Activision has reported significant sales and profit increases for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Net income leapt from $28 million to $195 million on revenues of $1.04 billion, which were up from $352 million during the same period a year earlier.

"Since our merger one year ago, we have delivered better-than-expected financial performance for four consecutive quarters,” noted Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick, who said the company’s second quarter performance was driven by Prototype, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the Guitar Hero and Call Of Duty franchises, as well World Of Warcraft.

“During a challenging economic climate, Activision Blizzard grew its quarterly North American and European market share 2.8 points across all platforms to 12.7 per cent from 9.9 per cent for the previous year,” he added. Citing NPD Group, Chart-Track and Gfk data, Kotick said that Activision Blizzard was the number one North American third-party console and handheld publisher during the quarter.

While Kotick claimed that the company was preparing to release its “strongest videogame slate” this fall, including Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero and Tony Hawk: Ride, the company delayed the release of StarCraft II until next year. It also recently pushed Singularity’s launch into 2010.

Due to the delays, the publisher adjusted its revenue outlook for calendar 2009 down from $4.3 billion to $4.05 billion.