
Speaking with MCV, VP Michael Ryder denounced the player-level drops as being from before Cataclysm launched in China, and reminded them that the game is about to launch in Brazil, thereby opening World of Warcraft to a new set of players for the first time ever.
“We are launching in Brazil this year and we have great expectations for that. The numbers you might be looking at from the end of the last quarter, that was before Cataclysm launched in China. That is a big part of our business going forward.
We also changed the trial mechanism for World of Warcraft, so people trying it can now play in an unlimited way up to level 20. In the past it was time-based. Our data shows when people get to level 20 they’re more likely to stay on, as they have got over that initial learning curve. That will help us build and sustain our player base.”
Looks like Blizzard is banking on the international market to sustain its growth and focus on helping new players in the future. Sound strategy–though again we ask what’s still there for the veteran players.
Why do you still play WoW?
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<via IGN and MVC>
R Bryant Francis – who has written 271 posts on The Jace Hall Show.
R. Bryant Francis is a former contributing writer to the Jace Hall Show who specializes in gaming, pop culture, and all-around geekiness. Outside of the show, Bryant pursues a career in Hollywood as a producer and filmmaker.

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