The lights are on
Ubisoft shared some of its financial data recently that showed, thanks to help from long-terms sales on open-world games like Assassin's Creed III and Far Cry 3.
Covering a six-month period ending September 30, Ubisoft showed $271.5 million in gross profits and $393.8 million is sales, both healthy increases compared to the same period in 2012.
Games published earlier this year, like Far Cry 3 and Assassin's Creed III, helped to fill out Ubisoft's backlog of games, which saw a 16% increase from 2012.
Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, said the company is optimistic, but bracing for the next-generation of consoles in a statement accompanying the financial reporting. "We are confident in our capacity to rise to the short-term challenges posed by the transition phase, thanks to the very high quality of our games, which, combined with the upcoming arrival of the next-generation consoles and the traditional ramp-up of sales during the Christmas season will trigger positive momentum towards the end of the year."
Guillemot also seemed to recognize that Ubisoft's success has open-world gaming to thank, at least in part, for the company's continued success. "Open world games are becoming ever-more popular with gamers. These creations give gamers the freedom of expression and immersive experiences that are now central to their expectations. This deep-seated market trend – which Ubisoft has fully embraced – is going to move up another gear when the next-generation consoles arrive."
Ubisoft's big open-world, cross-gen release, Watch Dogs, received a delay recently into the second quarter of 2014, which forced the publisher to change its financial forecast.
Our TakeThings are looking good for Ubisoft as it moves into the next generation of gaming. We'll have to wait and see if and how Watch Dogs' delay will affect the company, but right now, the Assassin's Creed publisher is as strong as ever. If I were them, I would use those profits to make a new Prince of Persia game.
Email the author Kyle Hilliard, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.
I very much want Blood Dragon 2 at some point. Blood Dragon was indescribably awesome and demands a sequel.
ubisoft is really establishing themselves for next-gen
Not touching Pirate of the Assassins with a 10 foot pole. Blood Dragon 2 however, bring it on.
Not bad Ubisoft, not bad.
Keep up the good work Ubisoft!
And now we are getting even better games, ACIV, Watch Dogs, The Division, Rayman Origins, and hopefully a new Prince of Persia, but please this time no more of those slow mo moves, it kills the flow of combat, but the sands parts rock though.
Ubisoft is pretty much my favorite company and I'm enjoying the heck outta Assassin's Creed 4.
Nice work Ubisoft....now hurry up and give me Child of Light!!!
...Also, I'd like another Prince of Persia game as well, but I'd prefer if Jordan Mechner was involved in some way.
I suppose this tides Ubisoft over nicely as they brace for the impact of Watch_Dogs' delay. I hear their stock still dropped significantly. Anyways, I'm with Kyle. As stale as Assassin's Creed's gotten, now is the perfect time to boot up Prince of Persia again for next-gen, and more specifically, include a Wii U version too!
DANG Ubisoft REALLY JOB keep doing it XD
First off, good point, Kyle. A big publisher making loads of cash SHOULD invest that money into other IP. They SHOULD be focusing on a new Prince of Persia; either a reboot or a refinement/sequel to the 2008 game (because that all was a promising idea)
I'm just wondering why they ignored their recent games? I mean, I know Rayman Legends was a huge bomb, so of course they're quiet on that. Splinter Cell, too, I believe disappointed at retail - I guess we can expect the next Splinter Cell to be open world, huh? Oh well.
The Division, Rainbow Six Patriots, Fighter Within, South Park, The Crew, Beyond Good & Evil 2 (fingers crossed), Child of Light, Valiant Hearts, and Watch Dogs are their announced games for the coming year, yes? Well, with AC3 and Far Cry 3/Blood Dragon pulling more than their weight at the moment, I suppose now we know why they could afford some delays on these other games ;) Their 2014 lineup looks pretty healthy - there's going to be quality stuff for everyone.
Nice furst sentence. Ur inglish gud.