The real reason a massive launch is possible is the fact that both sides can sell units to remarkably different groups. While there is certainly a demographic who loves both Star Wars and BioWare, the large numbers will come from the gamers who fall in only one of the two camps.
It's a good place to be
Star Wars fans will buy nearly anything associated with their beloved franchise, and most parents will buy anything for their kids with Star Wars in the title. The fans who were apprehensive about playing an MMO when Star Wars: Galaxies debuted, might be less cautious about getting involved in an MMO now that World of Warcraft has broadened the audience. Additionally, if a fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen year old brings a bloody WAR or AoC box up to his parents they might get shot down, but show those same parents a box with a lightsaber on it and they won't think twice.
Next, we have what BioWare is bringing to the table. Their RPG credentials in the West are only rivaled by Square and they have the rabid fan base to prove it. Many gamers have grown up alongside BioWare, with RPGs backlogs consisting of Balder's Gate, Neverwinter Nights and Jade Empire, not to mention KOTOR. Many of these players haven't needed the social aspects of MMOs, they may even have a distaste for them, but the fact that it's BioWare could lead those same single player RPG fans to give TOR a chance.
While these aren't the only reasons TOR's release could be ground breaking, they are certainly the most unique. Whether or not it will keep high numbers post launch is something we will have to wait and see. However, with Star Wars' mass appeal and BioWare's pedigree, TOR could easily be the biggest launch in MMO history. I, for one, can't wait to be around for every second of it.
- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/19/2009 6:55:34 AM- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/19/2009 12:41:46 PMI personally would like to know how much they end up spending total, if a budget estimate is ever released though.
- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/19/2009 12:56:06 PM- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/19/2009 1:00:08 PM- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 7/1/2010 9:30:14 PM- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/18/2009 6:22:22 PMWeakness
Opportunity
Threat
- View User Profile
- View Posts
- Send Message
Posted 9/18/2009 3:53:46 PMBioWare fans are generally implicit Star Wars fans. Why?
BioWare fans are nerds, and nerds love Star Wars. Seriously, I don't personally know a nerd that doesn't love Star Wars (including myself). That doesn't mean that they don't exist. There are obviously the Star Trek evangelists, and the fantasy-genre-only nerds.
Here's my version of your Venn diagram:
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3341/venndiagram.png