World of Warcraft lost one million subscribers

Blizzard has disclosed the video game had just over nine million paying users at the end of June. There hoped an upcoming expansion pack would revive interest. Blizzard say Panda-inhabited continent will help attract players back to its game! Blizzard's second quarter earnings net income fell to $185m - down 45% on the previous year - sending its shares 4% lower in after-hours trade. Blizzard say September's release of the Mists of Pandaria bolt-on update, involving a lost continent populated by warrior Panda bears, should see a "substantial number of returning players".

WoW's popularity drop coincides with problems for Electronic Arts' flagship MMORPG. WoW's popularity drop coincides with problems for Electronic Arts' flagship MMORPG.The firm revealed earlier this week that subscriptions to Star Wars: The Old Republic had dropped more than 40% since the start of the year to less than one million players

Like other games let you do free-to-play option in an attempt to lure them back and then try to sell them premium content. Other titles, including Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online, have taken similar steps. WoW offered users a limited 20-level free-access option in 2011. Blizzard would be seriously considering a wider implementation at this point.


So cute!