Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sega earnings down in fiscal 2011, Mario & Sonic sell 3 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sega-earnings-down-in-fiscal-2011-mario-and-sonic-sell-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sega-earnings-down-in-fiscal-2011-mario-and-sonic-sell-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sega-earnings-down-in-fiscal-2011-mario-and-sonic-sell-3-million/#comments Sega's earnings are down in the year ended March 31, 2012, which shouldn't come as a surprise given the company's recent extreme restructuring measures. Sega reported net sales of 395.5 billion yen ($5 billion), down 0.3 percent from 2011; net income dropped 47.4 percent to 21 billion yen.

In the "consumer business" division (the one that deals with home video games), Sega reported a year-over-year drop in unit sales. Its best-performing game was Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, of course, at 3.28 million copies. Sonic Generations followed at 1.85 million; Virtua Tennis 4 sold 1.04 million across five platforms. Sega listed sales for Football Manager 2012 (710,000) and Yakuza: Dead Souls (550,000), but nothing else -- so we don't know how well Binary Domain did, except to guess that it probably didn't do very well.

JoystiqSega earnings down in fiscal 2011, Mario & Sonic sell 3 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsearningsfy-2011microsoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsegasonyvitawiixboxFri, 11 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo reports $461.2 million in losses for fiscal 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-reports-461-2-million-in-losses-for-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-reports-461-2-million-in-losses-for-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-reports-461-2-million-in-losses-for-fiscal-2011/#comments Nintendo's announcement of losses for the fiscal year ending March 31 remains shocking, even though we had advance warning in the form of company forecasts. The actual results, with net sales of ¥647 billion ($8 billion!) were ¥12.3 billion lower than forecasted. The full-year loss was 37.3 billion yen ($461.2 million).

Nintendo said its effort to boost 3DS sales was successful, and that software sales were slower than expected in the US and Europe over the holidays. In addition, the reduced selling price of both the Wii and the 3DS, and, of course, the strong yen, contributed to the losses. The 3DS was actually dropped below cost in the 2011 price cut, the financial report reveals.

By the middle of the next fiscal year (the one that started April 1), Nintendo expects to stop selling 3DS below cost - we assume not by raising prices, but by reducing production costs. In addition, it expects to improve its fortunes with New Super Mario Bros. 2, the 3DS Animal Crossing, the new Brain Age game, and an Asian launch of the 3DS. Oh, and, of course, the Wii U.

JoystiqNintendo reports $461.2 million in losses for fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfinancialsfy-2011nintendowiiwii-uThu, 26 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop sees 'modest increase' to 'all-time high' sales of $9.55B in fiscal 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/gamestop-sees-modest-increase-to-all-time-high-sales-of-9-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/gamestop-sees-modest-increase-to-all-time-high-sales-of-9-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/gamestop-sees-modest-increase-to-all-time-high-sales-of-9-5/#comments
GameStop's total global sales reached $9.55 billion for the fiscal year (ending January 28, 2012), a "modest increase" from the same period last year, in which the company reported "all-time high" revenues of $9.47 billion.

Due to some adjustments, GameStop added a mere $339.9 million to the moneybin this year, compared to its record net profit of $408 million in 2010 -- still, we understand that's plenty of cash to swim around in.

The company also revealed that digital receipts grew 57 percent during the year to $453 million. GameStop explained to us earlier this year how it turned the digital market into a physical cash system and how publishers are reaping the rewards.

JoystiqGamestop sees 'modest increase' to 'all-time high' sales of $9.55B in fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialfinancialsfy-2011GamestopQ4Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft shipped 13 million Just Dance games in 2011, nearly 7 million Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisoft-shipped-13-million-just-dance-games-in-2011-nearly-7-mi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisoft-shipped-13-million-just-dance-games-in-2011-nearly-7-mi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisoft-shipped-13-million-just-dance-games-in-2011-nearly-7-mi/#comments Ubisoft announced big numbers for two of its major franchises in its latest earnings report -- two franchises that, dare we say it, are crying out for a crossover. The publisher reported a "near-30% increase" in dance game sales, including more than 13 million units shipped of its dance games -- a group including multiple Just Dances, and various celebrity "The Experience" games.

Assassin's Creed Revelations, the forty-third Assassin's Creed game starring Ezio, hit "close to 7 million sell-in units," exceeding internal forecasts and, according to Ubisoft, hitting the #7 spot in worldwide sales for the year.

That should provide a clue as to why Ubisoft is continuing the franchise with Assassin's Creed 3, in which Desmond has to prepare for a date by reliving Ezio's advanced dance lessons. Okay, that last part was just us dreaming of a crossover again.

JoystiqUbisoft shipped 13 million Just Dance games in 2011, nearly 7 million Assassin's Creed: Revelations originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-revelationsfy-2011just-dancemicrosoftnintendosalesubisoftwiixboxWed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zynga lost over $400 million in 2011 while 58.5 million people played its games every day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/zynga-lost-over-400-million-in-2011-while-58-5-million-people-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/zynga-lost-over-400-million-in-2011-while-58-5-million-people-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/zynga-lost-over-400-million-in-2011-while-58-5-million-people-p/#comments Zynga's 2011 financial report is chock full of unexciting numbers (we'll get to them in a moment, if that's your kind of thing), but it does contain a few interesting morsels. For instance, Zynga completely owned the top five most played games on Facebook -- according to daily active user numbers -- refuting a report from Facebook late last year which fudged the numbers to bizarre effect.

The company dominated Facebook's annual game charts with 54 million of the approximately 800 million users playing Zynga games every single day in Q4 (roughly 4.25 million fewer than Zynga's annual average DAUs). And those users were buying up enough microtransacted goods to earn Zynga $1.07 billion solely online for the entirety of 2011, with a total of $1.14 billion earned in revenue for the year.

Now here's the bad news: despite earning over $1 billion in 2011, the company ended up with a net loss for the year of $404.3 million. According to the quarterly financials press release, Zynga paid out $510 million for "stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units issued to employees" -- compensation it didn't have to pay until the company went public. The company's stock is currently trading $4.35 north of its introductory $10 price per share.

JoystiqZynga lost over $400 million in 2011 while 58.5 million people played its games every day originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfinancialsfy-2011iosipadiphonemacmobilepcq4-2011zyngaTue, 14 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision revenues up in 2011, claims #1 publishing spot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/activision-revenues-up-in-2011-claims-1-publishing-spot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/activision-revenues-up-in-2011-claims-1-publishing-spot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/activision-revenues-up-in-2011-claims-1-publishing-spot/#comments The world hasn't converted entirely to a Kickstarter-based economy yet -- Activision's fiscal 2011 earnings are up again, with net revenues at $4.76 billion dollars (vs. 2010's $4.45 billion), exceeding its most recent outlook. Activision claimed the number one console and handheld publishing spot in both its fiscal Q4 (ending December 31) and the year of 2011.

What drove this success? Like you don't know, but: Call of Duty. Modern Warfare 3 was the best-selling game in terms of dollars, and Black Ops was #5. Skylanders also contributed, as it was the #8 best-selling game in the fourth quarter, and best-selling kids' game of 2011.

Digital revenue broke records again, with over 34 percent of that $4.76 billion net coming from "digital channels." No, you aren't forgetting some breakout XBLA hit from Activision -- those digital channels are COD map packs and WoW.

JoystiqActivision revenues up in 2011, claims #1 publishing spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardcall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3fy-2011microsoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3q4skylanders-spyros-adventurexboxThu, 09 Feb 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega's home game division posts losses, Mario & Sonic a bright spot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/segas-home-game-division-posts-losses-mario-and-sonic-a-bright-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/segas-home-game-division-posts-losses-mario-and-sonic-a-bright-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/segas-home-game-division-posts-losses-mario-and-sonic-a-bright-s/#comments Sega's "Game Contents" division (i.e. home video games) was down 5.1% for the nine-month period ending December 31, with the company reporting 63.5 billion yen ($833 million) in net game sales from the division ... and 5.5 billion yen in total losses. As for reasoning, Sega said only that "in the overseas markets, sales of the new titles remained slow as affected by adverse market condition." Best we can tell, that "adverse market condition" refers to our economies all being really, really terrible.

The publisher shared sales numbers for its major releases. Sonic Generations sold 1.63 million copies across four platforms (Wii, PS3, PC, and the 3DS Generations game). Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games outsold it with 2.39 million copies -- despite not being released in Japan yet, and only being on one platform at the time, the Wii. And, uh, despite being a Mario & Sonic Olympics minigame collection. Hatsune Miku Project Diva Extend for PSP (released in Japan only) was the other named hit, with 290,000 copies.

Looking up at Sega's sales by platform, it's worth noting that Sega's single PlayStation Vita release, Virtua Tennis 4 (called Power Smash 4 in Japan) sold just 10,000 copies between the Vita launch date of December 17 and the end of the year. That ... doesn't seem very good.

JoystiqSega's home game division posts losses, Mario & Sonic a bright spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfy-2011fy-2012mario-and-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-gamesmicrosoftnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsegasega-sammysonic-generationssonyvitawiixboxFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom net sales down 29%, Monster Hunter sales strong (again)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/capcom-net-sales-down-29-monster-hunter-sales-strong-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/capcom-net-sales-down-29-monster-hunter-sales-strong-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/capcom-net-sales-down-29-monster-hunter-sales-strong-again/#comments For the nine months ending December 31, Capcom net sales down 29% year over year, to 50.27 billion yen ($660.6 million). Similarly, operating income for the period is down 47.2%, despite such collaborative cross-marketing efforts as "the launch of beverages based on popular characters, in order to leverage highly popular software to achieve increased visibility, expanded fan base and other synergistic effects."

It's not so much that Capcom did poorly this year -- last year featured the breakout successes of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd and Super Street Fighter IV, among others. The blockbusters this year aren't as numerous and not quite as blockbustery. According to Capcom, Monster Hunter Tri-G sold 1.2 million copies since its December release in Japan. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record moved 800,000 and 500,000 respectively. That's still a pretty good return on a set of games entirely based on existing games.

JoystiqCapcom net sales down 29%, Monster Hunter sales strong (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscapcomearningsfy-2011microsoftmonster-hunter-tri-gnintendopcplaystationps3xboxThu, 02 Feb 2012 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA was No. 1 game publisher on App Store in December, mobile revenue up over last year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-was-number-one-game-publisher-on-app-store-in-december-mobil/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-was-number-one-game-publisher-on-app-store-in-december-mobil/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/ea-was-number-one-game-publisher-on-app-store-in-december-mobil/#comments EA's continuing efforts in the mobile space are paying off. Thanks to a ridiculous sale in December, the publisher managed to best all competitors and become the top publisher in the App Store throughout December. The Sims: FreePlay was the top-grossing iPad app.

The news comes from the company's third quarter fiscal year earnings report, which shows a substantial increase in gains and registered users throughout its digital products compared to the same period last year. In the period ending December 31, 2010, EA Mobile earned $59 million, while earnings at the end of December 2011 were up to $70 million.

JoystiqEA was No. 1 game publisher on App Store in December, mobile revenue up over last year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dead-Spaceeafy-2011iosipadiphonemobileq3q3-2011Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 catching up with Xbox 360 shipments worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/ps3-catching-up-with-xbox-360-shipments-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/ps3-catching-up-with-xbox-360-shipments-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/ps3-catching-up-with-xbox-360-shipments-worldwide/#comments Sony reported 3.7 million PS3 unit sales worldwide for Q2 of fiscal year 2011 (which ended September 30), bringing its life-to-date total to 55.5 million units and improving on its year over year Q2 sales by around 200,000. Just last month, Microsoft touted 57.6 million shipped units of the Xbox 360 worldwide, bringing Sony within sight of the vaunted number two position behind Wii (Nintendo reported 89.36 million units shipped as of October).

While Sony's document says "sales," it's difficult to tell whether that refers to sales to consumers ("sell-through") or shipments to retail ("sell-in"). Both competitors' numbers refer to shipments.

JoystiqPS3 catching up with Xbox 360 shipments worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fy-2011life-to-dateplaystationps3q2salesscesceisonyWed, 02 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix earnings drop, lack of 'major title releases' to blame]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/square-enix-earnings-drop-lack-of-major-title-releases-to-bla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/square-enix-earnings-drop-lack-of-major-title-releases-to-bla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/square-enix-earnings-drop-lack-of-major-title-releases-to-bla/#comments Square Enix reported a quarter that's likely to have executives as irritable and glum as the protagonist of your average Final Fantasy game. In the quarter ended June 11, the company reported net sales of ¥24.5 billion ($312 million), down 25% year over year. Net income was down 62%, at ¥690 million ($8.8 million).

"In a quarter without major title releases," said president Yoichi Wada, "our Group's sales and profit were lower compared to the previous fiscal year. At the same time, however, we are making solid progress toward our targets for the full fiscal year ending March 2012." As far as successes, Wada named the browser-based Sengoku Ixa and Nicotto Town (above) -- services exclusive to the Japanese market.

The rest of the fiscal year is also surprisingly Japan-focused, with only one game scheduled to be released from the Eidos side of the company between now and March, namely Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Also due in the west: Final Fantasy XIII-2 (January in North America, "Early 2012" in Europe), and Dragon Quest spinoff games Fortune Street and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2, both published by Nintendo.

JoystiqSquare Enix earnings drop, lack of 'major title releases' to blame originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfy-2011microsoftnintendoplaystationps3square-enixwiixboxyoichi-wadaFri, 05 Aug 2011 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision enjoys record revenues in Q2, digital represents 37% of sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/activision-enjoys-record-revenues-in-q2-digital-represents-37/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/activision-enjoys-record-revenues-in-q2-digital-represents-37/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/activision-enjoys-record-revenues-in-q2-digital-represents-37/#comments Activision Blizzard enjoyed record revenues in the second quarter (ending June 30, 2011) with $1.1 billion in sales and $335 million in profit, compared to $967 million in sales and $219 million in profit during the same period last year. Overall, Activision has seen revenues of $2.6 billion for the first six months of the year, compared to $2.2 billion in 2010.

Digital sales, like those Call of Duty: Black Ops map packs, saw a 27 percent increase year over year. Digital represented 37 percent of the company's total net revenues, or $423 million in the quarter. Don't take that to mean retail is dead to Activision: $660 million (an increase of 13 percent) comes from ye olde shoppe, though part of that 58 percent of the company's revenues still goes into champagne baths and caviar breakfasts.

JoystiqActivision enjoys record revenues in Q2, digital represents 37% of sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzarddsfinancialsFY-2011microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3Q2wiixboxWed, 03 Aug 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameloft sales up 15% in first half of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/gameloft-sales-up-15-in-first-half-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/gameloft-sales-up-15-in-first-half-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/gameloft-sales-up-15-in-first-half-of-2011/#comments Gameloft is benefiting greatly from the age of mobile gaming, with sales up significantly in the first half of 2011. The company's controversial working conditions and ethically flexible game development appear to be producing results, with sales up 15 percent to €76.8 million ($108.8M).

The publisher cited sales in emerging countries and the "massive success" of games on smartphones and tablets around the world for its prosperity. Gameloft's first-half sales on smartphones and tablets grew 55 percent year-over-year and represented 30 percent of sales; it plans to launch approximately 20 games for smartphones and tablets in the second half of the fiscal year. Gosh, we really need to crack the whip at Joystiq Publishing(R) China[TM] and get that Angry Cocker Spaniel catapult game out the door.

JoystiqGameloft sales up 15% in first half of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfinancialsfirst-halffirst-half-2011fy-2011GameloftmobileQ2Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[1.8 million PS3, 1.8 million PSP units sold from April-June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/1-8-million-ps3-1-8-million-psp-units-sold-from-april-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/1-8-million-ps3-1-8-million-psp-units-sold-from-april-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/1-8-million-ps3-1-8-million-psp-units-sold-from-april-june/#comments Sony announced that it sold 1.8 million PS3s worldwide between April 1 and June 30 (Q1 for Sony), a drop of around 600K from Q1 of FY 2010. Though numbers may have slipped, Sony is still predicting an uptick in sales for the whole of FY 2011: 15 million PS3s as compared to 14.3 in the year prior. On the games side, Sony fared a little better with 26.1 million PS3 games sold versus 24.8 in last year's first three months.

The real success story for Sony's console business is the PSP, which moved 1.8 million systems in the first quarter. That's compared to 700K during the same time period for the Nintendo 3DS and the 1.2 million PSPs sold in Q1 FY 2010.

In closing: Nintendo really needs a Monster Hunter game on 3DS.

Joystiq1.8 million PS3, 1.8 million PSP units sold from April-June originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancefinancialfy-2011playstationps3pspq1q1-2011sonyThu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom sales fall in 1st fiscal quarter, income rises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/capcom-sales-fall-in-1st-fiscal-quarter-income-rises/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/capcom-sales-fall-in-1st-fiscal-quarter-income-rises/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/capcom-sales-fall-in-1st-fiscal-quarter-income-rises/#comments Capcom logo Capcom has reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2011, which ended June 30. The company reported sales of ¥11.95 billion ($153.7 million), down from ¥19.04 billion ($244.91 million) during the same period last year -- a 37 percent decrease. Despite the dip in sales, Capcom managed to pull in a net income of ¥338 million ($4.35 million), up by 58 percent from ¥213 million ($2.74 million) during the same period last year.

Sales of "consumer online games" fell sharply, with Capcom stating that Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D, Monster Hunter Freedom 3 and Monster Hunter Frontier Online Forward "basically" met sales projections.

Specifically, The Mercenaries 3D - available since June 2 in Japan and since June 28 in the US - moved 400,000 units. Super Street Fighter IV Arcade, only available as DLC for a few days in June, sold 300,000. Monster Hunter Freedom 3 still managed to move 100,000 copies despite being released all the way back in December.

Meanwhile, Capcom's arcade sales were up eight percent despite the difficulties faced after Japan's earthquake earlier this year. Social games are also doing quite well for the company, cresting 19 million downloads largely on the back of Smurf's Village.

JoystiqCapcom sales fall in 1st fiscal quarter, income rises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdsfy-2011microsoftmobilemonster-hunter-freedom-3nintendopcplaystationps3pspq1resident-evil-the-mercenaries-3dsonysuper-street-fighter-4-arcade-editionwiixboxThu, 28 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo cuts profit forecast by 82%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/nintendo-cuts-profit-forecast-by-82/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/nintendo-cuts-profit-forecast-by-82/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/nintendo-cuts-profit-forecast-by-82/#comments If it wasn't clear already: the 3DS has not been a home run for Nintendo. In its revised earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2012, the company dropped its estimated profit to ¥20 billion ($257M), an 82 percent drop from the ¥110 billion ($1.41B) it expected. The company stated the modification had been done to reflect "trends of stronger-than-expected yen appreciation and sales performance, the decided price reduction of the Nintendo 3DS hardware, and the sales outlook for the holiday season."

A similar cut in Japan (effective August 11) will take the system from ¥25,000 (around $317) to ¥15,000 ($190).

The steep profit reduction isn't Nintendo's only glaring concern, as the company couldn't regain investor confidence after announcing the Wii U at E3 and its stock currently sits at five-year lows.

For the first quarter ending June 30, Nintendo saw its net sales cut by half from the same period last year to ¥93 billion ($1.2B), causing a ¥38 billion ($489M) loss in operating income, with a net loss for the quarter staying relatively even to last year's at ¥26 billion ($334M).

JoystiqNintendo cuts profit forecast by 82% originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DSdsFinancialFinancialsFY-2011nintendoQ1wiiThu, 28 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[1.7m Xbox 360s shipped last quarter, Xbox biz grows 29%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/1-7m-xbox-360s-shipped-last-quarter-xbox-biz-grows-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/1-7m-xbox-360s-shipped-last-quarter-xbox-biz-grows-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/1-7m-xbox-360s-shipped-last-quarter-xbox-biz-grows-29/#comments Microsoft released its Q4 earnings for fiscal year 2011 today. Being a video game site, we're going to focus on the company's Entertainment & Devices Division responsible for, amongst other things, the Xbox 360 (a device primarily built for entertainment). In the three-month period ended June 30th, the Big M shipped 1.7 million Xbox 360 units, compared to a measly 1.5 million the previous year. But increased console sales don't account for all of the Xbox 360 platform's 29% revenue growth; Microsoft also has "higher Xbox Live revenue" to thank.

For the year, Xbox 360 platform revenue grew $2.7 billion or 48%, thanks to "increased volumes of Xbox 360 consoles, sales of Kinect sensors, and higher Xbox Live revenue." Microsoft shipped 13.7 million consoles during fiscal '11 versus 10.3 million in fiscal '10. That success has propelled revenue growth at the entire Entertainment & Devices Division 30% for Q4 and 45% for the year (nice going, Windows Phone 7). Revenues for all of Microsoft were up 8% for the period, year-over-year, with the company singling out "the Xbox 360 entertainment platform" as one of the primary catalysts for growth.

With the top-selling home console in North America for 12 of the last 13 months, according to NPD data, and a runaway hit in Kinect, it's easy to see why Xbox 360 is doing so well for Microsoft.

Joystiq1.7m Xbox 360s shipped last quarter, Xbox biz grows 29% originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsFY-2011kinectmicrosoftpcQ4-2011salesxboxThu, 21 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two takes 49% more in revenue in fiscal 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-takes-49-more-in-revenue-in-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-takes-49-more-in-revenue-in-fiscal-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-takes-49-more-in-revenue-in-fiscal-2011/#comments Take-Two let out a hearty (but metaphorical) "Yee-haw" today, reporting a 49 percent rise in net revenue year-over-year for the fiscal year that ended March 31. Thanks to hits like Red Dead Redemption (8.5 million units shipped, the company announced today!) and its Undead Nightmare expansion, and the five-million-selling NBA 2K11, Take-Two brought in $1.14 billion in net revenue. Its net income rose to $48.5 million for the fiscal year, a welcome change from the previous year's $123 million loss. With that kind of money, Take-Two should be able to survive the losses from when Duke Nukem Forever doesn't actually come out. (Kidding, mostly.)

The top earners for the fourth quarter included, in Take-Two's estimation, "NBA 2K11, Top Spin 4, Major League Baseball 2K11, Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete and Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (standalone disc)." In addition, digitally distributed content accounted for 15 percent of net revenue in the quarter, driven by Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, Grand Theft Auto and Civilization DLC.

JoystiqTake-Two takes 49% more in revenue in fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialfy-2011microsoftnba-2k11nintendopcplaystationps3pspq4red-dead-redemptionrockstarrockstar-gamessalessonytake-twowiixboxTue, 24 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN breach and restoration to cost $171M, Sony estimates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/psn-breach-and-restoration-to-cost-171m-sony-estimates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/psn-breach-and-restoration-to-cost-171m-sony-estimates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/psn-breach-and-restoration-to-cost-171m-sony-estimates/#comments In the lead-up to its fiscal year 2010 earnings report this Thursday, Sony today released a revised forecast -- forewarning a $3.2 billion loss (yowzah!) -- for the twelve months ending March 31, 2011. Having occurred in late April, the PlayStation Network attack and subsequent data theft and outage fall outside of that period, but the company nonetheless addressed "the impact" of the event during an investors call today, "since there have been so many media inquiries about this incident."

"As of today," said Sony, according to its call script, "our currently known associated costs for the fiscal year ending March 2012 are estimated to be approximately 14 billion yen on the consolidated operating income level." That's roughly $171 million -- a "reasonable assumption," says Sony -- that the company expects to spend throughout the current fiscal year on its "personal information theft protection program," in addition to "welcome back programs," customer support, network security "enhancements" and legal costs. Sony noted that revenue loss from the outage and recovery, which also spans its Qriocity and Sony Online Entertainment services, had been factored into the cost, as well.

"So far, we have not received any confirmed reports of customer identity theft issues, nor confirmed any misuse of credit cards from the cyber-attack," the company added. "Those are key variables, and if that changes, the costs could change."

And what about the class action suits? Sony qualifies them as "all at a preliminary stage, so we are not able to include the possible outcome of any of them in our results forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2012 at this moment."

JoystiqPSN breach and restoration to cost $171M, Sony estimates originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 May 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-actioncostforecastfy-2011playstationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspqriocitysoesonyMon, 23 May 2011 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft profits decline, limited marketing blamed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/ncsoft-profits-decline-limited-marketing-blamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/ncsoft-profits-decline-limited-marketing-blamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/ncsoft-profits-decline-limited-marketing-blamed/#comments MMORPG publisher NCSoft has reported a year-over-year decline in both revenue and profit during the first quarter of 2011. The company's revenues fell 7 percent from the same period a year ago to 155.4 billion Korean Won (about $143 million), despite increased sales from Lineage 2. Profits showed an even sharper decline, dropping 30 percent to 40.8 billion KRW ($37.5 million).

The company chalked up the losses to "soft sales promotions" of its other two key games, the original Lineage and Aion -- or, as we like to call them, "the one with all the castles" and "the one with all the angels." That's ... about all we know about the two games. You know, ahem, because of their limited marketing budgets.

JoystiqNCsoft profits decline, limited marketing blamed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionearningsfinancialfy-2011korealineagelineage-2mmommorpgncsoftpcq1Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega earnings suffer from Yakuza delay, 'sluggish' Western game sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/sega-earnings-suffer-from-yakuza-delay-sluggish-western-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/sega-earnings-suffer-from-yakuza-delay-sluggish-western-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/sega-earnings-suffer-from-yakuza-delay-sluggish-western-game/#comments Sega Sammy's consumer game division -- a.k.a. Sega games -- brought in ¥89.55 billion ($1.1 billion) in sales over the last fiscal year (ending March 31), down 26.5 percent from the previous year. Operating income declined even more sharply to ¥2 billion ($24.8 million), down 68.9 percent. While the previous fiscal year saw major success from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, this latest 2010-11 fiscal year was an off-year for the two Olympians, who were in training for their next competition.

Sonic's less sporting pastime, Sonic Colors, was the bestseller in Sega's lineup, moving 2.18 million copies worldwide. It was followed by ... Iron Man 2, which sold 1.54 million. Vanquish, which everyone without Stark Industries stock would agree is the better robot-suit game, only managed about half of that achievement at 830,000 units sold. Shogun 2: Total War and Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity (which only came out in Japan) rounded out Sega's "major" lineup with 600,000 and 370,000 copies sold, respectively.

Sega said that sales were slow in North America and Europe due to "the adverse market condition," noting "sluggish personal consumption" in those regions (which ... didn't seem to be an issue for everybody). Additionally, Sega's big Japanese release, Yakuza: Of the End, was delayed out of the fiscal year as a result of the Tohoku earthquake in March, further reducing the company's bottom line.

Overall, however, Sega Sammy about doubled its net profits from the previous year to ¥41.51 billion (roughly $513 million) on the strength of its pachislot and pachinko business.

JoystiqSega earnings suffer from Yakuza delay, 'sluggish' Western game sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialfy-2011iron-man-2microsoftnintendopcphantasy-star-portable-2-infinityplaystationps3pspsalessegasega-sammyshogun-2-total-warsonic-colorssonyvanquishwiixboxyakuza-5Fri, 13 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami's games division shows small drop in fiscal 2010, still pleased with game sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/konamis-games-division-shows-small-drop-in-fiscal-2010-still-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/konamis-games-division-shows-small-drop-in-fiscal-2010-still-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/konamis-games-division-shows-small-drop-in-fiscal-2010-still-p/#comments Konami as a whole brought in ¥20.8 billion ($257 million) in operating income, and net revenues of ¥258 billion ($3.19 billion), in the last fiscal year, essentially keeping pace with fiscal year 2010.

But Konami Digital Entertainment, the company's video game division, saw a small year-over-year decline, with operating income dropping from ¥21.5 billion to ¥17 billion. Despite the difference, Konami still spoke positively of its performance in fiscal 2010, citing sales of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and various Pro Evolution Soccer releases as having "progressed favorably," "healthy sales" of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and "steady" increases in sales of mobile games in Japan.

And though it'll never leave Japan, the "girlfriend simulator" series Love Plus contributed as well, with the latest DS release Love Plus Plus having "received a highly positive response among Japanese consumers." We hope that isn't a euphemism.

JoystiqKonami's games division shows small drop in fiscal 2010, still pleased with game sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialfy-2011konamimicrosoftmobilenintendoplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxThu, 12 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix braces investors for 'extraordinary losses' in last fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/square-enix-braces-investors-for-extraordinary-losses-in-last/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/square-enix-braces-investors-for-extraordinary-losses-in-last/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/square-enix-braces-investors-for-extraordinary-losses-in-last/#comments On the eve of its quarterly presentation to investors and analysts, Square Enix today sent out a "revised" (uh-oh) forecast for the financial results of the last fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2011. Stakeholders should bring their ponchos -- they're in for stormy weather.

In February, with nine months in the books, the publisher was confident it could hold onto its threadbare profits, forecasting a meager ¥1 billion ($12 million and change) in net income at the close of the fiscal year. While the unforeseen and devastating Great East Japan Earthquake in March knocked out more than half of that forecast income -- costing Square Enix roughly ¥0.6 billion in amusement facility closures and repairs -- other factors contributed more significantly to the company's now bleak outlook.

So how bad is it? Square Enix currently anticipates a ¥12 billion (nearly $150 million) net loss for the 12-month period, a negative 226 percent change from the previous fiscal year (which brought in ¥9.509 billion in income). Further, accounting for additional subtractions from the balance sheet, the company is bracing investors for "total extraordinary losses of approximately ¥16.0 billion during the fiscal year."

If there's a silver lining, it's in the publisher "introducing a tightened selection standard regarding title lineup" -- which cost Square Enix about ¥4.5 billion in the short term due to project cancellations, including a Highlander game and Gun Loco. But, ideally, this quality control will "strengthen" the company's critical video game segment in the long run, and perhaps restore Square Enix to its former glory.

JoystiqSquare Enix braces investors for 'extraordinary losses' in last fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialforecastfy-2011gun-locohighlandersquare-enixThu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom estimates sales for Operation Raccoon City, SF x Tekken, and other upcoming games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/capcom-estimates-sales-for-operation-raccoon-city-sf-x-tekken/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/capcom-estimates-sales-for-operation-raccoon-city-sf-x-tekken/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/capcom-estimates-sales-for-operation-raccoon-city-sf-x-tekken/#comments In a document about its "Strategies and Plans" for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, Capcom provided estimates for how many copies of its upcoming games it expects to sell. Or "plans" to sell, although those plans aren't entirely up to Capcom.

It expects the biggest seller of the fiscal year to be Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, which it estimates will sell 2.5 million units. Following that is Street Fighter x Tekken at 2 million -- a game whose presence suggests a release before next April, even though the date is still listed as "TBA."

The open-world action game Dragon's Dogma is expected to sell around a million and a half, the first step in an initiative mentioned elsewhere in the document: to "develop Dragon's Dogma and Asura's Wrath into new franchises." And Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, Capcom's modern-day answer to Final Fight Guy, is expected to sell around 800,000 worldwide.

JoystiqCapcom estimates sales for Operation Raccoon City, SF x Tekken, and other upcoming games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdead-rising-2-off-the-recorddragons-dogmafy-2011microsoftplaystationps3resident-evil-operation-raccoon-citysalesstreet-fighter-x-tekkenxboxTue, 10 May 2011 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai climbs out of the red with pair of million-sellers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/namco-bandai-climbs-out-of-the-red-with-pair-of-million-sellers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/namco-bandai-climbs-out-of-the-red-with-pair-of-million-sellers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/namco-bandai-climbs-out-of-the-red-with-pair-of-million-sellers/#comments For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, Namco Bandai's "Content" division -- which includes both home-console and arcade games, in addition to music and video products -- increased sales just enough to post a modest operating income of ¥3.09 billion ($38.5 million). In turn, the company turned around from the previous fiscal year's net loss to scrounge up ¥3.78 billion ($46.9 million) in profit.

The publisher put out 88 games (including individual iterations of multiplatform titles) across six systems, selling roughly 20.9 million software units in the 12-month period. Its efforts were focused primarily on handheld releases, with 30 games on DS -- plus three more for the 3DS launch -- and 29 for PSP. The company's two bestselling titles during the fiscal year, however, were for home consoles: 2009's still-kicking Tekken 6 accounted for 1.15 million unit sales on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US alone, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 sold 1.1M units worldwide on those same consoles, according to the company's financial highlights document [PDF].

While Naruto performed above initial expectations, Enslaved failed to muster numbers in line with even the revised sales forecast reset by Namco Bandai in November. Ninja Theory's action-adventure had to settle for 730,000 units sold across PS3 and 360, falling short of the hoped-for 800K mark. As for Splatterhouse and Majin, the publisher did not report their individual sales, as both titles' performances seemingly fell below 400K units (Namco Bandai's cutoff line for "Main Game Titles," as they appear in the financial highlights report).

For the current fiscal year, which began April 1, Namco Bandai forecasts continued gains resulting in ¥8 billion in profit. The publisher has plans to release 90 games during the period, including 26 titles bound for PS3. Props to anyone that can name three of them! (No googling.)

JoystiqNamco Bandai climbs out of the red with pair of million-sellers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsenslavedfinancialfy-2011majin-and-the-forsaken-kingdommicrosoftnamco-bandainaruto-ultimate-ninja-storm-2nintendoplaystationps3pspq4salessonysplatterhousetekken-6wiixboxTue, 10 May 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard banks $503 million in first quarter profits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/activision-blizzard-banks-503-million-in-first-quarter-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/activision-blizzard-banks-503-million-in-first-quarter-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/activision-blizzard-banks-503-million-in-first-quarter-profits/#comments Beneath the Southern California headquarters of Activision Blizzard there lies a zeppelin-sized vault, near-bursting with piles of gold and riches -- or at least that's how we imagine it. The company today reported its first quarter 2011 earnings, reaping a record $1.4 billion in sales revenue, an increase of $100 million over the same period last year. Net income came to $503 million, up from $381 million in Q1 2010.

Not surprisingly, the publisher attributed a hefty chunk of those profits to continued sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops -- which it also confirmed is not just the best-selling game ever (in terms of revenue) in the US, but in Europe as well. In addition, the company noted that digital sales were up 30 percent over Q1 2010 and accounted for 30 percent of Activision Blizzard's revenue last quarter.

Finally, although it comes second in the "Activision Blizzard" name, Blizzard was first in profit for the quarter. The unit accounted for a whopping $170 million in income, compared to Activision Publishing's $48 million.

JoystiqActivision Blizzard banks $503 million in first quarter profits originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsdigital-distributionearningsfinancialfy-2011q1salesMon, 09 May 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Increased game sales 'partly offset' Warner Bros' revenue decline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/increased-game-sales-partly-offset-warner-bros-revenue-declin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/increased-game-sales-partly-offset-warner-bros-revenue-declin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/increased-game-sales-partly-offset-warner-bros-revenue-declin/#comments The precise impact of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on big daddy Time Warner's bottom line is pretty obscured. WBIE is a division within a division of the media behemoth, which didn't bother to include a line for "video games" in its first-quarter earnings report. Though the company did manage to share a few positive words about its game-making sub-division.

Nestled somewhere underneath Time Warner's "Filmed Entertainment" umbrella (a.k.a. Warner Bros.), WBIE apparently performed admirably for a division that ultimately suffered declining revenues. Filmed Entertainment, which encompasses feature film, television, home video and "interactive game production and distribution" (that's video games!), saw its revenues slide 3 percent to $2.6 billion in the first three months of 2011, as compared to the prior-year first quarter. More noticeable was the division's 50 percent plunge to $155 million in "adjusted" operating income for the period.

However, Time Warner noted in its report that "declines were partly offset" by "higher video games revenues," in addition to other factors relating to television. While it's impossible to parse out video game sales from what's dubbed "other content" in the earnings breakdown, this category did show the biggest year-over-year percentage growth of all content in the Filmed Entertainment division, even if its dollar-amount revenues were a fraction of theatrical and television products' hauls.

Notably, Time Warner indicated that first-quarter game sales were "driven by Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars," which was developed by Traveller's Tales, part of WBIE subsidiary TT Games. The game is published by LucasArts.

As for Time Warner's outlook on Filmed Entertainment for the rest of the year, CEO Jeff Bewkes said during the earnings call, "With our strong film slate, the momentum in our TV business and several promising games, we continue to expect Warner will post record profits this year." Would it have killed him to namedrop Mortal Kombat and the next Batman? Jeez.

JoystiqIncreased game sales 'partly offset' Warner Bros' revenue decline originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsearningsfilmed-entertainmentfinancialfy-2011jeff-bewkeslego-star-wars-3-the-clone-warsnintendopcplaystationps3pspq1sonytime-warner-cablewarner-broswarner-bros-interactivewbiewiiThu, 05 May 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect 3 delayed to adjust mechanics for 'larger market opportunity']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/mass-effect-3-delayed-to-adjust-mechanics-for-larger-market-opp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/mass-effect-3-delayed-to-adjust-mechanics-for-larger-market-opp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/mass-effect-3-delayed-to-adjust-mechanics-for-larger-market-opp/#comments As saddened as we were by the news that Mass Effect 3 wouldn't reach us until next year, after an EA earnings call today we're hovering between befuddled and intrigued.

When asked about the delay, EA boss John Riccitiello said, "Essentially, step by step, [BioWare is] adjusting some of the gameplay mechanics and some of the features that you'll see at E3 that can put this into a genre equivalent of shooter-meets-RPG, and essentially address a far larger market opportunity than Mass Effect 1 did and Mass Effect 2 began to approach."

... So what does that mean? Well, mentioning that Mass Effect 2 was closer to what EA's targeting would seem to indicate more of an emphasis on action. But if the company's looking for "a larger market opportunity" a multiplayer component seems a surefire way to achieve that.

Here's hoping we remember to check this post after E3 to feel either really smart or a little sheepish about our prognosticating. Also, hello future us! Hope you're having a good summer!

JoystiqMass Effect 3 delayed to adjust mechanics for 'larger market opportunity' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeafy-2011John-riccitiellomass-effect-3microsoftpcplaystationps3q4xboxWed, 04 May 2011 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[EA grows digital sales in Q4, stems losses for fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/ea-grows-digital-sales-in-q4-stems-losses-for-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/ea-grows-digital-sales-in-q4-stems-losses-for-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/ea-grows-digital-sales-in-q4-stems-losses-for-fiscal-year/#comments EA enjoyed solid growth in the final quarter of its 2011 fiscal year (ending March 31), thanks in large part to a bump in digital revenue. Digital sales were up $67 million from the same period a year ago to $211 million. Good ol' boxed games weren't slouching though, as packaged goods revenue increased $44 million up to $838 million. In all, EA rebounded from its rough Q3 to record $151 million in profit during the fiscal fourth quarter.

The engine for that growth was a surprisingly impressive quarterly lineup for the company. Seven of its titles from fiscal Q4 have surpassed 1 million units shipped, with Crysis 2, Dead Space 2 and Dragon Age 2 all over the 2-million-shipped mark. DLC for those titles (like Dead Space 2's "Severed" add-on) was the cornerstone of digital profits, as well. Over its entire 2011 fiscal year, EA shipped 12 million units of FIFA 11, 7 million copies of Bad Company 2 (released at the tail end of FY10), and five million each of Medal of Honor, Hot Pursuit and Madden 11.

But it seems that, in the grand scheme, these titles weren't enough to alter EA's fortunes for the fiscal year, which ended in a $267 million loss for the company. We suppose there's still a bit of a silver lining, however -- those losses would seem to sting considerably less than the $677 million lost by EA just one year prior.

JoystiqEA grows digital sales in Q4, stems losses for fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2crysis-2dead-space-2dragon-age-2dseaearningselectronic-artsfifa-11financialfy-2011madden-nfl-11medal-of-honormicrosoftmobileneed-for-speed-hot-pursuitnintendopcplaystationps3pspq4salessonywiixboxWed, 04 May 2011 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ sales slump for FY2011, looking to successful sequels in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-sales-slump-for-fy2011-looking-to-successful-sequels-in-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-sales-slump-for-fy2011-looking-to-successful-sequels-in-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-sales-slump-for-fy2011-looking-to-successful-sequels-in-201/#comments THQ has announced its earnings for fiscal year 2011, which ended March 31, 2011. Stacked up against last year's report, the publisher's net sales on a GAAP basis were down from $899 million to $665 million, a drop of $234 million overall. Its net loss saw a dramatic increase from $9.6 million to $135 million, most likely attributable to a large marketing push for Homefront and ramp-up in the number of titles in development.

Brian Farrell, the company's president and CEO, decided to focus on the coming fiscal year in his statements, stating that "We expect to generate significant growth, profitability and cash in fiscal 2012, driven by the latest installments of multi-million unit selling franchises Saints Row, Red Faction, Warhammer 40,000, MX vs. ATV, UFC, WWE and uDraw."

Net sales for Q4 2011 also slumped, totaling $124 million, down $74 million from $198 million in Q4 2010. The company's biggest release for the quarter, Homefront, shipped 2.6 million copies before March 31 according to Farrell. The title had sold through one million units as of March 24.

JoystiqTHQ sales slump for FY2011, looking to successful sequels in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2011homefrontq4-2011thqTue, 03 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 sees record fiscal Q3 sales, Kinect sold 2.4M units in quarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/xbox-360-sees-record-fiscal-q3-sales-kinect-sold-2-4m-units-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/xbox-360-sees-record-fiscal-q3-sales-kinect-sold-2-4m-units-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/xbox-360-sees-record-fiscal-q3-sales-kinect-sold-2-4m-units-in/#comments Microsoft reports results were up across the board in its fiscal-year third quarter (ending March 31, 2011), with the Redmond giant's Entertainment & Devices Division (EDD) -- that's Xbox and other stuff -- one of the standouts, enjoying 60 percent growth year-over-year. The group generated $1.94 billion in revenue and saw $225 million in profit in Q3, up 50 percent from the same period last fiscal year.

2.7 million Xbox 360 units were sold during the quarter, a new record for the console in Q3 sales (and up 70 percent over last year). Kinect sales followed suit with 2.4 million units sold in the quarter -- and passed the 10-million mark to boot. Microsoft expects revenue growth of at least 25 percent for the EDD during Q4, with "more to be shared at E3 in June."

Overall, thanks to strong sales of Windows 7, Microsoft recorded Q3 revenues of $16.43 billion and a net income of $5.23 billion.

JoystiqXbox 360 sees record fiscal Q3 sales, Kinect sold 2.4M units in quarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfinancialsfy-2011hardwarekinectmicrosoftq3salesxboxFri, 29 Apr 2011 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo profits fall 66% in fiscal year, 3DS sells 3.61 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/nintendo-profits-fall-66-in-fiscal-year-3ds-sells-3-61-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/nintendo-profits-fall-66-in-fiscal-year-3ds-sells-3-61-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/nintendo-profits-fall-66-in-fiscal-year-3ds-sells-3-61-million/#comments Nintendo's net income dropped to ¥77.6 billion ($946 million) for its fiscal year ending in March, marking the company's third year of profit declines. The figure is also well below the ¥200 billion ($2.13 billion) Nintendo estimated it would make at the conclusion of its previous fiscal year. If only Nintendo had some kind of distraction so investors wouldn't notice ... OMG, guyz, "Wii's successor" in 2012.

Looking forward, Nintendo expects to have net sales of ¥1.1 trillion over the next year, a slight increase from the ¥1.01 trillion reported this year, but still below the ¥1.4 trillion in 2010 -- they may just be post-decimal figures when talking trillions, but those are hundreds of billions. The company is planning on a net income of ¥110 billion yen ($1.3 billion) by next March, through "vigorously" marketing the 3DS, releasing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii and selling software from its "long-selling 'evergreen' titles."

Nintendo noted in its financial report that it has not suffered any direct damage of the recent "Great East Japan Earthquake," but that an indirect impact is predicted regarding "individual consumption patterns or economic conditions in the future."

Global unit sales life-to-date (March) of the Nintendo DS, 3DS and Wii hardware were 146.4 million units, 3.61 million units and 86.01 million units, respectively. Nintendo is expected to reveal a playable model of the "Wii's successor" at E3.

JoystiqNintendo profits fall 66% in fiscal year, 3DS sells 3.61 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsearthquakefiscal-yearfy-2011japannintendoproject-cafewiiwii-hdwii-successorMon, 25 Apr 2011 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[SouthPeak posts $2.1 million quarterly loss, future uncertain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/southpeak-posts-2-1-million-quarterly-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/southpeak-posts-2-1-million-quarterly-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/southpeak-posts-2-1-million-quarterly-loss/#comments Despite reclaiming rights to the My Baby franchise last year, SouthPeak continued to decline into potential insolvency during the second quarter (ending December 31, 2010) of its current fiscal year. Net revenue for the quarter was just $7.5 million, down $2.6 million from the same period the year before -- not that the company was profitable then, either. Despite revenues being down, however, SouthPeak's total losses for the recent quarter -- $2.1 million -- were actually an improvement of $500K over second quarter losses in the previous fiscal year. (That's one way to put a kind of positive spin on the company's bleak state of affairs.)

As businesses tend to do in desperate times, SouthPeak assuaged investor concerns in its report with forward-looking statements that forecast a bright future for the publisher. Though no specific projects are mentioned, apparently "SouthPeak has also invested in key new titles from which the anticipated profits should help improve its financial prospects." Of course, the report also adds a far more grim disclaimer: "While the Company is committed to pursuing options to continue to address its viability as a going concern, there can be no assurance that the Company's efforts will prove successful." Not exactly confidence inspiring, folks.

JoystiqSouthPeak posts $2.1 million quarterly loss, future uncertain originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfy-2011q2southpeaksouthpeak-gamesTue, 22 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Catz posts record sales, income up 70% in fiscal Q3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/mad-catz-posts-record-sales-income-up-70-in-fiscal-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/mad-catz-posts-record-sales-income-up-70-in-fiscal-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/mad-catz-posts-record-sales-income-up-70-in-fiscal-q3/#comments Mad Catz has posted record sales for its fiscal third quarter, which ended December 31. Net sales of $92.9 million have been reported by the company, up from $48.7 million during the same period last year. The company reported net income (i.e. profit) of $9.69 million, up from $5.59 million during the same period last year, an increase of over 70 percent.

The report does note, however, that gross profit margin -- an expression of how much money is earned versus how much is spent -- is slightly down over last year. The primary reason for the decreased margin is attributed to "a shift in the Company's sales mix which included higher levels of licensed products." In other words, all those popular game licenses aren't cheap. Still, this marks the second quarter in a row that Mad Catz has posted record results, so we doubt anyone is too broken up about it.

JoystiqMad Catz posts record sales, income up 70% in fiscal Q3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialfy-2011mad-catzmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3pspq3salessonywiixboxThu, 10 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two revenue down, but profit earned in latest quarterly results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/take-two-revenue-down-but-profit-earned-in-latest-quarterly-res/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/take-two-revenue-down-but-profit-earned-in-latest-quarterly-res/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/take-two-revenue-down-but-profit-earned-in-latest-quarterly-res/#comments The last time we checked in on Take-Two's quarterly earnings the publisher was operating on a different fiscal calendar -- and had regained profitability. Today, the company introduced its recalibrated fiscal year, reporting on the third quarter results of its fiscal 2011 year -- in our world: October-December 2010. Revenue was down for the quarter, recorded at $334.3 million, compared to the $360.4 million for "the year-ago period," though Take-Two remained profitable, reporting a non-GAAP income of $49.5 million.

The usual culprits were bringing home the bacon for the period, including Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, and Grand Theft Auto IV (now in its "Complete Edition" form). Through the first nine months of the current fiscal year (April-Dec. 2010) revenue jumped 80 percent from the previous year, reaching $954.6 million. Take-Two expects to trot past the billion-dollar mark this quarter as the sun sets on its fiscal 2011 (ending March 31) and has increased its projected annual revenue to $1.10 billion.

JoystiqTake-Two revenue down, but profit earned in latest quarterly results originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesearningsfinancialfy-2011gearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3q3rockstar-gamestake-twotake-two-interactivexboxTue, 08 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega Sammy posts profitable third quarter, Vanquish moves 820K]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/sega-sammy-posts-profitable-third-quarter-vanquish-moves-820k/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/sega-sammy-posts-profitable-third-quarter-vanquish-moves-820k/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/sega-sammy-posts-profitable-third-quarter-vanquish-moves-820k/#comments Sega Sammy's financial results for the nine months ending December 31, 2010 showed marked upswings in overall sales and profit for the company. While the majority of money came through its pachinko and amusement arm, game publishing saw ¥67.4 billion ($826 million) in revenue and ¥2.8 billion ($34.3 million) in profit -- both notable increases since the company's last check-in.

Hidden among the many, many financial numbers was news that Platinum Games' fourth effort, Vanquish, had sold 820,000 copies since its release in late October, while Sonic Colors had moved a whopping 1,850,000 by the end of 2010. That's alotta hedgehog! The majority of the company's overall sales took place in Europe (owing to sales of Football Manager 2011), with the US following closely behind and Japan in a distant third.

JoystiqSega Sammy posts profitable third quarter, Vanquish moves 820K originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialfy-2011microsoftnintendoplaystationps3q3salessegasega-sammysega-sammy-holdingssonic-colorsvanquishwiixboxFri, 04 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix profits plummet, but loss avoided to close out 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/square-enix-profits-plummet-but-loss-avoided-to-close-out-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/square-enix-profits-plummet-but-loss-avoided-to-close-out-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/square-enix-profits-plummet-but-loss-avoided-to-close-out-2010/#comments The potentially lucrative holiday quarter -- Q3 of Square Enix's fiscal year -- didn't bring a slowdown to the publisher's sinking profits. Instead, the company slid closer to landing in the red as 2010 came to an end. For the nine months ending December 31, 2010, Square Enix today reported a net income of ¥1.821 billion ($22.33 million), a 76.6 percent decrease in profits from the same period the year before. When the iPhone port of Secret of Mana is perhaps your most significant release during the holidays, what more can you expect?

Accordingly, net sales in the nine-month period were also down year-over-year (though just by 27.5 percent) for the business, which (aside from games) includes amusement, publication and merchandising products. Speaking of games, the holiday quarter didn't push any additional Square Enix titles into coveted "million-seller" status -- only Kane & Lynch 2 and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (Japan only) have reached a million in sales during the company's current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2011), and both had done so by the end of last September.

"Responding to intensifying competition in the console game market, the company has implemented organizational changes in the third quarter while also working to better select and further strengthen our most competitive titles," Square Enix president Yoichi Wada offered in a short statement accompanying the financial report.

"In other platform areas including PCs and smartphones, we have created successful examples of new content such as Nicotto Town and Sengoku Ixa," Wada added. "By pursuing these two independent markets, we are raising our ability to succeed in diverse business models." So diversified has Square Enix become, in fact, that this is the first we've ever heard of these two "successful" projects!

[Pictured: Nicotto Town; image source: nifty.co.jp]

JoystiqSquare Enix profits plummet, but loss avoided to close out 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dragon-quest-monsters-joker-2earningsfinancialfy-2011kane-and-lynch-2microsoftmillion-sellersmobilenicotto-townpcplaystationps3q3salessengoku-ixasquare-enixxboxyoichi-wadaThu, 03 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Company of Heroes Online, WWE Online canceled]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/company-of-heroes-online-wwe-online-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/company-of-heroes-online-wwe-online-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/company-of-heroes-online-wwe-online-canceled/#commentsThis morning, we reported that THQ would "evaluate the next steps for the Company of Heroes series" after the March 31 conclusion of the Company of Heroes Online beta. We now know that whatever those next steps are, they won't include Company of Heroes Online.

The latest THQ earnings report notes that the company has "reevaluated its strategy of adapting certain Western content for free-to-play online games in Asian markets." And, as a result of that reevaluation, it has canceled Company of Heroes Online and WWE Online. COH Online was originally announced as a South Korean release in partnership with Windysoft, and WWE Online was only intended for release in Asia.

In an investor phone call, THQ CEO Brian Farrell explained the decision, claiming that THQ's focus is on "developing great content, most of it IP owned by THQ. And the concept of converting some of these concepts for a market -- though Korea's still a great market -- it just wasn't the top of our list for focus." He noted that THQ's "small" Korean office has also been closed.

JoystiqCompany of Heroes Online, WWE Online canceled originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceledcancellationcompany-of-heroes-onlinefy-2011pcq3relic-entertainmentthqvertigo-gameswwe-onlineWed, 02 Feb 2011 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ highlights 1.2m uDraw units in Q3 earnings; wants more uDraw, fewer kids movie-based games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/#commentsTHQ While a large slate of AAA titles is expected from THQ's Core Games unit in its Q4 2011 and 2012 fiscal periods, its fiscal Q3 2011 (October-December 2010) financial results are all about the less high-profile Kids, Family and Casual Business which had an unexpected hit with the North American release of uDraw Game Tablet for Wii last November. In less than two months, THQ managed to move over 1.2 million units in North America alone; an international release is expected "in the March quarter" (by the end of March this year).

And it's a good thing, too! THQ also "reevaluated the sales potential of games based on its kids movie-based licenses" for its Q3 statement and, "consistent with recent industry trends," it "lowered expectations for this category." That cost the company an impairment of $30.3 million which was excluded from its Q3 non-GAAP results (which we're getting to, hold on!). Instead of licensed kid's games, the Kids, Family and Casual Business is "increasing its focus on popular new play patterns and devices such as Kinect for Xbox 360, PlayStation Move, the uDraw GameTablet and Nintendo 3DS." Makes sense, right?

Now for the numbers: For the three-month quarter ending December 31, 2010, THQ posted net sales of $314.6 million, an eight percent drop year-over-year, resulting in a net loss of $14.9 million compared to a net income of $542,000 in the same period the previous year. In addition to the aforementioned $30.3 million impairment, THQ also excluded "a charge of $9.9 million related to the cancellation of Company of Heroes Online and WWE Online" from its non-GAAP results. So, with those things in mind, THQ reported non-GAAP net income of $28.5 million for the quarter compared with net income of $26.6 million for the prior-year period.

We're on the THQ earnings call now, and will report back any updates.

JoystiqTHQ highlights 1.2m uDraw units in Q3 earnings; wants more uDraw, fewer kids movie-based games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialFY-2011Kids-Family-and-Casual-BusinessKids-Family-CasualnintendoQ3salesTHQudrawudraw-game-tabletwiiWed, 02 Feb 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[EA incurs $322 million loss in Q3, 22% of employees in 'low cost locations']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/ea-incurs-322-million-loss-in-q3-22-of-employees-in-low-cost/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/ea-incurs-322-million-loss-in-q3-22-of-employees-in-low-cost/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/ea-incurs-322-million-loss-in-q3-22-of-employees-in-low-cost/#comments EA suffered a net loss of $322 million for its fiscal third quarter ending December 31, 2010, a fourfold increase from the same period last year. The company generated revenues of a mere $1.05 billion during Q3, a decrease of nearly $200 million from the holidays last year. Despite significant increases in digital revenue and "record breaking" iOS sales, there wasn't enough to offset the reduction in packaged goods (disc-based games) sales, titles with "significant" development costs and the general cost of goods sold for EA's business.

The company also noted that it ended the quarter with 7,742 employees, down from 8,537 a year ago and the 7,820 workers it employed during Q2 before committing its "seasonal roll-offs." EA CFO Eric Brown mentioned that 22 percent of the publisher's employees are now in "low cost locations." We've followed up with EA for its definition of "low cost locations."

JoystiqEA incurs $322 million loss in Q3, 22% of employees in 'low cost locations' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsfinancialsFY-2011layoffsQ3salesWed, 02 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST