Activision Blizzard Inc. late Thursday reported better-than-expected first quarter profit due to strong sales of its latest games in the “Call of Duty” and “World of Warcraft” series.

After the markets closed, the Santa Monica video game developer reported net income of $381 million (30 cents per share) compared with $189 million (14 cents) a year earlier. Revenue jumped 33 percent to $1.31 billion.

Adjusted earnings, which take into account deferred revenue for online game subscriptions and one-time items, were 9 cents per share, with adjusted revenue down 1 percent to $714 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected adjusted per-share profit of 4 cents on revenue $570 million.

“Our high-quality brands, industry leading operational capabilities and solid balance sheet should enable us to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by the expanding interactive entertainment market and allow us to deliver continued superior returns to our shareholders,” said Chief Executive Bobby Kotick in a statement.

The company raised its guidance last month and said then that some of the first quarter’s operating costs got pushed into the second. That helped boost first quarter results, but will likely put a dent in the second quarter earnings.

Shares were up 16 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $10.65 in Friday midday trading the Nasdaq.