Latest news with #CivilizationVII
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TTWO Q1 Earnings Call: Revenue Misses Expectations, Guidance Highlights Mobile and Franchise Momentum
Video game publisher Take Two (NASDAQ:TTWO) fell short of the market's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 13.1% year on year to $1.58 billion. Its GAAP loss of $21.08 per share decreased from -$17.02 in the same quarter last year. Is now the time to buy TTWO? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.58 billion (13.1% year-on-year growth) Adjusted Operating Income: $252.8 million vs analyst estimates of $271.8 million (16% margin, 7% miss) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $1.38 billion at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $1.31 billion EPS (GAAP) guidance for the upcoming financial year 2026 is $0.17 at the midpoint, missing analyst estimates by 82.3% EBITDA guidance for the upcoming financial year 2026 is $535 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $1.97 billion Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 18.5% Market Capitalization: $42 billion Take-Two's first quarter results were shaped by a mix of new game launches across its core labels and ongoing strength in established franchises. Management credited the launch of Sid Meier's Civilization VII, WWE 2K25, and PGA TOUR 2K25, as well as strong engagement from NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto titles, for driving revenue growth. CEO Strauss Zelnick highlighted that NBA 2K25 saw a 7% year-on-year increase in units sold, with engagement metrics like daily active users and average games per user up significantly. The company also noted robust performance from mobile subsidiary Zynga, especially new titles like Match Factory and Color Block Jam, both of which contributed to higher recurrent consumer spending. CFO Lainie Goldstein attributed the quarter's margin pressures to higher development costs for unreleased titles and noted a partial goodwill impairment charge tied to updated long-term expectations for one business unit. Looking forward, management emphasized a pipeline of major releases and a continued focus on operating efficiency as key to future growth. Take-Two expects NBA 2K, Grand Theft Auto, and new launches such as Mafia: The Old Country and Borderlands 4 to be the primary drivers for the year ahead. Zelnick stated, 'We expect sequential growth for both this year and next, even before Grand Theft Auto VI is released.' Goldstein pointed to a modest increase in operating expenses, mainly for marketing upcoming titles, but assured investors that expense growth is expected to lag behind revenue growth. Management also signaled that the share of direct-to-consumer revenue should expand, aided by recent court rulings, and cautioned that mobile trends may moderate due to the maturity of certain Zynga titles. Management attributed the quarter's performance to strong franchise engagement, new title launches, and stabilization in mobile, while margin headwinds stemmed from higher development costs and a goodwill impairment. NBA 2K engagement surge: NBA 2K25 outperformed internal forecasts, with unit sales up 7% over last year and significant gains in user engagement metrics; management credited improved features and a focus on core player demands. Mobile titles drive growth: Zynga's new games, including Match Factory and Color Block Jam, achieved profitability quickly and contributed to both net bookings and engagement; management cited the multi-studio approach as a competitive advantage. Recurrent spending momentum: Recurring in-game purchases across NBA 2K, Grand Theft Auto Online, and mobile titles grew 14% year-on-year, now accounting for 77% of net bookings in the quarter, with NBA 2K's in-game monetization up over 40%. Cost and margin pressures: Operating expenses rose due to higher development outlays for games not yet released, with Goldstein noting that a $3.6 billion impairment hit operating margins, partly reflecting updated expectations for Zynga. Direct-to-consumer channel expansion: The company highlighted growing direct-to-consumer sales, especially in mobile, and expects recent court decisions to further reduce third-party distribution costs and allow more direct customer relationships. Take-Two's outlook is anchored by major new title launches, franchise strength, and a focus on cost control amid moderating mobile trends. New game pipeline: Management expects Mafia: The Old Country and Borderlands 4, along with annual sports iterations, to drive sequential growth and maintain player engagement ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's release. Operating efficiency initiatives: Cost discipline through a previously announced reduction program is intended to offset rising development and marketing costs, with management aiming for operating expense leverage as net bookings grow. Mobile market headwinds: While Zynga's recent hits support optimism, Goldstein warned that some mature mobile titles may see softer trends, potentially moderating overall mobile segment growth despite ongoing investment in new launches. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) player response and engagement metrics for new releases like Mafia: The Old Country and Borderlands 4, (2) the performance and monetization trajectory of Zynga's recent and upcoming mobile launches, and (3) the ramp-up of direct-to-consumer initiatives as regulatory and legal changes unfold. Execution on operating efficiency and the lead-up to Grand Theft Auto VI remain key markers of progress. Take-Two currently trades at a forward EV/EBITDA ratio of 19.4×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TTWO Set to Report Q4 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?
TakeTwo Interactive Software TTWO is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on May the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, TakeTwo expects GAAP net revenues between $1.52 billion and $1.62 billion. It anticipates a GAAP net loss per share of 20 cents to earnings per share of 13 Zacks Consensus Estimate for TTWO's fiscal fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.55 billion, indicating growth of 14.73% on a year-over-year consensus mark for earnings is currently pegged at $1.08 per share, which remained unchanged over the past 60 days, indicating year-over-year growth of 248.39%.TTWO beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 206.58%. TakeTwo Interactive Software, Inc. price-eps-surprise | TakeTwo Interactive Software, Inc. Quote Let us see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement. NBA 2K is expected to have driven results in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with net bookings projected by the company to benefit from a high-teens percentage increase in recurrent consumer spending for the franchise. Titles like Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online are also likely to have continued contributing meaningfully, although GTA Online is expected to have seen declines during the quarter under review. Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online remain active, with high levels of player engagement reported in the prior fiscal fourth quarter is expected to have included contributions from new launches such as Sid Meier's Civilization VII, PGA Tour 2K25, and WWE 2K25. Civilization VII has already set a franchise record for preorders, and early access was launched in the current quarter. WWE 2K25 and PGA Tour 2K25 are expected to have supported top-line growth with new gameplay features and expanded content bookings, however, are expected to have faced headwinds. TakeTwo projects only a low single-digit growth in mobile for the fiscal year, with mobile performance in the fiscal fourth quarter having been influenced by continued underperformance in some titles like Empires & Puzzles. The hyper-casual mobile segment is also expected to have weighed slightly on the cost side, GAAP operating expenses for the fiscal fourth quarter are projected between $900 million and $920 million by the company. The company expects a 2% decline in operating expenses year over year, primarily due to normalized marketing for Match Factory and cost savings initiatives. Despite the shift of some expenses from the prior quarter to the quarter under review, the bottom line is expected to have shown significant improvement. According to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the exact case here. TTWO has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Here are a few companies worth considering, as our model indicates that they possess the right combination of factors to exceed earnings expectations in their upcoming releases:Capital Southwest CSWC currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.23% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks Southwest shares have lost 4.6% year to date. CSWC is slated to report its fourth quarter fiscal 2025 results on May 14. Baidu BIDU has an Earnings ESP of +8.67% and a Zacks Rank #3 at shares have gained 8.3% year to date. BIDU is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2025 results on May Materials AMAT has an Earnings ESP of +1.94% and a Zacks Rank #3 at shares have gained 13.4% year to date. It is scheduled to report its second-quarter fiscal 2025 results on May 15. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Baidu, Inc. (BIDU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (TTWO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Capital Southwest Corporation (CSWC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Meta Quest 3's Limits Will Be Tested By Civilization VII's VR Port
The release date for the VR port of Civilisation VII for Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S has been revealed, while a new gameplay trailer shows quite what an ambitious project this is. Civilization VII for the Meta Quest headsets will be out on April 10, and will cost $59.99. That's $10 less than the current Steam price for the PC version. It's available to pre-order now. The gameplay trailer depicts exactly how you'll play what is a fairly involved and traditional strategy game within a VR headset. Instead of depicting the game world as a fully immersive space within the VR environment, the terrain appears on a Command Table at the center of the play space. Publisher 2K Games describes it as a 'virtual and mixed reality' experience because you'll be able to switch between having your real surroundings as the backdrop or a rendered environment. This likely helps keep a lid on the amount of complex game visuals that need to be rendered at any one time. Civilization VII will be the first in this 34-year-old series to get a VR edition, and it will make an interesting test case for the genre's compatibility with the format. All current indications suggest the Meta Quest 3 version of Civilization VII will be a fully fleshed-out experience not dissimilar to that of the PC and console versions. But a major part of the appeal of the series is its engrossing 'just one more go' moreish-ness, that often sees players staying up into the small hours. This is obviously not the way most Meta Quest 3 owners play, with the factors of battery life, comfort and the way VR appetites for gaming tends to lean towards shorter play sessions considered. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder The game be played solo, or with up to three other Meta Quest players — you won't be able to play with those on console or PC. This VR port of Civilisation VII is developed by Australia's Playside Studios, which has worked on Meta's own Horizon Worlds, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, as well as its own published Meta Quest titles Shattered and Dumb Ways: Free For All. Civilization VII's VR version will be available from 8am PDT on April 10, and is only available for the two Meta Quest headsets.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Why won't Civilization 7 let players design their own leaders?
In 1991, game developer Sid Meier released Civilization, the first instalment of his popular series where players build ancient societies and work to both expand their territory and explore the world beyond their borders. Now, 33 years later, the highly-anticipated Civilization VII has arrived. While it comes with some updates, one setting still remains: players can rule using the leadership skills of only one of the 21 pre-designed historical figures, like Machiavelli, Tecumseh and Harriet Tubman, as they try to build an empire that stands the test of time. Today on Commotion, journalist Anne Victoria Clark joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to review Civilization VII, and why she's surprised that players still can't design their own leader.
New York Times
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
3 Video Games You May Have Missed in February
One of the major video game releases in February had players navigate the chaos of a growing empire, with Civilization VII introducing historical ages to the turn-based strategy series. Another, the fantasy role-playing game Avowed, gave an emperor's envoy incredible power. There were more intimate stories as well, including The Stone of Madness, a tactical-stealth game set in a monastery turned asylum, and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, whose opening chapter has rebellious grit and an inspiring riot grrrl essence. Here are three other games you may have missed this month: Keep Driving If you're the sort of person who feels nostalgia for picking out CDs from your dashboard visor, making long-distance calls on your Nokia brick phone or scarfing down a slice of pizza while tinny rock music blares into the quiet night, the appeal of a game like Keep Driving is obvious. Set in the fantasized memories of nascent adulthood in the early 2000s, Keep Driving is a fun, low-stakes adventure about hopping in a car and going on a long drive somewhere, or nowhere in particular. Your ostensible task is to make your way to a music festival a few towns over. In order to simulate the hazards you'll encounter along the way, the game cleverly retrofits classic card game mechanics. A virtual deck of cards, each card with its own thematically appropriate skill — 'Drive Fast' uses extra fuel to clear obstacles — will help you make it past slow-moving tractors, flocks of sheep and even distracting rainbows. You'll fight exhaustion and a perpetually depleting gas tank. You'll pick up an assortment of hitchhikers. You might even choose to get drunk and party, crashing your ride and winding up in rehab. All these surprises and disasters are the kinds of experiences that texture and support a rich and interesting life. Although Keep Driving has a profoundly hopeful message, it also captures the raucous plasticity and vivacious drive of youth, reminding us that we all once wound up stranded without gas on the side of an empty road. Urban Myth Dissolution Center Azami Fukurai, the high-strung heroine of this Japanese visual novel, has a problem: She sees ghosts. At least that's what she thinks until she follows up on a Tokyo advertisement and visits the Urban Myth Dissolution Center, where she hopes to find a remedy for her onerous gift. When she meets the director, a cerebral young man in a wheelchair, she learns that the hazy apparitions she sometimes glimpses are not wandering shades but 'vestiges of persons and objects that existed and are retained everywhere.' The director convinces her (using a bit of financial leverage) to join his detective agency, which specializes in matters that fall outside the purview of traditional police work. Azami's investigations enmesh her in the personal lives of those who have been affected by things that seem to defy ordinary explanation — a livestreamer who sees a ghost in a mirror; a woman terrified by a man who creeps around her apartment at night. But what gives this game a special flair is that it's really about the battle against misinformation. Again and again, Azami watches how social media latches on to sensational stories and then amplifies rumors, biases and half-baked theories. I wished the game's episodes involved less backtracking. A little bit of editing could have gone a long way in delivering a punchier experience. But while not all of the game's plot twists are created equal, its skeptical bent mitigates its languors to some extent. While Waiting For those who have been bored, frustrated or even anxious when killing time, the often-charming, sometimes-perplexing While Waiting offers a tantalizing series of wait-based minigames. Here, biding time isn't a chore. That's because the narrative arc of one's life feels true. At the beginning of 100 short experiences, I was born a boy. The birth included a lemming-like line across a bridge before I was dropped through clouds that flowed like water. As a child, I reclined warily, hoping for sleep yet haunted by ghosts. As a soccer goalkeeper, I found a ray gun in the sky to shoot targets. My reward was being hit in the face by the ball. I should have concentrated on the pitch. Each scenario is timed. Although you can just sit and relax with a fidget spinner, the player really should accomplish a few tasks before time is up. When you're hanging out in a cafe watching for a bus, the rain dripping down the window inventively turns into a Space Invaders-style game. During class, you avoid the teacher by unhurriedly crawling on the floor. It's kind of a version of Pac-Man, if you were a slow loris. Likely inspirations for While Waiting include the WarioWare series, but this art is never lurid. A delicate pen-and-ink art style features minimalist yet endearingly convincing facial expressions in a game where you must often decipher an objective as the clock ticks down.
