Quote:Blizzard has announced that after an internal review, which was based on current organizational needs, there will be a global reduction of 600 staff members. Approximately 90 percent of those affected will be from departments that are not related to game development.

Full Story: Blizzard Cuts 600 Staff Worldwide

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Wow, that was about the most epic way of saying they need to cut workers. Almost sounds as if money isn't the issue.

Did WoW lose subscribers or something?

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^My thoughts exactly...oh well it's a tough gig these days

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(March 01, 2012 01:55:19 PM)Zeruel Wrote:  Wow, that was about the most epic way of saying they need to cut workers. Almost sounds as if money isn't the issue.

Did WoW lose subscribers or something?

They weren't specific in their official statement. But, I do remember reading somewhere a few months ago that numbers are dropping for the MMO, hence one of the reasons why they made it FTP for the first 20 levels.

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I think we all knew that WoW wasn't going to last forever. No MMO does. Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I would much rather join an MMO that just released and has few people who have reached the maximum level while I'm a meager level 1. In WoW's case, everyone is at the max level. They've raised the level cap several times because half the players were (and are) maxed.

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(March 10, 2011 09:09:41 PM)Darryl Wrote:  Grammar Nazi: Aaron (15 Votes)

BlahblahblahBlahblahblah

Yeah I have to say that World of Warcraft numbers dwindling (I think people are taking up Star Wars: The Old Republic) and that this must be having an effect. 600 staff isn't just a little adjustment though, that's a major shake-up.

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With luck those are all the people who thought Wrath of the Panda's was a good idea for an expansion.

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twitter.com/34thGingerbread

(March 01, 2012 08:25:36 PM)Aaron Wrote:  I think we all knew that WoW wasn't going to last forever. No MMO does. Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I would much rather join an MMO that just released and has few people who have reached the maximum level while I'm a meager level 1. In WoW's case, everyone is at the max level. They've raised the level cap several times because half the players were (and are) maxed.

Oh for sure. I started during Stress Testing and stopped when Lich King was downed. About time Wrath of the Lich King came out, I started to realize it would be the same stuff over and over again. LevelCap/Gear/KillBoss, LevelCap/Gear/KillBoss. Really wasn't much else to the experience.

I think it's more that. TBH, after Burning Crusade came out, level became a joke. I got to a point where I was getting people (and myself just questing alone) from 1-70 in a about a weeks time give or take a couple days. I can't imagine how much easier it is now with the new structured zoning, but I heard it's even easier.

(March 05, 2012 10:31:15 AM)Adam Wrote:  With luck those are all the people who thought Wrath of the Panda's was a good idea for an expansion.

*sad trombone*

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I don't think its as much WoW dropping numbers permanently, as it is Mr Bobby Kotick bracing himself for the next quarter.
There is a huge gap between the current WoW end-game and the up-coming expansion, which means subs will inevitably drop until the launch of MoP so in order to keep profits up during this down time, he has to generate revenue from somewhere else, otherwise he'll have a bunch of angry shareholders on his back.

It's text book business school behaviour sadly. On the flip side, I hear Blizzard actually gave the people severance pays despite not being obligated to.

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<Insert profound comment here>
@Chronometer2300