With platform holders, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all starting to lick their financial wounds as they emerge from a bloody first quarter, the outlook for video games as a recessionary bucker is poor. And it's not just hardware, even big publishers such as EA, Activision and Ubisoft have had to admit to fiscal failure.
But then, along comes THQ first, and now Capcom, to show that money can still be made - and not just by selling pre-owned product.
Capcom has released its figures and they show that Net sales are up by 19.2% compared to the first quarter of last year. Operating income's also up - 23%. 'Ordinary income' (gross income) also rises by 2.3%. The bad news, however, is that net income 6.4%; you've got to look at the arcades for that.
The good news has also come from video games rather than the arcade market. Net sales of arcade games crashed by 69%, while video game net sales were up by 32%.
So, what's done the job? Resident Evil 5, which sold 4.4 million units on PS3 and Xbox 360 last financial year, has kept on selling in the three months from April 1st to June 30th with 500k units sold.
The company also had "Japan's first million-seller of a third-party title on Wii" with a million copies of Monster Hunter Tri.
And Monster Hunter Freedom Unite also managed to move 600k units during the relevant quarter.
All good, solid, video gamers' games with few frills. Maybe that's the trick? Details available over at Capcom (PDF).
But then, along comes THQ first, and now Capcom, to show that money can still be made - and not just by selling pre-owned product.
Capcom has released its figures and they show that Net sales are up by 19.2% compared to the first quarter of last year. Operating income's also up - 23%. 'Ordinary income' (gross income) also rises by 2.3%. The bad news, however, is that net income 6.4%; you've got to look at the arcades for that.
The good news has also come from video games rather than the arcade market. Net sales of arcade games crashed by 69%, while video game net sales were up by 32%.
So, what's done the job? Resident Evil 5, which sold 4.4 million units on PS3 and Xbox 360 last financial year, has kept on selling in the three months from April 1st to June 30th with 500k units sold.
The company also had "Japan's first million-seller of a third-party title on Wii" with a million copies of Monster Hunter Tri.
And Monster Hunter Freedom Unite also managed to move 600k units during the relevant quarter.
All good, solid, video gamers' games with few frills. Maybe that's the trick? Details available over at Capcom (PDF).
Companies:
Capcom
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