Do you think that World of Warcraft's 11 million players was just a fluke that no other MMO will ever see again - including Blizzard with their next MMO?
-Yes I do. But Blizzard was known for releasing stable products so it also had to do with their reputation.


Was WoW just a product of right-place, right-time? Or do you think that there really is some type of 'magic formula' as it were;
- It was the right time and the right place. I hate to say it but SOE and other MMO companies made it possible for Blizzard to rise up as an MMORPG company since most MMORPG gamers were wanting a game with less bugs and fulfilled promises. But take into account Blizzard had 12 years of online gaming and a great infrastructure within their work culture. To me this is why they have done as well as they have.

more properly will Blizzard - or anyone else - ever be able to repeat that 11 million players number?
- I don't think so in regards to any other company. I think it is possible to reach 1 million subscribers as long as a product is released "finished" and every promise has been fulfilled for release. I think Blizzards next MMO will do well but we can only wait and see.