and stfu." |
Nera
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Posted - 2003.08.18 20:41:00 -
[52]
Edited by: Nera on 18/08/2003 20:42:24
It'll be around till MMORPG's are no longer viable. Unless like Tool said something so grand is released that it blows this game out of the water.
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Nariko Tenrai
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Posted - 2003.08.18 20:45:00 -
[53]
My brief recap of what other people have said, because it largely agrees with what I think:
1) Anarchy Online. Horrible bug-riddled mess. People leaving in droves. Everyone has predicted its death since 2001. It's still alive. Mind you, subsciptions have not increased (source)
2) Earth & Beyond. It's EverQuest... in SPACE (*yawn*)! People leaving in droves. Everyone has predicted its death for at least six months. It's still alive.
3) Asheron's Call 2. A pretty wrapper on a void of gameplay. People leaving in droves (mostly going back to the superior AC1). Everyone has predicted its death for six months. It's still alive, though half the servers have been "consolidated."
4) EVE is doing much better in Europe, a place where complex, slow-moving "thinking man's" games like The Settlers, Patrician, and 1503 habitually sell better. I have noted that Euro prime time population on Tranquility is 4-5K, compared to 2-3K in North American prime time. Further, observe the much-commented disparity of review averages between European magazines and American magazines.
5) It is very rare for an MMP to be shut down. Motor City Online and Majestic are the only examples I can think of (anyone with others, please add them). However, both MCO and MJ were published by EA, a company notorious for cancelling ready-to-publish games that their analysts don't believe will make more than $8 million in profit (I get that number from conversations with people at Westwood Studios, before EA closed them). Even Meridian 59, the very first 3D MMP, is still running under new ownership.
6) Despite what some here think, moderation in the forums and in game is hardly heavy-handed. Sorry guys, I saw the worst that OSI and SOE did in their heinous heydays, and I have to categorically disagree with you. Compared to the infamous corruption of OSI's GM Darwin and Sony/Verant's out-game censorship of Mystere, I think CCP has done a fairly good job of not stepping on their own masculine undercarriages. Yes, there have been missteps - the poor handling of the Miner 5/2 leaps to mind. But they're learning. Learning is painful and takes time. These guys are not industry vets who have taken their lumps, like the SWG team.
And to be fully honest, most of the complaints I hear in these fora are the same kind of endless kvetching and doomsaying I've heard from the same sort of people in three other MMPs - the ones who believe their $13 a month gives them the right to be a55h0135 to both the dev team and their fellow players, and who won't let go of dead issues like UO's "bring back precasting b1y0+ch!." There are some here who have excellent points and expound them with both intelligence and civility. But they're not the loudest or most persistent ones. More's the pity.
Yes, I think EVE will be around by Christmas. It may not grow. It may even shrink. But like all online titles it will continue to evolve.
Done. Feel free to flame me; I think some of my comments deserve it.
- - - -
I have measured and described the stars, their great and countless multitude. What man has seen their revolutions and entrances? Not even the angels see their number, yet I have recorded all their names.
- The Book of the Secrets of Enoch, Jewish Pseudepigrapha
We won't talk about how many cruisers I lost this weekend, nor how many nice railguns, or T2 enhancers. We're going to skip right over that. We're going to talk about my new Raven. It is like flying a small city, and the city's only export is missiles.
- Azeraphel |
NeoMorph
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Posted - 2003.08.18 21:30:00 -
[54]
Edited by: NeoMorph on 18/08/2003 21:30:51
I think EVE will hang in there... dropping the price even to nothing won't damage it. In fact maybe they should drop it to 4.99 to get people to buy it just to try it...
I still remember buying Delta Force 2 and getting this crappy game free with it... called Ultima Online... I played DF2 about 3 times and was still playing UO 2.5 years later
-------------------------------------------
<Stavros> the first motor bike i ever rode
<Stavros> was a honda gold wing
<Ak-Gara> hah
<Stavros> |
Lystrian
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Posted - 2003.08.18 21:37:00 -
[55]
Personally, i'd like it to at least last an hour or two......
--------------------------------------------
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage the change the things I can not accept, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had to kill today because they ****ed me off.. |
Lelia Tu'nar
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Posted - 2003.08.18 21:38:00 -
[56]
Well, why would new players want to come here or existing new players want to stay when you have people just griefing them left, right and center for no reason?
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ga'ia
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Posted - 2003.08.18 21:54:00 -
[57]
yes.
__________________________________________________________ |
MrPops
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Posted - 2003.08.18 22:00:00 -
[58]
Excellent post Nariko, well said.
"The human species suffers from a dimensional limitation. They are not able to understand that matter and mind are just one aspect of something more fundamental. We must strive to expand our perspective so we can see what our true reality is."
Deep toughts by Mr.Pops, while consuming large quantities of Blue Pill and staring at the EVE gate in Genesis.
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Skelator
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Posted - 2003.08.18 22:34:00 -
[59]
Quote:
Quote:
What SSI need to do is advertise the game. I haven't seen one ad since the game was first announced. The only way people find out about Eve is through word of mouth or morbid curiousity when they read a bad review. Even the odd banner ad couldn't hurt, it's cheap enough.
We all know that reviewers are morons blah blah blah. This isn't that thread.
And that's my point, the only way people find out about EVE is from a bad review and morbid curiousity. That's sad.
And you're right, there has never been any semblence of a marketing campaign. Perhaps S&SI wants CCP to just rot on the vine.
I Believe that Word of Mouth is the Best Thing that could happen to Any Product.
Im sure more sales are Generated by word of Mouth then Advertisment dollare could do because people tend to Trust the people they are getting the word from vs some Mag Ad.
No Dont get me Wrong Advertisment is good in Addition to this and bioth together can help push up members.
I have 6 of my old Tradewars Friends playing now and a Dozen people from work ;)
All who Never heard of the game till I gave them the " Word of Mouth"
They have us Surrounded again.. the Poor Bastards |
Eidas
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Posted - 2003.08.19 05:30:00 -
[60]
Well this thread is now on it's third page and has attracted over 50 posters (a guesstimate), so these forums seem to be doing quite well. Not bad for another random 'I do/don't like EVE'-type thread. That must be some reflection on the popularity of the game.
Violence is the last resort of the incompetent. - Isaac Asimov |
Ndubs
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Posted - 2003.08.19 05:45:00 -
[61]
You know I've never seen an actual income statement from CCP or SSI. I have no idea how much money EVE really makes, I can do the math like everyone else, but that doesn't meen that I'm right on.
Today some guy gave me 3 XeCl beams and 2 Altered-SS CE because he was quitting. Anyone else who quits can direct their leftovers to me. Eve will be here for a while and so will I.
...I will say this though, where was the advertising, there should have been more advertising. Its a good premise and excelent execution despite the bugs, it just needed more advertising.
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Drutort
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Posted - 2003.08.19 06:06:00 -
[62]
regardless of all the problems etc...
i still want to see this game go on, and stronger, its my first MMO and hmm i really will not go to any other MMO if this one dies... ill just go back to the good old FPS games were i can get some cheap thrills every few hours...
btw if this game doesnt make it and there is ever made anything like eve, you can count me out, because i dont want to go through something 2nd time, i would be a fool to do so.
support Idea: QuickInfo an alternative to ShowInfo
my MoBlog |
Kutka
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Posted - 2003.08.19 06:41:00 -
[63]
Eve is a serious game, I appreciate the game very much. I have been playing less than two months and have had few to no problems like pvp and griefers. Common sense and intelligence prevail in the Eve universe. CCP only lacks in customer support and quicker response time on problems.
Kutka |
Ctaesis
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Posted - 2003.08.19 07:48:00 -
[64]
Well, I am certainly surprised that this thread hasn't devolved into flaming. Of course, it's likely that the recent enforcement of the never-before enforced rules have something to do with that.
Anyway, I've been with EVE since Beta 1, and I like the idea of EVE. I like the idea of a space game, but EVE has a long way to go.
And the customer service stinks.
________________
"Warp to Desktop" -- American PCGamer
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Nicholas Marshal
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Posted - 2003.08.19 08:10:00 -
[65]
I'm here until the EVE servers are switched off.
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Fides Punica
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Posted - 2003.08.19 08:39:00 -
[66]
Quote:
Whenever I've been online there have been around six-hundred people on Jupiter, just under five-hundred on Saturn and Uranus plus around four-hundred on Pluto.
Likewise, Thanatos has stated that the company is doing well as well as mentioning, several times, that the actual amount of Subscribers is well in advance of two-thousand, five-hundred.
If Neocron is dead then it will blow peoples' socks off when it's ressurected.
I've been playing Neocron since December.
Uranus hasnt broken 250 players since january.
Jupiter hasnt broken 550 in that time, and is generally from 400-500 these days.
Saturn rarely goes over 400, norm is 350.
Pluto is same as uranus.
Also, it's only been retail for 10? months, so dont quote years.
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Callum McGrath
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Posted - 2003.08.19 11:39:00 -
[67]
Going to risk a massive flaming now, but here goes...
I bought Eve on the basis of reading some info, looking at some gaming boards and generally thinking 'oh this looks good', went out and bought it, knowing full well that it will be buggy, crash and do all sorts of weird things - but as it's a big muti player online evolving game what more do you expect?
So no one has bought a shoot 'em up and it's bugged? The game is developing and as such will have bugs - how many of the whiners use MS products - do you complain to MS as often?
If you encounter a bug or some 'product enhancement' you try and replicate it, if you can then you report it, you don't just go "oh, this game is buggy and I've wasted my money", if you have that idea then go buy a PS2 and stop moaning!
I hope that Eve will go on for a long time, and hopefully get the player set they are looking for.
Oh well... 
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Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.19 11:51:00 -
[68]
Quote:
Also, it's only been retail for 10? months, so dont quote years.
Including the beta stages.
What sort of times are you logging on? Whenever I do there are similar sever populations to the ones I stated.
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FunGuy
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Posted - 2003.08.19 11:55:00 -
[69]
Edited by: FunGuy on 19/08/2003 11:56:01
Well i've been playing the game for a year now. I started in the beta and it was good then. Its even better now and once CCP figure a fair way to introduce new techs in accross the universe then I'm sure it will get even better.
FunGuy
Proud to be Xanadu
Xanadu T2 BP's
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Dr Logue
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Posted - 2003.08.19 12:00:00 -
[70]
Edited by: Dr Logue on 19/08/2003 12:03:22
Well afaik its still in the Top 10 in Game Shops in UK. Not all mags reviewed it as a bad game. You can't play this game and review it in 1 day so that makes the reviewers ****s imo. If any read this bite me! I hope it gets stronger. BTW yestaday i seen over 5k playing so to me its still similar to 4 weeks ago
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Erty
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Posted - 2003.08.19 13:05:00 -
[71]
Edited by: Erty on 19/08/2003 13:07:24
Wow, according to http://pw1.netcom.com/~sirbruce/Subscriptions.html EVE has nearly 45k subscribers...if that's correct it's great.
"Eve Online (Confidence Rating: C)
At this time, an unverified press report claims that Eve Online has some 45,000 subscribers. While this number seems high, it is not unreasonable given the peak concurrent numbers of players on the servers every night. http://www.eve-online.com"
But I think around 30k is a better guess...and some people has said 20k (only people who doesn't like eve, though).
Anyway if eve has 30k subscribers that's $390.000 EACH MONTH, and that's...enough I think.
I mean, CCP started with $2.600.000. And with that money they developed eve for many years.
http://www.time.com/time/europe/specials/eeurope/newstories/iceland.html
No problems, I think
This is my signature. |
darth solo
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Posted - 2003.08.19 14:26:00 -
[72]
Quote:
I'll be playing for ages, even if I have to make blackbirds out of wood and fly them around the house jamming the cats
Dont be stupid Lao tzu, u wouldnt stand a chance, everyone knows that cats come with ecm stabilisers.
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Adam Sudbury
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:10:00 -
[73]
Edited by: Adam Sudbury on 19/08/2003 15:10:28
My two cents:
As long as 20,000,000 isk is still selling for over $250 US on eBay and other virtual product sales sites then I think we can safely admit that the game is doing fine.
Adam
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Fides Punica
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:12:00 -
[74]
Edited by: Alyssia Vendred on 19/08/2003 15:26:24
Quote:
Quote:
Also, it's only been retail for 10? months, so dont quote years.
Including the beta stages.
What sort of times are you logging on? Whenever I do there are similar sever populations to the ones I stated.
All times(literally.) In 10 months of daily playing, at all times, I have NEVER seen the numbers you describe.
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Joshua Calvert
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:15:00 -
[75]
I believe this game will last a long long way past Christmas but only if we remain considerate, consistent, and mature in our approach to the management of the game and the problems emerging.
LEEEEERRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! |
Danton Marcellus
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:26:00 -
[76]
People selling game money on eBay actually help the game in their own twisted way.
Convert Stations
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Roba
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:31:00 -
[77]
CCP shoulda launched an ad campain like SOE did with SWG. StarWars Galaxies had a worse release then EVE and its doing very well.
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Jash Illian
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:32:00 -
[78]
Quote:
I believe this game will last a long long way past Christmas but only if we remain considerate, consistent, and mature in our approach to the management of the game and the problems emerging.
Eve has a problem and few people want to admit it yet. I'm fairly certain something along the lines of what happened at The Station and SOE/Verant is not far away. The difference being that CCP does not have the funds nor playerbase to survive what happened there.
I mean its like you want corporations to oblige each other like its sex or something. Pffft I would rather **** my enemy.- Rohann
Be careful out there. That other guy waiting in the queue for the gate MIGHT be a baby-munching frock-burner, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!- Lallante |
Joshua Calvert
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:34:00 -
[79]
Quote:
Quote:
I believe this game will last a long long way past Christmas but only if we remain considerate, consistent, and mature in our approach to the management of the game and the problems emerging.
Eve has a problem and few people want to admit it yet. I'm fairly certain something along the lines of what happened at The Station and SOE/Verant is not far away. The difference being that CCP does not have the funds nor playerbase to survive what happened there.
What happened at The Station and SOe/Verant?
I'm new to MMPROG's.........can't you tell?
LEEEEERRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! |
Alexia Te'Len
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:55:00 -
[80]
Quote:
CCP shoulda launched an ad campain like SOE did with SWG. StarWars Galaxies had a worse release then EVE and its doing very well.
SWG had a hy00ge playerbase to tap into before release.
EVE didn't.
SWG uses a recognised, famous universe.
EVE doesn't.
And so on...
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Tomus
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Posted - 2003.08.19 15:56:00 -
[81]
I have heard they may be bunching EVE up with new PCs in some sort of OEM deal...which can only be good. If judging by people I work with who spend ú2000 on a new PC only to surf the odd website and play ChampionShip Manager4 plus all the "free" games you get with the PC. Eve could be around for a while.
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Jash Illian
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Posted - 2003.08.19 16:00:00 -
[82]
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I believe this game will last a long long way past Christmas but only if we remain considerate, consistent, and mature in our approach to the management of the game and the problems emerging.
Eve has a problem and few people want to admit it yet. I'm fairly certain something along the lines of what happened at The Station and SOE/Verant is not far away. The difference being that CCP does not have the funds nor playerbase to survive what happened there.
What happened at The Station and SOe/Verant?
I'm new to MMPROG's.........can't you tell?
Ask anyone why the Station forums got the monicker "Whineplay".
I mean its like you want corporations to oblige each other like its sex or something. Pffft I would rather **** my enemy.- Rohann
Be careful out there. That other guy waiting in the queue for the gate MIGHT be a baby-munching frock-burner, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!- Lallante |
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