Microsoft has recently trumpeted of the success attributed to its expansive Xbox Live service, which has 10 million paying subscribers enjoying multiplayer around the world, and now Blizzard Entertainment has popped up to cast its ominous World of Warcraft shadow over the American software giant’s bold self-congratulation.
World of Warcraft breaks 10 million subscribers. Credit: Blizzard.
While similarly announcing that its phenomenally popular PC-based MMORPG experience has surpassed 10 million subscribers worldwide, Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft also exists as merely one online game and does not have the added appeal of being a hub for a multitude of different titles – which bring their own respective fan bases along with them.
According to Blizzard, the award-winning World of Warcraft now has more than 2 million subscribers in Europe, a further 2.5 million across North America, and approximately 5.5 spread throughout Asia.
"It’s very gratifying to see gamers around the world continuing to show such enthusiasm and support for World of Warcraft," enthused Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of California–based Blizzard Entertainment. "We’re always pleased to welcome new players to the game, and we’re looking forward to sharing the next major content update with the entire community in the months ahead."
The global gaming and social appeal attributed to Blizzard’s persistent adventure world has led to World of Warcraft evolving into the most popular MMORPG on the planet, racking up the honour of best-selling PC game in 2005 and 2006.
Further to that, the game’s debut expansion pack World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade was the best selling PC release of 2007 (followed closely by the original). The Burning Crusade also currently holds the record for the fastest selling PC title of all time, selling an incredible 2.4 million copies in its opening 24 hours at retail and around 3.5 million in its first month.
And fan expectancy could yet see The Burning Crusade lose its record, as anticipation builds for upcoming expansion World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.
One game, 10 million players… puts Xbox Live’s subscriber achievements into a much clearer perspective, don’t you think?
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