wraggster
October 31st, 2012, 00:19
THQ's Darksiders II was a top-seller in the US during August, but according to NPD it only sold 247,000 units (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-07-darksiders-ii-sells-just-247-000-copies-in-us). At the time, Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said that total sales are "probably over 1 million" and if his estimates are to be believed, the game hasn't really had many sales since then. In a new note to investors, he said the title has been struggling.
"August release Darksiders II has sold an estimated 1 million units to date, and appears to be struggling to approach its 2 million units break-even threshold," he said.
That's bad news for a newly restructured THQ, which, under Jason Rubin's leadership, is trying to recreate itself as a more streamlined business, focusing on fewer, higher quality core games.
"Darksiders II's performance and a history of game delays and cancellations leaves us skeptical that THQ can successfully execute its turnaround strategy, which centers on a streamlined release slate," Pachter added. "If any of THQ's Q4:13 releases are late, liquidity is likely to be tight by next summer unless either Homefront 2 or the Patrice Désilets game are released by then."
It's worth noting that THQ was back in the black (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-07-thq-back-in-the-black-in-q1) during its first fiscal quarter. Second quarter earnings will be reported on November 5.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-10-30-darksiders-ii-struggling-to-hit-2-million-break-even-point
"August release Darksiders II has sold an estimated 1 million units to date, and appears to be struggling to approach its 2 million units break-even threshold," he said.
That's bad news for a newly restructured THQ, which, under Jason Rubin's leadership, is trying to recreate itself as a more streamlined business, focusing on fewer, higher quality core games.
"Darksiders II's performance and a history of game delays and cancellations leaves us skeptical that THQ can successfully execute its turnaround strategy, which centers on a streamlined release slate," Pachter added. "If any of THQ's Q4:13 releases are late, liquidity is likely to be tight by next summer unless either Homefront 2 or the Patrice Désilets game are released by then."
It's worth noting that THQ was back in the black (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-07-thq-back-in-the-black-in-q1) during its first fiscal quarter. Second quarter earnings will be reported on November 5.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-10-30-darksiders-ii-struggling-to-hit-2-million-break-even-point