14 DAY TRIAL // Recent indications that Starcraft II might be delayed into 2010, based on the announced beta period of four to six months, have led to a fall of shares for Activision Blizzard, with investors thinking that the fall lineup of the company is less compelling for gamers and might generate less than expected revenues.
But it seems that the delay of one big title, like Starcraft II, might actually be a good sign as the company can shift more resources to the release of Modern Warfare 2, the next Call of Duty title, which is set in stone for November 10 of this year.
Michael Pachter, who is an analyst for Wedbush Morgan, told Gamasutra that Modern Warfare 2 “has the potential to sell an extra 4 million copies this year due to the big advertising push, so [it] could net out to zero financial impact.” Still, without Starcraft II, Acitivison might have a problem in posting better than predicted financial results. He added that “The Blizzard guys are perfectionists, and if they want to take six months, nobody at Activision is going to challenge them.”
When finally released, Pachter expects the new Starcraft to sell about 4 million copies in just three months, which means that it could bring in no less than 160 million dollars in revenues for Activision Blizzard. The analyst also expects Modern Warfare 2 to be the best sold game of the year, with more than 4 million copies sold, thanks to the brand recognition provided by the 2007 prequel and to the advertising push of the publisher.
Activision really has a great lineup for the holidays, with or without Starcraft II. Players can look forward to the release of both Modern Warfare 2, the most expected first person shooter, and Guitar Hero 5, another iteration of the best selling music sim.