Ubisoft had a good quarter despite mediocre showing from Assassin’s Creeds

No year-over-year change

Ubisoft didn’t have a disappointing holiday season, as it posted financial reports today indicating that the publisher exceeded its quarterly sales expectations by approximately €80 million. More surprising, it did so without a year-over-year increase in performance from its flagship franchise.

Accompanying the broad financial figures were sales reports (units shipped) of individual games. Assassin’s Creed Unity and Assassin’s Creed Rogue sold a combined ten million copies — almost the exact same number that Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag moved in 2013. Undoubtedly, the fragmented user base between current and legacy consoles played a major factor.

Even though Assassin’s Creed‘s performance wasn’t spectacular, Far Cry 4‘s was. It sold seven million copies despite being pegged for six million. Just Dance moved four million units. The Crew brought up the back of the pack with two million sales, which Ubisoft called “very good.”

Those cumulative numbers led to an increase in year-over-year sales for Ubisoft. The €809.7 million quarter represented a 55.8 percent positive change over 2013. Additionally, the publisher recorded an increase in market share over its figures at the same time in 2013 — 12.8 percent compared to 9.6 percent.

However, things won’t stay prosperous for long. Ubisoft anticipates a soft fourth quarter, especially when compared to last year which was anchored by South Park: The Stick of Truth. The publisher has Assassin’s Creed Rogue releasing on PC, Grow Home, and a handful of mobile games in its arsenal for the quarter. Regardless, Ubisoft has still raised its expected end-of-year financials by €40 million.