Activision Posts 3Q Profit, Backs 2009 Outlook

BARBARA ORTUTAY

NEW YORK (AP) — It's been a rough year for the video game industry, but Activision Blizzard Inc. reported a profit for its third quarter because of lower costs and a good response for games such as "Guitar Hero 5" and "World of Warcraft."

It also reaffirmed its guidance for the full year, citing a big expected release next week for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," which could easily be the most lucrative entertainment launch this holiday season.

If all goes as planned, the hotly anticipated game will give the industry a much-needed boost for the holiday season. But it's not yet clear whether Americans will shell out as much cash for video games as they did last year. The recession, along with fewer hit game launches, has dampened sales this year after the industry hit a record in 2008.

Activision said Thursday its net income grew to $15 million, or a penny per share, in the latest quarter. In the same period of 2008 it lost $108 million, but the results are not completely comparable because Activision Blizzard was formed about 10 days into the year-ago quarter.