Activision's New Call of Duty as Earnings Excel
2009 was best financial year in company's history.
Activision Blizzard has announced its quarterly and annual earnings during a conference call, and revealed that not only did it beat financial estimates for the year – with a net revenue passing $4 billion – but it also plans to release a new Call of Duty game in 2010 to keep up momentum.
It seems like the huge marketing push for Modern Warfare 2 last year yielded more-than impressive results. Activision Blizzard said that 2009 was the most profitable year in its history (although could that be Activision and/or Blizzard's individual history, or the history of the recent merge?).
A new Call of Duty for 2010 is pretty much a no-brainer but Mike Griffiths, head of Activision Publishing, said that the company is “still bullish on this year's title”, suggesting that it isn't going to simply phone-in this latest game. “The Call of Duty Brand has never been stronger – 2010 will be a big year for the franchise,” Griffiths says.
With the company doing so well, it's time for Bobby Kotick! The CEO of Activision Blizzard seemed quite pleased with the result, especially in the face of economic adversity. “Despite these challenging times, in 2010 we remain focused on expanding operating margins by growing our high-margin digital/online revenues, directing our resources to the largest and most profitable opportunities and realizing operational efficiencies globally.”
“In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment’s Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing’s best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan.” Bakugan, quite.
Good news for the company all-round then, despite a somewhat empty Spring release window (the only game being launched by Activision Publishing in this quarter is “How To Train Your Dragon” at the end of March). Are you looking forward to the inevitable Call of Duty Next? Let us know in the forums.
Read the earnings report here, if you're game for a morning read.
It seems like the huge marketing push for Modern Warfare 2 last year yielded more-than impressive results. Activision Blizzard said that 2009 was the most profitable year in its history (although could that be Activision and/or Blizzard's individual history, or the history of the recent merge?).
A new Call of Duty for 2010 is pretty much a no-brainer but Mike Griffiths, head of Activision Publishing, said that the company is “still bullish on this year's title”, suggesting that it isn't going to simply phone-in this latest game. “The Call of Duty Brand has never been stronger – 2010 will be a big year for the franchise,” Griffiths says.
With the company doing so well, it's time for Bobby Kotick! The CEO of Activision Blizzard seemed quite pleased with the result, especially in the face of economic adversity. “Despite these challenging times, in 2010 we remain focused on expanding operating margins by growing our high-margin digital/online revenues, directing our resources to the largest and most profitable opportunities and realizing operational efficiencies globally.”
“In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment’s Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing’s best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan.” Bakugan, quite.
Good news for the company all-round then, despite a somewhat empty Spring release window (the only game being launched by Activision Publishing in this quarter is “How To Train Your Dragon” at the end of March). Are you looking forward to the inevitable Call of Duty Next? Let us know in the forums.
Read the earnings report here, if you're game for a morning read.
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Comments
deleted 11 Feb 2010 14:47
1/1
i miagine if your 8 you take bakugan over COD anyday, at least my son would and does.