MMOGCHART.com has been trying to gather and list subscriber numbers for MMOGs for a few years now and had until about a year ago provided people with the only public comparative look at the markets MMOG subscriber numbers. The last update was in June 2006 and the site has since then remained outdated.
Recently, MMOGData.com was launched by industry veteran and founder of gaming services company PSFEI, Phil “Vortal” White, who has had long experience in the gaming industry. The information is based on press releases as well as information sent to him by industry insiders.
The MMO Gamer caught Mr. White online and he answered a few questions.
The MMO Gamer: What made you decide to start MMOGData.com and why now?
Phil White: It was something that was always at the back of my mind. I made, and saw, lots of use of the data from MMOGChart.com over the years within the industry (developers, publishers, investors etc) and the random guesses people were making on the market over the last 12 months so I thought what the heck, lets give it a go and see if I can get uptodate information – so I did!
The MMO Gamer: Compared to the movie industry where it is relatively easy to find information on how well or how poorly a movie has done in the boxoffice, it is almost impossible to find information on subscriber numbers for MMOs, why do you think this is?
Phil White: Yeah, getting the data is a real pain and I hope that developers/publishers will start to share more data with me as I believe it helps them and everyone else. It will only take someone like SOE to do this (hint hint SOE!!!).
Why is it so hard, I have no idea. I think the industry is still behind the movies when it comes to things like this, likewise, keeping information secret was a good way to stop more players entering into the MMO space as companies can make a good profit with 10K subs if it is done right. WoW has changed what is considered a commerical success and now I think other companies see anything sell then 8 million subs as failure (which it is not of course!).
At the time of publishing, The MMO Gamer could not get in touch with MMOGCHART.com operator SirBruce.
![[GIVEAWAY] Global Agenda 2 Year Anniversary Booster Pack!](http://www.mmogamer.com/wp-content/themes/widezine/thumb.php?src=http://www.mmogamer.com/wp-content/uploads/Logo_GA_FreeAgent_Recursive_Colony_720.png&w=60&h=60&zc=1&q=80&bid=1 "[GIVEAWAY] Global Agenda 2 Year Anniversary Booster Pack!"){kind=logo}
0.677
Join the conversation!