Activision Blizzard Retail Sales Increase, Beats Forecast
by William D'Angelo, posted on 08 November 2012 / 6,762 Views
Activision Blizzard has reported on its sales for its third quarter which ended September 31. Revenue increased to $841 million, up from $754 million during the same period a year ago. Profits also increased to $226 million, up from $148 million.
Digital sales remained relatively flat at $430 million, This is an increase of just one percent. However retail sales jump up 43 percent to $357 million, from $250 million. This is quite unusual due to most publishers moving toward digital sales, not retail sales.
"We have, for the third straight year, generated over $1 billion of operating cash flow for the trailing twelve month period ending September 30," said Robert Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO. "Our performance was driven by the launch of Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria and continued sales of its top-selling PC game, Diablo III, as well as Activision Publishing’s new entertainment property, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, and sales of titles in the Call of Duty franchise."
"Skylanders Giants is off to a great start and next week the company will release Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which we believe will be one of the most successful launches of any form of entertainment in history," Kotick added.
"As we look to 2013, we are cautious about business prospects given a continuingly challenged global economy, the ongoing console transition and very difficult year-over-year comparables due to Blizzard’s record-shattering Diablo III sales in 2012."
Other highlights include Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, which has been the bestselling console and handheld game in dollars in North America and Europe, when accessory packs and figures are added.
Diablo III since its release in May has been the bestselling PC game in terms of dollar in the U.S. and Europe. World of Warcraft remains above 10 million subscribers, while Mists of Pandaria sold 2.7 million units in its opening week.
Due to the increased quarterly sales, Activision Blizzard now expects its full fiscal year revenue to reach $4.57 billion, up from $4.33 billion which was previously predicted.
