Gameloft revenue increases by 50 per cent

Paris-based mobile entertainment publisher Gameloft has announced its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2006, showing strong sales resulting in a 50 per cent increase in revenue - combined with positive growth in the North American market.

Second quarter consolidated sales reached 15.8 million Euro, up from 10.5 million Euro during the same quarter in 2005. For the fist six months of 2006, the company recorded sales of 30.5 million Euro, an increase of 50 per cent on last year's figures.

The publisher has made significant inroads into expanding its presence outside of its native Europe, with 42 per cent of Q2 sales generated in the US, 41 per cent in Europe and 17 per cent in Asia, South America and the rest of the world.

For the first half of the year, Europe accounted for 44 per cent of overall sales, North America 40 per cent and the rest of the world making up the remaining 16 per cent.

The company further noted that mobile gaming accounted for 97 per cent of sales in the first half of the year, up 52 per cent on 2005. Within that, downloadable games income increased 100 per cent, accounting for 90 per cent of first half-year sales overall.

Gameloft's internet revenues from gaming site jeuxvideo.com accounted for just 3 per cent of sales in the first half of the year. The division was sold in June for the sum of 22.9 million Euro and funds will be invested into further expansion of the mobile gaming sector.

Launching 14 games in the first half of the year, Gameloft plans to rapidly increase its development and product offerings, and will release close to 30 titles in the second half of the year, growing its portfolio to more than 110 games sold in 70 countries around the world.

The publisher is confident it can maintain and develop its growth in the mobile sector moving into 2007, and the current performance puts the firm well ahead of its annual target of 40 per cent growth.