Banking on the success of four key franchises over the Christmas period to further carry over into the current year, Activision now expects record revenues of US$ 823 million for the third quarter of the fiscal year.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, Activision's revenue was up from US$ 816.2 million during the same period last year, trouncing the previously announced estimate of US$ 600 million. The company now expects the same thing to happen this year.

"Net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 are expected to be the highest in Activision's history," said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision. "Our results were driven by a smaller, high-quality game slate that was anchored by four key games - Call of Duty, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk's Project 8 and Guitar Hero."

Activision does have some reservations regarding the fourth quarter, though. The company warns that fourth quarter results are expected to be heavily impacted by the ongoing costs of a stock option review, as well as the delayed release of Quake Wars: Enemy Territory. Activision expects Q4 revenues to be down from US$ 175 million to US$ 170 million.