Vivendi buoyant on 2010 profit projections

Activision Blizzard's parent company, French media conglomerate Vivendi, has today increased its profit predictions for 2010 - despite recording a dip in second-quarter profits of 3.7 per cent to €669 million (£552.6m) from €695 million (£574m) last year.

Vivendi did not hesitate to point out that the increase in predicted profits was due to an unexpectedly good performance from Activision Blizzard's properties, in which it owns a 52 per cent controlling stake. The drop in second quarter profits was ascribed to fewer music releases from Vivendi's major artists such as Eminem and Lady Gaga.

Last month, the company's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 became the UK's best selling game of all time.

"Our most recent strategic acquisitions, GVT, Activision Blizzard and SFR broadband and fixed, achieved excellent operating performances," said Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy.

“Activision Blizzard had a much stronger performance than the year before, the contribution of Activision Blizzard [to Vivendi] has become very significant.”