antiherozero
09-13-2008, 12:35 PM
Server Population Math
60K CE copies sold [1] / 14 servers [2] = 4.3K ea server.
The average WoW server population = 2.7K ea server [3] (for illustration purposes only).
That means = we'll see 1,600 more WAR CE head start players each server than your average WoW server. This is just during CE head start too, and those numbers will boom again after SE head start begins, and then again after live.
My concern is that every major guild has a few CE players who will be determining where their guild goes, all the guilds will be following these players, and these 14 head start servers are going to be swamped with very high populations as a result, apparently even during CE head start! Have I done bad math here?
Now please, I already know this server list is subject to change, and that Mythic will likely expand new servers even during CE head start. However, many guilds won't switch once they've gone through the trouble of starting CE characters, advertising themselves on server forums, and announcing to the guild where they plan to play. Also, Mythic can simply offer free character transfers if this becomes an issue. Furthermore, I'm fully aware that Mythic is using different technology than WoW for their servers, but high populations are always an issue in MMO performance. I'm just baffled why Mythic hasn't seen this obvious dilemma before announcing their server list, and I'm curious what their server population limits are before forcing queues on everyone.
Sources
[1] WAR CE Data site (http://www.warhammeronline.com/collectorsedition/):
Only 60,000 units of the Collector's Edition will be available in North America so don't miss out.
[2] WAR Server List site (http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=266):
We've updated our server list with what will be our starting line up for CE and SE Head Start. Keep in mind, this is only what we are starting with. We will adjust population caps and add more servers, both during CE and SE Head Start, as needed to ensure a healthy population spread across all servers.
[3] WoW Census site (http://www.warcraftrealms.com/activity.php?serverid=-1).
60K CE copies sold [1] / 14 servers [2] = 4.3K ea server.
The average WoW server population = 2.7K ea server [3] (for illustration purposes only).
That means = we'll see 1,600 more WAR CE head start players each server than your average WoW server. This is just during CE head start too, and those numbers will boom again after SE head start begins, and then again after live.
My concern is that every major guild has a few CE players who will be determining where their guild goes, all the guilds will be following these players, and these 14 head start servers are going to be swamped with very high populations as a result, apparently even during CE head start! Have I done bad math here?
Now please, I already know this server list is subject to change, and that Mythic will likely expand new servers even during CE head start. However, many guilds won't switch once they've gone through the trouble of starting CE characters, advertising themselves on server forums, and announcing to the guild where they plan to play. Also, Mythic can simply offer free character transfers if this becomes an issue. Furthermore, I'm fully aware that Mythic is using different technology than WoW for their servers, but high populations are always an issue in MMO performance. I'm just baffled why Mythic hasn't seen this obvious dilemma before announcing their server list, and I'm curious what their server population limits are before forcing queues on everyone.
Sources
[1] WAR CE Data site (http://www.warhammeronline.com/collectorsedition/):
Only 60,000 units of the Collector's Edition will be available in North America so don't miss out.
[2] WAR Server List site (http://herald.warhammeronline.com/warherald/NewsArticle.war?id=266):
We've updated our server list with what will be our starting line up for CE and SE Head Start. Keep in mind, this is only what we are starting with. We will adjust population caps and add more servers, both during CE and SE Head Start, as needed to ensure a healthy population spread across all servers.
[3] WoW Census site (http://www.warcraftrealms.com/activity.php?serverid=-1).