Activision Blizzard Stock Downgraded Due to Star Wars: The Old Republic

Develop brings word of a recent survey that suggests that as many as 1.6 million World of Warcraft players will leave the game when Star Wars: The Old Republic launches next month, and that concerns over such an exodus have caused Lazard Capital Markets to downgrade Activision Blizzard’s stock from “buy” to “neutral”.

The global launch the Star Wars MMO could trigger a mass-exodus of World of Warcraft subscribers, according to new analyst data.

Lazard Capital Markets has downgraded Activision Blizzard’s stock from ‘˜buy’ to ‘˜neutral’ after a recent survey found that more than half of existing World of Warcraft subscribers have grown tired of the game.

The survey, conducted in conjunction with Peanut Labs, polled 381 online customers and found that 50 per cent plan to buy EA’s The Old Republic. Another 38 per cent declared an interest.

Lazard Capital Markets calculated the data, along with considerations to increased competition, to conclude that World of Warcraft could lose between 900,000 to 1.6 million players following the launch of The Old Republic in December.

World of Warcraft subscriptions have contracted by about 800,000 users the past three months, a loss which has accelerated from the 300,000 player drop-off during the six months prior.

Anybody here intend to leave WoW for SWTOR?