Ubisoft 2007 Sales Jump 36% To $1.46 Billion

Developer and publisher Ubisoft has announced its full year financial report, with sales rising 36 percent to 928 million euros ($1.46 billion), and a holiday quarter up 10 percent to 217 million euros ($340.5 million) on strong sales of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Assassin’s Creed.

Full year sales were up from 680 million euros the year prior, and fourth quarter sales from 197 million euros, a stronger showing than the company’s expected 165 million euro fourth quarter.

Freshly revealed, profit for 2007-08 totaled 109.8 million euros, up from 40.5 million euros in the previous year.

Apart from Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft says games under its more casual Games For Everyone brand also contributed to the outperforming quarter, with 230 million euros ($361 million) in sales for the titles in its full year.

Looking ahead, Ubisoft says it expects sales of 154 million euros ($241.7 million) in its first quarter of 2008, and is maintaining its full year sales target of 1 billion euros ($1.57 billion).

Said CEO Yves Guillemot, "2007-08 was a remarkable year for Ubisoft, underpinned by three strategic achievements: Continued strengthening of existing franchises such as Rainbow Six, Rayman, The Settlers and Ghost Recon which recorded excellent sales levels. The sharp ramp-up of the ’Games For Everyone’ casual range, whose sales figures tripled over the year. A steady output of new releases with Assassin’s Creed and Imagine that have performed exceptionally well."

"These strategic focuses will once again be the key to our success in 2008," he continued, "which is set to be another record year for the industry with growth expected to reach at least 15%. Ubisoft’s games line-up is particularly strong, with no fewer than seven existing franchises, five new releases and new brands in the casual segment."

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Developer and publisher Bethesda Softworks has announced a long-term development partnership with London-based studio Splash Damage. This follows Bethesda’s February announcement that it had established a new London-based subsidiary for publishing its titles throughout the UK and other EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) territories.

Splash Damage has been recognized by the industry with several awards for its multiplayer first-person shooter titles, such as Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. The British developer announced in February that it would be doubleing its staff in anticipation of a new and unannounced multiplatform title currently in development.

Based in Rockville, Maryland, Bethesda Softworks is best known for its work on The Elder Scrolls series. Its next title, Fallout 3, a post-apocalyptic action RPG for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, is scheduled to release in fall 2008.

Said Bethesda Softworks president Vlatko Andonov: “This could not be a more perfect fit. We are extremely impressed with Splash Damage and the quality titles they produce. They are highly creative and innovative, and have demonstrated a high level of dedication to their projects. We are confident that gamers everywhere will be thrilled with the offerings from this collaboration.”

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