Blizzard Entertainment opts to find new metric for 'World of Warcraft' instead of subscriber count

Blizzard’s “World of Warcraft” is a popular multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) in the world with millions of subscribers. The game's number of subscribers have been a defining data in its success, but it seems that the company behind the title will no longer reveal those numbers.

The common practice of Blizzard Entertainment is to announce the number of subscribers once every three months, along with its quarterly earnings report. It is meant to showcase the impressive numbers of “World of Warcraft” to entice fans and more subscribers.

According to Gamespot, the announcement to halt the subscribers report was made after Blizzard Entertainment revealed its number of subscribers for the last time. During the time, “World of Warcraft” had a total of more than 5.5 million subscribers.

"Note that this is the last quarter that we plan to provide subscriber numbers," the company told Gamespot. It added that "there are other metrics that are better indicators of the overall Blizzard business performance."

Blizzard will instead opt to use other ways or measurements, which are yet to be identified, in updating fans on the health of their beloved MMORPG, “World of Warcraft.” The company hasn’t announced what the new metrics will be and when they will be used.

Although 5.5 million subscribers is an impressive number for an MMORPG, it is apparently the game's lowest in nine years. The new numbers suggest that Blizzard has lost more than 100,000 subscribers within only three months.

However, the number could once again rise as Blizzard Entertainment is set to release the Legion expansion of the game soon. Players could once again log in and use their characters with the new adventures that await.

Aside from that, the hype surrounding the upcoming “Warcraft” film could also attract more subscribers. A new teaser trailer has been revealed for the movie, and the full trailer will be revealed at Blizzcon on Friday and Saturday.

Source: YouTube/FilmTrailerZone

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