Saturday December 9, 2023

Activision Blizzard Misses Q1 Target As ‘Call of Duty’ Underwhelms

  • Activision Blizzard failed to meet expectations with its latest earnings report.
  • The video game publisher generated $1.8 billion in revenue in Q1 2022.
Activision-Blizzard
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Activision Blizzard failed to meet expectations with its latest earnings report on Monday. 

The California-based video game publisher generated $1.8 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, compared to $2.3 billion for the same period a year prior. 

  • It reported $642 million in operating cash flow, compared to $844 million in Q1 2021.
  • Monthly active users reached 372 million, down from 435 million in Q1 2021. 

Activision attributed its lackluster results to the underwhelming launch of “Call of Duty: Vanguard,” due to competition from other publishers and an average reception from gamers.   

The publisher will release its latest addition to the “Call of Duty” franchise this year but will take a break in 2023 to focus on building its live services businesses, according to Bloomberg. 

It will mark the first time “Call of Duty” will be without an annual release in nearly two decades.

Legal Issues

In March, Activision reached an $18 million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after several sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits. 

Last week, the company learned it is no longer facing a class-action lawsuit that claimed it misled investors regarding similar allegations, but it is still facing an ongoing investigation.

The investigation could stand in the way of Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision for $68.7 billion. The deal, announced in January, is currently under regulatory review.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

microsoft

Microsoft Finalizes $69B Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The company beat numerous antitrust concerns to get the deal done.
Nick Saban highest paid college football head coach.

Who Is Highest-Paid Coach in College Football?

Saban remains atop highest-paid head coaches getting over $11 million annually.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics’ displays to elevate recruiting.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Golf World in Chaos After Jon Rahm Joins LIV

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? “AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing”

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference’s future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin’s interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
PENN ESPN

PENN Entertainment’s High-Stakes Gamble with ESPN Bet Kicks Off on Tuesday

After his Barstool failure, PENN CEO Jay Snowden has plenty riding on a deal with ESPN.
The U.K. regulator is Microsoft's last major hurdle to pass.
August 22, 2023

U.K. Reconsiders Activision Takeover Amid Revised Microsoft Offer

Microsoft’s new proposal grants cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft.
A general view as Faze Clan takes on EUnited during the Call of Duty League Finals e-sports event at Miami Beach Convention Center.
October 20, 2023

FaZe Clan, Once Valued at $725M, Sold at $16M Valuation to Jerry Jones-Backed GameSquare

The deal, closing in Q4 2023, is being characterized as a merger.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
A judge denied the FTC’’s injunction request to block Microsoft’s deal.
July 11, 2023

Microsoft Beats FTC to Move Forward With Activision Blizzard Takeover

A judge denied the FTC’’s injunction request to block Microsoft’s deal.
The FTC is filing an injunction to block Microsoft's deal.
June 12, 2023

FTC Makes Another Move to Block Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Takeover

Microsoft’s $69B takeover faces scrutiny in the U.S and U.K.
Goals from the Stanley Cup Final are being shown as 3D videos on Roblox.
June 7, 2023

NHL Uses Roblox to Recreate Stanley Cup Final Goals in 3D

The Roblox activation leverages the NHL’s puck and player tracking system.
Nike's .Swoosh NFTs will integrate with future games from EA Sports.
June 2, 2023

Nike NFTs to Appear in EA Sports Video Games

Nike launched its .Swoosh NFT marketplace last year.