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Activision: No Comment On Rumored Guitar Hero TV Show

Posted on: Friday, 8 May 2009, 12:40 CDT

Sources familiar with the discussions said on Thursday that the worldwide hit video game "Guitar Hero" could become a reality TV show and/or a real-life concert tour, Reuters reported.

Activision Blizzard, a leading video game publisher and the maker of “Guitar Hero,” wants to turn some of its games into TV and film properties.

The company’s "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty" video games are also in discussions to become movies, according to one person with knowledge of the details.

"They are being talked about for the big screen," the source said.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick wouldn't comment on the movie speculation during an interview before Thursday's quarterly earnings conference call.

However, when asked about the "Hero" franchise, he said, "It might make for a good TV show or a good concert tour."

Analysts show that during the first quarter the company’s "Hero" and "Duty" franchises were two of the top five best sellers across all video game platforms in Europe and the U.S.

In the U.S. "World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King" was the top PC game, in terms of revenue.

Video games, especially the family-friendly "Hero," are capturing leisure time away from TV and film, Kotick added.

Activision Blizzard reported its first-quarter revenue more than tripled to $981 million as net income swelled to $189 million from $43 million in the quarter one year ago.

The company beat expectations in the first quarter and raised its full-year revenue guidance by $100 million to $4.3 billion.

Kotick is confident because the company is growing and making money.

“That's better than others can say," he added.

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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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