Ubisoft has announced sales of €344 million for the first half of FY 2008-2009 – the six months to September 30th.

Revenues were up 31.5 per cent on the same period in FY 2007-2008 – when Ubisoft recorded €261 million – or 38.3 per cent at constant exchange rates.

Second-quarter sales totalled €175 million, representing an increase of 37.3 per cent (43.6 per cent at constant exchange rates) on the €127 million posted for the second quarter of 2007-08.

The performance exceeded the guidance of approximately €160 million issued when Ubisoft released its sales figures for first-quarter 2008- 2009.

The company attributed to the success to the performance of Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway and SoulCalibur IV, as well as solid showings from its casual Imagine range.

CEO Yves Guillemot stated: "Ubisoft delivered a robust performance in the second fiscal quarter against an uncertain environment. We are carefully and regularly monitoring changes in the economic context in order to factor them into our market forecasts and financial targets.

“Going forward, we are confident that the video game industry will be able to continue its dynamic growth in 2008 and 2009, buoyed by the increase in the installed base for consoles coupled with the steady influx of new consumers.

"At the same time, we believe that thanks to the diversity and quality of Ubisoft’s games line-up – which caters to both hardcore and casual gamers – we are ideally positioned to continue to win market share in the coming years. Holiday 2008 will be another demonstration of this, as we are introducing a gaming experience for everyone.”

The Group said it expected third-quarter 2008-09 sales to come in at around €500 million, up 11 per cent on the same period of 2007-08.

Based on solid first-half sales performance combined with a more favorable dollar impact and the positive third-quarter outlook, Ubisoft also raised its targets for full-year 2008-09.

The company's full-year sales guidance is now around €1,050 million compared with the previous figure of around €1,020 million, and the guidance for current operating income before stock options has been revised upward to at least 13 per cent of sales versus the previous target of at least 12 per cent.