New York-based game developer and publisher Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ:TTWO), even without Grand Theft Auto in its release portfolio from 2010, is financially doing better than expected. Take 2 has announced lower revenue in Q3 2010 over Q3 2009, but the company has met its earning targets. A similar pattern is expected for Q4 2010 earnings announcements. This rosier tint on Take 2′s financial picture for the latter half of 2010 is due in large part to the success of Red Dead Redemption and online content distribution strategy for Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, and Sid Meier’s Civilization V.
Red Dead Redemption, a Western action-adventure game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, was as a hot as a pistol, selling 8 million copies in 2010. According to Take 2, sales are measured by the number of units shipped to retailers. Other helpful contributors to Take 2′s bottom line were NBA 2K11, Undead Nightmare, and older titles.
Take-Two Interactive seems positioned for a successful 2011. The publisher will be rolling out another non-GTA game it hopes will be a blockbuster, Rockstar Games’ L.A. Noire. Take 2 is also expanding to Latin America and Asia, pushing into new platforms and distribution channels, and expanding its downloadable content and online game offerings.
[Source: VentureBeat]
