"WoW is not a real success" - cites Gaia CEO Craig Sherman.

[Gossy]

SuishoMei

Craig said something once along the lines of:

WoW is pay to play and WoW doesn't help hack victims

and gaia does, and its free cool

What are you talking about? WoW helps hacked victims. My boyfriend was hacked by a trojan from an addon and he got his account restored in 2 days.

There are a lot of people who spend way more on Gaia per month than I do on WoW.

[Seeno]

Sorry I had to step out for a bit.

My main problem about all of this is the misrepresentation Craig is splurging around about Gaia, creating the impression of something it's not and subsequently causing some rifts. Has he cared to see the amount of users who play WoW on site? I'm sure he'd be somewhat surprised.
As someone else said, in the most professional and dignified manner he would've been better to hold his tongue than say something that may compromise the view of the site, and external affluence.

Sheshira

10 million isn't necessarily a success though because it's 10 million (paid?) subscribers total of all age groups and how many are actually active? If a company hires actors (some in need of money) to do commercials it means it's a success? >.o; Honestly that seems a bit off to me. Also I would say that WoW has garnered momentary attention and that if not careful will be laid to the wayside like any other company out there. It has not achieved cult status. It seems derogatory on some point to believe so. If in a few decades time it is still mentioned in mainstream media then maybe it can be considered to have achieved cult status.


But here is my thought on the article in general and I am going to use the reporter's own words "A ridiculous claim, as success is a relative term -- especially when comparing free-to-play titles with something like World of Warcraft."

If it is so "relative" don't you think it wouldn't matter then what Craig's perception of success is?

Obviously not all 800 million teens have a computer but the percentage of the 800 million teens that do is definitely increasing. On that basic level we cannot deny that. Obviously its not like 3 out of 4 teens have a computer.. but I am sure the numbers are still up there.

I think the term "cult" and "WoW" go together perfectly.

It is enjoyed by 10million users, and has risen by 20% in the past year I believe as a result of continued advertisement (by way of Mr. T even!~). WoW is the biggest MMO around, and that cannot be disputed - fact. Everyone has heard about it in some shape or form and it is freely available in all good gaming retailers (lol where are Gaia Cash Cards???? domokun ).
Gaia is certainly niche, and undefined in comparison, much to Craig's "social networking" aside posted in his journal.

[Jayce Reinhardt]

Skittles Of Darkness

Sheshira

Skittles Of Darkness

I really think he tries his best in the interviews but we're all human, we all make mistakes. Plus, the interviews can miskew the facts of what was said or he could be misquoted.

Now I think I am beginning to understand why his interviews seem so foreign. I am a Gaian and thus I understand Gaia on essentially all levels. He's interviewing with people who don't go on Gaia, don't understand or know what Gaia is, and really most likely already think it's a kid site because they're coming from a paradigm that states animation/cartoon = childish/for children...

Honestly I wonder then what a non-Gaia would think reading his interviews (because it'd be nice to see a broader perspective XD; )

True and I think more people need to cut fin some slack. He's trying his best and is a very busy man. It's a wonder he even replied to me over the PMs. Taking that into consideration, my doubts are cleared about him.

I think if someone has a legitimate concern they should not be all "Poor Craig, he works so hard, Maybe I won't bother him, He needs the slack" If its something that could make Gaia better than I think they should be able to PM him.

[Klim]

Skittles Of Darkness

Klim

I would truly like to see what percentage of that 20-30% of "non teen" users (it seems Craig or Lanzer can't decide if we make up 20 or 30 percent of the site) actually makes up for the PAYING users of Gaia.

Lanzer included eighteen and nineteen year olds in his statistic as teens. fin used eighteen and up in the older group statistic. Also, they've both said those precentages given are a rough count (rounding off).

But I agree, I'd like to see which age group pays more for Gaia.

Gotcha.

I just have a sneaking suspicion that the 20-30% of "adult" users on this site (which is still no number to scoff at) actually makes up a majority of the percentage of overall users that make consistent purchases on the site, between MCs and Cash Shop.

That said, this article just makes me giggle because it comes at a time where WoW is starting to hold more of my interest than Gaia is, and April marks the first month since October 2006 that I have decided to abstain from MC/Cash purchases on this site. wink

[Gossy]

http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart1_files/Subscriptions_8846_image001.png

[Arrowchan]

Pseudo Prince

Sorry I had to step out for a bit.

My main problem about all of this is the misrepresentation Craig is splurging around about Gaia, creating the impression of something it's not and subsequently causing some rifts. Has he cared to see the amount of users who play WoW on site? I'm sure he'd be somewhat surprised.
As someone else said, in the most professional and dignified manner he would've been better to hold his tongue than say something that may compromise the view of the site, and external affluence.

Firstly, we still don't know if he was somewhat misquoted - reporters are obviously going to get more reads of their article if it has a controversial aspect to it.

Secondly, even if he wasn't misquoted, I don't think his strategy is necessarily a bad one. He's being provocative and challenging the big guys - it could go wrong, but it could also garner more attention than Gaia would otherwise have had. Even if people are thinking 'who is this pipsqueak anyway?', at least they are thinking 'who is this?' and taking notice. The internet is a big place and intriguing people to see what is so good about Gaia that it thinks it can eventually make WoW look small in comparison is a potentially good hook if Gaia might be trying to attract a similar market in a year or two.

My two cents, anyway.

[Seeno]

That graph is irrelevant evidence I think.

We cannot base the statistics of subscriptions on Gaia also, as it's schemes are much more commercial and free of choice - and less subscription based in contrast to WoW.
Although we could question the % of users "subscribing" to things such as MC, Cash Shop Items and other assorted products.

[Viole]

Your Neglected Toy

Substance-E

WoW actually charges people to play the same repetative crap over and over...

Craig doesnt know what the ******** hes talking about rolleyes

And since when do all 800 million teens in the world play online games or even have a computer? neutral

I agree with you about the 800 million teens not having all the required technology to play, or even being allowed to play..

But How can you guys get this mad over him talking up the This site? He's just a business man, making business talk, trying to make Gaia sound like the best place ever.

But if that's his intention, it's not smart to put Gaia in relation with WoW, because it's absolutely not the same. Gaia should go its own individual path, moreso if you can't really compare it to any other games or sites.

With a quote like that (and it is prone to be quoted out of the context), you get the attention of WoW players, sure, but is it for good or bad? I am sure my WoW-crazy friend would smirk and say exactly what Substance-E said if I ever told her about this (except for the crap bit, but that's where I'd agree with him ^^).

[Skittles Of Darkness]

Bob Dobbs

Skittles Of Darkness

Sheshira

Skittles Of Darkness

I really think he tries his best in the interviews but we're all human, we all make mistakes. Plus, the interviews can miskew the facts of what was said or he could be misquoted.

Now I think I am beginning to understand why his interviews seem so foreign. I am a Gaian and thus I understand Gaia on essentially all levels. He's interviewing with people who don't go on Gaia, don't understand or know what Gaia is, and really most likely already think it's a kid site because they're coming from a paradigm that states animation/cartoon = childish/for children...

Honestly I wonder then what a non-Gaia would think reading his interviews (because it'd be nice to see a broader perspective XD; )

True and I think more people need to cut fin some slack. He's trying his best and is a very busy man. It's a wonder he even replied to me over the PMs. Taking that into consideration, my doubts are cleared about him.

I think if someone has a legitimate concern they should not be all "Poor Craig, he works so hard, Maybe I won't bother him, He needs the slack" If its something that could make Gaia better than I think they should be able to PM him.

I don't mean cut slack in voicing options but to throw his name and image around like a ragdoll. Like chewing him out and pointing out every little mistake and making a huge deal out of it. If I thought 'poor Craig', I wouldn't have PMed him now would I? What I'm saying is, don't take everything you dislike about Gaia on him. He is trying his best to do his job and he does love Gaia just like the rest of us. Read his profile and what Juno says about him in her lastest journal entry. He also started up a journal and has been asking for suggestions to make Gaia better too. He and the rest of the staff have been listening, responding and trying to fix the communication issue between staff and users after what happened Saturday.

[Sheshira]

Pseudo Prince

I think the term "cult" and "WoW" go together perfectly.

It is enjoyed by 10million users, and has risen by 20% in the past year I believe as a result of continued advertisement (by way of Mr. T even!~). WoW is the biggest MMO around, and that cannot be disputed - fact. Everyone has heard about it in some shape or form and it is freely available in all good gaming retailers (lol where are Gaia Cash Cards???? domokun ).
Gaia is certainly niche, and undefined in comparison, much to Craig's "social networking" aside posted in his journal.

To me it doesn't. Cult status has to do with being made into part of our verbatim despite the length of time that has since passed. It was created in 1994 but did not honestly start getting notoriety up to a few years ago. A few years of notoriety does not equal cult status. However I am not discounting that it could not be achieved it if Blizzard plays its cards right.

Mario has cult status because he's withstood the test of time for decades. The character of Long Duck Dong has achieved cult status because people of all ages remember his character and can recite his lines.

That to me is cult status. An icon withstanding the test of time wherein either their theme music, their very image, their phrases become used etc.

I will say it again. Having celebrities to do commercials means they have a lot of revenue to spend on those celebrities. Honestly how dare I think that Mr. T might not simply be an iconic legend whose side income is doing commercials? Mr. T and his Snickers commercial The thing that then must be commended is WoW's marketing department for choosing people to do their commercials who reach out to various niches..

Think about it. They get Vic Mignona (Edward Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist) who appeals to the anime crowd. I honestly am not sure about Mr. T but I would say it's the those who who like action or something the same could be said Jean Claude Van Damme (did a French version). They do a Spanish version by getting Willy Toledo a Spanish actor to appeal to a group of people who might not have taken WoW or something similar seriously...

Bottom line it's still a marketing plan. xp

[Soulbutter]

Not that'd I'd join, but there seems to be a lack of an "I hate Craig Guild" around here.

Either way, Craig is in for more than he's bargained for I think. Something tells me the poor guy is going to get a lot of criticism from now on.

[Jayce Reinhardt]

Skittles Of Darkness

I don't mean cut slack in voicing options but to throw his name and image around like a ragdoll. Like chewing him out and pointing out every little mistake and making a huge deal out of it. If I thought 'poor Craig', I wouldn't have PMed him now would I? What I'm saying is, don't take everything you dislike about Gaia on him. He is trying his best to do his job and he does love Gaia just like the rest of us. Read his profile and what Juno says about him in her lastest journal entry. He also started up a journal and has been asking for suggestions to make Gaia better too. He and the rest of the staff have been listening, responding and trying to fix the communication issue between staff and users after what happened Saturday.

I understand that I am have never harassed the guy, however you have to be careful what you say as some of us are a little upset by what was said. I personally only care about the fact that he usually seems to say "Its a Teen site" when he speaks about Gaia.
I do not even play WoW so I never posted an opinion about that.

[Arreat]

Ahahahahaha...

I am sorry but... Blizzard > Gaia. Sorry mister CEO.

HAHAHAHAHAHA...

s**t. I can't believe this. Does...he even know anything about WOW besides goddamn age limit most teens play?

I bet you if WoW was free and STILL had the decent GM support/bug techs/server fixers/Artists/etc then they number would be waaaaaaaaay over ten million. A lot of peeps I talk to have something in common, they had to give WoW up only because it was P2P and they couldn't afford it.

[Skittles Of Darkness]

Bob Dobbs

Skittles Of Darkness

I don't mean cut slack in voicing options but to throw his name and image around like a ragdoll. Like chewing him out and pointing out every little mistake and making a huge deal out of it. If I thought 'poor Craig', I wouldn't have PMed him now would I? What I'm saying is, don't take everything you dislike about Gaia on him. He is trying his best to do his job and he does love Gaia just like the rest of us. Read his profile and what Juno says about him in her lastest journal entry. He also started up a journal and has been asking for suggestions to make Gaia better too. He and the rest of the staff have been listening, responding and trying to fix the communication issue between staff and users after what happened Saturday.

I understand that I am have never harassed the guy, however you have to be careful what you say as some of us are a little upset by what was said. I personally only care about the fact that he usually seems to say "Its a Teen site" when he speaks about Gaia.
I do not even play WoW so I never posted an opinion about that.

Yes, I understand that but other people have got really nasty to him. Also -points to previous page- I posted the PM he gave me about the 'teenage hangout issue' because I also feel the same about the 'teenage hangout' theme. But because of his response at least I know why he does now. 3nodding