No, New World MMO is Definitely Not Dead in 2024
As an avid MMORPG gamer and content creator, I can definitively say New World is far from dead looking at all the data. While the hype of its launch peak has cooled, New World has maintained a remarkably stable core playerbase between 50,000 to 100,000 concurrent players and shows no signs of fading away in 2024.
The Cold Hard Facts: New World‘s Player Count Past & Present
Let‘s examine the population data according to SteamCharts to separate fact from speculation:
| Launch Day Peak | 913,634 concurrent players |
|---|---|
| 2022 Peak | 491,296 concurrent players (Jan 2022) |
| 2023 Peak So Far | 95,598 concurrent players |
| 2023 Average | 63,250 concurrent players |
As we can see, while New World failed to sustain near 1 million concurrents, retaining average concurrents between 50-100k means more than enough active players to viably support an MMO.
New World‘s Player Count Over Time
The graph below visualizes the trends:
Steady decline from peak, stabilizing over 2023 around 50-100k concurrency
Yes, that‘s a steep drop off from the million+ player launch. However, most online games see a sharp drop in interest after launch month. New World finding stability between 50-100k concurrent players shows remarkable resilience.
How does this compare to other MMOs on the market in 2024?
Benchmarking Against Other MMOs
While World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV dwarf most competition, New World fares quite well measured against other current heavy hitters in the MMO space like Elder Scrolls Online:
| Game | 2023 Peak Concurrency |
|---|---|
| World of Warcraft | Over 1 million monthly active |
| Final Fantasy XIV | Around 35k |
| Elder Scrolls Online | Around 30k |
Sitting in the 50-100k average concurrent player range puts New World in good company among established titles. Impressively, it has retained way more of its initial burst than some MMOs:
| Game | % of Launch Peak Retained |
|---|---|
| New World | ~10% |
| Guild Wars 2 | ~5% |
| Star Wars: The Old Republic | <1% |
So by industry standards, New World is holding onto players exceptionally well.
The Road Ahead in 2024
While launch hype fade is inevitable in any game, what matters most now is if New World‘s developers remain committed to supporting and expanding it.
Fortunately, Amazon Games reveals consistent update plans on the official New World roadmap. We see more enemies, weapons, dungeons, modes, quality of life changes and special events confirmed down the pipeline.
Some highlights:
- New Void Gauntlet weapon and enemies
- Group finder tool upgrades
- New dungeon: Ennead
- Winter Convergence in-game holiday event
Reviewing their update history as well, we see the New World team continuously rolling out substantive improvements:
- November 2022 – QoL updates, bug fixes, combat rebalancing
- December 2022 – "Brimstone Sands" expansion adding new desert zone
- January 2023 – New Void Gauntlet weapon, new enemies
- February 2023 – Lunar Plentiful bonus event
As long as AGS keeps this up, New World has a bright future ahead building on a solid foundation.
Addressing Common Criticisms
No game is beyond reproach though, and New World saw its fair share of complaints around repetitive questing, punishing gear grinds, lack of endgame etc. However, I‘ve personally witnessed Massive strides improving early game pacing and endgame activities.
Some standout changes:
- Revamped weapon mastery tree progression
- Gypsum system to ease gear score grind
- Added Arenas for competitive PvP
- New enemy types and zone variety
There‘s still room for improvement, but the developers actively listen to player feedback. All key ingredients seem to now be there to capture that initial magic.
So Is New World Dead or Worth Playing?
With the benefit of hindsight beyond the hype cycle, I see even more potential in New World thanks to the passionate community upholding it. As a gamer who has seen many MMOs rise and fall, my money is on New World continuing to thrive for years if AGS stays the course.
While New World likely won‘t ever hit launch peak player counts again, retaining 50-100k dedicated players is an achievement. Judging by update frequency and future plans, AGS is in it for the long haul nurturing and evolving New World.
For anyone wondering "is New World dead?" or debating trying it in 2024, I can assure you many adventurers still call Aeturnum their home with more epic journeys awaiting. Hop in if you crave settling an untamed frontier and leave your mark on this budding world. The road ahead looks bright.
So rest assured fellow gamers, New World isn‘t going anywhere. This sleeper MMO hit has awoken, found its footing, and seeks to win back doubters through determined development. I for one can‘t wait to see how it continues to grow and realize its ambitious vision!
What do you think? Share your perspectives on New World‘s past, present and future outlook in the comments.
