Slashdot linked to a story on Grimwell.com discussing WoW & MMO subscriber rates during launch and post-launch. It takes a look at where WoW falls post-launch within the MMO genre, and speculates about WoW’s longevity.

It’s a good article, but could have been harder hitting. I agree with the premise: WoW’s future is in question. When you consider WoW’s issues with new content, fast levelling to 60, catered to “casual” play, and lack of social interaction, how long will players stick with it?

Here’s a snippet:

Based on past trends of similar styled games, World of Warcraft will not retain players the same way that Everquest and Final Fantasy XI have. I expect it will fall to somewhere between a half to a quarter of its current subscribers. This is ratio greater than that lost in Planetside and City of Heroes because I believe the “core following” is far less than the runaway success World of Warcraft has been would indicate.