User:Sebquantic/AO notes

possible "devs moved from AO to AoC" refs

 * 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. Since 2007 the game and its expansion packs have only available via this method.

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

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

general (move these to public article at some point)

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


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


 * their definition of "booster pack" and "expansion pack"

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

original dev interview
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."

distribution sources
the games and its expansion packs have been available as digital downloads since shortly after its release.

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

sales and subs sources

 * "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"


 * Revenues of TUSD 1,287 in Q1/06


 * "higher than anticipated" profits for AO


 * "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"


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


 * "Slowly declining revenues" for AO


 * 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)
 * sales: "selling over 100,000 units since the release in June,"

2002

 * subs: 150,000 total (june)
 * notum wars released (nov)

2003

 * shadowlands released (aug)

2004

 * subs: 700,000 total (june)
 * 2 million game copies "distributed"(sold?)
 * alien invasion released (aug)
 * free-play program starts (dec)

2005
USD 1.2 million in Q4, "Partly maintained by [growing] advertising income through the game"
 * subs-free: 400,000 (jan)
 * sales: "USD 28 million since launch"

2006
"Revenues from Anarchy Online, Lost Eden were higher than anticipated in Q4/06" "Over 1 million USD generated from ingame advertising"
 * sales: USD 1.3 million in Q1
 * subs-free: 1,000,000 (oct)
 * lost eden released (dec)
 * "Significant revenue increase in 2006"
 * increase was because of LE

2008

 * subs: 2,000,000 total (july)
 * sales: "Steady revenues" between 06 and q3/08

2009

 * sales: "Slowly declining revenues" for AO