Activision Blizzard: 20% revenue increase in 2008/zero debt & 3 new IP's in 2009

[carocat]

Defying industry trends, “Guitar Hero” publisher Activision Blizzard reported a 20% revenue increase in 2008 during an earnings call this afternoon, and reported zero debt and 3.1 billion dollars in cash at year-end, quite contrary to what we’ve seen from other publishers like THQ and Electronic Arts.

“We enter 2009 with the finest product slate in our company’s history,” said Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick in a press release about the earnings results, “and an organization properly sized and resourced to compete alongside the many new entrants and existing competitors in our industry. During the year, we will continue to employ our proven strategies that have worked so well for us over the last decade.”

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/02/11/activision-blizzard-has-no-debt-31-billion-in-cash/

Despite Activision Blizzard’s massive resources, the company will be conservative in 2009, introducing only three new franchises in 2009 — a racer, a shooter and and undisclosed game — according to statements made by Activision Blizzard publishing CEO Mike Griffith on today’s earnings call.

Activision Blizzard will introduce just three new franchises in 2009, said the company’s publishing CEO Mike Griffith in today’s earning’s call – a racer, a new shooter and an undisclosed third game.

“We’ve been cautious with new IP development,” said Griffith during the call. “That’s lead to an excellent track record of success with the focus on big new franchises, not just one-off opportunities. ”

Later in the call, Griffith name checked Bizarre Creations‘ unannounced racing franchise, first-person-shooter “Singularity” from Raven Software and “Prototype,” a violent open world game they picked up from Vivendi Games.

It’s likely these are the three new franchises coming from the company, but we’re checking to make sure.

What do you make of their choices?

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/02/11/3-new-franchises-from-activision-blizzard-in-2009/


Great to see that at least some companies seem to be doing well, but let's face it, 2008 was exceptionally strong for them with new WoW content and GH.

Nevertheless, great news and I'm hoping other companies will do better this year.

That Bizarre Racing creation, does anyone know what that is? Is it that James Bond racer?

 

[Martijn_]

I wonder what this ''undisclosed game'' will be.

 

[the_disco_pimp]

Wow has been a cash COW... I can't even imagine how many billions they have made from warcrack.

 

[dsluckay]

Well that great!
No pink slip from them!!

 

[Serinous]

One of the only companies this year that didn't loose money. Very well done.

 

[HellsJester]

I doubt any of those new IPs are from Blizzard.
They have 3 teams and they are all hard at work.

 

[Sieghardt]

I could do without ANOTHER FPS, but pretty cool. I loved metropolis street racer on dreamcast, but never liked Project Gotham, hopefully it'll be something like MSR

 

[Serinous]

[QUOTE="HellsJester, post: 0]I doubt any of those new IPs are from Blizzard.
They have 3 teams and they are all hard at work.[/quote]

Yes. It's best if those 3 teams are not distracted. I can't wait for Diablo 3 and StarCraft 2.

 

[Kaze]

Yah, its probably not any team from Blizzard. Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3, is already probably a hassle, I doubt they would invest in another production.

 

[Shin Asura]

All their money is coming from World of Warcrack

That's cool, Blizzard is one of my favorite companies. I smell Diablo 3 for the PS3, it's perfect for a console

 

[HellsJester]

[QUOTE="Kaze, post: 0]Yah, its probably not any team from Blizzard. Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3, is already probably a hassle, I doubt they would invest in another production.[/quote]
Dont forget the WoW team is constantly fixing bugs and developing new content as well as creating expansions on a yearly basis.

 

[Shin Asura]

[QUOTE="HellsJester, post: 0]Dont forget the WoW team is constantly fixing bugs and developing new content as well as creating expansions on a yearly basis.[/quote]

Dam you and your WoW talk, I just quit, STOP TEMPTING ME AHHH :bang:

 

[Kopkiwi]

Nice to see a company going against the trends long may it continue.

 

[Inferno6674]

Definitley not a surprise that Blizzard is doing so well. Can't wait to see D3 and SC2!

Dam you and your WoW talk, I just quit, STOP TEMPTING ME AHHH

I feel your pain my friend, I quit playing WoW around last August. Although, I hardly regret it. =D

 

[HellsJester]

[QUOTE="Shin Asura, post: 0]Dam you and your WoW talk, I just quit, STOP TEMPTING ME AHHH :bang:[/quote]
Sorry.
Im trying to kick the addiction as well.
I pray Diablo III gets me off that addiction.

 

[Forcedme]

[QUOTE="HellsJester, post: 0]Sorry.
Im trying to kick the addiction as well.
I pray Diablo III gets me off that addiction.[/quote]

And starts a new one?

Thank God the only online RPG I ever played was Guild Wars. I hear too many horror stories about World of Warcraft.