French video game developer Ubisoft has reported a strong Q1 2021 performance, with net bookings of €352m ($418m), up from €334.8m in the same period last year. The success was driven by its latest entries in two of its most popular franchises: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Siege, which it said had benefited from the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5 consoles. Ubisoft said the console releases had helped boost sales across its games catalog. It now expects full-year net bookings of between €2.25bn and €2.35bn, up from a previous expectation of €2.12bn to €2.22bn.
Ubisoft reports strong Q1 earnings, driven by Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Siege
Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 help boost sales
Ubisoft, a French video game developer, announced its financial results for Q1 2021, reporting a strong performance driven by its latest installments in two of its most popular franchises, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Siege. The company’s net bookings for the period were €352 million, up from €334.8 million in the same quarter last year, a growth of around 5%.
The successful launches of the new gaming consoles, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5, also played a significant role in the company’s strong Q1 results. Ubisoft stated in its press release that the two consoles have helped to boost sales of its games, including Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Siege, which were released just before the holiday season.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla drives sales growth
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which was released on November 10, 2020, has already achieved impressive sales figures. During the launch week of the game, Ubisoft reported that Valhalla had sold more copies in its first week than any previous Assassin’s Creed game. In the Q1 2021 results, Ubisoft highlighted the strong performance of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, stating that it had achieved “exceptional player engagement levels,” as well as strong growth in downloads and content consumption.
Rainbow Six Siege continues to be a hit
Rainbow Six Siege, which was first released in 2015, has continued to be one of Ubisoft’s most successful games, with a large and dedicated player base. The game’s growth has been driven by its regular updates and expansions, which have kept players engaged and attracted new ones. In the Q1 2021 results, Ubisoft reported that Rainbow Six Siege had seen “resilient engagement” from its players, with strong growth in both new players and those returning to the game.
Overall outlook for Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s positive Q1 results have led the company to raise its financial expectations for the full year. The company now expects net bookings of between €2.25 billion and €2.35 billion, up from its previous estimate of between €2.12 billion and €2.22 billion. Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, stated in the press release that the company’s success was the result of “our focus on player-driven experiences and our ability to leverage the potential of new hardware and platforms.”
Ubisoft’s strong Q1 performance is a promising sign for the company, which has faced its share of challenges in recent years, including allegations of toxic workplace culture and harassment. However, by focusing on delivering high-quality games and engaging experiences for players, Ubisoft is well-positioned to continue its growth and success in the years to come.