According to a recent Activision Blizzard quarterly earnings report, the publisher made $1 billion from microtransactions in just one quarter. Activision Blizzard fans spent this $1 billion in a matter of months, showing just how much revenue microtransactions generate in a short period.
Activision Blizzard is reporting $1 billion earnings from Q3 2021, which encompasses July through September. In total, the company made $1.20 billion from its various franchises. Activision Blizzard has several franchises under its umbrella that likely contributed to this large number, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled.
Popular Call of Duty outlet Charlie Intel reported Activision Blizzard's successful quarterly earnings on its Twitter account. Although it typically sticks to Call of Duty news, Charlie Intel sometimes releases information on the game's publisher, like in this instance. Extending beyond reporting on the latest Call of Duty information, Charlie Intel is also known for leaking information about Call of Duty titles ahead of their release.
Several Activision Blizzard titles are known for selling microtransactions in addition to the base cost of a game. World of Warcraft fans can purchase mounts, pets, toys, and transmogs from the shop to increase their cosmetic options or round out their pet battle team. World of Warcraft is also known for receiving regular expansions which further incentivize players to return periodically and maintain a monthly subscription.
Although other Call of Duty: Warzone seasons have featured some impressive cosmetics such as the Saw and Texas Chainsaw Massacre bundles, the most recent seasons have included fan-favorite skins. Some of the latest skins added to Call of Duty: Warzone that likely contributed to the $1 billion figure include the John Rambo, John McClane, and the Judge Dredd bundles. Scream's Ghostface killer was recently added to Call of Duty: Warzone and as a result, it didn't contribute to the impressive quarterly earnings.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled fans have been purchasing microtransactions since shortly after it launched and the kart racing title may have contributed to Activision Blizzard's quarterly earnings. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled may have received its final significant update, but there are still several racers, karts, decals, skins, and more for fans to purchase. Some of the popular purchasable racers in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled include Baby Crash, Komodo Moe, Spyro, and Rilla Roo.
Although Activision Blizzard reports its earnings every quarter, it's currently unclear what made Q3 2021 a particularly lucrative quarter for the publisher. While several titles under the Activision Blizzard umbrella generate microtransaction revenue, the publisher didn't specify which title saw an increase in microtransaction spending or if player spending is up across the board with Activision Blizzard titles. Because the $1 billion figure comes from microtransactions alone, Activision Blizzard had a very successful Q3 despite its ongoing legal troubles.