User:Sebquantic/AO notes

• http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/funcoms-craig-morrison-interview

Initially distributed via CD-ROM discs from physical stores and online retailers, Anarchy Online became available for digital distribution soon after release.^[1][2] Since 2007 the game and its expansion packs have only available via this method.^[3]

The game's skill and equipment mechanics have been described as "very complex".^[4]

The rarity and amount of skill given by some means considerable effort goes into the acquisition and trade of equipment and nano programs.^[5]

• Craig Morrison stated Anarchy Online was "starting to look its age",^[6] and with game revenue "slowly declining" up to this point, they felt "releas[ing] the game fresh" would help attract new customers.^[7]

• "anarchy online beta update" ref says 100,000 people signed up for the beta

• their definition of "booster pack" and "expansion pack"^[8]

free trials

• About bieng first to have 14-day trials: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6110099.html

• about 7-day trial and fact that is distributed in box http://www.gamespot.com/news/2814100.html

• about 7-day trial: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=24178

• about being first 7-day trial: http://www.mygamer.com/index.php?page=viewdeveloper&id=70

http://pc.ign.com/objects/855/855352.html

• concept art in spec edi

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2780812.html

• morten byrom: inspiriation from "books and movies that I have absorbed over the years.", also from other games

• "We as gameworld designers have to try to give the players a reason to spread out across the world and not gather in one corner. "

• "it has taken more time and effort than anyone imagined when we first started."

the games and its expansion packs have been available as digital downloads since shortly after its release.^[9]

digital distribution 3rd party source (no date though): http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20177

their digital distribution partner's thing about offering it, they started in june 2008: http://www.solidstatenetworks.com/pr-solid-partners-with-funcom.php

^[10]

• "Revenues of TUSD 1,167 in Q4/05"
• "Partly maintained by [growing] advertising income through the game"
• "Advertising revenues growing"
• "USD 28 million since launch"

^[11]

• Revenues of TUSD 1,287 in Q1/06

^[12]

• "higher than anticipated" profits for AO

^[13]

• "Significant revenue increase in 2006"
• "Revenues from Anarchy Online, Lost Eden were higher than anticipated in Q4/06"
• "Over 1 million USD generated from ingame advertising"

^[14]

• "Steady revenues" between q1/05 and q3/08

^[15]

• "Slowly declining revenues" for AO

^[16]

• September 24, 2001: "selling over 100,000 units since the game's U.S. and Nordic release in June,"
• regular release date for U.S. and Norway, September 28th for the rest of europe.

2001

• subs: 35,000 total (five days after launch)^[17]
• sales: "selling over 100,000 units since the release in June,"^[16]

2002

• subs: 150,000 total (june)^[18]
• notum wars released (nov)

2003

• shadowlands released (aug)

2004

• subs: 700,000 total (june)^[1]
• 2 million game copies "distributed"(sold?)^[19]
• alien invasion released (aug)
• free-play program starts (dec)

2005

• subs-free: 400,000 (jan)^[20]
• sales: "USD 28 million since launch"
  

USD 1.2 million in Q4, "Partly maintained by [growing] advertising income through the game"^[21]

2006

• sales: USD 1.3 million in Q1^[22]
• subs-free: 1,000,000 (oct)^[23]
• lost eden released (dec)
• "Significant revenue increase in 2006"
  

"Revenues from Anarchy Online, Lost Eden were higher than anticipated in Q4/06"
"Over 1 million USD generated from ingame advertising"^[24]

• increase was because of LE ^[25]

2007

2008

• subs: 2,000,000 total (july)^[26]
• sales: "Steady revenues" between 06 and q3/08^[27]

2009

• sales: "Slowly declining revenues" for AO^[28]