by Activision Blizzard has released a report on its financial and business activities for the second quarter of 2020.
In the reporting period, the company received net income of $ 1.93 billion, which is significantly higher than the same period of the previous year ($ 1.40 billion). At the same time, net income from digital distribution channels amounted to $ 1.59 billion against $ 1.09 billion in the second quarter of 2019. In-game orders were $ 1.37 billion, up from $ 778 million in the same period last year. The operating margin is fixed at 39%. Earnings per share in the reporting period was $ 0.75 ($ 0.43 a year earlier). On May 6, 2020, the company paid dividends to shareholders in the amount of $ 0.41 per share. This is 11% more than last year. The total amount paid was $ 316 million.
Activision Blizzard notes that actual financial results were better than initial forecasts. It is far from the first entertainment company to see positive momentum in the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the company’s key franchises performed better than expected, with significant growth driven by the Call of Duty franchise following the launch of Warzone.
During the second quarter of 2020, Activision recorded 125 million monthly active users. Call of Duty: Warzone attracted over 75 million players. In the first full quarter since the launch of Warzone, the number of hours spent in the Modern Warfare universe increased eightfold from last year. Modern Warfare has added more players to the Call of Duty universe than in any previous quarter (excluding the game’s launch quarter). In-game orders in Call of Duty more than doubled from the previous quarter and were about 5x higher than the previous quarter, hitting a new quarterly record.
Blizzard had 32 million monthly active users in the second quarter of 2020. With a constant stay at home, the reach and engagement of the World of Warcraft audience has increased. Overwatch’s engagement has grown over the same period last year, including due to returning players. King’s monthly active audience reached 271 million users. Much of the success has come from the Candy Crush franchise.
Source: techpowerup
