Por Tiyashi Datta e Richard Francis
BENGALURU, India (Reuters) – Video game company Activision Blizzard reported adjusted sales in the first quarter of this year below analyst estimates, hurt by low demand for the latest title in the “Call of Duty” franchise, according to figures released on Monday. .
Activision’s performance was affected by lower premium sales for “Call of Duty: Vanguard” and weaker engagement in “Call of Duty: Warzone”, with a return to pre-pandemic habits leading users to spend less time on consoles.
The company, which is being acquired by Microsoft, also faces criticism for its response to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against female employees within the company.
Activision’s adjusted quarterly sales came in at $1.48 billion, compared with analyst estimates of $1.80 billion, according to data from Refinitiv’s IBES.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31 fell to $395 million, or $0.50 per share, from $619 million, or $0.79 per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items, Activision earned $0.64 per share.
(Por Tiyashi Datta e Richard Rohan Francis)
