Ubisoft reported earnings for its 2013 fiscal year today, commenting on each of its franchises and its plans for the next generation of consoles. For fiscal 2013 (which ran from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013), Ubisoft reports that revnue was up 18% to €1.256 billion (roughly $1.614 billion), compared to €1.061 billion euros last year. Profits were also up to €913 million (roughly $1.17 billion) compared to €718 million last year.
We have substantially extended our reach by establishing Far Cry as another major franchise.
“The expertise and talent of our teams enabled Ubisoft to manage the year’s difficult market conditions and the drop in the casual segment remarkably well,” said Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. “In addition, the success of Far Cry 3 confirmed our strong comeback in the major segment of shooter games. We began fiscal 2012-13 with two major franchises: Assassin’s Creed and Just Dance. Twelve months later, we have substantially extended our reach by establishing Far Cry as another major franchise, building upon the great potential for our newest brand, Watch Dogs, and making our online/digital segment an increasingly significant part of our business. The steady rise in our operating and financial performance during the last three years is the direct result of the long-term investments we have made, with the continued development of our creative capacity and the bolstering of our expertise in online activities.”
Guillemot pointed to the continued success of its franchises, noting that more than 12.5 million copies of Assassin’s Creed III have been shipped to retailers to date, joining 6 million copies of Far Cry 3 and 8.5 million units of Just Dance 4. Ubisoft noted that online and digital sales increased by a staggering 86% compared to fiscal 2012 and that sales from core games were up 60%.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft expects big things from the next generation of consoles, with Guillemot “extremely excited by the new experiences it will provide to gamers.” Before the end of fiscal 2014, Ubisoft will announce two new AAA games, though it has suspended production of 1666 from Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Desilets.
A new console cycle is beginning and it will offer players an unrivalled experience.
“A new console cycle is beginning and it will offer players an unrivalled experience,” Guillemot said. “They will see a major leap in quality with an extraordinary level of immersion as well as the incorporation of all of the innovations developed in recent years in online and social games, giving players the opportunity to create their own experiences and share them within their communities. In order to reap the full benefit of the strong growth expected from the launch of these new consoles, we are integrating into our next blockbusters all of the expertise we have built up over recent years through our online games such as Settlers Online, Trackmania, Howrse and Trials Evolution, as well as our online services platform Uplay which offers us a strategic link with players. Our experience in connected gaming, the quality of our brands and our ability to regularly release major titles, will be vital strengths for capturing new market share and will serve as key growth drivers for the coming years.”
Ubisoft expects even higher sales next year, though it is conservatively expecting Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag to sell fewer units than Assassin’s Creed III and Watch Dogs to sell less than Assassin’s Creed in 2007. Aside from Black Flag and Watch Dogs, Ubisoft’s upcoming release slate in 2013 includes South Park: The Stick of Truth and Rayman Legends.
Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following @garfep on Twitter or garfep on IGN.
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