Blizzard has high hopes for Overwatch 2’s release on October 4 after the company’s second-quarter earnings fell significantly. Activision Blizzard reported that it generated $660 million less revenue in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. However, it’s worth taking a step back here. The Overwatch maker still made $1.64 billion thanks to Activision, Blizzard, and King, the creators of Candy Crush Saga. Operating cash flow (income after operating expenses) was still $198 million, although down from $388 million at the end of June 2021.
The lack of new releases partly explains the decline in company revenue, although a general decline in consumer spending across all segments of the gaming industry is likely to have also contributed to these results.
However, for Activision Blizzard investors, the rest of the year looks promising. In its earnings report, the company named Overwatch 2 and its frequent updates as one of the best new titles in development for the second half, along with Call of Duty Warzone 2 and World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.
Particularly for Blizzard’s Overwatch 2 segment, which comes out towards the end of the company’s third quarter, and Dragonflight are the only major titles planned for the rest of 2022.
WoW Wrath of the Lich King Classic will launch in September, but the company expects only “moderate” revenue growth in Q4. Going forward, they believe Activision’s Overwatch and Call of Duty, in particular, will help drive revenue and drive growth year-over-year leading up to the release of Diablo 4 in 2023 and drive additional growth.
The company said it was committed to continuing to spend on diversity and inclusion, but only at the corporate level, and made no mention of the ongoing harassment and discrimination controversy in 2021.
If you’re looking to get a head start on Overwatch 2, find out how Overwatch 2 differs from the original and which heroes are worth your time with our Overwatch 2 beta tier list.
Source : PC Gamesn
