Blizzard sees number of players increase thanks to Diablo immortal

For the first time in a long time, the number of Blizzard game players has increased again, parent company Activision Blizzard reports in its quarterly figures. Despite the increase in players, operating income did not increase in the second quarter of this year.

In the quarterly figures from Activision Blizzard, the company reports that revenues are again disappointing. The game publisher reports that operating revenues last quarter amounted to $ 280 million. That is 68 percent less than last year. The turnover of only the Blizzard department was also disappointing compared to the results a year earlier.

The release of Diablo Immortal did generate millions of extra sales in the first months after release and the mobile game is also responsible for the slight increase in the number of players of Blizzard games. The number of players increased slightly for the first time and reached 27 million in the second quarter, which is higher than the low of 22 million in the first quarter of this year.

Diablo Immortal appeared earlier this year for Android, iOS and PC, but did not release in the Netherlands and Belgium because of loot box legislation. Blizzard received a lot of criticism on release for the loot boxes in question and the game’s revenue model. Despite this, the game has been downloaded millions of times worldwide.

Microsoft announced earlier this year that it wants to acquire Activision Blizzard. The deal has been approved by shareholders, but is awaiting approval from various financial authorities. Tweakers previously listed the possible objections to the deal.