Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Activision Launches New Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare DLC

Published 07/06/2017, 10:12 PM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) recently announced the availability of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Absolution on Sony’s (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4. This is the third DLC Map pack after Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Sabotage and Continuum.

The Absolution pack comprises four new multiplayer maps namely Bermuda, Permafrost, Fore and Ember. The pack also includes a new zombie chapter – Attack of the Radioactive Thing! – that features Cassandra Peterson as Elvira.

Infinite Warfare Sales Unimpressive

Call of Duty is one of the most significant revenue generators for Activision. The Infinite Warfare was launched in November, last year and was the first game of the franchise set beyond the territories of Earth. Makers Infinity Ward also introduced a new zombie chapter – a cooperative gaming mode – to make the game more alluring.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare received a metacritic rating of 77. However, the zombie mode and favorable rating didn’t helped sales, which were unimpressive compared with prior-year instalments.

Per market research firm Super Data, Infinite Warfare sales in the first month of release were down 27% in comparison with Black Ops III. Moreover, as per latest data from Super Data, Black Ops III sales were better than Infinite Warfare in May 2017, driven by the PS4 release of the “Zombie Chronicles” DLC.

In such a scenario, we believe that the new DLC and the upcoming Call of Duty: WWII set to release on Nov 3 will boost sales going forward.

Robust Portfolio Key Catalyst

Activision’s ongoing transition to a full-fledged media-entertainment company is commendable. Apart from launching a movie studio and consumer products division, the company is also strengthening presence in the lucrative e-sports market.

Moreover, Activision’s expanding franchise portfolio that include offerings like StarCraft, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm and Call of Duty will drive growth in the long haul. Notably, the company is set to debut Destiny 2 and Call of Duty: WWII later this year over the holiday season. We believe these will be the two big revenue drivers going ahead.

Stiff Competition Hurts Growth

Nevertheless, the higher adoption of free-to-play games and significant competition from the likes of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) , Take Two Interactive (NASDAQ:TTWO) and Glu Mobile remain near-term headwinds.

Per Super Data, EA’s FIFA 17 was the top-selling console game in May, while Call of Duty Black Ops III was a distant fifth. In PC, League of Legends was the top-selling game, while Activision’s World of Warcraft was placed sixth.

Activision carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>



Sony Corp (T:6758) Ord (SNE): Free Stock Analysis Report

Activision Blizzard, Inc (ATVI): Free Stock Analysis Report

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (TTWO): Free Stock Analysis Report

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA): Free Stock Analysis Report

Original post

Zacks Investment Research

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.