Gameloft (EPA:GFT) has reported a 14 percent jump in sales in Q1 2012, the three months ending 31 March 2012. 

Total revenue was €44.8 million (around $60 million)

That compares to the €39.5 million the publisher amassed during the same period in 2011, which itself represented a 20 percent year-on-year rise.

In keeping with French accouting rules, Gameloft won't release its profit figures until later in the month. 

Region by region

Breaking down those figures, Gameloft claims 40 percent of its revenue in Q1 2012 was generated by sales of its games on smartphones and tablets, up 59 percent year-on-year.

North America accounted for 30 percent of sales, with revenue from EMEA markets – Europe and the Middle East – making up 25 percent.

Sales in the Asia Pacific region and Latin American combined generated 44 percent of revenue across the quarter.

In-app entertainment

"The rapid growth enjoyed by Gameloft's smartphone activity is also related to the success of the freemium and paymium models put in place twelve months ago," the firm said in a statement.

"Gameloft's number of monthly active users currently stands at 45 million and more than half of Gameloft's smartphone revenues now derive from in-app purchases and advertising revenues."

Gameloft has previously made its intention to equip all its smartphone releases with in-app purchases public, though its strategy to date has met with some criticism from commentators.

Nonetheless, it's an approach Gameloft claims is paying off.

"The huge growth of smartphone and tablet shipments around the world should continue sustaining Gameloft's growth in the coming quarters," the publisher continued.

"In addition, the landmark success enjoyed by recently launched games such as Ice Age Village and Shark Dash and the acceleration of product launches should allow sales growth to increase significantly in the second quarter of 2012."

[source: PR Newswire]