French video game publisher Ubisoft reported today that it shipped more than 13 million dance games and 7 million copies of Assassin’s Creed Revelations during its third fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31.
For the quarter, revenue was 652 million euros, or $878.9 million, up 8.8 percent from 600 million euros a year earlier. Ubisoft is the third-largest video game publisher in the U.S., and it has the clout to create and market giant titles such as Just Dance and Assassin’s Creed and get them in front of a lot of gamers.
The company shipped more than 13 million dance titles in the quarter and estimates that it has about 70 percent share of the worldwide market in this segment, which has effectively replaced the guitar game market in the music game genre. Just Dance 3 on the Wii and the Xbox 360 with Kinect led the growth.
Assassin’s Creed revelations shipped 7 million units. Ubisoft reports sell-in numbers, which means the units have shipped to retailers but have not yet been purchased by gamers.
Ubisoft said its online segment saw a 159 percent increase, driven by Settlers Online and Howrse. The company estimated it has 8.6 percent of the console game market in 2011, compared to 8.1 percent in 2010.
Yves Guillemot, chief executive of the Paris-based company, said in a statement that the company has focused on creating brands for both core and casual markets. That has helped it grow market share in consoles and online.
“In fiscal year 2012-2013, we will start to capitalize on the large-scale investments we have undertaken more than three years ago,” he said.
Ubisoft is aiming for a comeback in shooters, led by titles such as Ghost Recon Future Soldier. He said he is also focusing on opportunities related to next-generation consoles.
For the fourth fiscal quarter, Ubisoft expects sales of 150 million euros to 180 million euros. For the full year, the company expects sales of 1.05 billion to 1.08 billion euros and operating income of 45 million to 65 million euros.
In the fourth fiscal quarter, Ubisoft is releasing five games for the PlayStation Vita, including Asphalt: Injection, Dungeon Hunter Alliance, Lumines Electronic Symphony, Michael Jackson The Experience, and Rayman Origins. Ubisoft also has a dozen titles coming for online markets such as the iPhone, Facebook, Xbox Live Arcade, and the PlayStation Network. But the console release schedule is light for the quarter.