Activision Blizzard's PC games are making more money than its console titles

It appears that Activision Blizzard’s revenue stemming from console game sales has been surpassed by that of its PC titles, according to a recent financial report.

The details:

• According to Activision Blizzard's latest financial report, revenue from PC releases increased by $27 million over console titles between January 1 and March 31. During the period, the company earned $666 million from PC games and $639 million from console titles. This is the third quarter in a row that PC has outperformed console, though mobile still leads with a whopping $956 million thanks to the success of Candy Crush, Call of Duty (COD) Mobile, and other King games.
• According to Activision Blizzard, the 74% increase in PC revenue is due to the success of Overwatch 2 and COD: Modern Warfare II, with revenue also increasing for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight and the controversial Diablo Immortal. Despite its overall success, COD is still primarily a console title, with 59% of sales coming from consoles versus 26% from PC, which is expected given its reputation as the definitive console FPS with controller gameplay reigning supreme.
• Blizzard's releases are primarily responsible for the increased PC revenue, accounting for 72% of total revenue compared to only 8% from consoles. The revenue share of consoles is expected to increase beginning next month due to the upcoming release of Diablo IV in June, which will be available at the same time on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• Due to the success of its biggest franchise, COD, as well as Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk's skateboarding titles in the 2000s, console platforms have been where Activision has seen the most success over the years. If the current trend continues, 2023 could be the year that PC overtakes mobile as the publisher's second-largest revenue generator.

More Activision Blizzard news:

• The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has blocked Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the UK, citing concerns about the company's current control over the cloud gaming market as a suitable reason to prevent the deal. Activision Blizzard intends to appeal the decision, and has hired Queen Elizabeth II's former lawyer to help the deal go through.
• Hundreds of former and current employees at Activision Blizzard are reportedly receiving payouts "ranging from five to six figures" relating to a discrimination lawsuit filed against the company. Those receiving a payout include those "who worked for Activision Blizzard since September 2016" and "based on the EEOC's assessment could assert a claim for sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, retaliation and/or constructive discharge by Defendants."