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As mentioned in an article just over a week ago , Star Wars: The Old Republic may be facing some retention-related challenges in its future. The BioWare-developed, Star Wars -themed MMO shot off to a tremendous start after its launch at the end of last year, quickly breaking the million subscriber mark as PC gamers and Star Wars fans alike flocked to the slick MMO, sucked in by its tremendous production values and compelling narrative. It appears, though, that fatigue may be an issue. Analyst Doug Creutz of Cowen & Company revealed today that subscriptions for The Old Republic, which had reportedly sat relatively steady at 1.7 million in February, have since decreased by as much as 10%. Even if this is less a sign of decline, and more just a hint that the MMO’s community is stabilizing as less interested parties finish out their free months, it has been accompanied by an aggressive marketing campaign, including e-mails in which players are implored to return for their companions’ sakes and free weekends (such as the one going on right now) in which lapsed players are enticed to return and see the changes wrought by recent updates (such as the tremendous Legacy patch ). 
By Shelby Reiches |