Stats

Company Oct. 2004/Y-to-Y Change YTD 2004, Y-to-Y Change
Activision 166% 77%
Atari -13% -27%
Electronic Arts -4% 25%
Microsoft 19% 38%
Midway 522% 71%
Nintendo 38% 5%
Sony -48% -26%
Take-Two 586% 83%
THQ -39% -4%
Source: NDP Data and Piper Jaffrey Estimates
While Take-Two is enjoying the predicted spike from GTA: San Andreas this year, and its ESPN success, it remains unclear whether the publisher can execute a portfolio outside of the GTA franchise. Likewise, Midway's Mortal Kombat bump may be short-lived. Activision, on the other hand, demonstrates a solid rise in title quality and library depth. The small decline at EA sales in October is evidence of the downward pricing pressure from the ESPN challenge, while overall EA remains on a solid growth track. The jury is out on THQ, since many of its major releases are coming in November, but clearly the company has not succeeded in breaking from its reputation as a provider of second-rate licensed property. Spectrum Warrior was a noble try at establishing itself as a AAA publisher that made only a mild ripple