Activision says sales will beat forecasts

Video game publisher Activision Inc. on Monday predicted fiscal third-quarter sales of $600 million, topping analysts’ estimates.

Sales in the quarter ending Dec. 31 will be driven by games including “Call of Duty 3,” Santa Monica-based Activision said. Analysts expect $584.2 million, the average of 17 estimates. Sales totaled $816.2 million a year earlier.

Activision and other game publishers are recovering from a slump triggered by the changeover to a new generation of consoles. Microsoft Corp. released its Xbox 360 last November. Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3 console and Nintendo Co.’s Wii are scheduled for release this month. Activision predicted fourth-quarter sales of $175 million, below analysts’ estimates.

Analysts had predicted fourth-quarter sales of $191.8 million, the average estimate in a Thomson Financial survey. Sales totaled $188.1 million in last year’s fourth quarter.

Activision said last month that second-quarter sales totaled $188.2 million, beating its forecast of $130 million. Full results for the quarter ended Sept. 30 will not be available until an internal review of stock option grants is completed.