WAR (Warhammer Online)

This is some seriously confusing stuff

news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/index.jsp

"-- Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, an MMO from EA's Mythic Entertainment studio, sold 1.2 million copies in the quarter -- with over 800 thousand current players."

What we knew from before:

They sold 500k after 1 week (Sept 25th)
They had 750k account after 3 week (oct 10th)

What it means is this

- They sent 1.5 million copies to retailers at launch

- The 1.2 million can't be copies sold to consumers because by sept 30th they didn't even have 750k accounts

- The 800k players could come from oct 17th to Oct 30th

- They have 250k actual monthly paying subscribers in North America and a 72%+ retention rate

- They have sold between 800k and 980k boxes to consumers, depending on when the 800k is from (70% retention out of the first 600k box sold equals 180k people that left)

Edit: Added by Keeper2000

Some more info from the report:

--------------------------------------

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning had a strong debut selling 1.2 M copies.

We’re back in the MMO business – with the launch of Warhammer Online. Currently, 800 K people are playing online worldwide. In North America, we have 250 K subscribers in less than two weeks – and are seeing conversions of over 70%. Although it is still early days – we like what we are seeing. In addition, we announced we have Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO under development in EA’s BioWare studio in partnership with Lucas Arts.

-----------------------------------------

Btw, conversion is the same as retention.

investor.ea.com/events.cfm

This Might Help:

Electronics Arts cuts profit outlook, shares fall

* Reuters
* , Thursday October 30 2008

* Lowers full-year earnings outlook
* Adjusted Q2 shr loss 6 cents, meets estimates
* To cut about 6 pct of workforce, or 580 jobs
* Shares fall 14 pct in extended trading (Adds outlook details)
NEW YORK, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc slashed its full-year profit forecast due to slowing demand at retail stores and a delay in the latest "Harry Potter" video game, driving its stock down 14 percent.
EA, whose popular titles include "Rock Band", said on Thursday plans to cut about 6 percent of its workforce of 9,671, or about 580 jobs, in response to slowing sales, after posting a quarterly loss on par with Wall Street expectations.
The company cut its forecast for fiscal 2009 earnings per share excluding special items to a range of $1.00 and $1.40, from a previous range of $1.30 to $1.70. Analysts were expecting $1.45 per share, according to Reuters Estimates.
The forecast proves that even the video game market -- often thought of as "recession-proof" -- may fall victim to a global economic crisis that has forced many companies to scale back their outlook as consumers trim spending.
"We are not saying the sky is falling," Chief Executive John Riccitiello said in a conference call. "What we are bringing to the table is caution, a recognition that catalog (sales are) weaker, and a commitment to managing our cost...with the specter of a recession over our shoulder."
With the economy in mind, analysts questioned EA's adherence to its retail pricing plan, which calls for marquis games like "Madden NFL" to sell for $60 and special editions like the new "Rock Band" bundle, which includes accessories, can go for up to $200.
"For the the rest of us that live in the real world, $60 is a lot of money," said Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey. "The entertainment value is compelling, but it's still a large dollar purchase."
EA posted a net loss of $310 million, or 97 cents, compared with a loss of $195 million, or 62 cents per share, one year ago. Excluding special items, EA showed a loss of 6 cents per share, matching analysts expectations, according to Reuters Estimates.
Last month, EA said it would push the release of the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" game from November 2008 to next summer, to coincide with a delay in the film of the same name by Warner Bros Pictures.
Chief Financial Officer Eric Brown, when discussing the lowered profit forecast, noted that EA had already paid for development costs for the "Harry Potter" game. He also blamed a "dramatic" strengthening of the dollar for the new outlook.
"We are facing some foreign exchange headwinds," he said in an interview, adding that EA was keeping intact its full-year revenue forecast of $5.0 billion to $5.3 billion.
The company said it would take a charge of about $10 million in the third quarter for the cost-cutting action, and as a result expects to save about $50 million annually.
Net revenue in the second quarter was $894 million, up about 39.7 percent from a year ago.
The company said sales were driven by its major franchises, including "Madden NFL" and new title "Spore."
"There's a lot of reasons to believe that the sector will hold up better than most, if not almost all others, as we move through a recession."
EA shares fell to $23.80 from their Nasdaq close of $27.73. (Reporting by Franklin Paul; editing by Carol Bishopric)

* guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2008
 

They never have accurate data as to how many copies were sold to consumers- they can only track what the retail stores themselves sold. They can accurately track how many players they have, but does that 800k include all of the players that are active, or the dead accoutns as well?

750k and 800k isn't that far apart to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if they are supposed to be the same number. Like Mark read 771 and said 750k and EA used that number and said 800k.

Go play a game. Any game, any MMO. Stop trying to analyse these reports. Is anyone really interested if WAR had 750,000 subs or 800,000 subs, or even only 100,000 subs?

If you really want to spend your life analysing company reports, why don't you do it to blue chip companies and actually profit from you forecasts of doom or gloom?

Originally posted by Antipopealan

Go play a game. Any game, any MMO. Stop trying to analyse these reports. Is anyone really interested if WAR had 750,000 subs or 800,000 subs, or even only 100,000 subs?

 

If you really want to spend your life analysing company reports, why don't you do it to blue chip companies and actually profit from you forecasts of doom or gloom?

Because their life revolves around another game, or proving to themselves and others that their choice was the right choice.

However I echo your first paragraph and it's advice.

Originally posted by Antipopealan

Go play a game. Any game, any MMO. Stop trying to analyse these reports. Is anyone really interested if WAR had 750,000 subs or 800,000 subs, or even only 100,000 subs?

 

If you really want to spend your life analysing company reports, why don't you do it to blue chip companies and actually profit from you forecasts of doom or gloom?

You were obviously not the kind of kid who loved math in school  :)

Btw, I'm currently playing Tabula Rasa (I won the Exteel contest giveaway on this website and got it for free). I'm actually enjoying myself too, although i know its gonna get too boring for me to renew at the end of the free month

I'm also happily playing a game while posting, is that too difficult for you?