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Shaun White, Far Cry 2 boost Ubisoft

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Jan 22, 2009 2:41 pm PT

French publisher's holiday quarter earnings rise 12.9 percent to $736.6 million; Snowboarder scores 2.3 million copies, savanna-survivor bags nearly 3 million; Prince of Persia's 2.2 million-unit start deemed "slow."

Earlier today, Microsoft and Sony announced alternately disappointing and gloomy earnings reports. As the first-party publishers bound their financial wounds, third-party game publisher Ubisoft revealed that its revenues have bested analysts' expectations. For the three months ended on December 31, 2008, the Paris-based company reported that sales grew 12.9 percent year on year to €508 million ($736.60 million).

For the last nine months of 2009, Ubisoft racked up €852 ($1.24 billion) in sales. That was an impressive 19.8 percent increase from the €711 million ($1.03 billion) that it scored during the same period in 2007. How impressive is hard to say, though, because Ubisoft did not make its net income public in its earnings release.

What Ubisoft did make prominently public were the sales milestones hit by its holiday best-sellers. Leading the pack was Far Cry 2, which has sold a combined 2.9 million units worldwide on the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Right behind the Africa-set survival-actioner was another game with sandbox play in a chillier climate, Shaun White Snowboarding. Despite middling reviews, the X-Games and Olympic Gold Medalist-endorsed shredding sim sold 2.3 million copies on the Wii, PC, PSP, DS, PS3, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360.

Eating Shaun White's icy spray was the latest reboot of the Prince of Persia series, cryptically titled Prince of Persia. After receiving critical kudos for its innovative cel-shaded graphics and intense gameplay, the PS3 and 360 game sold 2.2 million copies internationally. But though such a number would be considered a hit by most publishers, it apparently wasn't enough for Ubisoft, which credited other games for "offset[ing] the impact of a slower takeoff for Prince of Persia." One game that Ubisoft said was specifically picking up the slack was the posterior-playable Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, which sold 1.5 million units on the Wii and DS.

For the January-March quarter, Ubisoft expects sales between €190 million ($275.50 million) and €210 million ($304.50 million). For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, the company estimates that it will generate revenue between €1.04 billion ($1.51 billion) and €1.06 billion ($1.57 billion). The revised figure means that Ubisoft could exceed its previous estimate of about €1.05 billion ($1.52 billion).

Looking to the fiscal year that begins on April 1, 2009, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot was bullish. "[The year] 2009-10 looks very promising," said the executive in a statement. "Our lineup comprises several potential blockbusters with the launch of seven franchises, including Assassin's Creed [2], Splinter Cell [Conviction], and Ghost Recon [Advanced Warfighter 3], as well as four license-based games including James Cameron's Avatar, three new brands, and a further-enhanced casual-games portfolio. Although we have to be cautious in light of the current economic environment, we expect Ubisoft to once again be one of the most dynamic and profitable publishers in the games industry in [calendar year] 2009."

101 Comments

  • acidwaltz

    Posted Feb 26, 2009 10:52 pm PT

    man far cry 2 level editor rock..... Best level editor ever made

  • zombieTerror028

    Posted Feb 20, 2009 12:05 am PT

    sorry hotbody but farcry 2 was not dissapointing, lol, i dont even care about the story not being like amazing... the level editor and the online are great. i know the story needs to be good to make the game good... but i dont even care, i just love the level editor.... wish you could have more than 6 vehicles though lol

  • hotbodyboy_2006

    Posted Feb 5, 2009 12:31 pm PT

    2.2 less ONLY for real great games like Sands Of Time, Warrior Within or Two Thrones. 2.2 is CORRECT for this new POP. Expected a bit more from FC 2. But it too was a lil disappointing. Since AC, Ubisoft goin a bit down hill atleast in terms of gameplay if not sales. But they will be back.

  • afrosud12

    Posted Jan 31, 2009 12:14 am PT

    EA???? really? Really?

  • phantom1593

    Posted Jan 28, 2009 11:58 am PT

    godzillavskong i must disagree. ubisoft disapointed with farcry2 i mean the graphix are awesome but the game lacks many many things. and assassin's creed was pretty poor too. they make fine games but they are just... fine. from my opinion the best developer/publisher is EA or Atari...

  • CharlieFubar

    Posted Jan 27, 2009 4:56 pm PT

    wow so PoP gets the shaft for 2.2 million and some crap wii game gets kudos for 1.5? hmmm since theres like 3 times the Wiis on the planet - shouldnt the honorable mention go to PoP?

  • tsiper

    Posted Jan 27, 2009 9:35 am PT

    Ubisoft Rocks!!!!!!

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Jan 26, 2009 6:59 pm PT

    There isn't a better developer/publisher in the industry. Ubisoft always seems to stay creative when developing and they have an eye for talent when producing.I think the only company that comes close is the big N.

  • AOldDog

    Posted Jan 26, 2009 1:26 am PT

    I expected more from Far Cry 2 and i received less, is still a good game, but it lacks many things, it was rushed out of production.

  • zakrocz

    Posted Jan 25, 2009 8:52 pm PT

    Far Cry 2 was my game of the year. Occasionally the AI stopped working & some of the missions meant you had to travel further than you would have liked but minor quibbles for such a fun game to play & the use of fire is the best I've experienced in games so far.

  • Krammin

    Posted Jan 25, 2009 8:29 pm PT

    @ msudude211

    I have played a hell of a lot of games dude BUT never have I come across a scenario in a FPS where a group of AI are within less than a metre of me and they react like statues. They were seriously stoopid. If you want a list of games I have played am happy to write them down, only if you ask though.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jan 25, 2009 6:03 pm PT

    Krammin - If Far Cry 2 had the dumbest AI in gaming history, I question what games you've been playing.

  • Krammin

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    Yes Farcry 2 had amazing graphics, smooth FPS and using sand box style in FPS was kinda cool BUT these positives were ignored fast by the dumbest AI in gaming history, terrible controls and the fact that you had to drive 15min to have a 2min shootout. Sorry guys but this game was severely overrated.

  • Trooperdx3117

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 7:29 am PT

    Good to konw Far Cry 2 did well, going through beautifully rendered African savannah was one of my gaming highlights of 2008

  • StarlightHunter

    Posted Jan 24, 2009 4:23 am PT

    yeah. im not happy about all the bad things said about far cry 2. its got amazing graphics, nice controls and great gameplay elements. i think its a great shooter. yes it might have its issues but what game dosent.

  • callofblood

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 7:05 pm PT

    Great dynamic engine Indeed, if you live and the story of a distinct and alien .. Indeed it is more a game of this year .. Exclusive

  • Waza19

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 4:01 pm PT

    Keitha313 are you dumb how can Far Cry 2 be the worst game you played when you HAVENT played it

  • Syrkille

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 3:15 pm PT

    Far cry is awesome... my only complaint is the enemy AI wich seems mysterious. if you're like 3 kilometers away sniping, they spot you directly. But if you're right in front of them they go by and you stay unnoticed. Anyway Far cry 2 was such a good game this is easily overlooked

  • maliGGs

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    still need fc2.... and a new grfx card

  • RawDeal_basic

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 12:50 pm PT

    Far Cry 2 is way better than I thought it would be. I'm very happy it's sold well because that means they might make a sequel. I hope they take their time with it.

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