Game company revenues double

THE main Irish arm of video game giant, Activison Blizzard doubled revenues and pre-tax profits in 2009, new figures show.

New filings with the Companies Office show that the numbers employed at Blizzard Entertainment Ireland Ltd’s European Centre in Cork almost doubled from 362 to 703 in 2009.

The dramatic growth in the company is underlined by revenues doubling from €15.5m to €30.9m with pre-tax profits increasing from €1.32m to €2.8 million in the 12 months to the end of December 2009.

The employment gain at the facility has surpassed the company’s projections as the company opened its European Customer Support Centre in Cork in 2007 with the expectation of creating 100 new jobs by 2010.

The company is located at the Blackpool Retail Park in Cork city and according to the directors’ report the increase in pre-tax profits “reflects continued growth in business during the year”.

The directors state that they “are satisfied with the performance of the company for the financial year ended December 2009”.

Blizzard Entertainment’s track record of best-selling games spans more than a decade including blockbuster hits such as Starcraft II, Wings of Liberty and World of Warcraft.

Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, Cataclysm, which was launched in December 2010 sold more than 3.3 million copies worldwide to consumers during its first 24 hours of release and sold more than 4.7 million copies in its first month.

In addition, Blizzard Entertainment’s online-game service, battle.net is one of the largest in the world, with millions of users.

The directors state that in relation to future developments “in the forthcoming year, the company plans to continue its expansion of services provided”.

The company’s staff costs increased in 2009 by €11m going from €13.8m to €25.1m and the costs include directors’ salaries, which are not disclosed.

According to the directors, the company continues to grow the portfolio of services to other Blizzard Entertainment Group companies.

The report states: “As a management, administration and technical support centre, the directors are conscious of the necessity to provide superior quality service to the company’s customers.

“Management are constantly developing and standardising the company’s processes to ensure that it is well equipped to respond in a timely and efficient manner to customers’ requirements.”

The call centre’s workforce can speak and write in 25 different European languages. Customer support is carried out via email, telephone, forums, and in-game chat, and the centre operates 365 days a year.