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'World of Warcraft' loses 2 million players (29th July, 2013)

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), one of the world's favourite online games, has reported big losses in its subscriber base. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The exodus has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners of the game, boasted a healthy 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite the huge decline, it is still easily the world's most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying the drop is due to fierce competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 million active daily players.


 

Despite the downturn in the fortunes of WoW, Activision is pushing ahead to provide the company with greater independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, is spearheading an $8.2billion buyout to be the majority shareholder once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms and entertainment giant Vivendi. The French company currently holds a 61 per cent controlling stake in Activision, which would fall to just 12 per cent if the acquisition is successful. Mr Kotick, who has been Activision CEO since 1991, is a strong believer in the future of online subscriptions. He oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision smash hit, "Call Of Duty".

Try Level 4 or Level 5

Sources:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/23640708-f59e-11e2-94e9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2aEovkdKm
http://news.sky.com/story/1120865/world-of-warcraft-loses-600000-subscribers
http://www.ibtimes.com/wow-world-warcraft-subscribers-down-77-million-could-league-legends-dota-2-be-blame-1361025



 

WARM-UPS

1. ONLINE GAMING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about online gaming. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

online games / big losses / subscribers / exodus / boasted / huge decline / role-playing / downturn / independence / shareholder / entertainment giant / acquisition / success

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. ONLINE GAMES: What new online games could you make? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

About…

Game name

Details of game

fruit

 

 

English

 

 

fashion

 

 

iPads

 

 

royal babies

 

 

the color black

 

 

4. BAD FOR YOU: Students A strongly believe computer games are bad for us; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. GAMES: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • online games
  • board games
  • card games
  • playground games
  • arcade / casino games
  • quiz games
  • learning games
  • runaround games

6. ROLE PLAYING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'role playing'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

A popular game has lost 2 million players in the past three months.

T / F

b.

Earlier this year, the game had over 10 million subscribers.

T / F

c.

The game is still the world's most popular game of its kind.

T / F

d.

A multiplayer online battle arena game has 12 million daily players.

T / F

e.

The company that made World of Warcraft wants to buy more shares.

T / F

f.

The company wants to spend $429 million on a buyout.

T / F

g.

The World of Warcraft CEO has held that position for over 20 years.

T / F

h.

The CEO is pessimistic about the future of online subscriptions.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

online

a.

enormous

2.

base

b.

managed

3.

exodus

c.

circumstances

4.

huge

d.

foundation

5.

fierce

e.

share

6.

fortunes

f.

cutthroat

7.

spearheading

g.

Internet

8.

stake

h.

purchase

9.

acquisition

i.

mass departure

10.

oversaw

j.

leading

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

big losses in its

a.

9.6 million subscribers

2.

boasted a healthy

b.

giant

3.

it is still easily the

c.

(MOBA) games

4.

the drop is due to

d.

in the fortunes

5.

multiplayer online battle arena

e.

ahead

6.

Despite the downturn

f.

world's most popular

7.

pushing

g.

subscriber base

8.

spearheading an

h.

is successful

9.

telecoms and entertainment

i.

fierce competition

10.

if the acquisition

j.

$8.2billion buyout

 

GAP FILL

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), one of the world's favourite online games, has reported big (1) _____________ in its subscriber base. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The (2) _____________ has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners of the game, (3) _____________ a healthy 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite the  (4) _____________ decline, it is still easily the world's most popular massively (5) _____________ online role-playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying the drop is due to (6) _____________ competition from (7) _____________ popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 million (8) _____________ daily players.

 

 

hugely
boasted
active
losses
huge
fierce
exodus
multiplayer

Despite the (9) _____________ in the fortunes of WoW, Activision is pushing ahead to provide the company with greater independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, is (10) _____________ an $8.2billion buyout to be the (11) _____________ shareholder once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms and entertainment (12) _____________ Vivendi. The French company currently holds a 61 per cent (13) _____________ stake in Activision, which would fall to just 12 per cent if the (14) _____________ is successful. Mr Kotick, who has been Activision CEO since 1991, is a (15) _____________ believer in the future of online subscriptions. He oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision (16) _____________ hit, "Call Of Duty".

 

giant
spearheading
strong
smash
downturn
controlling
majority
acquisition

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

reported big losses in its ______

 

a.  subscriber paste
b.  subscriber base
c.  subscriber bases
d.  subscriber baste

2)

owners of the game boasted ______ subscribers

 

a.  a healthful 9.6 million
b.  a health 9.6 million
c.  a healthy 9.6 million
d.  an unhealthy 9.6 million

3)

it is still easily the world's most popular massively multiplayer ______

 

a.  online role-played game
b.  online roll-players game
c.  online roll-playing game
d.  online role-playing game

4)

Analysts are saying the drop is due ______

 

a.  to fierce competition
b.  to farce competition
c.  to farcical competition
d.  to fiercely competition

5)

… like "League of Legends," which has 12 million ______

 

a.  active daily players
b.  active daytime players
c.  active day players
d.  active dally players

6)

Despite the downturn in ______

 

a.  the fortunes of WoW
b.  the four tunes of WoW
c.  the fight tunes of WoW
d.  the fort dunes of WoW

7)

pushing ahead to provide the company ______

 

a.  with greater independence
b.  with greater interdependence
c.  with greater independent
d.  with greater interdependently

8)

spearheading an $8.2billion buyout to be ______

 

a.  the major ratty shareholder
b.  the minority shareholder
c.  the minor ratty shareholder
d.  the majority shareholder

9)

back from French telecoms and entertainment ______

 

a.  monster Vivendi
b.  colossus Vivendi
c.  titan Vivendi
d.  giant Vivendi

10)

a strong believer in the future ______

 

a.  for online subscriptions
b.  of online subscriptions
c.  if online subscriptions
d.  from online subscriptions

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), (1) ___________________ favourite online games, has reported big losses in (2) ___________________. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The exodus has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners of the game, (3) ___________________ 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite the huge decline, it is still easily the world's (4) ___________________ multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying                                   (5) ___________________ competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 (6) ___________________.

Despite the (7) ___________________ fortunes of WoW, Activision is pushing ahead to provide the company with greater independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, (8) ___________________ $8.2billion buyout to be (9) ___________________ once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms and entertainment giant Vivendi. The French company                                 (10) ___________________ per cent controlling stake in Activision, which would fall to just 12 per cent if the (11) ___________________. Mr Kotick, who has been Activision CEO since 1991, is (12) ___________________ the future of online subscriptions. He oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision smash hit, "Call Of Duty".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

When did World of Warcraft lose 600,000 subscribers?

2.

How many subscribers were there at the start of 2013?

3.

Where does the game rank among MMORPGs?

4.

Why do experts think the drop in popularity happened?

5.

How often do 12 million players play "League of Legends"?

6.

What is Activision pushing for?

7.

What is Bobby Kotick spearheading?

8.

How many shares does Kotick want to buy?

9.

How much of Activision would Vivendi own after the buyout?

10.

When did Bobby Kotick become Activision CEO?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

When did World of Warcraft lose 600,000 subscribers?

6.

What is Activision pushing for?

 

a) yesterday
b) a few days ago
c) last week
d) the past 3 months

 

a) new titles
b) a greater market share
c) to be more independent
d) stronger copyright laws

2.

How many subscribers were there at the start of 2013?

7.

What is Bobby Kotick spearheading?

 

a) a billion
b) nearly 9,600,000
c) just over 10 million
d) 9,873,201

 

a) a buyout
b) a sales drive
c) education via gaming
d) professional development

3.

Where does the game rank among MMORPGs?

8.

How many shares does Kotick want to buy?

 

a) near the top
b) second
c) in the middle now
d) the world's most popular

 

a) 4.29 million
b) 492,000,000
c) 429,000,000
d) 14.29 million

4.

Why do experts think the drop in popularity happened?

9.

How much of Activision would Vivendi own after the buyout?

 

a) poor management
b) better technology
c) competition
d) increased iPad sales

 

a) 20%
b) 12%
c) nothing
d) 49%

5.

How often do 12 million players play "League of Legends"?

10.

When did Bobby Kotick become Activision CEO?

 

a) non-stop
b) twice every three days
c) once in a blue moon
d) every day

 

a) 1991
b) 2001
c) 2011
d) this year

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Online games

You think online games are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): card games, quiz games or runaround games.

Role  B – Card games

You think card games are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): online games, quiz games or runaround games.

Role  C – Quiz games

You think quiz games are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): card games, online games or runaround games.

Role  D – Runaround games

You think runaround games are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): card games, quiz games or online games.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'war' and 'craft'.

war

craft

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • reported
  • past
  • start
  • figure
  • drop
  • daily
  • pushing
  • majority
  • back
  • 61
  • successful
  • hit

ONLINE GAMING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about online gaming in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

ONLINE GAMING DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'gaming'?

c)

How important are online games in your life?

d)

What is the attraction of playing computer games?

e)

Which are better – single-player or multi-player games?

f)

What do you know about "World of Warcraft"?

g)

What's your favourite game, and why?

h)

What was the first game you played, and what do you think of it now?

i)

Do you spend too long playing games?

j)

Is online gaming good for you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What games do you subscribe to?

c)

How addictive are games? Is this a problem?

d)

Is playing online games better than playing runaround games / sport?

e)

How can companies make games better?

f)

Are online games a good way of making friends?

g)

What do you think games will be like in 50 years' time?

h)

Which game character would you like to be?

i)

How do you feel when you play online games?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Activision CEO Bobby Kotick?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), one of the world's favourite online games, has (1) ____ big losses in its subscriber (2) ____. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The exodus has (3) ____ almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners of the game, (4) ____ a healthy 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite the huge decline, it is still easily the world's most popular (5) ____ multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying the drop is due to (6) ____ competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 million active daily players.

Despite the downturn in the fortunes of WoW, Activision is (7) ____ ahead to provide the company with greater independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, is (8) ____ an $8.2billion buyout to be the majority shareholder once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms and entertainment (9) ____ Vivendi. The French company currently holds a 61 per cent controlling (10) ____ in Activision, which would fall to just 12 per cent if the acquisition is successful. Mr Kotick, who has been Activision CEO since 1991, is a (11) ____ believer in the future of online subscriptions. He oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision (12) ____ hit, "Call Of Duty".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

reported

(b)

reporting

(c)

reporters

(d)

reportedly

2.

(a)

basic

(b)

basics

(c)

base

(d)

basing

3.

(a)

watched

(b)

looked

(c)

seen

(d)

viewed

4.

(a)

boosted

(b)

basted

(c)

bested

(d)

boasted

5.

(a)

massively

(b)

hugely

(c)

incredibly

(d)

unbelievably

6.

(a)

force

(b)

fierce

(c)

farce

(d)

fleece

7.

(a)

dashing

(b)

pulling

(c)

piling

(d)

pushing

8.

(a)

headhunting

(b)

spearheading

(c)

ongoing

(d)

undermining

9.

(a)

creature

(b)

giant

(c)

beast

(d)

monstrosity

10.

(a)

streak

(b)

steak

(c)

strike

(d)

stake

11.

(a)

muscular

(b)

intense

(c)

strong

(d)

rugged

12.

(a)

break

(b)

smash

(c)

strike

(d)

crush

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

big losses in its erurbbiscs base

2.

the sxudoe

3.

tadseob a healthy 9.6 million

4.

svmseiayl multiplayer online role-playing game

5.

the drop is due to eicrfe competition

6.

uylehg popular

Paragraph 2

7.

Despite the downturn in the soefutnr of WoW.

8.

greater ecneepndndei

9.

apinahesedrg an $8.2billion buyout

10.

a 61 per cent nogllircotn stake in Activision

11.

if the antcsioqiiu is successful

12.

a strong veiblere in the future of online

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

the huge decline, it is still easily the world's most popular massively multiplayer online role-

1  )

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), one of the world's favourite online games, has reported big losses in

(    )

playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying the drop is due to fierce competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle

(    )

Despite the downturn in the fortunes of WoW, Activision is pushing ahead to provide the company

(    )

its subscriber base. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The exodus

(    )

with greater independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, is spearheading an $8.2billion

(    )

oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision smash hit, "Call Of Duty".

(    )

buyout to be the majority shareholder once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms

(    )

arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 million active daily players.

(    )

and entertainment giant Vivendi. The French company currently holds a 61 per cent controlling stake

(    )

has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners

(    )

in Activision, which would fall to just 12 per cent if the acquisition is successful. Mr Kotick, who

(    )

of the game, boasted a healthy 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite

(    )

has been Activision CEO since 1991, is a strong believer in the future of online subscriptions. He

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

games     online     favourite     world's     the     of     One.    

2.

losses     big     Reported     base     subscriber     its     in.    

3.

It     the     easily     popular     still     most     is     world's.    

4.

competition     fierce     to     due     is     drop     The.    

5.

multiplayer     battle     games     Popular     online     arena.    

6.

billion     Activision     an     spearheading     $8.2     buyout     is.    

7.

again     once     shareholder     majority     the     be     To.    

8.

million     back     of     the     Buy     company's     429     shares.    

9.

if     is     Just     cent     acquisition     per     the     successful     12.    

10.

believer    future    subscriptions    strong    the    online    A     in     of.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

"World of Warcraft" (WoW), one of the world's favourite online games, has reported / reportedly big losses in its subscriber basics / base. Over 600,000 players have left the game in the past three months. The immigration / exodus has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013. At the start of the year, Activision Blizzard, owners of the game, boosted / boasted a healthy / health 9.6 million subscribers. That figure is now 7.7 million. Despite the huge decline / recline, it is still easily the world's most popular massively / missive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Analysts are saying the drip / drop is due to fierce / farcical competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle stadium / arena (MOBA) games like "League of Legends," which has 12 million active daily players.

Despite the downsize / downturn in the fortunes of WoW, Activision is pushing / pulling ahead to provide the company with greater / greatly independence. Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, is headhunting / spearheading an $8.2billion buyout to be the majority shareholder twice / once again. He wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from French telecoms and entertainment gigantic / giant Vivendi. The French company currently holds / holding a 61 per cent controlling stake in Activision, which would fail / fall to just 12 per cent if the acquisition is successful. Mr Kotick, who has been Activision CEO since 1991, is a strong believer / belief in the future of online subscriptions. He oversaw the success of WoW and another Activision smash / smashed hit, "Call Of Duty".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

"W_rld _f W_rcr_ft" (W_W), _n_ _f th_ w_rld's f_v__r_t_ _nl_n_ g_m_s, h_s r_p_rt_d b_g l_ss_s _n _ts s_bscr_b_r b_s_. _v_r 600,000 pl_y_rs h_v_ l_ft th_ g_m_ _n th_ p_st thr__ m_nths. Th_ _x_d_s h_s s__n _lm_st tw_ m_ll__n s_bscr_pt__ns _nd_d _n 2013. _t th_ st_rt _f th_ y__r, _ct_v_s__n Bl_zz_rd, _wn_rs _f th_ g_m_, b__st_d _ h__lthy 9.6 m_ll__n s_bscr_b_rs. Th_t f_g_r_ _s n_w 7.7 m_ll__n. D_sp_t_ th_ h_g_ d_cl_n_, _t _s st_ll __s_ly th_ w_rld's m_st p_p_l_r m_ss_v_ly m_lt_pl_y_r _nl_n_ r_l_-pl_y_ng g_m_ (MM_RPG). _n_lysts _r_ s_y_ng th_ dr_p _s d__ t_ f__rc_ c_mp_t_t__n fr_m h_g_ly p_p_l_r m_lt_pl_y_r _nl_n_ b_ttl_ _r_n_ (M_B_) g_m_s l_k_ "L__g__ _f L_g_nds," wh_ch h_s 12 m_ll__n _ct_v_ d__ly pl_y_rs.

D_sp_t_ th_ d_wnt_rn _n th_ f_rt_n_s _f W_W, _ct_v_s__n _s p_sh_ng _h__d t_ pr_v_d_ th_ c_mp_ny w_th gr__t_r _nd_p_nd_nc_. B_bby K_t_ck, C__ _f _ct_v_s__n Bl_zz_rd, _s sp__rh__d_ng _n $8.2b_ll__n b_y__t t_ b_ th_ m_j_r_ty sh_r_h_ld_r _nc_ _g__n. H_ w_nts t_ b_y 429 m_ll__n _f th_ c_mp_ny's sh_r_s b_ck fr_m Fr_nch t_l_c_ms _nd _nt_rt__nm_nt g__nt V_v_nd_. Th_ Fr_nch c_mp_ny c_rr_ntly h_lds _ 61 p_r c_nt c_ntr_ll_ng st_k_ _n _ct_v_s__n, wh_ch w__ld f_ll t_ j_st 12 p_r c_nt _f th_ _cq__s_t__n _s s_cc_ssf_l. Mr K_t_ck, wh_ h_s b__n _ct_v_s__n C__ s_nc_ 1991, _s _ str_ng b_l__v_r _n th_ f_t_r_ _f _nl_n_ s_bscr_pt__ns. H_ _v_rs_w th_ s_cc_ss _f W_W _nd _n_th_r _ct_v_s__n sm_sh h_t, "C_ll _f D_ty".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

"world of warcraft" (wow) one of the world's favourite online games has reported big losses in its subscriber base over 600000 players have left the game in the past three months the exodus has seen almost two million subscriptions ended in 2013 at the start of the year activision blizzard owners of the game boasted a healthy 96 million subscribers that figure is now 77 million despite the huge decline it is still easily the world's most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (mmorpg) analysts are saying the drop is due to fierce competition from hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (moba) games like "league of legends" which has 12 million active daily players

despite the downturn in the fortunes of wow activision is pushing ahead to provide the company with greater independence bobby kotick ceo of activision blizzard is spearheading an $82billion buyout to be the majority shareholder once again he wants to buy 429 million of the company's shares back from french telecoms and entertainment giant vivendi the french company currently holds a 61 per cent controlling stake in activision which would fall to just 12 per cent if the acquisition is successful mr kotick who has been activision ceo since 1991 is a strong believer in the future of online subscriptions he oversaw the success of wow and another activision smash hit "call of duty"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

"WorldofWarcraft"(WoW),oneoftheworld'sfavouriteonlinegames,hasrepor
tedbiglossesinitssubscriberbase.Over600,000playershaveleftthegameint
hepastthreemonths.Theexodushasseenalmosttwomillionsubscriptionsend
edin2013.Atthestartoftheyear,ActivisionBlizzard,ownersofthegame,boast
edahealthy9.6millionsubscribers.Thatfigureisnow7.7million.Despitethehu
gedecline,itisstilleasilytheworld'smostpopularmassivelymultiplayeronline
role-playinggame(MMORPG).Analystsaresayingthedropisduetofiercec
ompetitionfromhugelypopularmultiplayeronlinebattlearena(MOBA)games
like"LeagueofLegends,"whichhas12millionactivedailyplayers.Despitethed
ownturninthefortunesofWoW,Activisionispushingaheadtoprovidethecomp
anywithgreaterindependence.BobbyKotick,CEOofActivisionBlizzard,isspe
arheadingan$8.2billionbuyouttobethemajorityshareholderonceagain.Hew
antstobuy429millionofthecompany'ssharesbackfromFrenchtelecomsande
ntertainmentgiantVivendi.TheFrenchcompanycurrentlyholdsa61percentc
ontrollingstakeinActivision,whichwouldfalltojust12percentiftheacquisition
issuccessful.MrKotick,whohasbeenActivisionCEOsince1991,isastrongbelie
verinthefutureofonlinesubscriptions.HeoversawthesuccessofWoWandano
therActivisionsmashhit,"CallOfDuty".

FREE WRITING

Write about online gaming for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Gaming (online or offline) is a waste of time.   Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about World of Warcraft. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ONLINE GAMING: Make a poster about online gaming. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. EXODUS: Write a magazine article about the falling numbers of World of Warcraft players. Include imaginary interviews with an ex-player, a current subscriber and the CEO.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a gaming expert. Ask him/her three questions about online gaming. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

a

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

online

a.

Internet

2.

base

b.

foundation

3.

exodus

c.

mass departure

4.

huge

d.

enormous

5.

fierce

e.

cutthroat

6.

fortunes

f.

circumstances

7.

spearheading

g.

leading

8.

stake

h.

share

9.

acquisition

i.

purchase

10.

oversaw

j.

managed

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

In the past 3 months

2.

Nearly 9,600,000

3.

The world's most popular

4.

Competition from MOBAs

5.

Every day

6.

Greater independence

7.

A buyout

8.

429 million

9.

12%

10.

In 1991

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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