THQ released its earnings report for the second quarter of its 2013 fiscal year. The company reports that Darksider II failed to meet expectations. The company also reported that Saints Row: The Third has continued to sell well since its 2011 launch with 5 million copies of the game having been shipped to retailers.
Darksiders II received highly favorable reviews when it released in August, but THQ has only shipped 1.4 million units of the title as of the second quarter.
THQ president Jason Rubin said at THQ's Q2 FY2013 earnings call that "Darksiders II did not perform to our expectations or live up to its generally favorable reception," according to Seeking Alpha's transcript of the speech.
"Observing this and other recent industry releases, one is left with a firm understanding that in the current marketplace, only the absolute top tier of releases is making impact on the game consumer," Rubin said. "I now have an opportunity to start impacting our next slate of products and positioning them to compete in this marketplace."
THQ also announced that South Park: The Stick of Truth has been delayed and will no longer release on March 5, 2013. The game is now planned for a launch worldwide in early 2014.
"I believe South Park's market opportunity is significant. It is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated titles of calendar 2013," Rubin said in a press release. "It is also an expansive title, encompassing multiple television seasons' worth of content. We have been working closely with the co-creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, to make sure all of the game's content performs to the high standards of the TV show, and this takes time. THQ is committed to giving gamers no less than the rich South Park game they have been waiting for and deserve."
THQ's net sale were $91.8 million overall which is down from last year's $119.6 million for the same period. The company had anticipated that sale would be lower, but the sales of older games including Saints Row: The Third were better than expected.
