Q2 Results for Activision

Yesterday Activision revealed its revenues were down (but earnings up) during the last three month period.
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/706744/Activision-Q2-10-Earnings-Net-Revenue-Down-Online-Sales-Exceed-Retail-For-First-Time-.html

Highpoints apparently are that Wii game sales are down a lot, Activision is selling more via digital downloads than via retail outlets, and "Worldwide subscription numbers for World of Warcraft are holding steady at more than 11.5 million players."  Blizzard is also working on adding tournament play and private chat functions to Battle.net.  As for Cataclysm, "we are on track to launch the expansion by the end of the year."  In the Q&A Activision staff say there are no new Call of Duty map packs available and that the launch of Starcraft 2 hasn't impacted the numbers of subscribers for WOW.

Kotick is claiming "The relaunch of Battle.net is a perfect example of how we are rolling out the next generation of services and online environment to our audiences, while others are just beginning their complicated and costly explorations of where to begin.  The combination of technical capability and tangible benefits Blizzard is delivering to its StarCraft audience represents the next evolution in the arenas of gaming, social networking, online commerce and customer service."  I guess he's forgotten about xBox Live, Steam, etc.?

If you want to read the transcript of the entire conference call, it is here.  The numbers are at the end, with Blizzard's numbers separate from console games. The Q&A session at the end with analysts is also quite interesting as they try to pry subscription numbers and such out of Blizzard staff.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/219068-activision-blizzard-q2-2010-earnings-call-transcript?source=thestreet

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Activision Lawsuit and Downloads

Activision has been much criticized for the cost and skimpy content in its Call of Duty series downloads.  However, the Call of Duty map packs have been downloaded more than 20 million times.  They cost $15 each currently.  You can do the math yourselves, but at that rate, skimpy content at high prices will continue to flow.
http://kotaku.com/5602915/call-of-duty-map-packs-downloaded-over-20-million-times

In other Activision news, Kotick has lost a sexual harassment and sexual discrimination lawsuit and the appeal which seems to involve a dispute over what he owed a lawyer in the case for representing him.   Details here.  Note that he wasn't the one doing the harassing but did not prevent it.  Instead he fired the complainant.  Many thanks to Kotaku for leading me to the LA Times story.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/08/activision-ceo-kotick-loses-battle-with-top-hollywood-litigator.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Call of Cuty Founders Versus Activision Lawsuit Date Set

Kotaku has the details of the three lawsuits that are pending.
http://kotaku.com/5583678/trial-date-set-in-activision+infinity-ward-suit

Some of the alligations are listed in a later posting.
http://kotaku.com/5583710/lawsuit-activision-created-modern-warfare-police-state

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Activision Considering Call of Duty Online Subscriptions UPDATED

Well, they have to have something when WOW dies.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3180011

UPDATE:  Kotick wants consoles to be replaced by PCs.  Or at least to work a deal where he creates a gaming PC with a manufacturer.  All that Call of Duty money Microsoft makes must be making him grind his teeth!
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3180255

UPDATE #2:  What Tim Schafer thinks of Bobby.  Of course, they have history, i.e., a lawsuit.
http://kotaku.com/5586641/tim-schafer-calls-activision-boss-a-total-prick

UPDATE #3:  Tim regrets saying what he did.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3180401

UPDATE #4:  Kotick responds to Tim with insults.
http://kotaku.com/5648723/activision-boss-replies-to-schafers-total-prick-comment

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com