Vivendi-Universal Games has today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and end of year, which ended on December 31st 2005. Revenues for Q4 saw a drop of 7.2% compared to the same period in FY2004 from 264 million Euros (£179.7 million) to 245 million Euros (£166.8 million). Operating income for the fourth quarter stood at 21 million Euros (£14.3 million).

Revenues for the end of year increased by 34.9% on the year from 475 million Euros (£323.4 million) in 2004 to 641 million Euros (£436.3 million) in 2005; operating income stands at 41 million Euros (£27.9 million) from a loss in 2004 of 203 million Euros (£138.1 million).

The turnaround of the company was put down to its 2004 strategy of "global turnaround and the new developments" including the acquisition of several studios such as High Moon, Radical, Swingin' Ape, and Swordfish. The continued exceptional success of World of Warcraft also contributed massively to the VU Games' results, together with its other titles such as 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Robots, Hulk II, F.E.A.R. and Crash Tag Team Racing.

With the first expansion pack of World of Warcraft, The Burning Crusade, on the horizon and the MMO breaking through the 6 million subscriber mark, together with the company's overall portfolio, it seems that after the results of 2004 things are looking up for VU Games.

We'll have more news shortly...