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Sega Has Strong First Quarter, 380,000 Copies Of Company Of Heroes 2 Sold
Finally, we have some unequivocal good financial news out of Japan. This morning has seen news of abysmal Wii U sales and Capcom's struggles on the balance sheet. Sega, on the other hand, has some positive financial data to share.
Headlining a strong first quarter for its current fiscal year, Company of Heroes 2 (an acquisition from the THQ asset auction) sold 380,000 copies in the scant six days it was available in the quarter. Net sales were ¥90.7 billion ($921 million), up 29.6 percent year-over-year, with sales of ¥18.8 billion ($191 million) in the video game division.
In addition to Company of Heroes 2's strong start, Phantasy Star Online 2 pushed 500,000 copies, and a smartphone title called Puyopuyo!! Quest marked 2 million downloads. Overall operating income was up almost 200 percent, and net income reached ¥12.9 billion ($131 million), an increase of 408 percent over the same period last year.
Sega has also noted that digital sales are a growing segment, with packaged goods decreasing year-over-year.
[Source: Sega]
Our Take
Here's yet another publisher providing data to support the growing trend of digital purchases. The PC is already firmly encamped on that side of the consumption line. Handhelds are moving there quickly thanks to the Vita's day-and-date digital approach and the 3DS' growing simultaneous release library.
It seems that home consoles are the last vestige of retail purchases, and I expect even that will be eroded in the coming generation. It's great to see Sega on the upswing, and those who championed the acquisition of Company of Heroes from THQ have a lot of reason to celebrate right now.
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