Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Nacon
Financial · July 26, 2021
Published by Nacon
Nacon achieved sales of 33.7 million euros during the first quarter of the 2021/22 fiscal year, representing an 11.3% decline compared to the same period in the previous year. This decrease is attributed primarily to an exceptionally high comparison basis from the first quarter of 2020/21, when global lockdowns significantly inflated consumer demand for digital entertainment and gaming hardware. Despite the year-over-year dip, the results demonstrate a structural growth trend when compared to pre-pandemic levels, particularly within the digital back catalogue. The video games segment generated 12.2 million euros, a 16% decrease from the prior year. However, back catalogue sales remained resilient at 9.2 million euros, nearly four times higher than the 2.4 million euros recorded during the same period in 2019/20. New releases such as Roguebook and Pro Cycling Management 2021 contributed to this performance. In the accessories division, sales fell 8.8% to 20.6 million euros. While the initial launch of RIG helmets in the United States created a difficult year-over-year comparison, other accessory lines grew by 19%, driven by strong demand for PlayStation 4 and Xbox Pro Compact controllers. Management maintains a positive outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, anticipating growth in the second half driven by a robust release schedule including titles such as WRC 10 and Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. Financial targets for 2021/22 remain unchanged, with projected sales between 180 and 200 million euros and a current operating margin of 20%. Looking further ahead to 2022/23, the company expects to reach sales between 230 and 260 million euros, supported by major upcoming releases such as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown.
Press release Lesquin, 26 July 2021 18 :00hrs Q1 2021/22 SALES : 33.7 M€ (-11.3%) HIGH COMPARISON BASIS BACK CATALOGUE RESILIENCE CONFIRMATION OF FY 2021/22 AND FY 2022/23 TARGETS IFRS – M€ Sales 2021/2022 2020/2021 Change Non audited data 1<sup>st</sup> Quarter 33. 7 38. 0 - 11. 3% Games 12. 2 14. 5 - 16. 0% Accessories 20. 6 22. 5 - 8.8 % Others<sup>(1)</sup> 0.9 0.9 + 0 .5 % (1) Mobile and Audio sales. In Q1 2021/22 (from 1 April to 30 June 2021), Nacon achieved sales of 33.7 M€, down 11.3% compared to Q1 2020/2021. Despite an unfavourable comparison basis, the back catalogue showed a positive momentum. GAMES The video games business posted sales of 12.2 M€, down 16.0% compared with Q1 2020/21, when back catalogue sales were boosted 340% by lockdown. However the good performance of the back catalogue demonstrated its resilience with sales of 9.2 M€ against 10.8 M€ in Q1 2020/21 during the first lockdown, to be compared with 2.4 M€ in Q1 2019/20. The Roguebook (81% positive reviews on Steam) and Pro Cycling Management / Tour de France 2021 games released in the quarter were also well received. ACCESSORIES
s resilience with sales of 9.2 M€ against 10.8 M€ in Q1 2020/21 during the first lockdown, to be compared with 2.4 M€ in Q1 2019/20. The Roguebook (81% positive reviews on Steam) and Pro Cycling Management / Tour de France 2021 games released in the quarter were also well received. ACCESSORIES The Accessories business recorded sales of 20.6 M€, down 8.8%, as the introduction of RIG helmets in the USA generated very high sales during the lockdown in the first quarter of 2020/21. Sales of other accessory ranges rose by 19%, thanks in particular to the very good performance of both PlayStation®4 controllers and Pro Compact controllers for Xbox®. Outlook: confirmation of 2021/22 and 2022/23 targets In Q2 2021/22, Nacon will release the RIMS Racing and WRC®10 games as well as the Revolution X Pro controller for Xbox®. Sales are expected to grow in the second half of FY 2021/22. It should be supported by more game releases including Blood Bowl 3®, Rugby22®, Train Life, Hotel Life, Rogue Lords and Vampire: The Masquerade®- Swansong, a cult role-playing game with 30 million players worldwide. The Accessories business is expected to benefit from a year on year higher order book. Nacon confirms its 2021/22 targets with sales between 180 M€ and 200 M€ and a Current Operating Income (COI)* rate of 20%.
The Masquerade®- Swansong, a cult role-playing game with 30 million players worldwide. The Accessories business is expected to benefit from a year on year higher order book. Nacon confirms its 2021/22 targets with sales between 180 M€ and 200 M€ and a Current Operating Income (COI)* rate of 20%. Given the launch in FY 2022/23 of 4 major games (Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, Steelrising™, The Lord of the Rings™: Gollum™ and Session™), Nacon is confident that it will achieve its targets for its next financial year 2022/23, i.e. sales between 230 M€ and 260 M€ and a Current Operating Income (COI)* rate in excess of 20%.
* COI rate = Current Operating Income to sales = Current Operating Margin Upcoming events: Annual General Meeting: Friday 30 July 2021 Q2 2021/22 sales: 25 October 2021, Press release after close of the Paris stock exchange ABOUT NACON 2020 -21 ANNUAL SALES NACON is a company of the BIGBEN Group founded in 2019 to optimize its know-how through strong 177.8 M€ synergies in the video game market. By bringing together its 11 development studios, the publishing of AA video games, the design and distribution of premium gaming devices, NACON focuses 30 years of expertise at the service of players. This new unified business unit strengthens NACON's position in the market, enables HEADCOUNT it to innovate by creating new unique competitive advantages. Over 600 employees Company listed on Euronext Paris, compartment B INTERNATIONAL ISIN : FR0013482791 ; Reuters : NACON.PA ; Bloomberg : NACON:FP 16 subsidiaries and a distribution network across 100 countries PRESS CONTACT https://corporate.nacongaming.com/ Cap Value – Gilles Broquelet [email protected] - +33 1 80 81 50 01
Nacon reported consolidated sales of 72.8 million euros for the first half of the 2021/22 fiscal year, representing a 15.9% decline compared to the same period in the previous year. This performance was primarily attributed to a high basis of comparison from the prior year, which had been significantly bolstered by pandemic-related lockdowns, and substantial logistical disruptions. Global supply chain issues, particularly affecting sea and land transport between Asia and North America, led to the postponement of several accessory deliveries originally scheduled for the second quarter. The games segment generated 27.1 million euros in the first half, down 17.5% year-over-year, despite positive critical and commercial receptions for titles such as WRC 10 and Rogue Lords. The back catalogue remained resilient, contributing stable revenue even as editorial activity fluctuated. The accessories division saw a 15.1% decline to 43.7 million euros, with strong inventory management in Europe partially offsetting the logistical delays experienced in the American market. Despite the first-half contraction, the outlook remains positive for the remainder of the fiscal year. Growth is expected to accelerate in the second half driven by a robust release schedule including Blood Bowl 3 and Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong, alongside new hardware launches like the Revolution X Pro controller for Xbox. Consequently, the company confirmed its full-year targets of 180 to 200 million euros in sales with a 20% current operating margin. Looking further ahead to the 2022/23 fiscal year, the company anticipates sales between 230 and 260 million euros, supported by major upcoming releases and a continued strategy of studio acquisitions to expand its intellectual property portfolio.
Nacon achieved significant revenue growth during the first quarter of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, reporting sales of 42.4 million euros. This represents a 25.8% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, driven primarily by a surge in the video game publishing segment. While the company experienced a contraction in its hardware division, the overall financial performance remains aligned with long-term strategic goals, leading to the confirmation of full-year targets including sales exceeding 250 million euros and current operating income surpassing 50 million euros. The video game segment served as the primary growth engine, with sales rising 126.2% to 27.6 million euros. This performance was bolstered by successful new releases such as Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong and annual sports franchises, alongside a 38.7% increase in back-catalogue revenue. The integration of Daedalic Entertainment and expanded platform distribution deals significantly enhanced the value of older titles. Conversely, the accessories division saw a 31.8% decline in sales to 14.0 million euros. This downturn is attributed to a high year-over-year comparison base, ongoing global console shortages, and inventory adjustments within retail distribution networks, though the company noted market share gains in the United States headset market. Looking ahead to the remainder of the fiscal year, the outlook remains positive despite the rescheduling of high-profile titles like The Lord of the Rings: Gollum to the second half of the year. The upcoming pipeline includes several key releases intended to maintain momentum. Headquartered in France and operating globally with over 900 employees, Nacon continues to leverage synergies between its 16 development studios and its premium peripheral business to solidify its position in the AA gaming market.
Nacon’s financial performance for the 2021/22 fiscal year reflects a strategic transition period characterized by a deliberate shift in release schedules and external expansion. Total annual sales reached €155.9 million, representing a 12.3% decline compared to the previous year. This downturn was primarily driven by the publishing segment, where revenue fell 21.2% to €54.4 million. The fourth quarter was particularly impacted by the postponement of major titles, such as Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong, resulting in a 25.6% quarterly revenue drop. Despite these delays, the back-catalogue business remained resilient, growing 12.7% during the final quarter. The accessories division, which remains the company's largest revenue contributor at €96.6 million, saw a modest 6.3% decline over the full year. This segment faced significant headwinds, including global console shortages and a challenging geopolitical and economic environment. Consequently, current operating income for the fiscal year is projected to fall between €17 million and €19 million, reflecting the lower-than-anticipated sales volume in the final quarter. Looking forward to the 2022/23 fiscal year, the outlook remains highly optimistic with a projected sales target between €250 million and €300 million. This anticipated growth is supported by a robust pipeline of upcoming releases and the integration of newly acquired entities, including Midgar Studio and Daedalic Entertainment. Management expects a sharp acceleration in business activity and aims for a current operating margin exceeding 20%. The company continues to pursue an external growth strategy to bolster its internal development capabilities and solidify its position in the AA video game publishing and premium gaming device markets.
Nacon achieved a significant 24.5% increase in sales during the first quarter of the 2020/21 fiscal year, reaching €38.0 million compared to €30.5 million in the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a surge in the accessories segment and the acceleration of digital game sales, effectively offsetting a decline in new game revenue caused by a high comparison basis from the prior year. The reporting period covers April 1 to June 30, 2020, a timeframe characterized by global lockdown measures that influenced consumer behavior toward digital entertainment. The accessories division emerged as a primary growth engine, with sales rising 134.9% to €22.5 million. This performance was bolstered by the acquisition of the RIG premium headset brand and the establishment of a United States subsidiary, allowing the company to capitalize on a thriving market for controllers and audio equipment. Conversely, game sales fell 27.4% to €14.5 million due to fewer major releases; however, back-catalogue sales surged by 340% to €10.8 million. Digital distribution became the dominant channel for software, accounting for 80.7% of total game turnover during the quarter. Looking forward, the company maintains its financial targets for the full 2020/21 fiscal year, projecting sales between €140 million and €150 million with an 18% current operating income rate. Growth is expected to continue through the release of titles such as WRC 9 and Tennis World Tour 2, alongside a new partnership with Microsoft for next-generation console controllers. Long-term strategic goals for the 2022/23 fiscal year remain fixed at sales between €180 million and €200 million, supported by a global distribution network spanning 100 countries and a workforce of approximately 510 employees.