Ubisoft has reported sales of €508 million for the third quarter of 2008-09, up 12.9 per cent – or 17 per cent at constant exchange rates – on the €450 million recorded a year previously.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2008-09 sales totaled €852 million, versus €711 million in 2007-08 – an increase of 19.8 per cent, or 24.8 per cent at constant exchange rates.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told MCV: “I think everyone was holding their breath a little going into the holiday season but in the end the video game industry did well, showing software sales growth in the UK of 23 per cent and consoles sales growth of 14 per cent and that is good news.

"At Ubisoft, we were confident that we had a line-up that offered games of quality to a diverse audience.

“And the results show the solidity of our line-up. We came out of the season with 17 per cent growth (at a constant exchange rate) over last year and we are pleased that we were able to outperform our targets. We are now looking forward to 2009 with our line-up aimed at continuing offering quality and innovative gameplay to the widest possible audience.”

Q3 sales – which representd the three months to December 31st, 2008 – came in slightly higher than the guidance of approximately €500 million issued when Ubisoft released its sales figures for Q2 2008-09.

The performance was primarily attributed to a solid showing from franchise titles launched during the quarter, particularly Far Cry 2 and Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, which generated sell-in sales of 2.9 million and 1.5 million units respectively and offset the impact of a slower take-off for Prince of Persia (2.2 million units).

The firm revealed that Shaun White Snowboarding was the quarter's number two sports game in the United States and recorded 2.3 million units sell-in worldwide.

It also highlighted the ongoing success of the Group's casual games, notably the very robust performance turned in by the Imagine range, fuelled by the success of Imagine Teacher and Imagine Wedding Designer.