Ubisoft 2005 Annual Report Download - page 5

03
UBISOFT • 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
GROUP
2005-06
TOWARDS A NEW ERA
In a market estimated to be down 3%(1) on the previous year due to
the transition to next generation consoles, Ubisoft records year-on-year
growth of 3% and continues to gain ground in key markets, bursting
in as 4th worldwide independent publisher, excluding Japan, in 2005
(5th in the United States and 3rd in Europe and Australia)(2).
Early positioning on next-gen consoles begins to pay, driving market
share gains. Ubisoft establishes clear leadership on Microsoft’s
Xbox 360™, successfully launching four titles and ranking 1st independent
publisher in France on this platform in Q4 of fiscal 2006 and 2nd in the US,
UK and Canada.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™ for Xbox 360™
meets with huge success, becoming the fastest(3) selling game on this plat-
form to-date and recording a new high for Ubisoft, with over one million
units sold in its first three weeks. The title also catapults Ubisoft to
the number one position for independent publishers on Xbox®Live,
establishing an important foothold in the growing online gaming business.
Ubisoft reinforces its status as a convincing partner for Hollywood
licenses, selling in excess of 4.5 million units of Peter Jackson’s King Kong:
The Official Game of the Movie and recording strong handheld sales for
Star Wars™ Episode III: Revenge of the Sith™.
The company enlarges its game catalogue, successfully entering the
flight combat segment with new hit brand Blazing Angels™ Squadrons
of World War II and the sports segment with Rugby Challenge 2006.
Ubisoft also signs exclusive licensing deal with Olympic snowboarding
gold medalist, Shaun White.
Ubisoft acquires all remaining intellectual property rights related to
best selling Far Cry®brand as well as perpetual rights to the Far Cry
edition of CryENGINE.
Ubisoft showcases no less than ten next-generation titles at E3 2006
including four groundbreaking new intellectual properties.
2002-05
SUCCESS
OF BRAND-
BUILDING
STRATEGY
Ubisoft more than
doubles its number
of hit brands from
3 to 8, increasing its
market share in key
territories and
gaining industry and
public recognition
along the way.
1997-2001
INTERNAL
GROWTH AND
STRATEGIC
ACQUISITIONS:
A WINNING DUO
New studios open in
6 countries and the
company further
strengthens its global
distribution network;
Ubisoft acquires a
number of prestigious
brands and becomes
one of the Top 10
worldwide independent
publishers.
tomorrow’s successes
(1) Western countries video game revenue growth,
calendar year 2005.
(2) Source: NPD, Chart Track, Media Control, GFK,
in value terms, calendar year 2005.
(3) Measured by the number of units sold during
the first month following the release of the title.