For Spectrum HoloByte, Less Is More

Spectrum HoloByte released its numbers for the fiscal year and quarter that ended March 31. The company said that fourth quarter net revenues rose 54 percent over the same period last year to US$23.9 million, while net income came to $1.1 million. In the fourth quarter of last year Spectrum HoloByte reported an $8.9 million loss. For the year, the company's net revenues rose 68 percent to $100.3 million, with a net income of $8 million. This compares to a net loss of $39.8 million from last year's figures.

The company attributes its numbers in part to a focus on quality, rather than quantity - Spectrum HoloByte scaled down the number of product launches in 1996 to seven, with each game selling an average of 350,000 units and generating a total of $10.5 million in revenue. In contrast, it launched 18 in 1995, with each title selling an average of 72,000 units. These figures got an assist by high sales of Sid Meier's Civilization II and the launch of Magic: The Gathering earlier this year.

In the near future, the company will launch Star Trek Generations, X-COM Apocalypse, 7th Legion (from Epic MegaGames), and international versions of Magic: The Gathering. And currently under development is Falcon 4, MechWarrior III, MechCommander, 1943 Air Wars, Agents of Justice, Star Trek First Contact, Starship Troopers, and M-1 Tank Platoon. Expansion packs for Magic and updated Civilization products are also in the works.