I think it’s because WOW is selling out a bit with costs.
It’s already expensive to play, and already requires so much time to get anywhere. (Time being the most expensive part of the game).
The best part of this game are the other people playing it, so the more people who quit, the less fun the game is. There’s a lot of other games you can play for a really boring grind, that don’t cost a subscription PLUS expansions…
Who really wants to pay for additional expansions when you’re already paying subscription for game time. Plus you have to pay extra for bonuses?
There’s also so much old content that takes a lot of time to catch up.
I appreciate that they tried to squash levels so more players can play together, but this is a win lose too.
Also trying to switch to a higher population from a now dead server is expensive.
WOW was so fun about a decade ago, but as I hop back and forth, it’s really hard to try to get back into it when there’s so many barriers to play. Half the time I’m not even sure it’s worth the expense, even if, let’s say you did the math, and time spent on game saves me money from other social expenses outside… but I think that’s the bigger point right, connections with others?
Many people I know who chose not to play WOW even at it’s peak in popularity did so because it charged a subscription, and there were other MMO’s that were just as popular, that did not charge the same costs. With cost of living going up, wages down, and more people working than having time to play games – I mean, kind of makes sense the game is dying. It seems like Wow is doing everything it can to make a buck before it dies for good, but I don’t think they’re thinking as much for the long game— and more so adapting the game for casual players who can still afford to play.
or just leaving it up for whoever is left still clinging on.
100 players paying $1 – is more than 10 players paying $10. Keeping the player number high is really important to a game like this. Not just the profit margin.
I will also add – and this is coming from someone who never played WOW for the PVP aspect. PVP used to be fun… for those who didn’t want it, PVE servers were available. Those old school city raids are long dead