Hearthstone and Destiny pull in $850m revenue for Activision

If you've purchased a Hearthstone card pack or the Destiny DLC lately, you've helped to make Bobby Kotick a happy man. In its latest financial results Activision revealed that these two IP alone brought in over over $850 million in non‐GAAP revenue in 2014.

For Q4 Activision reported non‐GAAP net revenues of $2.21 billion, as compared to $2.27 billion in Q4 2013. On a GAAP basis, the net revenues stood at $1.58 billion, compared to $1.52 billion for the same period last year.

The total year figures for revenue for 2014 were non‐GAAP net revenues of $4.81 billion, up from $4.34 billion for 2013. On a GAAP basis, net revenues were $4.41 billion, down from $4.58 billion last year. The company also generated an operating cash flow of $1.3 billion in 2014.

"We delivered record earnings per share which increased more than 50 per cent from the previous year"

Bobby Kotick

The company also highlighted that in 2014 digital was responsible for a record 46 per cent of the company's total net revenues, at a value of $2.20 billion.

"2014 was another successful year as we achieved record results and introduced new franchises with outstanding gameplay, expanded on exciting new business models and continued investing in some of the world's most important entertainment franchises," said CEO Bobby Kotick.

"We delivered record earnings per share which increased more than 50 per cent from the previous year, double‐digit revenue growth, and record high‐margin digital revenues that represent an all‐time high of 46 per cent of total revenues (all non‐GAAP)."

He added that Hearthstone and Blizzard combined brought in 40 million registered players and over $850 million in non‐GAAP revenue. Activision now plans to grow its stable of blockbusters to ten franchises, up from five at the start of 2014.

"We have a growing portfolio of the very best franchises and great confidence in our future. Our Board has once again increased our dividend, authorized a $750 million share repurchase program and the repayment of another $250 million of our debt, and we have returned nearly $10 billion to our shareholders in dividends and repurchases since 2008."

World Of Warcraft's latest expansion Warlords of Draenor sold 3.3 million copies in 24 hours and helped to propel the game's subscriber numbers to over 10 million by the end of the year. Hearthstone has now reached over 25 million registered players.

During the earnings call it was confirmed that Treyarch would develop the next Call Of Duty title.

"This fall's game will be Treyarch's first on the three-year development cycle. It will be loaded with innovation and we are excited to share more details with our community soon," said CEO of Activision Publishing Eric Hirshberg.