Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) has posted better than expected results in the third quarter of FY 17  and profit and raised its full-year forecasts, due to the popularity of its sci-fi first-person shooter game “Destiny 2”. The analysts had projected a mixed third quarter for Activision Blizzard, as the game maker behind “Candy Crush” and “Call of Duty” seeks to stake its claim in the burgeoning esports industry. According to research firm NPD Group, the console version of “Destiny”, which was released on Sept. 6, was recognized as the best-selling console game of 2017 in the United States to date, with less than one month of sales.

Activision Blizzard has reported the adjusted earnings per share of 60 cents in the third quarter of FY 17, beating the analysts’ estimates for the adjusted earnings per share of 49 cents according to Thomson Reuters consensus estimates. The company had reported the adjusted revenue of $1.90 billion in the third quarter of FY 17, beating the analysts’ estimates for revenue of $1.74 billion. Further, Activision has posted the revenue of $759 million compared to $690 million expected according to StreetAccount. Blizzard has posted the revenue of $531 million compared to $508 million expected according to StreetAccount. King has posted the revenue of $528 million compared to $483 million expected according to StreetAccount.

For the fourth quarter, the company expects the adjusted revenue of $2.34 billion and profit of 82 cents per share. The forecast was below analysts’ average estimates of $2.43 billion and 89 cents, according to Thomson Reuters. The rival Electronic Arts Inc also forecast revenue for the holiday quarter below estimates.

Moreover, Activision Blizzard, that has released the PC version of its smash hit “Destiny 2”, on Oct. 24, is also slated to launch “Call of Duty: WWII” during the holiday season. These titles are set to compete with EA’s “Star Wars Battlefront II” and “Need for Speed” for gamer dollars during the quarter.

Additionally, Activision Blizzard had 384 million Monthly Active Users (MAUs) in the quarter. Activision had the biggest third-quarter online player community in its history, with a record 49 million MAUs.

Activision Blizzard has raised its full-year adjusted profit projection to $2.16 per share from $2 per share and its adjusted revenue forecast to $6.85 billion from $6.58 billion. Activision Blizzard had previously projected adjusted full-year earnings of $1.94 on $6.40 billion in revenue.

Activision Blizzard stock has risen 51.08% in a year (source: Google Finance)