Activision’s comments that MMOs such as “World of Warcraft” could become obsolete in the face of technological advances have fallen on deaf ears, with most commentators on computerandvideogames.com ridiculing the comments made in the company’s Annual Fiscal report.
The report seems to indicate a worry that MMOs like “Warcraft” will face increasing pressure from new methods of playing games, such as iPhone applications. “We compete with other forms of interactive entertainment, such as casual games like iPhone applications and other mobile phone games, and games developed for use by consumers on social networking sites,” the report claims. “Future increased consumer acceptance and increases in the availability of (of) such games or other online games, or technological advances in online game software or the internet, could result in a decline in platform based software and negatively impact sales of our console and hand held products. Newer technological advances in online game software may also render products such as “World of Warcraft” obsolete. Additionally, direct sales of software over the internet by competitors could adversely affect our distribution business.”
The bulk of the comments have been mocked by gamers on the CVG site, who find it extraordinary that the company could seriously believe online MMOs could come under threat from such things as iPhone games. “”WoW” is the biggest MMO hit ever,” slammed only_777. “People don’t think “I won’t buy “WoW”, I’ll buy “Dinner Dash”… Activision, you clowns”, while originalbadboy was even more cutting, declaring “Christ, what a pile of s**te… Activision could become obsolete if they are not careful, they are rapidly becoming the Sony of the bulls**t world”.”
