Yeah, before I quote things I am going to be straight with you and everyone. This game isn't very profitable, at all. I looked at Funcom's Q1-Q3 Presentation of 2010, and they not once mentioned AO. They even mention Pets vs Monsters and Secret World several times, but not even a single mention of re-balance and graphics update which is a huge step for this game?
I think that alone proves something, that this game is tanking on profits and even finding current information on AOs revenue or any news AO related even by Funcom is hard to come by. I'd keep that comprehension cause you haven't used it yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy_Online - Sales & Subscriptions - "Subscription revenue during this time was described as "steady" and "profitable". Subscription revenue remained "steady" for the next three years, until 2009 when they were described as "slowly declining".
Also from there 2007 pdf revenue/expenses -
http://hugin.info/133182/R/1165052/227715.pdf - Even in 2007, when the game was still Profitable, "Sale of virtual items in Anarchy Online initiated as part of a process of continuous evaluation of business models for MMOs" - They knew selling virtual items was going to be a huge way to nab increased revenue, even when there was a lot more players then. And look at the games Funcom is invested in:
Age of Conan
The Secret World
Bloodline Champions (42% investor)
Pets vs Monsters
Why?
http://www.engagedigital.com/2009/02...conan-weakens/ - Yeah, it is a bit outdated. But it hits the point...they are looking at the free-to-play market because AoC is good revenue, but it still isn't near the top.