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[3DS sold under cost since price cut, Nintendo 'hoping' to profit by March 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/3ds-sold-under-cost-since-price-cut-nintendo-hoping-to-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/3ds-sold-under-cost-since-price-cut-nintendo-hoping-to-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/3ds-sold-under-cost-since-price-cut-nintendo-hoping-to-profit/#comments Nintendo took a big hit last year when it dropped the price of its then-nascent handheld, the 3DS, to $170 just a few months after initial launch. Such a hit, apparently, that Nintendo is selling the unit for less than it costs the company to produce, as revealed in the company's latest financial earnings. "Its hardware has been sold below cost because of its significant price cut in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012," the financial report says.

But don't count Nintendo out! The company says it "expects to cease selling it below cost by the middle of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013." Which, in normal human terms, means Nintendo expects to start making money on the console around August of this year. So, you know, if you're really trying to stick it to Nintendo, go buy the 3DS between now and August. That'll show 'em!

The 3DS currently sells for $170, down from the $250 price tag it launched with back March of 2011.

Update: We've added context from financial analyst extraordinaires Michael Pachter (of Wedbush Securities) and Jesse Divnich (of EEDAR) just below the break.

Continue reading 3DS sold under cost since price cut, Nintendo 'hoping' to profit by March 2013

Joystiq3DS sold under cost since price cut, Nintendo 'hoping' to profit by March 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscosteedarfinancial-reportfinancialsjesse-divnichmichael-pachternintendoprofitssaleswedbushwedbush-morganwedbush-securitiesThu, 26 Apr 2012 09:50:00 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[EA cuts quarterly losses, despite declining revenue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-cuts-quarterly-losses-despite-declining-revenue/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-cuts-quarterly-losses-despite-declining-revenue/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/ea-cuts-quarterly-losses-despite-declining-revenue/#comments Electronic Arts has posted its financial report for the second quarter (July-September) of its 2011 fiscal year, posting $631 million in revenue, a decline of $156 million compared to revenue recorded during the same period last year. However, the megapublisher managed to cut its net loss to $201 million -- almost half of last fiscal year's second quarter loss of $391 million.

EA CEO John Riccitiello said of the company's recent performance, "We credit our results to blockbusters like FIFA 11 and to innovative digital offerings like The Sims 3 Ambitions and Madden NFL 11 on the iPad." Indeed, FIFA 11 was a golden goose for the publisher -- it was the best-selling game in Europe during the quarter, pushing the life-to-date sales of the FIFA franchise past 100 million worldwide.

The publisher also revealed its "cost reduction plan," which seeks to "restructure key licensing and developer agreements to improve the long-term profitability of its packaged goods portfolio." How much more obtuse can the plan get, huh?

JoystiqEA cuts quarterly losses, despite declining revenue originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaearningsElectronic-ArtsFIFA-11financialfinancial-reportfy-2011madden-nfl-11q2salessoftwarethe-sims-3-ambitionsTue, 02 Nov 2010 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two Q2 revenue up to $268M, BioShock 2 sales 'lower than expected']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/take-two-q2-revenue-up-to-268-million-bioshock-2-sales-low/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/take-two-q2-revenue-up-to-268-million-bioshock-2-sales-low/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/take-two-q2-revenue-up-to-268-million-bioshock-2-sales-low/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two has announced its financial results for its second fiscal quarter, which ended April 30, 2010. Net revenue of $268 million represented an increase of 54 percent over the $174.3 million recorded during the same quarter last year; a change that Take-Two attributes to sales of Major League Baseball 2K10, as well as the introduction of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City to PlayStation 3 and PC.

In a related investor call, Take-Two Chief Financial Officer Lainie Goldstein noted that 32 perecent of revenue was driven by the publisher's catalog titles, including NBA 2K10 and Grand Theft Auto IV. And while BioShock 2 contributed to the increased revenue and became a profitable endeavor, Goldstein noted that the dystopian shooter incurred "lower than expected" sales. "The title was well-received by the media and was profitable for us," she said. "However, sales slowed down sooner than we had expected."

Operating income for the quarter rose to $16.9 million (last year's second quarter represented a loss of $10.4 million), while total revenue for the company's first-half financial year totaled $431.2 million.

JoystiqTake-Two Q2 revenue up to $268M, BioShock 2 sales 'lower than expected' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioShock-2earningsfinancialfinancial-reportfy-2010grand-theft-auto-episodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-auto-ivLainie-GoldsteinMLB-2K10NBA-2K10q2salessoftwareTake-TwoTue, 08 Jun 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari reduces losses in fiscal year, increases online revenue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/atari-reduces-losses-in-fiscal-year-increases-online-revenue/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/atari-reduces-losses-in-fiscal-year-increases-online-revenue/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/26/atari-reduces-losses-in-fiscal-year-increases-online-revenue/#comments Atari has posted its financial results for its fiscal year 2009 (ending March 31), and, while the company still reported a loss, it's a definite improvement over last year. The company managed an operating loss of €22 million ($26.84 million) for the fiscal year, a substantial improvement over the previous year's operating loss of €68.9 million ($84.05 million). Overall, net losses for last fiscal year totaled just €19.4 million ($23.66 million), a huge improvement over the previous year's net loss of €221.9 million ($270.68 million). (It should be noted, however, that the sale of Atari's European distribution business to Namco Bandai was responsible for €90.8 million ($110.76 million) of the previous year's loss.)

For fiscal 2009, Atari posted overall revenues of €115.7 million ($141.13 million), down from €136.4 million ($166.38 million) the previous year. Revenue was fueled by growth in digital distribution sales and online game subscriptions, totaling €12.5 million ($15.28 million); a jump of some €9.9 million ($12.08 million) over last year. Star Trek Online and Champions Online were specifically name-dropped as driving forces in this area. Meanwhile, Atari's new focus on fewer, more profitable titles caused retail revenues to fall to €103.2 million ($125.88 million), a decline of €30.6 million ($37.33 million) over the previous year.

Atari hopes to show "considerable improvement" in operating income in fiscal 2010 (Apirl 2010 - March 2011), which will be led by new installments of Backyard Sports (one out this week and one this holiday), Test Drive Unlimited 2 (in September) and The Witcher 2 (next spring). Additionally, the company plans to release "a series of retail, XBLA, PSN and PC download releases based upon Atari's classic video game brands in the second half of the year." Atari will also release "numerous casual and social online game releases" based on its well-known brands.

[Via Big Download]

Source - Atari Second Half and Full Year 2009/2010 consolidated results (PDF)

JoystiqAtari reduces losses in fiscal year, increases online revenue originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichampions-onlineearningsfinancialfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2009-2010q4star-trek-onlineWed, 26 May 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[New game sales up in GameStop's fiscal Q1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/#commentsGameStop reported earnings for its fiscal first quarter (February-April). Sales are up five percent over the first quarter of 2009, to $2.08 billion.

Some of that growth is no doubt due to strong sales of new games. The retailer announced that new software sales increased 13.3 percent in the quarter -- a trend that the GameStop should be happy to see, now that EA and THQ are taking aim at the used games business.

The company identified five games in particular that drove revenue growth: Battlefield Bad Company 2, God of War 3, Final Fantasy XIII, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and BioShock 2. We all love buying sequels at GameStop, apparently.

JoystiqNew game sales up in GameStop's fiscal Q1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2bioshock-2earningsfinal-fantasy-xiiifinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010gamestopgod-of-war-3pokemon-heartgoldpokemon-soul-silverq1retailsalessoftwareThu, 20 May 2010 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[SouthPeak made a molehill of profit last quarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/southpeak-made-a-molehill-of-profit-last-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/southpeak-made-a-molehill-of-profit-last-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/southpeak-made-a-molehill-of-profit-last-quarter/#comments SouthPeak Interactive bounced back from a quarterly net loss of a couple million dollars, pocketing $192,000 in profit for the third quarter (January-March) of its fiscal year ending June 30 -- time to splurge on Charmin for the executive bathrooms! Despite the profit, net revenues during the quarter were down to $7.5 million, compared to $13.5 million during the Q3 last year. Total revenue for the first nine months of the fiscal year was reported to be $34 million, also down compared to the $39 million during the same period in fiscal 2009.

With its legal issues apparently over, hopefully SouthPeak can focus on making its My Baby franchise grow up big and strong. The company also plans to build a better kingdom, announcing that it has acquired the rights to Firefly Studios' Stronghold 3.

JoystiqSouthPeak made a molehill of profit last quarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010q3southpeaksouthpeak-gamessouthpeak-interactiveWed, 19 May 2010 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario, Sonic, and Profits in Sega's fiscal 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mario-sonic-and-profits-in-segas-fiscal-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mario-sonic-and-profits-in-segas-fiscal-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mario-sonic-and-profits-in-segas-fiscal-2010/#commentsDespite recent troubles in the North American and European branches, Sega overall had a good fiscal 2010, which ended March 31, financially speaking. The company as a whole saw its operating income rise to ¥36.7 billion ($397 million), a huge increase over fiscal 2009's operating income of 8.3 billion ($89.8 million). Operating income refers to profits minus expenses incurred in running the company -- in case you wondered why we picked up on that random statistic.

The consumer games division made ¥6.3 billion ($68.2 million) in operating income, returning to profitability despite a year-over-year drop of 7.5%. The profits in this division were driven by ridiculously strong sales of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (6.53 million copies!), as well as million-plus sellers Aliens vs. Predator (1.69 million), Bayonetta (1.35 million), and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (1.07 million).

Source [PDF] - Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended March 31, 2010

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqMario, Sonic, and Profits in Sega's fiscal 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-vs-predatoravpBayonettaDSearningsfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010mario-and-sonic-at-the-olympic-winter-gamesMicrosoftNintendoq4salessegasega-sammysoftwaresonic-and-sega-all-stars-racingWiiXbox-360Fri, 14 May 2010 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 proved profitable in last Sony fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/ps3-proved-profitable-in-last-sony-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/ps3-proved-profitable-in-last-sony-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/ps3-proved-profitable-in-last-sony-fiscal-year/#comments The PS3 was a bright spot for Sony in its fiscal year 2009 (ending March 31, 2010). Thanks to a strong yen and a rise in PS3 hardware sales (you go Slim!), the console finally became profitable for Sony at the tail end of the fiscal year, according to Reuters (via adriasang); despite the Networked Products & Services division, which includes games, seeing a decline in overall product sales. The division operated at a loss of ¥83.1 billion ($895 million), a marginal improvement over the previous year's ¥87.4 billion ($941 million) deficit. Still, Sony forecasts ¥160 billion ($1.7 billion) in company-wide operating profits for the current fiscal year (April 2010 - March 2011).

PS3 revenue is expected to increase this fiscal year from reduced manufacturing costs and a concerted effort to increase unit sales, following a strong showing last holiday season and a new and effective ad campaign. According to Sony, the company managed to ship 13 million consoles in its 2009 fiscal year, up from 10.1 million in fiscal 2008. Mainichi reports (via adriasang) that Sony expects to increase PS3 hardware sales to 15 million units this fiscal year.

However, PSP and PS2 hardware sales have shown decline. PSP sales, which totaled 9.9 million hardware units and 44.4 million software units in fiscal 2009, fell from previous fiscal year totals of 14.4 million hardware units and 50.3 million software units. PS2 sales in fiscal 2009 saw less of a percentage decline, totaling 7.3 million units sold; compared to 7.9 million units sold the previous fiscal year. PS2 software, however, experienced a sharp decline in sales, managing only 35.7 million software units sold as compared to fiscal 2008's 83.5 million units total.

Source - Sony Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010 [PDF]
Source - PS3 Hardware Turns Profitable [andriasang.com]

JoystiqPS3 proved profitable in last Sony fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfinancial-reportfy-2009fy-2010hardwaresalessoftwaresonysony-computer-entertainmentThu, 13 May 2010 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[EA posts $677 million loss in FY2010 alongside downed revenues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/ea-posts-677-million-loss-in-fy2010-alongside-downed-revenues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/ea-posts-677-million-loss-in-fy2010-alongside-downed-revenues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/ea-posts-677-million-loss-in-fy2010-alongside-downed-revenues/#comments EA has reported the results for its fiscal year 2010, which ran from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010, showing a downed revenue stream for the year and an improved loss. The company took in $3.654 billion (down from $4.212 billion in FY2009) and, measured against money spent, lost $677 million (an improvement from last year's $1.088 billion in losses). Additionally, Q4 2010, running from January 1 - March 31, 2010, saw $979 million come in, compared with $860 million in Q4 the previous fiscal year and $1.243 billion last quarter -- a profitable final quarter for the company, contrasting last year's Q4 loss of $42 million with $30 million earned.

CFO Eric Brown said of the coming fiscal year, "We are affirming our FY11 and Q1 non-GAAP guidance and expect to grow profitably in the year ahead. Our digital businesses are expected to grow approximately 30 percent." For all of you wondering what that means in human speak, he's saying that, regardless of today's announcement, he's confident in what the company has predicted for the coming year (as you might imagine, EA predicts it's going to do better than last year).

It also means that Brown and EA expect to see a lot more dollars coming in on the digital front in the coming year, a likely possibility given initiatives like Project Ten Dollar, the EA Sports Online Pass and the usual stream of DLC for new games.

JoystiqEA posts $677 million loss in FY2010 alongside downed revenues originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sports-online-passearningselectronic-artseric-brownfinancialfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010project-ten-dollarTue, 11 May 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai game segment records annual losses ... but Ben 10 sales soar!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/namco-bandai-game-segment-records-annual-losses/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/namco-bandai-game-segment-records-annual-losses/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/namco-bandai-game-segment-records-annual-losses/#comments Namco Bandai's "Content" segment, which combines its video game software and arcade machine products, recorded ¥6.86 billion ($74.68 million) in operating losses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. The division proved the most costly for the company, which also runs a successful "Toys & Hobby" segment, in addition to several other businesses.

Overall, Namco Bandai suffered ¥29.08 billion ($317.28 million) in net losses for fiscal 2010, but the company forecasts a modest turnaround in net income of ¥4.5 billion ($49.1 million) for the current fiscal year. The games segment, which this fiscal year includes the previously separate "Visual and Music Content" division, is forecast to post ¥3.5 billion ($38.19 million) in operating income over the next four quarters; aided by an estimated 90 game releases, which are predicted to bring in ¥88 billion ($960 million) in sales.

In fiscal 2010, Namco Bandai software sales, which encompassed 86 titles (or 225, if you're counting localized versions), totaled 22.737 million units and ¥77 billion ($840 million); with portable games accounting for a significant 9.701 million units sold. Multiplatform versions of Ben 10 Alien Force and its sequel, Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks, in the US and Europe during the fiscal year, combined to sell 1.89 million copies alone. The console version of Tekken 6 was the publisher's only title to move more units than either of those two Ben 10 games. A third Ben 10 title, Protector of the Earth, added another 610,000 units sold in the fiscal year.

Across all Namco Bandai products, "Ben 10" the franchise racked up ¥17.9 billion ($195.3 million) in sales. Not quite Mobile Suit Gundman numbers (¥34.6 billion), but still.

Head past the break for the complete list of Namco Bandai's top-10 bestsellers and sales distribution by platform.

Continue reading Namco Bandai game segment records annual losses ... but Ben 10 sales soar!

JoystiqNamco Bandai game segment records annual losses ... but Ben 10 sales soar! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 May 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-10Ben-10-Protector-of-EarthBen-TenD3-PublisherDSearningsfinancial-reportfinancialsforecastfy-2010High-Voltage-SoftwareMicrosoftnamco-bandaiNintendoq4salessoftwaretekken-6WiiXbox-360Fri, 07 May 2010 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard doubles profit in first quarter of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/activision-blizzard-doubles-profit-in-first-quarter-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/activision-blizzard-doubles-profit-in-first-quarter-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/activision-blizzard-doubles-profit-in-first-quarter-of-2010/#comments Activision Blizzard beat out its own revenue estimates during the first quarter, taking in a whopping $1.3 billion in revenue. The company raised its forecast last month after the incredible launch of the Modern Warfare 2 "Stimulus Package" on Xbox 360, along with continued demand for MW2 and, naturally, that World of Warcraft phenomenon. The company earned $381 million in profit, generating over double the $189 million in profit it took in the same quarter last year.

Activision plans to release Blur, Singularity, Shrek Forever After and Transformers: War For Cybertron over the next quarter. With that said, the company expects to bring in about $900 milllion -- lowering its expectations from the same quarter last year. The company maintains it'll still generate $4.2 billion in revenue for the year -- on par with last year -- but that could be the company just being coy (can a company be coy?) with Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and maybe, just maybe, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm this year.

JoystiqActivision Blizzard doubles profit in first quarter of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionactivision-blizzardearningsfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010q1salessoftwareThu, 06 May 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ records turnaround fiscal year, still loses $9m]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/thq-records-turnaround-fiscal-year-still-loses-9m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/thq-records-turnaround-fiscal-year-still-loses-9m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/thq-records-turnaround-fiscal-year-still-loses-9m/#comments THQ lost $9.6 million in its 2010 fiscal year (ending March 31), but that's nothing compared to the $431.1 million it lost the previous fiscal year. Yeah, we'd say this qualifies as a decent start in the company's proposed turnaround. THQ's software sales rose 8 percent this past fiscal year, which begin in April 2009, to $899.1 million, having established, as CEO Brian Farrell puts it, "three major core game franchises" in UFC, Darksiders and Red Faction.

In a conference call this afternoon, Farrell described fiscal 2010 as the company's turnaround year. Fiscal 2011 will be its "rebuilding" year, according to the CEO, and then 2012 should see the establishment of the fully operational and financially profitable "New THQ."

JoystiqTHQ records turnaround fiscal year, still loses $9m originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-farrellearningsfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010Microsoftq4salesthqXbox-360Wed, 05 May 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two revenue up $14m, laying off 15% of execs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/#comments Take-Two has released its fiscal 2010 Q1 financial report, dropping always thrilling financial news on us about the company's performance between November 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. Aside from a $13.8 million year-over-year increase in net revenue ($163.2 million this year over $149.4 million last year), Take-Two also reports a diminished net loss (again, year-over-year) to the tune of $20 million.

Take-Two also updated investors on current sales of several games and franchises, with GTA IV chocking up "over 15 million units globally" to date, NBA 2K10 already shipping "over 2 million units," and Carnival Games accruing 6 million units sold worldwide across both Wii and DS platforms. That's gotta be helping with that improved bottom line, eh?

Aside from those highlights, the investor report additionally notes plans for "a targeted restructuring of its corporate departments," resulting in a "15 percent reduction in corporate headcount." More shocking, the "restructuring" (read: layoffs) will amount to "approximately $8 million in savings in fiscal 2010." Holy cow!

JoystiqTake-Two revenue up $14m, laying off 15% of execs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamesearningsfinancefinancialfinancial-reportfy-2010gta-ivlayoffsmoneynba-2k10q1salestake-twotake-two-interactiveWed, 03 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision reports $113m in profits for 2009; 2010 game plan is predictable]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/activision-reports-113-million-in-profits-for-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/activision-reports-113-million-in-profits-for-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/activision-reports-113-million-in-profits-for-2009/#comments Today Activision Blizzard reported the financial results of its December quarter and the entire 2009 calendar year. For the year, Activision recorded a net income of $113 million, a modest turnaround from the $107 million in net losses for the company in 2008. Led by sales of Modern Warfare 2, all signs -- at least, this one -- pointed to an outstanding Q4 for the publisher. However, figures released today indicate that Activision actually posted a $286 million net loss during the period.

"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," CEO Bobby Kotick said. "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."

While few details were give about Activision's pending slate of sequels, spinoffs and possible reboots, Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing, did share a few words about the next True Crime game. "We'll be releasing a game in the $4 billion action genre, based on our True Crime franchise," Griffith said. "The game blends intense Hollywood-style driving with martial arts combat and shootouts to deliver an Asian cinema-inspired action thriller. This is a big open-world action game that looks especially strong." Griffith also confirmed that a new 007 game is still in the works for 2010.

Additionally, Activision noted that two new IPs are in development for its 2010 lineup and assured that additional DLC will continue to be released for Guitar Hero 5 (and presumably Band Hero), as well as for DJ Hero. The next installments in both music game franchises, Guitar Hero and DJ Hero, are due in "the back half of the year," according Griffith. Activision also announced that it has ceased developing new Guitar Hero games for the PlayStation 2 platform. Aw, shucks.

JoystiqActivision reports $113m in profits for 2009; 2010 game plan is predictable originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbakuganblizzardbobby-kotickcall-of-dutycataclysmdj-herodj-hero-2DSfinancialfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2009guitar-heroincomeMicrosoftNintendoprofitsq4salesspider-manstarcraft-2tony-hawktrue-crimeWiiwowXbox-360Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Interactive to be more 'judicious' with HD games as losses abate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/disney-interactive-to-be-more-judicious-with-hd-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/disney-interactive-to-be-more-judicious-with-hd-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/disney-interactive-to-be-more-judicious-with-hd-games/#comments Though Disney's gaming division saw improved operating results during the company's first fiscal quarter of 2010 (which ended January 2) -- a loss of $10 million compared to a $45 million loss in Q1 the previous fiscal year -- CEO Robert Iger has maintained a prudent stance on upcoming projects.

"Disney-branded games seem to perform better on the Wii and DS platforms," he noted during a recent investor call (via Computerworld). It seems Disney will continue to target non-Nintendo platforms, but with fewer shots and steadier aim. "While we'll continue to make high-end games, we'll be very judicious in how many we make and which ones we choose," Iger said.

Iger is also likely to keep an eye on the performance of upcoming "high-end" titles like Tron Evolution and Black Rock Studios' Pure follow-up, Split/Second. And if neither of those work, you send in the spandex. "We have some interesting opportunities with Marvel," he said. "That's a brand we think would do extremely well on higher-end consoles."

Source: ComputerWorld [via GamesIndustry.biz]
Source: The Walt Disney Company Q1 results

JoystiqDisney Interactive to be more 'judicious' with HD games as losses abate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob-igerdisneydisney-interactivefinancialfinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010fy2010marvelMicrosoftq1robert-igersalessplit-secondtron-evolutionXbox-360Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA loses $82 million in fiscal Q3 2010, revenue down 25%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/ea-loses-82-million-in-q3-2010-revenue-down-25-year-over-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/ea-loses-82-million-in-q3-2010-revenue-down-25-year-over-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/ea-loses-82-million-in-q3-2010-revenue-down-25-year-over-year/#comments Right off the bat, you should know this: for EA, losing $82 million in the third quarter of a fiscal year is an enormous improvement. Compared to the same period last year ("Q3" for EA is October 1 - December 31), the company lost 559 million fewer actual physical dollars. Yes, really. Now that we've told you that, we should also note that the publisher pulled in 24.85 percent less revenue year over year (down to $1.243 billion in Q3 2010 from $1.654 billion in Q3 2009). That said, Playfish had "two of the top ten Facebook games" for the quarter! Good thing EA spent $300 million on those folks, eh?

Okay, okay, real talk: the company also points out that it was the "#1 packaged goods publisher in North America and Europe" for its entire fiscal year. CEO John Riccitiello even notes that Mass Effect 2 is "the first blockbuster of 2010." And hey, with 2 million units already shipped, we tend to agree.

JoystiqEA loses $82 million in fiscal Q3 2010, revenue down 25% originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsfinancefinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010john-riccitielloprofitsq3revenuesalesMon, 08 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Bayonetta moves 1.1m units in Sega fiscal Q3 2010 results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/bayonetta-moves-1-1-million-units-in-sega-fiscal-q3-2010-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/bayonetta-moves-1-1-million-units-in-sega-fiscal-q3-2010-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/bayonetta-moves-1-1-million-units-in-sega-fiscal-q3-2010-results/#comments After surviving harrowing losses of ¥22.8 billion (nearly $254.8 million) during its fiscal year 2009, Sega Sammy Holdings (parent company to Sega, which you've probably sussed out) has managed to revive its faltering bottom line. According to the company's latest financial report, Sega Sammy brought in a net income of ¥16.9 billion ($189.5 million) during the first nine months of its fiscal 2010 (April-December 2009).

This income came in spite of the fact that Sega's total game sales had dropped 13 percent from the same 9-month period the previous fiscal year -- however, thanks to the company's massive restructuring last February, operating income skyrocketed to ¥28.8 billion (about $323 million), which more than softened the blow. The company's highest-selling title was, alarmingly, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, with 5.6 million units sold (and probably counting). Bayonetta, which was only available in Japan (released October 29) during the period covered by the report, came in a distant second with 1.1 million units sold.

It looks like the company's managed to recover from an extremely painful fiscal 2009 -- at a cost.

JoystiqBayonetta moves 1.1m units in Sega fiscal Q3 2010 results originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bayonettafinancial-reportmario-and-sonic-at-the-olympic-winter-gamesMicrosoftNintendoPlatinum GamesPlatinumGamessalessegasega-sammysoftwareWiiXbox-360Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom Q3 2009 financials reveal monster sales of Monster Hunter Tri]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/#comments If you're anything like us, you immediately tore into the recently released Capcom Q3 2009 financial report looking for the number of Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher arcade machines the company sold in the last nine months of 2009 (80, in case you were wondering) only to find a wealth of information about the publisher's other games. For instance, worldwide sales (sell-in, not sell-through, mind you) of Bionic Commando crept over 700k, while Monster Hunter Tri moved 1.15 million in Japan alone -- we worry deeply for the monsters of Japan, being hunted relentlessly by all of those people. At this point in the post, we'd like to point out that these numbers are for the nine months ending December 31, 2009, and thusly don't reflect January's sales. Also, things are about to get really boring.

The Japanese publisher is reporting a 5.9 percent increase in net sales for the nine month period, and boasts an 84.3 percent increase in "operating income compared to the same term in [Fiscal Year 2008]," which is to say sales increased by ¥49,987 million from the same time period last year (netting ¥1,731 million). Whew - glad we got through that! Capcom itself doesn't ruminate on the numbers too much either, saying "only a few flagship software titles were released from our home video game division, while both arcade operations and content expansion were weakening." Unfortunately for us, there's still no word on the US arrival of Mario Party Fushigi No Korokoro Catcher.

Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results (warning: PDF)
Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results press release

JoystiqCapcom Q3 2009 financials reveal monster sales of Monster Hunter Tri originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomfinancialfinancial-reportfy-2009mario-party-fushigi-no-korokoro-catcherMicrosoftmonster-hunter-triNintendoq3-2009WiiXbox-360Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[DS sells 125 million worldwide, Wii up to 67 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/ds-sells-125-million-worldwide-wii-up-to-67-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/ds-sells-125-million-worldwide-wii-up-to-67-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/ds-sells-125-million-worldwide-wii-up-to-67-million/#commentsNintendo announced its earnings for the nine-month period from April to December 2009, reporting a 23.8% year-over-year drop in net sales from the same period in 2008 but still claiming "the third best corresponding performances in company history." That's the extremely mild downside of the kind of crazy success Nintendo's been experiencing: even slightly less crazy success sounds bad.

The company also announced new sales totals for its hardware. The DS sold an additional 23.35 million units worldwide in April-December 2009, for a worldwide life to date total of 125.13 million. Wii is now up to 67.45 million worldwide, having sold 17.05 million units. Both of those totals are, again, down from Nintendo's 2008 sales, while also being ridiculous.

You can see the full chart of Wii and DS sales, as well as software sales, all broken down by region after the break.

Continue reading DS sells 125 million worldwide, Wii up to 67 million

JoystiqDS sells 125 million worldwide, Wii up to 67 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSearningsfinancial-reportltdNintendosalesWiiThu, 28 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft to 'refocus' on Xbox 360, PS3 and 'major franchises']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/ubisoft-to-refocus-on-xbox-360-ps3-and-major-franchises/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/ubisoft-to-refocus-on-xbox-360-ps3-and-major-franchises/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/ubisoft-to-refocus-on-xbox-360-ps3-and-major-franchises/#comments As Ubisoft today sent its financial forecast soaring downward for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, CEO Yves Guillemot pledged to steer the company away from the suffering casual market. Specifically, "with a view to further reducing our exposure to the DS, we intend to continue to refocus our development resources on our major franchises and on the Xbox 360 and PS3, the two consoles which are expected to see sales growth in games for gamers in 2010," Guillemot said.

For the fiscal 2009-10 year, Ubisoft has revised its sales target to €860 million (roughly $1.25 billion) -- down from an estimated €1,040 million -- resulting in an anticiapted €50 million operating loss. The publisher cited a near 50 percent year-over-year drop in casual game sales as the leading cause for the revised financial target, despite "robust" sales of casual Wii games (especially sales of Just Dance). Poor retail performances by James Cameron's Avatar: The Game and unspecified "non-casual" Wii titles, along with weak back catalog sales, were also to blame. The last-minute delays of Splinter Cell: Conviction and R.U.S.E. affect the current fiscal year, as well.

As for fiscal 2010-11, Ubisoft has indeed planned a lineup of "major" franchises, including the aforementioned Splinter Cell game, along with new entries in the Ghost Recon and Prince of Persia series, in addition to a newly announced Assassin's Creed "episode," and Rabbids and Driver installments. "The 2010-11 line-up -- which is stronger in franchises for Xbox 360 and PS3 -- reflects our refocusing efforts and should enable us to both win market share and enhance our profitability," Guillemot concluded.

JoystiqUbisoft to 'refocus' on Xbox 360, PS3 and 'major franchises' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualfinancialfinancial-reportMicrosoftsalesubisoftXbox-360yves-guillemotWed, 13 Jan 2010 13:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two strikes out with MLB games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/take-two-strikes-out-with-mlb-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/take-two-strikes-out-with-mlb-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/take-two-strikes-out-with-mlb-games/#commentsTake-Two has released "preliminary" earnings results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year (ending October 31, 2009), blaming a $.09 a share slump on poor sales of its Major League Baseball games. It seems the publisher might have been misled by the commonly held misconception that baseball is the "national pastime" -- modern warfare has clearly seized that honor. Take-Two didn't specify which MLB titles might have underperformed, but it released The BIGS 2, MLB Front Office Manager, MLB 2K9, and MLB 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars all in 2009, and all to mediocre critical reception.

2K expects to take a $30-35 million loss on its MLB business and further adjusted its financial outlook downward following the BioShock 2 delay. While Borderlands and NBA 2K10 helped generate some revenue last quarter, Take-Two's future doesn't look to be paved in gold. "Looking ahead, we remain committed to our goal of operating profitably on a non-GAAP basis;" CEO Strauss Zelnick said. "However, we do not currently expect to achieve that goal in fiscal 2010. We have an outstanding product portfolio, exceptional creative talent and a solid balance sheet, and are confident that these strengths will provide a sound foundation for improved performance."

JoystiqTake-Two strikes out with MLB games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballearningsfinancial-reportmlbmlb-2k9mlb-2k9-fantasy-all-starsmlb-front-office-managersalestake-twothe-bigs-2Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Wii parts production shrinks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/report-wii-parts-production-shrinks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/report-wii-parts-production-shrinks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/report-wii-parts-production-shrinks/#comments
[Don Fulano]

A slowdown in Wii production can only mean one thing: Nintendo has cured the injured, ailing and aged -- there's no more work left to be done. While saving the world proved vastly lucrative for Nintendo, it also benefited the manufactures behind the scenes; or, as we like to call them, the magic makers. Nikkei reports that Wii parts suppliers, Mitsumi Electric Co. and Hosiden Corp., have significantly reduced their yearly profits forecasts following a decrease in orders to assemble Wii consoles.

Mitsumi predicts its net profits will fall 52 percent year-over-year to ¥5.3 billion ($61.2 million), down from the previously projected ¥7 billion. Hosiden expects a similar drop, from the forecast ¥7.5 billion down to ¥6 billion. These percentage changes are eerily similar to the figure reported in Nintendo's half-year results, posted at the end of October. Are the numbers trying to tell us something? Yep, there's still plenty of money being made and, apparently, more world to save.

[Via MarketWatch]

Source - "As Wii Stumbles, Parts Suppliers' Earnings Tumble" [Nikkei.com; subscription required]

JoystiqReport: Wii parts production shrinks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial-reporthosidenmanufacturingmitsumiNintendopartsprofitsWiiWed, 02 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft first-half profits plummet into loss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/ubisoft-first-half-profits-plummet-into-loss-alongside-falling-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/ubisoft-first-half-profits-plummet-into-loss-alongside-falling-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/ubisoft-first-half-profits-plummet-into-loss-alongside-falling-r/#comments Among the comprehensive list of numbers in Ubisoft's first half fiscal 2009-10 report, measuring performance in April through September 2009, one figure stands out: the French company's reported €52,027,000 in not-profit. That's right, Ubisoft's profits are down by more than €70 million (over $100 million) from the same period last year to rest firmly in the red.

From a profitable first half of fiscal 2008-09 of roughly €24 million to just over €52 million in losses in the first half of fiscal 2009-10, Ubisoft's profits have experienced a year-over-year change of -316.53 percent. However, CEO Yves Guillemot remains steadfast that projected sales figures for Assassin's Creed 2 and Avatar will ease Ubisoft's financial woes. This is, after all, the most important Q4 in the company's history.

JoystiqUbisoft first-half profits plummet into loss originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfinancial-reportprofitssalesubisoftwiiyves-guillemotMon, 30 Nov 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[SouthPeak earnings report reveals acquisition of ... something involving TNA Impact]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/#comments
Remember way back in August when THQ picked up around 40 percent of Midway San Diego (following that whole full collapse thing), but left off the TNA Impact property? It would appear that the reason for this exclusion was due to SouthPeak Games snatching up the license, as revealed by a recent Q1 2010 financial report released by the company.

The "acquisition" is first noted in the report's "Highlights of the Quarter" section. "Acquired in bankruptcy certain assets owned by Midway relating to video games based on the TNA iMPACT wrestling brand." We asked SouthPeak who would be in charge of developing the next game in that series, said in the report to be released "this year" (2010), and found out that such information has yet to be announced, unfortunately. Currently, SouthPeak is only known to be publishing TNA Impact: Cross the Line for the PSP and Nintendo DS.

When we explored the SEC filing from Midway on the sale, the wording got much more ambiguous. One notable exclusion from the $100k purchase is, "the TNA License and Sellers' rights thereunder." When we asked SouthPeak to clear up exactly what the company bought, we were told that, while it "can confirm the details of the release and filing," no comment is currently available - though we were assured that we'll be hearing more details "soon."

JoystiqSouthPeak earnings report reveals acquisition of ... something involving TNA Impact originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinesscross-the-linefinancial-reportmidwaymidway-gamessecsouthpeaksouthpeak-gamestnatna-impacttna-impact-cross-the-linetna-wrestlingwrestlingFri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai posts $66.7 million loss for first half of year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/namco-bandai-posts-66-7-million-loss-for-first-half-of-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/namco-bandai-posts-66-7-million-loss-for-first-half-of-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/namco-bandai-posts-66-7-million-loss-for-first-half-of-year/#comments
Namco Bandai has reported a net loss of ¥6.04 billion ($66.7 million) for the first half of its fiscal year, which began in April. During the same period last year, the company posted a net income of ¥1.28 billion ($14.14 million). Despite this year's first-half hiccup, the publisher still expects to earn ¥8.5 billion ($93.6 million) in net income by the end of its fiscal year (ending March 31, 2010). After all, there are those 2.5 million copies of Tekken 6 waiting to be sold.

Namco Bandai's software sales for the period were led by the Ben 10 franchise, as Alien Force and Protector of the Earth combined to sell approximately 810,000 units (not exactly Guitar Hero numbers, eh?). Even with Tekken 6 in its second-half roster, Namco must be pulling for a miracle. But then, the holidays are a magical time.

Source - Financial Highlights [PDF]
Source - Consolidated Financial Report [PDF]

JoystiqNamco Bandai posts $66.7 million loss for first half of year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSearningsfinancial-reportfinancialsnamconamco-bandaiNintendosalesWiiFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero, Call of Duty franchises lead Activision's 'better-than-expected' Q3 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/guitar-hero-call-of-duty-franchises-lead-activisions-better-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/guitar-hero-call-of-duty-franchises-lead-activisions-better-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/guitar-hero-call-of-duty-franchises-lead-activisions-better-t/#comments Look, just feign surprise, it makes these financial posts so much more exciting: Activision today reported net revenues of $755 million (on a non-GAAP basis) in the quarter ending September 30, 2009 -- that's $55 million more than the suits hoped to stack, according to previous projections. While the blockbuster adaptation of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen might have played a part in this outpouring of our money, we're gonna go with Kotick's explanation: "Our performance was driven by positive audience response to Activision Publishing's Guitar Hero 5, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, and the Guitar Hero and Call of Duty franchises, as well as Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft."

In fact, the CEO called Guitar Hero the year's "#1 best-selling third-party franchise in North America and Europe" through September, claiming that U.S. sales of music games increased 72 percent year over year in September. Last year's big-band-box edition, World Tour, and Call of Duty: World at War combined for total, world domination, becoming this year's "#1 and #2 best-selling third-party titles" in North America and Europe through September, according to Activision. Additionally, World at War DLC map pack sales continued to climb last quarter and have now surpassed 7.5 million purchases.

Needless to say, the publisher is not backing off of its prior financial outlook. Activision anticipates annual net revenues of $4.5 billion (on a non-GAAP basis) at the close of the year. Did you remember to feign surprise?

JoystiqGuitar Hero, Call of Duty franchises lead Activision's 'better-than-expected' Q3 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acitivision-blizzardactivisionblizzardbobby-kotickcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-world-at-wardlcearningsfinancial-reportguitar-heroguitar-hero-5guitr-hero-world-tourkotickmarvel-ultimate-alliance-2q3-2009robert-kotickworld-at-warworld-of-warcraftThu, 05 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameloft sales up a dramatic 18% this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/gameloft-sales-up-a-dramatic-18-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/gameloft-sales-up-a-dramatic-18-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/gameloft-sales-up-a-dramatic-18-this-year/#comments

Gameloft's mobile focus is keeping the company flush with cash in these tough times. The prolific publisher announced today that quarterly sales are up 15 percent over the third quarter last year and up 18 percent in year-to-date figures compared to the same period last year. Gameloft achieved $132 million in sales, with mobile devices accounting for 95 percent of revenue; the measly remainder was earned through consoles.

Gameloft tips its hat to the Apple App Store for the "huge success," as well as the company's Java and Brew games, with the expectation that sales and profitability will be up, up and away in 2009. Looking to the future, the company believes it will benefit from Apple, Nokia and Google's mobile devices. Gameloft comes from the proud tradition of releasing sales and profit reports separately, but the expectation is that profits will be positive, as well.

JoystiqGameloft sales up a dramatic 18% this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleearningsfinancial-reportgameloftiPodsalesTue, 03 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft fiscal Q1 sales slide as DS market diminishes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/ubisoft-fiscal-q1-sales-slide-as-ds-market-diminishes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/ubisoft-fiscal-q1-sales-slide-as-ds-market-diminishes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/ubisoft-fiscal-q1-sales-slide-as-ds-market-diminishes/#comments Ubisoft has reported that sales for its fiscal first quarter of 2009-10 (April through June) were down just over 50 percent from the same period a year ago. The publisher posted roughly $118 million (€83 million) in sales last quarter; a far cry from the $240.24 million (€169 million) cash injection from the first quarter of 2008-09. "We are currently experiencing a very sharp slowdown in our sales for Nintendo DS as well as sales of back-catalog titles, in the context of a market that is tougher than anticipated," CEO Yves Guillemot said. During today's conference call, Guillemot repeatedly singled out Prince of Persia and EndWar as the top under-performers of the company's recent back catalog.

Unsurprisingly, Ubisoft has revised its second quarter target ... straight downward. As the next three months rest on the performances of a few shaky releases, including the multiplatform adaptation of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (not a particularly promising forecast, indeed), sales expectations have plummeted 54 percent from $184.9 million (€130 million) to just $113.8 million (€80 million).

While Ubisoft's apparently failing business of selling kids their imaginations (one idea at a time), along with oodles of equally imagined, yet previously irresistible petz, is troubling for its future outlook -- "games of only good quality are not sufficient anymore," Guillemot noted -- the company insists that Wii sales of, let's call them, not-so-good-quality titles are increasing and expected to compensate for the losses in the DS market soon enough.

JoystiqUbisoft fiscal Q1 sales slide as DS market diminishes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessendwarfinancial-reportprince-of-persiasalesubisoftMon, 27 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's net profit declined 37 percent in past fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/ubisofts-net-profit-declined-37-percent-in-past-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/ubisofts-net-profit-declined-37-percent-in-past-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/ubisofts-net-profit-declined-37-percent-in-past-fiscal-year/#comments
It's time for another installment of "Sales Go Up, Profit Goes Down," the completely perplexing economic phenomenon that's been taking the gaming industry by storm as of late. Today's contestant is Ubisoft, who in April reported a 14 percent annual sales increase over the past fiscal year, from €928.3 million to €1.06 billion, yet recently revealed it had experienced a 37 percent (or €31 million) decrease in net profit during FY 2008.

This might sound bad, but Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said during a recent investor conference call he was pleased his company could, "offer superior quality games, while maintaining a high level of profitability." Oh, let's not forget the company's projected €1.1 billion sales target for the next fiscal year. With the amount of stuff the developer is working on, figures that huge wouldn't surprise us.

JoystiqUbisoft's net profit declined 37 percent in past fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financefinancial-reportfiscal-yearprofitsalesubisoftyves-guillemotFri, 29 May 2009 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two reveals declining Q2 financial results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/26/take-two-reveals-declining-q2-financial-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/26/take-two-reveals-declining-q2-financial-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/26/take-two-reveals-declining-q2-financial-results/#comments
Gaming industry juggernaut Take-Two Interactive recently released its second quarter financial results (among other things), and as one might expect, the outlook isn't quite as rosy as Q2 of last year. With the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, Q2 2008 brought the publisher a net income of $98.2 million, or $1.29 per share -- this year, with no GTA IV to lean on, the company experienced a net loss of $10.1 million, or $0.13 per share. Not disastrous, but not exactly a celebration-worthy fiscal quarter, either.

Combined with Q1, the first half of 2009 has brought Take-Two a net loss of $60.5 million -- a harsh contrast to the first half of 2008, when the company raked in a net income of $60.2 million. The report also highlighted Take-Two's top selling products over the past three months -- unsurprisingly, they included The Lost and Damned, Major League Baseball 2K9, Grand Theft Auto IV and GTA: Chinatown Wars. For more delicious, nigh-incomprehensible numerals, you can read the full report here.

JoystiqTake-Two reveals declining Q2 financial results originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 May 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financefinancial-reportq2reportsalestake-twotake-two-interactiveTue, 26 May 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Big franchises boost Capcom's net sales 10%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/big-franchises-boost-capcoms-net-sales-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/big-franchises-boost-capcoms-net-sales-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/big-franchises-boost-capcoms-net-sales-10/#commentsCapcom's financial report for fiscal year 2008 reveals that the company seems to have found a way to protect itself against the recession: sequels. Net sales for FY 2008 came to 91.8 million yen, up 10.6% from 2007, an increase that Capcom attributes to its massive franchise releases.

Following the sales numbers, Capcom names the games that drove the growth. It refers to Resident Evil 5 as a "mega hit with the first shipment of over four million copies worldwide." According to the report, this game and Street Fighter IV "served as the sales growth engine overseas."

In Japan, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite continued to sell throughout FY 2008, in high enough numbers that both MHFU and its lower-price re-release get separate mentions in the document. If it does well in North America, it could appear on a third year's financial report!

JoystiqBig franchises boost Capcom's net sales 10% originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 May 2009 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomfinancial-reportindustymonster-hunter-freedom-uniteresident-evil-5street-fighter-ivFri, 08 May 2009 09:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo consoles had 62 new million-selling titles in past fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-consoles-had-62-new-million-selling-titles-in-past-fisc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-consoles-had-62-new-million-selling-titles-in-past-fisc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-consoles-had-62-new-million-selling-titles-in-past-fisc/#comments
A recent Nintendo financial statement/press release was chock full of goodies for those patient enough to dig through all the Bob-ombast. First was a mighty impressive sales figure -- over the past fiscal year, 62 games (first and third-party) which have been released on the Wii and DS reached one million copies sold life-to-date. This brings the total number of million-sellers on Nintendo's current batch of systems to 145. That's a large enough number, even when you don't multiply it by one million.

Other interesting tidbits came in the release's solemn reflection over the past fiscal year, where Nintendo claims credit for the "Gaming Population Expansion." Also, the company lays out its plans for the future, explaining that it will continue "capitalizing on being the only hardware platform producer with powerful in-house software development teams." Oh, snap! Massive flame war imminent! Joystiq Thermo-Shield, engage!

JoystiqNintendo consoles had 62 new million-selling titles in past fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 May 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSfinancial-reportfiscal-yearlife-to-datemillionnintendosalesWiiThu, 07 May 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo reports fiscal year sales of 1.83 trillion yen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-reports-fiscal-year-sales-of-1-83-trillion-yen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-reports-fiscal-year-sales-of-1-83-trillion-yen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/nintendo-reports-fiscal-year-sales-of-1-83-trillion-yen/#comments
Though we normally reserve the word "trillion" for flippant exaggeration, we believe its use is quite serious in Nintendo's fiscal report, explaining how it fared during the year ended March 31, 2009. In a few words: very well. In a few figures?

1.83 trillion yen ($18.55 billion), 555 billion yen ($5.63 billion) and 279 billion yen ($2.83 billion). That would be sales, operating profit and then net profit, all marking increases over last year's results. Indeed, Nintendo states that sales rose by 9.9 percent, with operating profit up 14 percent and net profit up 8.5 percent. During the period, 26 million Wii units are said to have been sold, trumped by an impressive 31 million DS systems -- the combined software units for both platforms totalled 401 million units (almost a 50/50 split!).

As for the coming fiscal year, Nintendo predicts to shift another 26 million Wiis (along with 220 million pieces of software), 30 million DS units and a further 180 million units of DS software. The only bad news in all of this is that we're unable to travel back in time and show this information to our past, post-N64 selves.

JoystiqNintendo reports fiscal year sales of 1.83 trillion yen originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 May 2009 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSfinancial-reportNintendosalestrillionWiiThu, 07 May 2009 06:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft preparing for next console generation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/ubisoft-preparing-for-next-console-generation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/ubisoft-preparing-for-next-console-generation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/ubisoft-preparing-for-next-console-generation/#commentsDuring yesterday's financial results conference call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot mentioned that his company had already begun preparing for the next set of consoles. Does this mean that Ubisoft has been shown the plans of the hardware developers? Probably not! It's preparing with money.

"We need to get ready for the future generation of consoles," Guillemot told investors. "In the next few years, there will be new home and handheld consoles, and if you don't invest... you will not be able to cope with both [the existing and new generation consoles]."

We can only imagine how difficult it must be for Ubisoft to predict how the next generation will look. Right now, judging by the current generation, the company doesn't know what kind of media games will be stored on, whether there will be any media, or even how many screens its handheld games will occupy. It doesn't know how many years into the PS3's "ten-year plan" Sony will introduce the PS4, and there's basically no predicting what Nintendo's next device will look like, nor whether it will be more appropriate to put Tom Clancy sequels or Petz sequels on it.

JoystiqUbisoft preparing for next console generation originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial-reportnext-generationubisoftyves-guillemotThu, 30 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft: full-year sales up 14% in 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/ubisoft-full-year-sales-up-14-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/ubisoft-full-year-sales-up-14-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/ubisoft-full-year-sales-up-14-in-2008/#commentsUbisoft announced its financial results (PDF link) for fiscal 2008 (which ended on March 31, 2009), and for the most part news (or Newz, if you prefer) is good. Full-year sales for 2008 grew to €1.058 billion, up 14% over last year's €928 million total.

The company explained the strong results of its last quarter with "a continued very strong showing" for its Wii lineup, including Raving Rabbids TV Party, Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip, and My Fitness Coach. One million units each of Shaun White (not just limited to the Wii version), Tom Clancy's HAWX and the Petz and Imagine games were shipped to retailers in Q4.

Ubisoft's sales target for the 2009 fiscal year is €1.1 billion. It expects the first quarter sales of 2009 to be weaker than 2008's, due to the relative lack of major releases (Q1 2008 included Haze and Assassin's Creed on PC), with growth to occur in the second half of the year.

Source (PDF document)

JoystiqUbisoft: full-year sales up 14% in 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial-reporthawximaginepetzshaun-white-snowboardingubisoftWed, 29 Apr 2009 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: new Western Touch Generations games, Wii SD update still on the way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/iwata-new-western-touch-generations-games-wii-sd-update-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/iwata-new-western-touch-generations-games-wii-sd-update-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/iwata-new-western-touch-generations-games-wii-sd-update-still/#commentsFiled under:

Following last week's Nintendo financial report, the company has just posted a translation of the investor Q&A session with president Satoru Iwata. Iwata had plenty to say -- there is a very high ratio of A to Q.

Talking about the downward revision of sales forecasts, Iwata classified the Japanese market as "?the least robust market in the world today with regard to home console systems," due in part to an "an overall lifestyle shift where many forms of entertainment are enjoyed while on the go or during spare time."

Moving on to the worldwide market, Iwata expressed an interest in developing new products to appeal more to Western interests. He revealed that Nintendo is "working on U.S. and Europe-originated Touch Generations products, which may have a smaller demand in Japan than overseas." "One or two" of these new games will be out this year. He also revealed that the hit Wagamama Fashion Girls Mode would be released internationally.

Iwata confirmed that the DSi will not sell for the same price as the DS Lite in America and Europe, citing "current foreign currency exchange rates." He did not identify specific prices.

The SD storage update, which allows downloaded content to be saved directly to SD, is still on the way in the spring, but Iwata did not date it. He said that the program Nintendo announced for Japan, offering 500 Wii Points to customers who help friends take their Wiis online, would start concurrently with this update.

JoystiqIwata: new Western Touch Generations games, Wii SD update still on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial-reportgirls-modeiwatatouch-generationsThu, 05 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Q3 financial report shows big sales for Rock Band, FIFA 09]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/eas-q3-financial-report-shows-big-sales-for-rock-band-fifa-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/eas-q3-financial-report-shows-big-sales-for-rock-band-fifa-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/eas-q3-financial-report-shows-big-sales-for-rock-band-fifa-09/#commentsEA has released its financial report for Q3 2008. Even though the company is currently restructuring jettisoning employees (the financial report says 11% of its workforce, up from the previous 10%), its sales highlights are full of enormous, impressive numbers. According to the report, EA was "the leading publisher in North America with approximately 20% segment share according to NPD." In Europe, EA had a 16% share, second only to Nintendo.

The report claims that Rock Band was "the number one title across all platforms in North America for calendar 2008." The key phrase there is "across all platforms" -- meaning "among games released on all three console platforms." It didn't make NPD's top 10 best-selling games.

EA's best-selling title of 2008 overall was FIFA 09, which sold 7.8 million copies in 2008. This estimate puts FIFA above three of the games on the combined Enterbrain/NPD/Chart-Track sales list.

JoystiqEA's Q3 financial report shows big sales for Rock Band, FIFA 09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaearningsElectronic-Artsfifa-09financial-reportrock-bandTue, 03 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 2 officially confirmed, with us by March 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/assassins-creed-2-officially-confirmed-with-us-by-march-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/assassins-creed-2-officially-confirmed-with-us-by-march-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/assassins-creed-2-officially-confirmed-with-us-by-march-2010/#commentsFiled under:

Ubisoft's third quarter earnings report has finally officially confirmed that the sequel to 2007's best selling assassinate-em-up, Assassin's Creed, will be available before the end of March 2010. While technically impressive, Assassin's Creed was a bit lacking in the gameplay department, we felt. A great proof-of-concept, but without enough fresh content to keep from getting stale after a while. Something we're hoping to see improved in the sequel. Ready for another year of seeing Jade Raymond wherever you turn?

The report also mentions that there will be seven franchise titles being released during the fiscal year starting this April, including Splinter Cell Conviction (which we can assume is still 360 exclusive), Ghost Recon and, as we've already mentioned, Assassin's Creed 2. There will also be three new IPs, including I Am Alive. No other games in these categories were mentioned, so no doubt Ubisoft has a few more surprises up its sleeve.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 2 officially confirmed, with us by March 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedassassins-creed-2Assassins-Creed-iifinancial-reportghost-reconI-am-aliveubisoftUbisoft-MontrealThu, 22 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Q3 revenues led by Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/eas-q3-revenues-led-by-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/eas-q3-revenues-led-by-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/eas-q3-revenues-led-by-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Stemming from a recent SEC filing and financial report, EA's third quarter software revenues -- broken down by platform -- reveal that the Xbox 360 proved to be the most rewarding during the three months ending September 30th. A Gamasutra report ranks the revenue for the period, which saw the releases of Boogie, Madden '08 and Skate, as following:
  • Xbox 360: $218 million (an increase of $52 million over the same period last year)
  • PlayStation 2: $73 million (a drop of $196 million compared to the previous year)
  • Wii: $59 million
  • DS: $47 million (up by $33 million)
  • PSP: $21 million (down by $43 million)
  • PlayStation 3: $17 million
Does CEO John Riccitiello still think the publisher backed the "wrong horse" by initially focusing on the PS3 and Xbox 360? Judging by third quarter revenues, it seems said horse was actually two buffoons in a poorly constructed costume -- except the one controlling the front two legs could actually make out where he was going. Driven by superb Madden '08 sales in October, the Xbox 360 yielded roughly the same amount as every other platform combined. Wii software revenue shows promise for the system's third-party developers, quite unlike the PlayStation 3's $17 million. With lackluster hardware sales and unimpressive software revenues from one of the world's largest publishers laying quite the rocky road, it's no wonder Sony has to talk supporters out of jumping ship.

(Wait a minute. Did we just put a ship on the road? We've got to stop mixing our metaphors like that.)

JoystiqEA's Q3 revenues led by Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSEAElectronic-Artsfinancial-reportPS2PS3PSPRevenueWiiXbox-360Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST