Activision Blizzard has announced “better-than-expected financial results” for the first quarter of 2009 ended March 31, leading the company to raise its full-year outlook.

The publisher's operating income for the quarter hit $179 million, while net revenue totalled $981 million, significantly higher than its prior outlook of $860 million.

North America accounted for 53 percent of revenue, Europe 40 percent and Asia Pacific seven percent. World of Warcraft and other PC titles generated 37 percent of total revenue, ahead of Xbox 360’s 20 percent, Wii’s 14 percent and PS3’s 13 percent.

The company said it was the number one third-party console and handheld publisher in North America and the number one third-party publisher for the Nintendo Wii worldwide during the quarter.

"Our better-than-expected first quarter results were driven by strong global consumer response to the Call of Duty and Guitar Hero franchises and Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraf, despite challenging economic times,” said Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard.

During the quarter Call of Duty and Guitar Hero remained two of the top-five bestselling franchises in the US and Europe, while the publisher had two of the top-five bestselling titles across all platforms in the US and Europe.

Guitar Hero World Tour was the number one bestselling third-party title in the US across all platforms in dollars, while World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King generated more cash than any other PC title in the States.

"During the remainder of the year, we plan to release our strongest videogame slate, based on some of the industry's most profitable franchises. We are raising our calendar year 2009 financial outlook. Additionally, we expect to deliver record calendar year non-GAAP operating margins of 25 percent," added Kotick.

For calendar 2009, Activision Blizzard raised its revenue forecast to $4.3 billion and forecast earnings per diluted share of $0.24.