Activision Boasts $1.56 Billion, Better Than Expected Q4

Despite doing business in "difficult times," super publisher Activision Blizzard had a better than expected holiday quarter, with $1.56 billion in revenue during the company's Q4, bringing the yearly haul to $4.28 billion. How did Activision do so well?

Activision Blizzard CEO gives props to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the "#1 best-selling title overall" in the United States and Europe, and DJ Hero the "highest grossing new IP launched in 2009." Oh, and World of Warcraft, of course, the number one "subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game" worldwide gets a mention.

Bobby Kotick, coming up for air between laps in the company's pool of cash, said "Our significant accomplishments in 2009 are the result of the expertise and skills of our employees around the world. Their hard work and commitment to excellence made us stronger even during difficult times."

What's next for Activision Blizzard? Kotick speaks.

"In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm," Kotick said, "as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing's best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan."

Yes, pretty much what you expected, minus a hard date for StarCraft II's beta and release. Keep an eye peeled, as the earnings call is happening right now.