Activision Blizzard has announced a record revenue growth for Q1 2021 thanks to the success of its popular franchises Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush. The company’s net revenue for the quarter was $2.41bn, a 27% increase from the previous quarter. The first-person shooter game Call of Duty: Warzone, with millions of players joining the game every month, has been a significant revenue source for the company. Its latest expansion for World of Warcraft, Shadowlands, was the fastest-selling PC game of all time. Activision Blizzard is expanding its mobile game offerings through the acquisition of King, the developer of Candy Crush.
Activision Blizzard Reports Record Revenue Growth for Popular Franchises
Introduction
Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s leading video game publishers, has announced record revenue growth for its most popular franchises. The company’s earnings exceeded analysts’ predictions, primarily thanks to the success of its Call of Duty and World of Warcraft franchises.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The company reported a net revenue of $2.41 billion for the first quarter of 2021, marking a 27% increase from the previous quarter’s net revenue of $1.92 billion. Furthermore, the company’s earnings per share were $0.98, beating analysts’ predictions of $0.75 per share. Activision Blizzard’s success in the first quarter of the year was driven by strong performances from its Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush franchises.
Why Call of Duty and World of Warcraft are the Key Players
Call of Duty, a first-person shooter game, is one of Activision Blizzard’s most successful franchises, and its latest release, Call of Duty: Warzone, has seen tremendous popularity since its launch in March 2020. The game’s player base has grown significantly, with millions of players joining the game every month. Furthermore, the game’s in-game purchases are a significant revenue source for Activision Blizzard.
The company’s World of Warcraft franchise has also played a crucial role in its revenue growth. Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, released the latest expansion for the game, Shadowlands, in November 2020. The expansion was the fastest-selling PC game of all time, selling over 3.7 million copies on its first day of release, and it has continued to attract players since then.
The Role of Candy Crush and Other Franchises
While Call of Duty and World of Warcraft may have played a significant role in Activision Blizzard’s revenue growth, the company’s Candy Crush franchise has also contributed to its success. The mobile game, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016, has remained one of the most popular mobile games worldwide, with millions of daily active users. Furthermore, Activision Blizzard’s other franchises, including Diablo, Overwatch, and Hearthstone, have also contributed to the company’s success.
Looking Forward
Activision Blizzard is optimistic about its future prospects, especially with the upcoming releases of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Diablo II: Resurrected later this year. Furthermore, the company is expanding its mobile game offerings through the acquisition of King, the developer of Candy Crush. With its strong franchise portfolio and expanding mobile game offerings, Activision Blizzard is set to continue its record revenue growth in the coming quarters.
Conclusion
Activision Blizzard’s record revenue growth in the first quarter of 2021 has surpassed analysts’ predictions, primarily thanks to the success of its Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush franchises. The company’s strong franchise portfolio and expanding mobile game offerings position it well for continued success in the coming quarters.