Mom's Minute

Source:  PC Magazine.Com, David Murphy, August 22, 2011

Are you an avid fan of the Star Wars video games?  By avid, I mean do you go out on launch day and be the first in line, either virtual or physical, as soon as the game becomes available?  If you do, I have some news for you and this may be a first!

This just in!  Electronic Arts plans to limit the number of games sales  on launch day for Star Wars:  The Old Republic!  According to the author of the article entitled, " EA Slaps Hard Limit on Presales for Star Wars:  The Old Republic"  usually a publisher of a new video game will do just the opposite and push for more sales.

The reason behind the limit in the sales of this game? Here's the answer directly from an anonymous representative for both EA and Bioware:

"We are limiting launch quantities of Star Wars: The Old Republic to ensure players have a smooth and high quality game experience and service at launch."

So looks like the culprit is the fear EA has on the strain on the servers due to the large number of players expected online on launch day --  which would in turn have a negative impact on your game play.

The game is currently  available for order on a limited basis.  The representative states that once the games are gone, they are gone.

Well, not really gone .  Would that be any way to run a business?  Instead EA will work to expand its servers once the digital sales quota is met, and will eventually allow more sales of the game. There was no indication of how long it would take EA to ramp up the capacity of its servers. 

If you have already pre-ordered the game, you are in the clear! Meaning you will be able to get the game once it comes out.

Ms.H's take:  What better way to have video game players rush off to get the game because they think the number of games available will run out?  Could this be a marketing tactic for EA by doing just the opposite of what this news article is suggesting?  In other words, could EA be using the limited sales ploy as a way to ramp up sales on launch day? 

However, to be on the safe side,  if you are interested in this game, the recommendation is to go out or online and get  Star Wars - The Old Republic  on launch day, before the copies run out. 

By the way, I checked around and was unable to obtain for you an exact launch date, so as of right now, that date is unknown.

My minute is up!  Thanks for visiting my website!  I look forward to sharing more video gaming news with you!

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Bye now and take care,

Ms. H

"Ms. H = Win!"