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Activision Q2 revenue slips 15 percent

Number-two publisher's revenue beats guidance, but falls year-on-year; SEC stock probe prevents final profit tally.

Last week, Electronic Arts surprised many pundits by reporting better than expected earnings for the July to September quarter. Today, its archrival Activision also reported its earnings, which were also better than expected. Net revenues for the quarter, the second of the publisher's 2007 fiscal year, were $188.2 million. The figure was a 45 percent increase over the estimate of $130.0 million Activision gave to investors in August.

That was the good news. The bad news was that Activision's earnings were $34.3 million below the $222.5 million the company pulled in during the second quarter of its 2006 fiscal year, a 15 percent decline. Net revenues for the six months ended September 30 were $376.2 million, which is $87.4 million down from the $463.6 million the company took during the same period the year prior.

"Our revenue over performance was driven by improving market conditions and the continued success of our franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and World Series of Poker," Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told analysts at a postreport call. He also underlined the fact that the Xbox 360 Call of Duty 2 has sold more than 1 million copies in the US alone. That makes it the top title for the 360, which also generated $1 million for Activision via royalties from premium Xbox Live content--much of which was for Call of Duty 2.

However, what Kotick didn't tell analysts was what Activision's net income--aka profit--for July to September quarter was. That was because that, like several other publishers and tech companies, Activision is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for stock-option irregularities. The investigation was revealed to the public on July 31.

For the October to December quarter, Activision is now expecting revenues of approximately $600 million. The company is supporting the November 17 PlayStation 3 launch with three titles--Tony Hawk's Project 8, Call of Duty 3, and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance--and the November 19 Wii launch with five: Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Rapala Tournament Fishing, and World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions. Tony Hawk's Project 8 and COD3 are also set to ship for the Xbox 360 and current-generation consoles.

25 Comments

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 4:19 pm PT

    dude, im friggin buyin dis friggin game dude!!!

  • JeTGoDLiKe

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:56 am PT

    WoW cod3 only on consels good becuase i h8 pc nerds that h8 us consel gamers. LoL there r only like 10million nerds that play pc games and about 100,000,000people that play on consels

  • Romayo83

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 8:21 am PT

    COD3, cant wait! online is gunna be sick

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 3:46 pm PT

    Yet another video game publisher with lower profits. All so far have had double digit percentage lower profits. This is known as the calm before the storm. With poor Xmas sales looming and then the question mark over the Wii's retro angle and even more so, the PS3's $800 price point and $100 games, the poop could really hit the fan in 2007 and leave us with a very different view of video gaming as we come to this time next year.

  • wytefang

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 2:22 pm PT

    This is interesting news. I can't help but enjoy Activision's issue, especially in light of their insulting decision to only release COD3 on consoles. You reap what ya sow, Activision. MUHAHAHAHAHAH...

  • piecake

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 11:06 am PT

    same!

  • vampiredust99

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 9:00 am PT

    Activision has a great portfolio of brands, should keep it growing for a while yet. This income fall was just a blip. Wall St sucks ass, needs to examine the company's prospects a bit better (or fire some of the analysts who don't know **** about games)

  • dirty_scorpion

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 7:27 am PT

    i like Activision games one of my favourite game companies there is out there, keep up the good work.

  • cuitexcutei

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 4:31 am PT

    Na, I disagree, Activision makes really good games like the Call of Duty franchise. They are still my most favourite first person shooters

  • KingofTrolls

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 4:26 am PT

    Activision sucks. They make trash games and re-hashed trash games. I stay away from this company like the plague and I hope they fold and go belly up.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 2:23 am PT

    Don't do anything bad Activision. Play safe.

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 10:19 pm PT

    I wouldn't shed any tears for any Activision executives if they ended up with some jail time for their alleged stock-option irregularities (or stealing to us common folk). It's about time this industry was cleaned up a bit at the top.

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 6:47 pm PT

    i agree

  • wenbin09

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 6:10 pm PT

    yes! cod3

  • pXxJoSexXp

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    can't wait for THP8 and CoD 3

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 5:49 pm PT

    thats good news for hem

  • falcon11

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 5:30 pm PT

    The Tony Hawk Games are getting a bit old, but CoD3 and now that they have Red Octane and Harmonix, Guitar Hero II Release tommorow will also bring in major cash! I got mine paid off!!! Cant wait!

  • limpbizkit818

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    Cod3 bring in some nice cash.

  • D_Mainge

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 4:48 pm PT

    That's good for Activision.

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