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

About…

Game name

Details of game

fruit

English

fashion

iPads

royal babies

the color black

• online games
• board games
• card games
• playground games

• arcade / casino games
• quiz games
• learning games
• runaround games

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

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

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

"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

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

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?

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  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.

war

craft

• reported
• past
• start
• figure
• drop
• daily

• pushing
• majority
• back
• 61
• successful
• hit

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

Q.2.

Q.3.

Q.4.

Q.5.

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?

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?

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.

________________________________________________________

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

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

(    )

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

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.    

"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".

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

a

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

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

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a