UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark one)

x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007

 

OR

 

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission File Number 0-12699

 

ACTIVISION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-4803544

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

 

 

3100 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA

 

90405

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (310) 255-2000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

 

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Common Stock, par value $.000001 per share

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act. Yes o No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer x

Accelerated Filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o   No x

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant on September 30, 2006 was $3,404,053,450.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of June 7, 2007 was 283,310,734.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, with respect to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

 

 



 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

 

 

PART I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

PART III.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

PART IV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

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PART I

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, or incorporates by reference, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow projections or other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those relating to product releases; (3) statements of future economic performance; and (4) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. We generally use words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “future”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “positioned”, “potential”, “project”, “scheduled”, “set to”, “subject to”, “upcoming” and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors”, included in Part I. Item 1A. All references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “Activision” or “the Company” in the following discussion and analysis mean Activision, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Item 1.          BUSINESS

 

(a)                                  General

 

Activision, Inc. (“Activision,” the “Company,” or “we”) is a leading international publisher of interactive entertainment software and peripheral products. We have built a company with a diverse portfolio of products that spans a wide range of categories and target markets and that is used on a variety of game hardware platforms and operating systems. We have created, licensed, and acquired a group of highly recognizable brands, which we market to a variety of consumer demographics. Our fiscal 2007 product portfolio included such best-selling products as Call of Duty 3, Guitar Hero II, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam,  Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Over the Hedge, and X-Men: The Official Game.

 

Our products cover diverse game categories including action/adventure, action sports, racing, role-playing, simulation, first-person action, music-based gaming, and strategy. Our target customer base ranges from casual players to game enthusiasts, children to adults, and mass-market consumers to “value” buyers. We currently offer our products primarily in versions that operate on the Sony PlayStation 2 (“PS2”), Sony PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), Nintendo Wii (“Wii), and Microsoft Xbox 360 (“Xbox360”) console systems, Nintendo Game Boy Advance (“GBA”), Sony PlayStation Portable (“PSP”), and Nintendo Dual Screen (“NDS”) hand-held devices, and the personal computer (“PC”). The installed base for the current generation of hardware platforms is significant and the fiscal 2006 release of the Xbox360 and the fiscal 2007 releases of the PS3 and the Wii will further expand the software market. We had a successful and significant presence at the launches of the PS3 and the Wii with three launch titles for the PS3, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8, and five launch titles for the Wii, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, Rapala Tournament Fishing, and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam. Our plan is to continue to build on our significant launch presence on the PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 (“the next-generation platforms”) by continuing to expand the number of titles released on the next generation platforms while continuing to market to current-generation platforms as long as economically attractive given their large installed base.

 

Our publishing business involves the development, marketing, and sale of products directly, by license, or through our affiliate label program with certain third-party publishers. Our distribution business consists of operations in Europe that provide logistical and sales services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

 

We were originally incorporated in California in 1979. In December 1992, we reincorporated in Delaware. In June 2000, we reorganized into the current holding company organizational structure.

 

In April 2003, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The split was paid on June 6, 2003 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2003. In February 2004, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The split was paid on March 15, 2004 to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2004. In February 2005, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend. The split was paid March 22, 2005 to shareholders

 

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of record as of March 7, 2005. In September 2005, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend. The split was paid October 24, 2005 to shareholders of record as of October 10, 2005. The par value of our common stock was maintained at the pre-split amount of $.000001. All share and per share data have been restated as if the stock splits had occurred as of the earliest period presented.

 

(b)                                Business Combinations

 

We have completed a number of acquisitions of both software development companies and interactive entertainment product distribution companies. In fiscal 2007, we acquired video game publisher RedOctane Inc., the publisher of the popular Guitar Hero franchise. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the accounting treatment of these and prior acquisitions.

 

(c)                                 Financial Information About Industry Segments

 

We have two reportable segments: publishing and distribution. Publishing relates to the development (both internally and externally), marketing and sale of DVD, CD, UMD, online, and cartridge-based interactive entertainment software and peripheral products owned or controlled by us directly, by license, or through our affiliate label program with certain third-party publishers. Distribution primarily refers to logistical and sales services provided by our European distribution subsidiaries to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain financial information regarding reporting segment and geographic areas required by Item 1.

 

(d)                                Narrative Description of Business

 

Our objective is to be a worldwide leader in the development, publishing, and distribution of quality interactive entertainment software and peripheral products that deliver a highly satisfying consumer entertainment experience. Our business strategy, the key components of our business operations, and the risk factors that could impact our business are detailed below.

 

Strategy

 

Create, Acquire, and Maintain Strong Brands. We focus development and publishing activities principally on products that are, or have the potential to become, franchise properties with sustainable consumer appeal and brand recognition. It is our experience that these products can then serve as the basis for sequels, prequels, and related new products that can be released over an extended period of time. We believe that the publishing and distribution of products based in large part on franchise properties enhances predictability of revenues and the probability of high unit volume sales and operating profits. We have entered into a series of strategic relationships with the owners of intellectual property pursuant to which we have acquired the rights to publish products based on franchises such as Marvel Characters, Inc. properties, including Spider-Man and X-Men. We have a multi-year, multi-property, publishing agreement with DreamWorks Animation LLC that grants us the exclusive rights to publish video games based on DreamWorks Animation SKG’s theatrical release “Shrek 2,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, “Shark Tale,” which was released in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, “Madagascar,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, “Over the Hedge,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, and all of their respective forthcoming sequels, including “Shrek the Third,” which was released in May 2007, and “Madagascar 2.”  As part of our agreement with DreamWorks Animation, we have the exclusive video game rights to potential future films in the “Shrek” franchise beyond “Shrek the Third,” upcoming movies, including “Bee Movie” and “Kung Fu Panda,” as well as other films currently in development, including “Creature Feature” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”  We have a strategic alliance with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. that grants us the exclusive, worldwide interactive rights to develop and publish “World Series of Poker” video games based on the popular World Series of Poker Tournament. We also have a strategic relationship with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk through an exclusive multi-year agreement to develop video games using his name and likeness. Through fiscal 2007, we have released eight successful titles in the Tony Hawk franchise. We also have created a number of successful internally developed intellectual properties such as the True Crime and Call of Duty franchise properties, and GUN. We also have agreements with MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. to develop and publish video games based on the James Bond license and with Hasbro Properties Group (“Hasbro”) to develop and publish video games based on the “Transformers” brand. We plan on releasing our first title under the Hasbro license, Transformers the Game,

 

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concurrently with the DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Corporation motion picture release, “Transformers,” in July 2007.

 

Execute Disciplined Product Selection and Development Processes. The success of our publishing business depends, in significant part, on our ability to develop high quality games that will generate high unit volume sales. Our publishing units have implemented a formal control process for the selection, development, production, and quality assurance of our products. We apply this process, which we refer to as the “Greenlight Process,” to all of our products, whether externally or internally developed. The Greenlight Process includes in-depth reviews of each project at four important stages of development by a team that includes many of our highest-ranking operating managers and coordination between our sales and marketing personnel and development staff at each step in the process.

 

We develop our products using a combination of our internal development resources and external development resources acting under contract with us. We typically select our external developers based on their track record and expertise in producing products in the same category. One developer will often produce the same game for multiple platforms and will produce sequels to the original game. We believe that selecting and using development resources in this manner allows us to leverage the particular expertise of our internal and external development resources, which we believe adds to the quality of our products.

 

Create and Maintain Diversity in Product Mix, Platforms, and Markets. We believe that maintaining a diversified mix of products can reduce our operating risks and enhance profitability. Therefore, we develop and publish products spanning a wide range of product categories, including action/adventure, action sports, racing, role-playing, simulation, first-person action, music-based gaming, and strategy. We also develop products designed for target audiences ranging from casual players to game enthusiasts, children to adults, and mass-market consumers to “value” buyers. Presently, we concentrate on developing, publishing, and distributing products that operate on PS2,  PS3, Xbox360, and Wii console systems, GBA, PSP, and NDS hand-held devices, and the PC. We typically offer our products for use on multiple platforms in order to reduce the risks associated with any single platform, leverage our costs over a larger installed hardware base, and increase unit sales.

 

Continue to Improve Profitability. We continually strive to manage risk and increase our operating leverage and efficiency with the goal of increased profitability. We believe the key factor affecting our future profitability will be the success rate of our product releases. Therefore, our product selection and development process includes, as a significant component, periodic evaluations of the expected commercial success of products under development. Through this process, for titles that we determine to be less promising, corrections are made in the development process or, if necessary, they are discontinued before we incur additional development costs. In addition, we believe our focus on cross platform releases and branded products will contribute to improved profitability.

 

We continue to focus on increasing our margins. We have, for example, acquired certain experienced and specialized developers in instances where we can enhance profitability through the elimination of royalty obligations. Additionally, we often rely on independent third-party interactive entertainment software developers to develop some of our software products, thereby taking advantage of specialized independent developers without incurring the fixed overhead obligations associated with increased internally employed staff.

 

Our sales and marketing staff work with our studio resources to increase the visibility of new product launches and to coordinate the timing and promotion of product releases. Our finance and sales and marketing personnel work together to improve inventory management and receivables collections. We have instituted broad, objective-based reward programs that provide incentives to management and staff throughout the organization to produce results that meet our financial objectives.

 

Grow Through Continued Strategic Acquisitions and Alliances. The interactive entertainment industry has been consolidating, and we believe that success in this industry will be driven in part by the ability to take advantage of scale. Specifically, smaller companies are more capital constrained, enjoy less predictability of revenues and cash flow, lack product diversity and must spread fixed costs over a smaller revenue base. Several industry leaders are emerging that combine the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of the industry with professional management, the ability to access the capital markets, and the ability to maintain favorable relationships with developers, intellectual property owners, and retailers. Through numerous completed acquisitions since 1997, we believe that we have successfully diversified our operations, our channels of distribution, our development talent pool, and our library of titles, and have emerged as one of the industry’s leaders. We intend to continue to evaluate the expansion of our resources through acquisitions, strategic relationships, and key license transactions. We intend to continue expanding

 

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our intellectual property library through key license transactions and strategic relationships with intellectual property owners and to continue to evaluate opportunities to increase our development capacity through the acquisition of or investment in selected experienced software development firms.

 

Products

 

Historically, we have been best known for our action/adventure, strategy, and simulation products. We have been successful in the superheroes and skateboarding categories with our release of titles based on the Spider-Man and X-Men properties, as well as the Tony Hawk franchise. We have also been successful in the first person action categories through the Call of Duty original intellectual property, which we plan on continuing as a successful long-term franchise. In fiscal 2007 we successfully entered the music-based gaming genre with the acquisition of the Guitar Hero franchise. This franchise combines interactive software with a hardware peripheral in the form of a guitar and provides us with an early leadership position and long-term growth opportunity. We have established ourselves as a leader in the “value” software publishing business with products under our Cabela’s, Rapala, World Series of Poker, and Greg Hasting’s Paintball licenses, as well as with products distributed on behalf of our “value” affiliate label partners. Products published by us in this category are generally developed by third parties, often under contract with us, and are marketed under the Activision Value Publishing name. Value software is typically less sophisticated and less complex, both in terms of the development process and consumer gameplay.

 

Hardware Licenses. Our products currently are being developed or published primarily for PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 console systems; PSP and NDS hand-held devices; and PCs. In order to maintain general access to the console systems and hand-held devices marketplace, we have maintained licenses for PS2, PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 console systems and GBA, PSP, and NDS hand-held devices with the owners of each such platform. Each license allows us to create multiple products for the applicable platform, subject to certain approval rights which are reserved by each licensor. Each license also requires that we pay the licensor a per unit royalty for each unit manufactured. In contrast, we are not required to obtain any license for the development and production of products for PCs.

 

Intellectual Property Rights. Many of our current and planned releases are based on intellectual property, other character or story rights, and music rights licensed from third parties, as well as a combination of characters, worlds, and concepts derived from our extensive library of titles, and original characters and concepts owned and created by us. When publishing products based on licensed intellectual property rights, we generally seek to capitalize on the name recognition, marketing efforts, and goodwill associated with the underlying property. For intellectual property owned by Activision, we generally attempt to establish such properties as sustainable, long-term game franchises.

 

In acquiring intellectual property rights from third parties, we seek to obtain rights to publish titles across a variety of platforms, to include the ability to produce multiple titles and to retain rights over an extended period of time. In past years, we have been able to enter into a series of long-term or multi-product agreements with owners of various intellectual properties that are well known throughout the world and to create products based on these recognizable characters, story lines, or concepts. These agreements typically provide us with exclusive publishing rights for a specific period of time and, in some cases, for specified platforms and, in other cases, with renewal rights upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The scope of our licensing activities includes theatrical motion pictures, television shows, animated films and series, comic books, literary works, music, sports personalities and events, and celebrities. We intend to continue expanding relationships with our existing intellectual property partners and to enter into agreements with other intellectual property owners for additional recognizable properties, characters, story lines and concepts. However, we may not be able to maintain or expand our existing relationships or to seek out and sustain new long-term relationships of similar caliber in the future.

 

Product Development and Support

 

We develop and produce titles using a model in which a core group of creative, production, and technical professionals, in coordination with our marketing and finance departments, have responsibility for the entire development and production process including the supervision and coordination of internal and external resources. This team assembles the necessary creative elements to complete a title using, where appropriate, outside programmers, artists, animators, scriptwriters, musicians and songwriters, sound effects and special effects experts, and sound and video studios. We believe that this model allows us to supplement internal expertise with top quality external resources on an as-needed basis.

 

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In addition, we often seek out and engage independent third-party developers to create products on our behalf. Such products are sometimes owned by us, and usually we have unlimited rights to commercially exploit these products. In other circumstances, the third-party developer may retain ownership of the intellectual property and/or technology included in the product and reserve certain exploitation rights. We typically select these independent third-party developers based on their expertise in developing products in a specific category and use the same developer to produce the same game for multiple platforms. Each of our third-party developers is under contract with us for specific or multiple titles. From time to time, we also acquire the license rights to publish and/or distribute software products that are or will be independently created by third-party developers. In such cases, the agreements with such developers provide us with exclusive publishing and/or distribution rights for a specific period of time, often for specified platforms and territories. In either case, we often have the ability to publish and/or distribute sequels, conversions, enhancements, and add-ons to the product initially being produced by the independent developer and frequently have the right to engage the services of the original developer with regard to the development of such products.

 

In consideration for the services that the independent third-party developer provides, it receives a royalty generally based on net sales of the product that it has developed. Typically, the developer also receives an advance, which we recoup from the royalties otherwise payable to the developer. The advance generally is paid in “milestone” stages. The payment at each stage is tied to the completion and delivery of a detailed performance milestone. Some contracts include minimum guaranteed royalty payments which are recorded as an asset when actually paid and as a liability when incurred, rather than recording the asset and liability upon execution of the contract. Working with an independent developer allows us to reduce our fixed development costs, share development risks with the third-party developer, take advantage of the third-party developer’s expertise in connection with certain categories of products or certain platforms, and gain access to proprietary development technologies.

 

From time to time, we may make a capital investment and hold a minority interest in a third-party developer in connection with interactive entertainment software products to be developed by such developer for us, which we believe helps to create a closer relationship between us and the developer. We account for those capital investments over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence using the equity method. For those investments over which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence, we account for our investment using the cost method. There can be no assurance that we will realize long-term benefits from such investments or that we will continue to carry such investments at their current value.

 

“Greenlight Process”

 

We have adopted and implemented a rigorous procedure for the selection, development, production, and quality assurance of our internally and externally produced interactive entertainment software titles. The process, known internally as the “Greenlight Process,” involves four phases throughout the development and production phases of a title, each of which includes a number of specific performance milestones. The four phases of the “Greenlight Process” are the concept, prototype, first playable, and alpha. This procedure is designed to enable us to manage and control production and development budgets and timetables, to identify and address production and technical issues at the earliest opportunity, and to coordinate marketing and quality control strategies throughout the production and development phases, all in an environment that fosters creativity. Checks and balances are intended to be provided through the structured interaction of the project team with our creative, technical, marketing, and quality assurance/customer support personnel, as well as our legal, accounting, and finance departments. In order to maintain the competitiveness of our products and to take advantage of increasingly sophisticated technology associated with hardware platforms, our development process includes a significant amount of time for play-testing new products, and extensive product quality evaluations.

 

Product Support

 

We provide various forms of product support to both our internally and externally developed titles. Our quality assurance personnel are involved throughout the development and production of each title published by us. We subject all such products to extensive testing before release to ensure compatibility with all appropriate hardware systems and configurations and to minimize the number of bugs and other defects found in the products. To support our products after release, we provide online access to our customers on a 24-hour basis as well as telephone operator help lines during regular business hours. The customer support group tracks customer inquiries and we use this data to help improve the development and production processes.

 

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Publishing Activities

 

Marketing

 

Our marketing efforts include online activities (such as the creation of World Wide Web pages to promote specific titles), public relations, print and broadcast advertising, coordinated in-store and industry promotions (including merchandising and point of purchase displays), participation in cooperative advertising programs, direct response vehicles, and product sampling through demonstration software distributed through the Internet or on compact discs. From time to time, we also receive marketing support from hardware manufacturers and retailers in connection with their own promotional efforts. In addition, certain of our products contain software that enables customers to “electronically register” their purchases with us online.

 

We believe that certain of our franchise properties have loyal and devoted audiences who purchase our sequels as a result of dedication to the property and satisfaction from previous product purchases. We therefore market these sequels both toward the established market as well as broader audiences. In addition, in marketing titles based on licensed properties, we believe that we derive benefits from the continued exploitation of these licensed properties and the marketing and promotional activities of the property owners.

 

Sales and Distribution

 

North America. Our products are available for sale or rental in thousands of retail outlets domestically. Our North American customers include Best Buy, Blockbuster, Circuit City, GameStop, Target, Toys “R” Us, and Wal-Mart. Our largest customers, Wal-Mart and GameStop, accounted for approximately 22% and 8%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, our largest customers, Wal-Mart and GameStop, accounted for 22% and 10%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues.

 

In the United States and Canada, our products are sold primarily on a direct basis to mass-market retailers, consumer electronics stores, discount warehouses, and game specialty stores. We believe that a direct relationship with retail accounts results in more effective inventory management, merchandising, and communications than would be possible through indirect relationships. We have implemented electronic data interchange linkages with many of our retailers to facilitate the placing and shipping of orders. We sell our products to a limited number of distributors.

 

International. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis, through third-party distribution and licensing arrangements, and through our wholly-owned European distribution subsidiaries. We conduct our international publishing activities through offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. Whenever practicable, we seek to maximize our worldwide revenues and profits by releasing high quality foreign language releases concurrently with English language releases and by continuing to expand the number of direct selling relationships we maintain with key retailers in major territories.

 

Affiliate Labels. In addition to our own products, we distribute a select number of interactive entertainment products that are developed and marketed by other third-party publishers through our “affiliate label” programs in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. The distribution of other publishers’ products allows us to increase the efficiencies of our sales force and provides us with the ability to better ensure adequate shelf presence at retail stores for all of the products that we distribute. Distributing other publishers’ titles mitigates the risk associated with a particular title or titles published by us failing to achieve expectations. Services provided by us under our affiliate label program include order solicitation, in-store marketing, logistics and order fulfillment, sales channel management, as well as other accounting and general administrative functions. Our current affiliate label partners include LucasArts, as well as several affiliate label partners in our “value” business. Each affiliate label relationship is unique and may pertain only to distribution in certain geographic territories such as the North America, Europe, or the Asia Pacific region and may be further limited only to specific titles or titles for specific platforms.

 

See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain financial information regarding reporting segments and geographic areas required by Item 1.

 

Distribution

 

We distribute interactive entertainment hardware and software products in Europe through our European distribution subsidiaries: Centresoft in the United Kingdom; NBG in Germany; and CD Contact in the Benelux

 

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countries. These subsidiaries act as wholesalers in the distribution of products and also provide packaging and logistical and sales services. They provide services to our publishing operations and to various third-party publishers, including Sony Computer Entertainment (“Sony”), Nintendo Co. Ltd. (“Nintendo”), and Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”). Centresoft is Sony’s exclusive distributor of PlayStation products to the independent channel in the United Kingdom. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, sales for Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft accounted for approximately 22%, 6%, and 2%, respectively, of our worldwide distribution net revenues.

 

We entered into the distribution business to obtain distribution capacity in Europe for our own products, while supporting the distribution infrastructure with third-party sales, and to diversify our operations into the European market. Centresoft and our other distribution subsidiaries operate in accordance with strict confidentiality procedures in order to provide independent services to various third-party publishers.

 

Emerging Technologies

 

We are actively supporting emerging platforms (wireless devices, digital downloads, closed and open online networks, and interactive television) by publishing and licensing key brands for these emerging platforms. We have published and licensed rights to various brands, such as Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, GUN, Activision Anthology, and Call of Duty 3 for various hand-held wireless devices. We also develop and optimize many of our titles for consoles that support online play, such as PS2, Xbox Live on the Xbox360, and the Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii consoles. We believe that more of our brands can be successfully published for wireless and online platforms, as well as exploited through other emerging technologies, as they continue to evolve.

 

In addition, we derive revenue from in-game advertising consisting primarily of fixed product placement. We are developing and expanding on dynamic ad serving technology and will continue to focus on attracting third parties to advertise in our video games.

 

Manufacturing

 

We prepare a set of master program copies, documentation, and packaging materials for our products for each hardware platform on which the product will be released. Except with respect to products for use on the Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft systems, our disk duplication, packaging, printing, manufacturing, warehousing, assembly, and shipping are performed by third-party subcontractors.

 

To maintain protection over their hardware technologies, Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft generally specify or control the manufacturing and assembly of finished products. We deliver the master materials to the licensor or its approved replicator, which then manufactures finished goods and delivers them to us for distribution under our label. At the time our product unit orders are filled by the manufacturer, we become responsible for the costs of manufacturing and the applicable per unit royalty on such units, even if the units do not ultimately sell.

 

To date, we have not experienced any material difficulties or delays in the manufacture and assembly of our products or material returns due to product defects.

 

Competition

 

The interactive entertainment software industry is intensely competitive and new interactive entertainment software products and platforms are regularly introduced. Our competitors vary in size from small companies with limited resources to very large corporations with significantly greater financial, marketing, and product development resources than we have. Due to their greater resources, certain of our competitors can spend more money and time on developing and testing products, undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, pay higher fees to licensors for desirable motion picture, television, sports and character properties, and pay more to third-party software developers than we can. In addition, competitors with larger product lines and popular titles typically have greater leverage with retailers, distributors, and other customers who may be willing to promote titles with less consumer appeal in return for access to such competitor’s most popular titles. We believe that the main competitive factors in the interactive entertainment software industry include: product features and playability; brand name recognition; compatibility of products with popular platforms; access to distribution channels; quality of products; ease of use; price; marketing support; and quality of customer service.

 

We compete primarily with other publishers of personal computer and video game console interactive entertainment software. Significant third-party software competitors currently include, among others: Atari, Inc.;

 

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Capcom Co. Ltd.; Eidos PLC; Electronic Arts Inc.; Konami Company Ltd.; Midway Games Inc.; Namco Bandai Games Ltd.; Sega Enterprises, Ltd.; Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.; THQ Inc.; Ubisoft Entertainment; Vivendi Games Publishing; and the Walt Disney Company. In addition, integrated video game console hardware and software companies such as Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft compete directly with us in the development of software titles for their respective platforms.

 

Employees

 

As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately 2,125 employees, including approximately 1,300 in product development, 200 in North American publishing, 175 in international publishing, 150 in operations, corporate finance and administration, and 300 in European distribution activities.

 

As of March 31, 2007, approximately 340 of our full-time employees were subject to term employment agreements with us. These agreements generally commit such employees to employment terms of between one and five years from the commencement of their respective agreements. Most of the employees subject to such agreements are executive officers or key members of the product development, sales, or marketing divisions. These individuals perform services for us as executives, directors, producers, associate producers, computer programmers, game designers, sales directors, and marketing product managers. The execution by us of employment agreements with such employees, in our experience, reduces our turnover during the development, production, and distribution phases of our entertainment software products and allows us to plan more effectively for future development and marketing activities.

 

None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement except for the employees of our German distribution subsidiary who are allowed by German law to belong to an organized labor council. To date, we have not experienced any labor-related work stoppages.

 

Financial Information about Foreign Geographic Areas

 

See Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

 

Available Information

 

Our website is located at http://www.activision.com. Furthermore, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through our website. The information found on our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this or any other report that we file with or furnish to the SEC.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, which may affect our future financial performance. If any of the events or circumstances described below occurs, our business and financial performance could be harmed, our actual results could differ materially from our expectations, and the market value of our securities could decline. The risks discussed below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks exist that we do not currently believe to be material, and there may also be other risks that are not currently known to us, that may also harm our business and adversely affect our future financial performance and the market value of our stock.

 

Risks Factors Relating to the Interactive Entertainment Software Industry and Our Business

 

We depend on a relatively small number of brands for a significant portion of our revenues and profits.

 

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from products based on a relatively small number of popular brands each year, and these products are responsible for a disproportionate amount of our profits. In addition, many of these products have substantial production or acquisition costs and marketing budgets. In fiscal 2007, 39% of our consolidated net revenues (and 52% of our worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which

 

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accounted for 17%, 13%, and 9% of consolidated net revenues, respectively (and 23%, 18%, and 11% of worldwide publishing net revenues, respectively). In fiscal 2006, 30% of our consolidated net revenues (and 38% of our worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 14%, 8%, and 8% of consolidated net revenues, respectively (and 18%, 10%, and 10% of our worldwide publishing net revenues, respectively ). In fiscal 2005, 37% of our consolidated net revenues (and 48% of our worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 16%, 11%, and 10% of consolidated net revenues, respectively (and 21%, 14%, and 13% of our worldwide publishing net revenues, respectively). We expect that a limited number of popular brands will continue to produce a disproportionately large amount of our revenues and profits. Due to this dependence on a limited number of brands, the failure to achieve anticipated results by one or more products based on these brands may significantly harm our business and financial results.

 

Our future success depends on our ability to release popular products.

 

The life of any one game product is relatively short and generally involves a relatively high level of sales during the first few months after introduction followed by a rapid decline in sales. Because revenues associated with an initial product launch generally constitute a high percentage of the total revenues associated with the life of a product, delays in product releases or disruptions following the commercial release of one or more new products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cause our operating results to be materially different from expectations. It is therefore important for us to be able to continue to develop many high quality new products that are popularly received. We focus our development and publishing activities principally on products that are, or have the potential to become, franchise brand properties. If we are unable to do this, our business and financial results may be negatively affected.

 

Our business is “hit” driven. If we do not deliver “hit” titles, or if consumers prefer competing products, our sales could suffer.

 

While many new products are regularly introduced, only a relatively small number of “hit” titles account for a significant portion of net revenue. Competitors may develop titles that imitate or compete with our “hit” titles, and take sales away from us or reduce our ability to command premium prices for those titles. Hit products published by our competitors may take a larger share of consumer spending than we anticipate, which could cause our product sales to fall below our expectations. If our competitors develop more successful products or offer competitive products at lower price, or if we do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well received products, our revenue, margins, and profitability will decline.

 

If we are unable to maintain or acquire licenses to intellectual property, we may publish fewer “hit” titles and our revenue may decline.

 

Many of our products are based on intellectual property and other character or story rights acquired or licensed from third parties. These license and distribution agreements are limited in scope and time, and we may not be able to renew key licenses when they expire or to include new products in existing licenses. The loss of a significant number of our intellectual property licenses or of our relationships with licensors, or inability to obtain additional licenses of significant commercial value could have a material adverse effect on our ability to develop new products and therefore on our business and financial results. Additionally, the failure of intellectual property acquired by us to be popularly received could impact the market acceptance of our products in which the intellectual property is included. Such lack of market acceptance could result in the write-off of the unrecovered portion of acquired intellectual property assets, which could cause material harm to our business and financial results. Furthermore, the competition for these licenses and distribution agreements is often intense. Competition for these licenses may also drive up the advances, guarantees, and royalties that we must pay to the licensor, which could increase our costs.

 

Our business is highly dependent on the success, timely release and availability of new video game platforms, on the continued availability of existing video game platforms, as well as our ability to develop commercially successful products for these platforms.

 

We derive most of our revenue from the sale of products for play on video game platforms manufactured by third parties, such as Sony’s PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii and DS. The success of our business is driven in large part by the availability of an adequate supply of these video game platforms, our ability to accurately predict which platforms will be successful in the marketplace, and our ability to develop commercially successful products for these platforms. We must make product development decisions and commit significant resources well in advance of the anticipated introduction of a new platform. A new platform for which we

 

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are developing products may be delayed, may not succeed or may have a shorter life cycle than anticipated. Alternatively, a platform for which we have not devoted significant resources could be more successful than we had initially anticipated, causing us to miss out on a meaningful revenue opportunity. If the platforms for which we are developing products are not released when anticipated, are not available in adequate quantities to meet consumer demand, or do not attain wide market acceptance, our revenue will suffer, we may be unable to fully recover the investments we have made in developing our products, and our financial performance will be harmed.

 

Transitions in console platforms could have a material impact on the market for interactive entertainment software.

 

In fiscal 2006, Microsoft released Xbox and in fiscal 2007, Sony and Nintendo introduced their respective next-generation hardware platforms, the PlayStation 3 and Wii. When new console platforms are announced or introduced into the market, consumers typically reduce their purchases of game console entertainment software products for current console platforms in anticipation of new platforms becoming available. During these periods, sales of our game console entertainment software products may be expected to slow or even decline until new platforms are introduced and achieve wide consumer acceptance. This decline may not be offset by increased sales of products for the new console platforms. As console hardware moves through its life cycle, hardware manufacturers typically enact price reductions and decreasing prices may put downward pressure on our software prices. During platform transitions, we may simultaneously incur costs both in continuing to develop and market new titles for prior-generation video game platforms, which may not sell at premium prices, and also in developing products for next-generation platforms, which will not generate immediate or near-term revenue. As a result, our operating results during platform transitions may be more volatile and more difficult to predict than during other times, which may cause greater fluctuations in our stock price.

 

We must make significant expenditures to develop products for new platforms which may not be successful or released when anticipated.

 

We must make substantial product development and other investments in a particular platform well in advance of introduction of the platform and we may be required to realign our product portfolio and development efforts in response to market changes. Furthermore, development costs for new console platforms are greater than such costs for current console platforms. If increased costs are not offset by higher revenues and other cost efficiencies, our operating results will suffer and our financial position will be harmed. If the platforms for which we develop new software products or modify existing products are not released on a timely basis or do not attain significant market penetration, or if we develop products for a delayed or unsuccessful platform or cancel development of products in response to market changes, we may not be able to recover in revenues our development costs, which could be significant, and our business and financial results could be significantly harmed.

 

In addition, we seek to release many of our products in conjunction with specific events, such as the release of a related movie. If we miss these key selling periods due to product delays or delayed introduction of a new platform for which we have developed products, our sales will suffer disproportionately.

 

If the average price of prior-generation titles continues to decline or if we are unable to sustain launch pricing on next-generation titles, our operating results will suffer.

 

We have experienced a decrease in the average price of our titles for prior-generation platforms. As the interactive entertainment industry transitions to next-generation video game platforms, we expect there to be fewer prior-generation titles able to command premium prices, and we expect that even these titles will be subject to price reductions at an earlier point in their sales cycle than we have seen in prior years. We expect the average price of prior-generation titles to continue to decline, which may have a negative effect on our margins and operating results.

 

Our next-generation titles for the Xbox360, Sony’s PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii have been offered at premium retail prices since the launch of such consoles. We expect to continue to price next-generation titles at a premium level, but if we are unable to sustain launch pricing on these next-generation titles we may experience a negative effect on our margins and operating results.

 

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Our industry is highly competitive and our competition may succeed in narrowing our market share and reducing our sales.

 

We compete primarily with other publishers of personal computer and video game console interactive entertainment software and peripherals. Our competitors vary in size from small companies with limited resources to very large corporations with significantly greater financial, marketing, and product development resources than we have. In addition, integrated video game console hardware and software companies such as Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft compete directly with us in the development of software titles for their respective platforms. Certain of these competitors can spend more money and time on developing and testing products, undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, pay higher fees to licensors for desirable motion picture, television, sports, music and character properties, and pay more to third-party software developers than we can.

 

We also compete with other forms of entertainment and leisure activities. For example, we believe that the overall growth in the use of the Internet and online services by consumers may pose a competitive threat if customers and potential customers spend less of their available time using interactive entertainment software and more using the Internet and online services. A number of software publishers who compete with us have developed and commercialized or are currently developing online games for use by consumers over the Internet. Future increased consumer acceptance and increases in the availability of online games or technological advances in online game software or the Internet could result in a decline in platform-based software and negatively impact sales of our products. Direct sales of software over the Internet by competitors could materially adversely affect our distribution business.

 

Competition in our industry is intense and we expect new competitors to continue to emerge.

 

Our platform licensors are our chief competitors and frequently control the manufacturing of and have broad approval rights over our video game products.

 

Generally, when we develop interactive entertainment software products for hardware platforms offered by Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft, the products are manufactured exclusively by that hardware manufacturer or their approved replicator.

 

Our agreements with these manufacturers include certain provisions, such as approval rights over all software products and related hardware peripherals and promotional materials and the ability to change the fee they charge for the manufacturing of products, which allow them substantial influence over our costs and the release schedule of our products. In addition, since each of the manufacturers is also a publisher of games for its own hardware platforms and manufactures products for all of its other licensees, a manufacturer may give priority to its own products or those of our competitors in the event of insufficient manufacturing capacity. Accordingly, Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft could cause unanticipated delays in the release of our products as well as increases to our development, manufacturing, marketing, or distribution costs, which could materially harm our business and financial results.

 

In addition, our platform licensors control our ability to provide online game capabilities for our console platform products and in large part establish the financial terms on which these services are offered to consumers. Currently, Microsoft provides online capabilities for the Xbox360 and Sony provides online capabilities for PS2 and PS3 products. In each case, compatibility code and/or the consent of the licensor are required for us to include online capabilities in our products. As these capabilities become more significant, the failure or refusal of our licensors to approve our products may harm our business.

 

Our platform licensors set the royalty rates and other fees that we must pay to publish games for their platforms, and therefore have significant influence on our costs.

 

We pay a licensing fee to the hardware manufacturer for each copy of a product manufactured for that manufacturer’s game platform. In order to publish products for new hardware platforms, we must take a license from the platform licensor which gives the platform licensor the opportunity to set the fee structure that we must pay in order to publish games for that platform. Similarly, the platform licensors have retained the flexibility to change their fee structures for online gameplay and features for their consoles and the manufacturing of products. The control that platform licensors have over the fee structures for their platforms and online access makes it difficult for us to predict our costs and profitability in the medium to long term. It is also possible that platform licensors will not renew our licenses. Because publishing products for console systems is the largest portion of our business, any increase in fee structures or nonrenewal of licenses would have a significant negative impact on our business model and profitability.

 

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We rely on independent third parties to develop some of our software products.

 

We rely on independent third-party interactive entertainment software developers to develop some of our software products. Since we depend on these developers, in the aggregate, we remain subject to the following risks:

 

                  Continuing strong demand for developers’ resources, combined with the recognition they receive in connection with their work, may cause developers who worked for us in the past either to work for our competitors in the future or to renegotiate our agreements with them on terms less favorable for us;

 

                  Limited financial resources and business expertise and inability to retain skilled personnel may force developers out of business prior to completing our products or require us to fund additional costs; and

 

                  Our competitors may acquire the businesses of key developers or sign them to exclusive development arrangements. In either case, we would not be able to continue to engage such developers’ services for our products, except for those that they are contractually obligated to complete for us.

 

Increased competition for skilled third-party software developers also has compelled us to agree to make significant advance payments on royalties to game developers. If the products subject to these arrangements do not generate sufficient revenues to recover these royalty advances, we would have to write-off unrecovered portions of these payments, which could cause material harm to our business and financial results. Typically, we pay developers a royalty based on a percentage of net revenues, less agreed upon deductions, but from time to time, we have agreed to pay developers fixed per unit product royalties after royalty advances are fully recouped. To the extent that sales prices of products on which we have agreed to pay a fixed per unit royalty are marked down, our profitability could be adversely affected.

 

If our products contain defects, our business could be harmed significantly.

 

Software products and peripherals as complex as the ones we publish may contain undetected errors when first introduced or when new versions are released. Despite extensive testing prior to release, we cannot be certain that errors will not be found in new products or releases after shipment, that could result in loss of or delay in market acceptance. This loss or delay could significantly harm our business, financial results, and reputation.

 

We may permit our customers to return our products and to receive pricing concessions which could reduce our net revenues and results of operations.

 

We are exposed to the risk of product returns and price protection with respect to our distributors and retailers. Return policies allow distributors and retailers to return defective, shelf-worn, and damaged products in accordance with terms granted. Price protection, when granted and applicable, allows customers a credit against amounts they owe us with respect to merchandise unsold by them. We may permit product returns from, or grant price protection to, our customers under certain conditions. The conditions our customers must meet to be granted the right to return products or price protection are, among other things, compliance with applicable payment terms, delivery to us of weekly inventory and sell-through reports, and consistent participation in the launches of our premium title releases. We may also consider other factors, including the facilitation of slow-moving inventory and other market factors. When we offer price protection, we offer it with respect to a particular product to all of our retail customers; however, only those customers who meet the conditions detailed above can avail themselves of such price protection. We also offer a 90-day limited warranty to our end users that our products will be free from manufacturing defects. Although we maintain a reserve for returns and price protection, and although we may place limits on product returns and price protection, we could be forced to accept substantial product returns and provide substantial price protection to maintain our relationships with retailers and our access to distribution channels. Product returns and price protection that exceed our reserves could significantly harm our business and financial results.

 

Sales of certain titles such as Guitar HeroTM are affected by hardware peripheral availability.

 

Some of our titles involve a separate hardware peripheral, such as the guitar in Guitar HeroTM . Typically, we sell such software both in bundles with the hardware peripheral and on a stand-alone basis. Consumer may not want to buy such game software if they cannot also buy the hardware peripheral. If we underestimate demand or otherwise are unable to produce sufficient quantities of the hardware peripheral or allocate too few peripherals to geographic markets and hardware platforms where demand exceeds supply, we will forego revenue. This may also create greater opportunities for competitors to develop or gain market share with competitive product offerings. If we overestimate demand and make too many peripherals, or allocate too many peripherals to geographic markets and

 

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hardware platforms where there is insufficient demand, we will incur unrecoverable manufacturing costs for unsold units as well as for unsold game software. In either case, hardware peripheral manufacturing and allocation decisions may negatively affect our financial performance.

 

There are a limited number of manufacturers who are authorized by Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft to make the hardware peripherals for Guitar HeroTM,  and the majority of those manufacturers are located in China. Anything that adversely impacts the ability of those manufacturers to produce the hardware peripheral for us, including without limitation the revocation of the first party license to produce the hardware, the utilization of such manufacturer’s capacity by one or our competitors, or issues generally negatively impacting international companies operating in China, will adversely impact our ability to supply those peripherals to the market.

 

We may face difficulty obtaining access to retail shelf space necessary to market and sell our products effectively.

 

Retailers of our products typically have a limited amount of shelf space and promotional resources, and there is intense competition among consumer interactive entertainment software products for high quality retail shelf space and promotional support from retailers. To the extent that the number of products and platforms increases, competition for shelf space may intensify and may require us to increase our marketing expenditures. Retailers with limited shelf space typically devote the most and highest quality shelf space to those products expected to be best sellers. We cannot be certain that our new products will consistently achieve such “best seller” status. Due to increased competition for limited shelf space, retailers and distributors are in an increasingly better position to negotiate favorable terms of sale, including price discounts, price protection, marketing and display fees, and product return policies. Our products constitute a relatively small percentage of any retailer’s sales volume. We cannot be certain that retailers will continue to purchase our products or to provide our products with adequate levels of shelf space and promotional support on acceptable terms. A prolonged failure in this regard may significantly harm our business and financial results.

 

Our sales may decline substantially without warning and in a brief period of time because a majority of our sales are made to a relatively small number of key customers and because we do not have long-term contracts for the sale of our products.

 

In the United States and Canada, we primarily sell our products on a direct basis to mass-market retailers, consumer electronics stores, discount warehouses, and game specialty stores. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis, through third-party distribution and licensing arrangements and through our wholly-owned European distribution subsidiaries. Our sales are made primarily on a purchase order basis without long-term agreements or other forms of commitments. Our largest customers, Wal-Mart and GameStop, accounted for approximately 22% and 8%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and approximately 22% and 10% of our consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. The loss of, or significant reduction in sales to, any of our principal retail customers or distributors could significantly harm our business and financial results. The concentration of sales in a small number of large customers also could make us more vulnerable to collection risk if one or more of these large customers became unable to pay for our products. In addition, having such a large portion of our total net revenue concentrated in a few customers reduces our negotiating leverage with these customers.

 

We may be burdened with payment defaults and uncollectible accounts if our distributors or retailers cannot honor their credit arrangement with us.

 

Distributors and retailers in the interactive entertainment software industry have from time to time experienced significant fluctuations in their businesses and a number of them have failed. The insolvency or business failure of any significant retailer or distributor of our products could materially harm our business and financial results. We typically make sales to most of our retailers and some distributors on unsecured credit, with terms that vary depending upon the customer’s credit history, solvency, credit limits, and sales history, as well as whether we can obtain sufficient credit insurance. Although, as in the case with most of our customers, we have insolvency risk insurance to protect against our customers’ bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation, this insurance contains a significant deductible and a co-payment obligation, and the policy does not cover all instances of non-payment. In addition, although we maintain a reserve for uncollectible receivables, the reserve may not be sufficient in every circumstance. As a result, a payment default by a significant customer could significantly harm our business and financial results.

 

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We may not be able to maintain our distribution relationships with key vendors and customers.

 

Our CD Contact, NBG, and Centresoft subsidiaries distribute interactive entertainment software and hardware products and provide related services in the Benelux countries, Germany, and the United Kingdom, respectively, and via export in other European countries for a variety of entertainment software publishers, many of which are our competitors, and hardware manufacturers. From time to time, they also maintain exclusive relationships to serve certain retail customers. These services are generally performed subject to limited-term arrangements. Although we expect to use reasonable efforts to retain these vendors and retail customer relationships, we may not be successful in this regard. The cancellation or non-renewal of one or more of these arrangements could significantly harm our business and financial results.

 

Our business is subject to risks generally associated with the entertainment industry, any of which could significantly harm our operating results.

 

Our business is subject to risks that are generally associated with the entertainment industry, including: the popularity, price and timing of our games and the platforms on which they are played; economic conditions that adversely affect discretionary consumer spending; changes in consumer demographics; the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment; and critical reviews and public tastes and preferences, which may change rapidly and cannot necessarily be predicted. Many of these risks are beyond our control. These risks could negatively impact our business and financial results.

 

We are exposed to seasonality in the sale of our products.

 

The interactive entertainment software industry is highly seasonal, with the highest levels of consumer demand occurring during the calendar year end holiday buying season. As a result, our net revenues, gross profits, and operating income have historically been highest during the second half of the calendar year. Our receivables and credit risk are likewise higher during the second half of the calendar year as our customers stock up on our products for the holiday season. Additionally, in a platform transition period, sales of game console software products can be significantly affected by the timeliness of introduction of game console platforms by the manufacturers of those platforms, such as Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. The timing of hardware platform introduction is also often tied to holidays and is not within our control. If a hardware platform is released unexpectedly close to the holidays, this would result in a shortened holiday buying season and could negatively impact the sales of our products. Further, delays in development, licensor approvals, or manufacturing can also affect the timing of the release of our products, causing us to miss key selling periods such as the calendar year end holiday buying season.

 

We may not be able to adequately adjust our cost structure in a timely fashion in response to a sudden decrease in demand.

 

A significant portion of our selling and general and administrative expense is comprised of personnel and facilities. In the event of a significant decline in revenues, we may not be able to exit facilities, reduce personnel, or make other changes to our cost structure without disruption to our operations or without significant termination and exit costs. Management may not be able to implement such actions in a timely manner, if at all, to offset an immediate shortfall in revenues and profit.

 

If we do not continue to attract and retain key personnel, we will be unable to effectively conduct our business.

 

Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to identify, hire, and retain skilled personnel. The software industry is characterized by a high level of employee mobility and aggressive recruiting among competitors for personnel with technical, marketing, sales, product development, and management skills. We may not be able to attract and retain skilled personnel or may incur significant costs in order to do so. If we are unable to attract additional qualified employees or retain the services of key personnel, our business and financial results could be negatively impacted.

 

Our products are subject to the threat of piracy and unauthorized copying, and inadequate intellectual property laws and other protections could prevent us from enforcing or defending our proprietary technology.

 

We regard our software as proprietary and rely on a combination of copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements, and other methods to protect our proprietary rights. We own or license various copyrights, patents, and trademarks. We are aware that some unauthorized copying occurs within the interactive entertainment software industry, and if a significantly greater amount of unauthorized copying of our software products were to occur, it could cause material harm to our business and financial results.

 

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Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult, and software piracy is a persistent problem, especially in some countries. Further, the laws of some countries where our products are or may be distributed either do not protect our products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, or are poorly enforced. Legal protection of our rights may be ineffective in such countries. In addition, though we take steps to make the unauthorized copying and distribution of our products more difficult, as do the manufacturers of consoles on which our games are played, neither our efforts nor those of the console manufacturers may be successful in controlling the piracy of our products. Organized pirate operations have been expanding globally. In addition, the proliferation of technology designed to circumvent the protection measures we use in our products, the availability of broadband access to the Internet, the ability to download pirated copies of our games from various Internet sites and peer-to-peer networks, and the widespread proliferation of Internet cafes using pirated copies of our products, all have contributed to an expansion in piracy. This could have a negative effect on our growth and profitability in the future.

 

Moreover, as we leverage our software products using emerging technologies such as the Internet and online services, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and to avoid infringing intellectual property rights of others may diminish. We cannot be certain that existing intellectual property laws will provide adequate protection for our products in connection with these emerging technologies.

 

Data breaches involving the source code for our products or customer or employee data stored by us could adversely affect our reputation and revenue.

 

We store the source code for our interactive entertainment software products as it is created on multiple electronic devices. In addition, we store customer account information for, and other confidential information related to, our employees. A breach of the systems on which such source code, account information and other sensitive data is stored could lead to piracy of our software or fraudulent activity and claims and lawsuits against us in connection with data security breaches. If we are subject to data security breaches, we may have a loss in sales or be forced to pay damages or other amounts, which could materially and adversely affect our profitability. In addition, any damage to our reputation resulting from a data breach could have a material adverse impact on our revenue and future growth prospects, or increase our costs by leading to additional security measures being required.

 

We may be subject to intellectual property claims.

 

As the number of interactive entertainment software products increases and the features and content of these products continue to overlap, software developers increasingly may become subject to infringement claims. Many of our products are highly realistic and feature materials that are based on real world examples, which may be the subject of intellectual property infringement claims of others. In addition, our products often utilize complex, cutting edge technology that may become subject to emerging intellectual property rights of others. Although we believe that we make reasonable efforts to ensure that our products do not violate the intellectual property rights of others, it is possible that third parties still may claim infringement. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties regarding such claims. Existing or future infringement claims against us, whether valid or not, may be time consuming and expensive to defend.

 

                  Intellectual property litigation or claims could force us to do one or more of the following:

 

                              Cease selling, incorporating, or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

                              Obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property, which if available at all, may not be available on commercially favorable terms; or

 

                              Redesign the affected interactive entertainment software products or hardware peripherals, which could cause us to incur additional costs, delay introduction and possibly reduce commercial appeal of our products.

 

Any of these actions may cause material harm to our business and financial results.

 

We are subject to the rating of our content by the Entertainment Software Rating Board and similar agencies. Failure to obtain our target ratings for our products could negatively impact our sales.

 

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (the “ESRB”) requires game publishers to provide consumers with ratings information, including information relating to violence, nudity, or sexual content contained in software titles,

 

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and imposes significant penalties for noncompliance. Certain countries have also established similar rating systems as prerequisites for product sales in those countries. In some instances, we may be required to modify our products to comply with the requirements of rating systems, which could delay or disrupt the release of our products, or we may be prevented from selling them altogether in certain territories. Our software titles receive a rating from the ESRB of “Everyone” (age 6 and older), “Everyone 10+” (age 10 and older), “Teen” (age 13 and over), or “Mature” (age 17 and over). Many of our titles have received an “Mature” rating. None of our titles have received the “Adults Only” rating (18 and over). We believe that we comply with rating systems and properly display the ratings and content descriptions received for our titles. If we are unable to obtain the ratings we have targeted for our products as a result of changes in the ESRB’s ratings standards or for other reasons, including the adoption of legislation in this area, our business and prospects could be negatively affected.

 

Our business, products, and distribution are subject to increasing regulation of content in key territories. If we do not successfully respond to these regulations, our business may suffer.

 

Legislation is continually being introduced that may affect both the content of our products and their distribution. For example, privacy laws in the United States and Europe impose various restrictions on our collection and storage of personal information. Those rules vary by territory although the Internet recognizes no geographical boundaries. In addition, many foreign countries have laws that permit governmental entities to censor the content and/or advertising of interactive entertainment software. Other countries, such as Germany, prohibit certain types of content.

 

In the United States, numerous laws have been introduced at the federal and state level which attempt to restrict the content of products such as ours or the distribution of such products. For example, recent legislation has been adopted in several states, and proposed at the federal level, that prohibits the sale of certain games (e.g., violent games or those with “M (Mature)” or “AO (Adults Only)” ratings) to minors. In addition, a number of state legislative bodies in states such as Illinois, California, Michigan, and Washington have introduced various forms of legislation designed to regulate and control sales of video games deemed inappropriate for sales to minors. New and recent incidents may lead to increased pressure for legislative activity. To date, all the courts have ruled on such legislation in a manner favorable to the interactive entertainment software industry. But in the event such legislation is adopted and enforced, the sales of our products may be harmed because the products we are able to offer to our customers and the size of the potential market for our products may be limited. We may also be required to modify our products or alter our marketing strategies to comply with new and possibly inconsistent regulations, which could be costly or delay the release of our products.

 

If one or more of our titles were found to contain objectionable undisclosed, pertinent content, our business could suffer.

 

Throughout the history of our industry, many video games have been designed to include certain hidden content and gameplay features that are accessible through the use of in-game cheat codes or other technological means that are intended to enhance the gameplay experience. However, in some cases, undisclosed, pertinent content or features have been found in other publishers’ interactive entertainment software products. In a few cases, the ESRB has reacted to discoveries of undisclosed, pertinent content and features by changing the rating that was originally assigned to the product, requiring the publisher to change the game and/or game packaging and/or fining the publisher. Retailers have on occasion reacted to the discovery of such undisclosed content by removing these games from their shelves, refusing to sell them, and demanding that their publishers accept them as product returns. Likewise, interactive entertainment software consumers have reacted to the revelation of undisclosed content by refusing to purchase such games, demanding refunds for games they have already purchased, refraining from buying other games published by the company whose game contained the objectionable material, and, in at least one occasion, filing a lawsuit against the publisher of the product containing such content.

 

We have implemented preventative measures designed to reduce the possibility of objectionable undisclosed, pertinent content from appearing in the video games we publish. Nonetheless, these preventative measures are subject to human error, circumvention, overriding, and reasonable resource constraints. If a video game we published were found to contain undisclosed, pertinent content, the ESRB could demand that we recall a game and change its packaging to reflect a revised rating, retailers could refuse to sell it and demand we accept the return of any unsold copies or returns from customers, and/or consumers could refuse to buy it, demand that we refund their money or file a lawsuit against us. This could have a material negative impact on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, our reputation could be harmed, which could impact sales of other video games we sell. If any of these consequences were to occur, our business and financial performance could be significantly harmed.

 

18



 

Our products may be subject to legal claims.

 

In prior fiscal years, at least two lawsuits have been filed against numerous video game companies, including us, by the families of victims who were shot and killed by teenage gunmen in attacks perpetrated at schools. These lawsuits alleged that the video game companies manufactured and/or supplied these teenagers with violent video games, teaching them how to use a gun and causing them to act out in a violent manner. These lawsuits have been dismissed. Similar additional lawsuits may be filed in the future. Although our general liability insurance carrier agreed to defend us in such lawsuits in the past, it is uncertain whether the insurance carrier would do so in the future, or if it would cover all or any amounts which we might be liable for if such future lawsuits are not decided in our favor. If such future lawsuits are filed and ultimately decided against us and our insurance carrier does not cover the amounts we are liable for, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Payment of significant claims by insurance carriers may make such insurance coverage materially more expensive or unavailable in the future, thereby exposing our business to additional risk.

 

Other Risks Relating to Our Business and Ownership of Our Stock

 

We seek to manage our business with a view to achieving long-term results, and this could have a negative effect on short-term trading.

 

We focus on creation of shareholder value over time, and we intend to make decisions that will be consistent with this long-term view. As a result, some of our decisions, such as whether to make or discontinue operating investments, manage our balance sheet and capital structure, or pursue or discontinue strategic initiatives, may be in conflict with the objectives of short-term traders. Further, this could adversely affect our quarterly or other short-term results of operations.

 

We may face limitations on our ability to find suitable acquisition opportunities or to integrate additional acquired businesses.

 

We intend to pursue additional acquisitions of companies, properties, and other assets that can be purchased or licensed on acceptable terms and which we believe can be operated or exploited profitably. Some of these transactions could be material in size and scope. Although we continue to search for additional acquisition opportunities, we may not be successful in identifying suitable acquisitions. As the interactive entertainment software industry continues to consolidate, we face significant competition in seeking and consummating acquisition opportunities. We may not be able to consummate potential acquisitions or an acquisition may not enhance our business or may decrease rather than increase our earnings. In the future, we may issue additional shares of our common stock in connection with one or more acquisitions, which may dilute our existing shareholders. Future acquisitions could also divert substantial management time and result in short-term reductions in earnings or special transaction or other charges. In addition, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully integrate the businesses that we may acquire into our existing business. Our shareholders may not have the opportunity to review, vote on, or evaluate future acquisitions.

 

From time to time, we may make a capital investment and hold a minority interest in a third-party developer in connection with interactive entertainment software products to be developed by such developer for us, which we believe helps to create a closer relationship between us and the developer. We account for those capital investments over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence using the equity method. For those investments over which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence, we account for our investment using the cost method. There can be no assurance that we will realize long-term benefits from such investments or that we will continue to carry such investments at their current value.

 

Our shareholder rights plan, charter documents, and other agreements may make it more difficult to acquire us without the approval of our Board of Directors.

 

We have adopted a shareholder rights plan under which one right entitling the holder to purchase one six-hundredths (1/600) of a share, as adjusted on account of stock dividends made since the plan’s adoption, of our Series A Junior Preferred Stock price at an exercise price of $6.67 per share, subject to adjustment and as adjusted on account of stock dividends made since the plan’s adoption, is attached to each outstanding share of common stock. Such shareholder rights plan makes an acquisition of control in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors more difficult. Our Amended and Restated By-laws have advance notice provisions for nominations for election of nominees to the Board of Directors which may make it more difficult to acquire control of us. Our long-term

 

19



 

incentive plans provide, in the discretion of a committee, for acceleration of stock options following a change in control under certain circumstances, which has the effect of making an acquisition of control more expensive. In addition, some of our officers have severance compensation agreements that provide for substantial cash payments and accelerations of other benefits in the event of a change in control. These agreements and arrangements may also inhibit a change in control.

 

Limitations on our capacity or ability to issue stock and options may require us to use more cash in our employee compensation packages.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our option plans limit the number of shares of our stock and the number of stock options that we can issue. To increase these limits, we must seek and obtain approval of our stockholders. If our stockholders do not approve increases in our available stock and option “pool”, our ability to offer stock and stock options to new and existing employees will be limited. This may in turn impair our ability to recruit and retain employees. It may also require us to place greater reliance on cash compensation, which may not be as attractive to existing and prospective employees. Increased use of cash for employee compensation will also reduce the amount of cash available to us for other uses. Each of these consequences could have negative effects on our business and financial results.

 

Our stock price is highly volatile.

 

The trading price of our common stock has been and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many factors, including:

 

                  Quarter to quarter variations in results of operations;

 

                  Our announcements of new products;

 

                  Our competitors’ announcements of new products;

 

                  Our product development or release schedule;

 

                  General conditions in the computer, software, entertainment, media or electronics industries, and in the economy;

 

                  Timing of the introduction of new platforms and delays in the actual release of new platforms;

 

                  Hardware manufacturers’ announcements of price reductions in hardware platforms;

 

                  Consumer spending trends;

 

                  Changes in earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by analysts; and

 

                  Investor perceptions and expectations regarding our products, plans and strategic position, and those of our competitors and customers.

 

In addition, the public stock markets experience extreme price and trading volume volatility, particularly in high technology sectors of the market. This volatility has significantly affected the market prices of securities of many technology companies for reasons often unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

In our fiscal year 2007, we began recognizing stock-based compensation expense in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” related to our employee equity compensation and employee stock purchase programs. The recognition of this expense has a significant impact in lowering our reported net income (or increase our reported net loss).

 

Beginning in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which requires us to recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards based on estimated fair values. As a result, beginning with our first quarter

 

20



 

of fiscal 2007, our operating results contain a charge for stock-based compensation related to the equity-based awards we provide to our employees, as well as stock purchases under our employee stock purchase plans. This expense is in addition to the stock-based compensation expense we have recognized in prior periods related to restricted stock unit grants, acquisitions and other grants. The stock-based compensation charges we incur depend on the number of equity-based awards we grant and the number of shares of common stock we sell under our employee stock purchase plans, as well as a number of estimates and variables such as estimated forfeiture rates, the trading price and volatility of our common stock, the expected term of our options, and interest rates. As a result, our stock-based compensation charges can vary significantly from period to period. Going forward, our adoption of SFAS 123R will continue to significantly lower our reported net income (or increase our reported net loss), which could have an adverse impact on the trading price of our common stock.

 

Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and, in the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are also required to estimate what our taxes will be in the future. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the estimate process is inherently uncertain, and our estimates are not binding on tax authorities. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in our business, including the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the elections we make, changes in applicable tax laws as well as other factors. Further, our tax determinations are regularly subject to audit by tax authorities and developments in those audits could adversely affect our income tax provision. Should our ultimate tax liability exceed our estimates, our income tax provision and net income could be materially affected.

 

We are also required to pay taxes other than income taxes, such as payroll, sales, use, value-added, net worth, property, and goods and services taxes, in both the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. We are regularly under examination by tax authorities with respect to these non-income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these examinations, changes in our business or changes in applicable tax rules will not have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

 

Our international revenues may be affected by regulatory requirements and barriers, cultural differences and currency fluctuations.

 

Our international revenues have accounted for a significant portion of our total revenues. International sales and licensing accounted for 50%, 52% and 50%, respectively, of our consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We expect that international revenues will continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenues in the future. International sales may be subject to unexpected regulatory requirements, tariffs, and other barriers. Additionally, foreign sales that are made in local currencies may fluctuate. We have and may continue to engage in limited currency hedging activities. While these hedging activities mitigate some foreign currency risk, our reported results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations, particularly the Euro, British pound sterling, Australian dollar and Canadian dollar. Currency exchange rate fluctuations had a positive impact on revenues from internal sales and licensing in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. In the future, currency exchange rates may have a negative or materially adverse impact on revenues from international sales and licensing and thus on our business and financial results. In addition, cultural differences may affect consumer preferences and limit the popularity of titles that are “hits” in the United States. If we do not correctly assess consumer preferences in the countries in our market, our sales and revenue may be lower than expected.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Results of the Special Subcommittee Review of our Stock Option Granting Practices

 

SEC investigation and litigation relating to stock options remain pending and may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Although the special subcommittee of independent members of our Board of Directors established in July 2006 to review our historical stock option granting practices (the “Special Subcommittee”) has completed its review of those practices and our stock option grants made in the period between 1992 and 2006, a formal investigation by

 

21



 

the SEC relating to our stock option granting practices remains pending, as does derivative litigation against us and certain of our current and former directors and officers. Although we believe that we have taken appropriate action by restating our financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, as filed in our Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A on May 25, 2007, and made appropriate disclosures for matters relating to stock options, the SEC (or the court in the derivative actions) may disagree with the findings of the Special Subcommittee or with the manner in which we have accounted for and reported, or not reported, the financial impact of past option grant measurement date errors. If so, we may need to further restate our prior financial statements, further amend our filings with the SEC, or take other actions not currently contemplated. In addition, these proceedings are likely to result in additional legal expense that may affect our results in future periods, and may also result in diversion of management attention and other resources, as well as fines, penalties, damages and other sanctions. These eventualities could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We cannot currently predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings.

 

We had a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting and cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. If our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures are not effective, there may be errors in our financial statements that could require a restatement or our filings may not be timely and investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could lead to a decline in our stock price.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of each year, and to include a management report assessing the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in each Annual Report on Form 10-K. Section 404 also requires our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, and report on, management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. In assessing the findings of the Special Subcommittee’s review and the restatement set forth in our Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, our management concluded that there was a material weakness, as defined in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 2, in our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006. Our management concluded that this weakness was remedied as of March 31, 2007 with the adoption of new equity compensation policies and procedures by the Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors and, accordingly, no longer exists as of the date of this filing. See the discussion included in Part II, Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 for additional information regarding our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Our management does not expect that our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error or all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. Over time, controls may become inadequate because changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may occur. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

As a result, we cannot assure you that significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, cause us to fail to timely meet our periodic reporting obligations, or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. Any such failure could also adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and annual auditor attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. The existence of a material weakness could result in errors in our financial statements that could result in a restatement of financial statements, cause us to fail to timely meet our reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

 

As a result of the delayed filing of certain of our periodic reports, we will be ineligible to use Form S-3 or Form S-4 for a period of time. This may adversely affect our ability to engage in certain types of corporate acquisition and capital-raising transactions.

 

As a result of our delayed filing of certain of our periodic reports, we will be ineligible to register our securities on Form S-3 or Form S-4 for sale by us or resale by other security holders until we have timely filed all periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for a period of time. In the meantime, we have the ability

 

22



 

to use Form S-1 to raise capital or complete acquisitions. The need to use Form S-1, and the inability to use Form S-3 or Form S-4, could increase our transaction costs and adversely affect our ability to engage in certain types of corporate acquisition and capital-raising transactions until we regain our S-3/S-4 eligibility.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

23



 

Item 2.   PROPERTIES

 

Our principal corporate and administrative offices are located in approximately 122,200 square feet of leased space in a building located at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405. The following is a listing of the principal offices maintained by us on May 31, 2007:

 

PROPERTY

 

LOCATION

 

SQ FT

 

OWNERSHIP

 

LEASE EXPIRATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Offices

 

Santa Monica, CA, USA

 

122,200

 

Lease

 

December 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product Development Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision Canada

 

Barrie, Ontario

 

1,900

 

Lease

 

July 2007

Beenox, Inc.

 

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

 

11,110

 

Lease

 

September 2007 + January 2010

China

 

Shanghai & Taipei, China

 

1,500

 

Lease

 

Month to Month

Infinity Ward, Inc.

 

Encino, CA, USA

 

35,300

 

Lease

 

October 2012

Luxoflux, Inc.

 

Santa Monica, CA, USA

 

14,800

 

Lease

 

January 2009

Motion Capture Studio

 

Los Angeles, CA, USA

 

11,500

 

Lease

 

March 2009

Neversoft Entertainment, Inc.

 

Woodland Hills, CA, USA

 

53,300

 

Lease

 

September 2014

Raven Studios

 

Middleton, WI, USA

 

35,300

 

Lease

 

June 2015

RedOctane

 

Chennai, India

 

6,500

 

Lease

 

July 2008 + May 2009

Shaba Games, Inc.

 

San Francisco, CA, USA

 

23,300

 

Lease

 

February 2013

Toys For Bob, Inc.

 

Novato, CA, USA

 

9,500

 

Lease

 

July 2007

Treyarch Corporation

 

Santa Monica, CA, USA

 

56,200

 

Lease

 

November 2009

Vicarious Visions, Inc.

 

Menands, NY, USA

 

37,100

 

Lease

 

May 2016

Vicarious Visions, Inc.

 

Mountain View, CA, USA

 

3,100

 

Lease

 

June 2007

Z-Axis, Ltd.

 

Foster City, CA, USA

 

24,000

 

Lease

 

February 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia Publishing

 

Sydney, Australia

 

7,300

 

Lease

 

July 2007

France Publishing

 

Bezons, France

 

3,500

 

Lease

 

October 2007

German Publishing

 

Burglengenfeld, Germany

 

2,200

 

Own

 

N/A

Italy Publishing

 

Legnano, Italy

 

2,700

 

Lease

 

September 2009

Japan Publishing

 

Tokyo, Japan

 

2,200

 

Lease

 

March 2008

Korea Publishing

 

Seoul, South Korea

 

1,700

 

Lease

 

August 2007

Nordic Publishing

 

Stockholm, Sweden

 

1,000

 

Lease

 

July 2010

RedOctane

 

Sunnyvale, CA, USA

 

11,800

 

Lease

 

March 2008

Spain Publishing

 

Madrid, Spain

 

1,000

 

Lease

 

April 2009

United Kingdom Publishing

 

Stockley Park, UK

 

15,000

 

Lease

 

September 2015

Value Publishing

 

Eden Prairie, MN, USA

 

14,000

 

Lease

 

May 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

German Distribution

 

Burglengenfeld, Germany

 

40,900

 

Own

 

N/A

Netherlands Distribution-offices

 

Breda, the Netherlands

 

1,000

 

Lease

 

Month to Month

Netherlands Distribution-warehouse

 

Venlo, the Netherlands

 

44,600

 

Own

 

N/A

United Kingdom Distribution

 

Birmingham, UK

 

182,100

 

Lease

 

May 2011-2018

 

Our publishing operations additionally lease facilities in Arkansas, Canada, Minnesota, New York, and Texas for purposes of sales and branch offices.

 

Item 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In July 2006, individuals and/or entities claiming to be stockholders of the Company have filed derivative lawsuits, purportedly on behalf of the Company, against certain current and former members of the Company’s Board of Directors as well as several current and former officers of the Company. Three derivative actions have been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court: Vazquez v. Kotick, et al., L.A.S.C. Case No. BC355327 (filed July 12, 2006); Greuer v. Kotick, et al., L.A.S.C. Case No. SC090343 (filed July 12, 2006); and Amalgamated Bank v. Baker, et al., L.A.S.C.

 

24



 

Case No. BC356454 (filed August 3, 2006). These actions have been consolidated by the court under the caption In re Activision Shareholder Derivative Litigation, L.A.S.C. Master File No. SC090343 (West, J.). Two derivative actions have been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California: Pfeiffer v. Kotick, et al., C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-4771 MRP (JTLx) (filed July 31, 2006); and Hamian v. Kotick, et al., C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-5375 MRP (JLTx) (filed August 25, 2006). These actions have also been consolidated, under the caption In re Activision, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-4771 MRP (JTLx) (Pfaelzer, J.). The consolidated complaints allege, among other things, purported improprieties in the Company’s issuance of stock options. Plaintiffs seek various relief on behalf of the Company, including damages, restitution of benefits obtained from the alleged misconduct, equitable relief, including an accounting and rescission of option contracts; and various corporate governance reforms. The Company expects that defense expenses associated with the matters will be covered by its directors and officers insurance, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable policies. On May 24, 2007, the Superior Court granted the Company’s motion to stay the state action. The court’s order stays the action pending the resolution of motions to dismiss in the federal action, but is without prejudice to any party’s right to seek modification of the stay upon a showing of good cause, including a showing that matters may be addressed in the Superior Court without the potential for conflict with or duplication of the federal court proceedings. The Company filed motions to dismiss in the federal action on June 1, 2007, which will be fully briefed by August 15, 2007. The Company was also informed that, on June 1, 2007, a derivative case, Abdelnur vs. Kotick et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, C.D. Case No. CV07-3575 AHM (PJWx), by the same law firm that previously filed the Hamian case, alleging substantially the same claims.

 

On July 27, 2006, the Company received a letter of informal inquiry from the SEC requesting certain documents and information relating to the Company’s historical stock option grant practices. In early June 2007, the SEC informed the Company that the SEC has issued a formal order of non-public investigation, which allows the SEC, among other things, to subpoena witnesses and to require the production of documents. The Company is cooperating with the SEC’s investigation, and representatives of the special subcommittee of independent members of our Board of Directors established in July 2006 to review our historical stock option granting practices (the “Special Subcommittee”) and its legal counsel have met with members of the staff of the SEC on several occasions, in person and by telephone (as has the Company’s outside legal counsel), to discuss the progress of the Special Subcommittee’s investigation and on February 28, 2007 to brief the SEC staff on the Special Subcommittee’s findings and recommendations following the substantial completion of the Special Subcommittee’s investigation. A representative of the U.S. Department of Justice has attended certain of these meetings and requested copies of certain documents that we have provided to the staff of the SEC. At this time, the Company has not received any grand jury subpoenas or written requests from the Department of Justice.

 

In addition, we are party to other routine claims and suits brought by us and against us in the ordinary course of business, including disputes arising over the ownership of intellectual property rights, contractual claims, employment relationships, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the outcome of such routine claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

 

25



 

PART II

 

Item 5.         MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “ATVI.”

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low reported sale prices for our common stock. As of June 7, 2007, there were approximately 2,417 holders of record of our common stock.

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Fiscal 2006

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 

$

13.88

 

$

10.64

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2005

 

17.30

 

12.07

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2005

 

18.03

 

12.94

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2006

 

15.93

 

11.81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2006

 

$

15.11

 

$

10.71

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

16.00

 

10.47

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2006

 

18.19

 

14.22

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2007

 

19.20

 

16.05

 

 

On June 7, 2007, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $18.46.

 

26



 

Stock Performance Graph

 

This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Activision, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

 

The graph below compares the cumulative 5-year total return of holders of Activision, Inc.’s common stock with the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite index and the RDG Technology Composite index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each of the indexes (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from March 31, 2002 to March 31, 2007. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and have no present plans to do so.

 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Activision, Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index
And The RDG Technology Composite Index

 

 


* $100 invested on 3/31/02 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.

Fiscal year ending March 31.

 

 

 

3/02

 

3/03

 

3/04

 

3/05

 

3/06

 

3/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision, Inc.

 

100.00

 

48.44

 

119.33

 

148.84

 

184.91

 

253.97

 

NASDAQ Composite

 

100.00

 

72.11

 

109.76

 

111.26

 

132.74

 

139.65

 

RDG Technology Composite

 

100.00

 

66.96

 

99.40

 

95.82

 

112.91

 

117.27

 

 

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

27



 

Cash Dividends

 

We paid no cash dividends in our fiscal years 2007 or 2006 nor do we anticipate paying any cash dividends at any time in the foreseeable future. We expect that earnings will be retained for the continued growth and development of the business. Future dividends, if any, will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

Stock Splits

 

In April 2003, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The split was paid on June 6, 2003 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2003. In February 2004, the Board of Directors approved a second three-for-two split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The split was paid on March 15, 2004 to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2004. In February 2005, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend. The split was paid on March 22, 2005 to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2005. In September 2005, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three split of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend. The split was paid October 24, 2005 to shareholders of record as of October 10, 2005. The par value of our common stock was maintained at the pre-split amount of $.000001. All share and per share data have been restated as if the stock splits had occurred as of the earliest period presented.

 

On March 7, 2005, in connection with our March 22, 2005 stock split, all shares of common stock held as treasury stock were formally cancelled and restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

 

Buyback Program

 

During fiscal 2003, our Board of Directors authorized a buyback program under which we can repurchase up to $350.0 million of our common stock. Under the program, shares may be purchased as determined by management, from time to time and within certain guidelines, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including privately negotiated structured stock repurchase transactions and through transactions in the options markets. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time without prior notice.

 

Under the buyback program, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, or 2005. We repurchased approximately 3.4 million shares of our common stock for $12.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. In addition, approximately 3.1 million shares of common stock were acquired in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 as a result of the settlement of $10.0 million of structured stock repurchase transactions entered into in fiscal 2003. As of March 31, 2007, we had no outstanding structured stock repurchase transactions. Structured stock repurchase transactions are settled in cash or stock based on the market price of our common stock on the date of the settlement. Upon settlement, we either have our capital investment returned with a premium or receive shares of our common stock, depending, respectively, on whether the market price of our common stock is above or below a pre-determined price agreed in connection with each such transaction.

 

Shareholders’ Rights Plan

 

On April 18, 2000, our Board of Directors approved a shareholders rights plan (the “Rights Plan”). Under the Rights Plan, each common shareholder at the close of business on April 19, 2000 received a dividend of one right for each share of common stock held. Each right represents the right to purchase one six-hundredths (1/600) of a share, as adjusted on account of stock dividends made since the plan’s adoption, of our Series A Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $6.67, as adjusted on account of stock dividends made since the plan’s adoption. Initially, the rights are represented by our common stock certificates and are neither exercisable nor traded separately from our common stock. The rights will only become exercisable if a person or group acquires 15% or more of the common stock of Activision, or announces or commences a tender or exchange offer which would result in the bidder’s beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock.

 

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In the event that any person or group acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, each holder of a right (other than such person or members of such group) will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of such right, in lieu of shares of Series A Junior Preferred Stock, the number of shares of common stock of Activision having a value equal to two times the then current exercise price of the right. If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after a person has acquired 15% or more of our common stock, each holder of a right will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of such right a number of the acquiring company’s common shares having a market value equal to two times the then current exercise price of the right. For persons who, as of the close of business on April 18, 2000, beneficially own 15% or more of the common stock of Activision, the Rights Plan “grandfathers” their current level of ownership, so long as they do not purchase additional shares in excess of certain limitations.

 

We may redeem the rights for $0.01 per right at any time until the first public announcement of the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 15% of our common stock. At any time after a person has acquired 15% or more (but before any person has acquired more than 50%) of our common stock, we may exchange all or part of the rights for shares of common stock at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right. The rights expire on April 18, 2010.

 

29



 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Information for our equity compensation plans in effect as of March 31, 2007 is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

Plan Category

 

(a)
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

(b)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

 

(c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

27,060

 

$

9.36

 

9,619

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

23,304

 

$

4.53

 

256

 

Total

 

50,364

 

 

 

9,875

 

 

See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 for the material features of each equity compensation plan that was adopted without security holder approval.

 

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Item 6.   SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data, which should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2007 are derived from our consolidated financial statements except basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding which have been restated for the effect of our stock splits. The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and 2006 and the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2007, and the report thereon, are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K (in thousands, except per share data).

 

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

$

864,116

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

799,587

 

734,874

 

658,949

 

475,541

 

440,977

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses and software royalties and amortization

 

178,478

 

205,488

 

185,997

 

91,606

 

124,196

 

Income from operations

 

73,147

 

15,226

 

179,608

 

104,537

 

84,691

 

Income before income tax provision

 

109,825

 

45,856

 

192,700

 

110,712

 

93,251

 

Net income

 

85,787

 

40,251

 

135,057

 

74,098

 

59,003

 

Basic earnings per share (1)

 

0.31

 

0.15

 

0.54

 

0.31

 

0.23

 

Diluted earnings per share (1)

 

0.28

 

0.14

 

0.49

 

0.29

 

0.21

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (1)

 

281,114

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

236,887

 

256,639

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (1)

 

305,339

 

294,002

 

277,712

 

258,350

 

277,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

27,162

 

86,007

 

215,309

 

67,403

 

90,975

 

Investing activities

 

(35,242

)

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

(170,155

)

(301,547

)

Financing activities

 

27,968

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

117,569

 

64,090

 

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital

 

$

1,060,064

 

$

922,199

 

$

913,819

 

$

675,796

 

$

422,500

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

954,849

 

944,960

 

840,864

 

587,649

 

406,954

 

Capitalized software development and intellectual property licenses

 

231,196

 

147,665

 

127,340

 

135,201

 

107,921

 

Goodwill

 

195,374

 

100,446

 

91,661

 

76,493

 

68,019

 

Total assets

 

1,793,947

 

1,418,255

 

1,305,919

 

966,220

 

703,070

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

2,671

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

1,411,532

 

1,222,623

 

1,097,274

 

830,141

 

595,994

 

 


(1)                                 Consolidated financial information for fiscal years 2005-2002 has been restated for the effect of our four-for-three stock split effected in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend to shareholders of record as of October 10, 2005, paid October 24, 2005.

 

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Item 7.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

Our Business

 

We are a leading international publisher of interactive entertainment software products. We have built a company with a diverse portfolio of products that spans a wide range of categories and target markets and that are used on a variety of game hardware platforms and operating systems. We have created, licensed, and acquired a group of highly recognizable brands, which we market to a variety of consumer demographics. Our fiscal 2007 product portfolio includes titles such as Over the Hedge, X-Men: The Official Game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, Call of Duty 3, and Guitar Hero 2.

 

Our products cover diverse game categories including action/adventure, action sports, racing, role-playing, simulation, first-person action, music-based gaming, and strategy. Our target customer base ranges from casual players to game enthusiasts, children to adults, and mass-market consumers to “value” buyers. We currently offer our products primarily in versions that operate on the Sony PlayStation 2 (“PS2”), the Sony PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), the Nintendo Wii (“Wii”), and the Microsoft Xbox360 (“Xbox360”) console systems, the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (“GBA”), the Nintendo Dual Screen (“NDS”), and the Sony PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) hand-held devices, and the personal computer (“PC”). The installed base for the previous generation of hardware platforms (e.g., PS2, Xbox) is significant and the fiscal 2006 release of the Xbox360 and the fiscal 2007 releases of the PS3 and the Wii will further expand the software market. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we had a successful and significant presence at the launches of the PS3 and the Wii with three launch titles for the PS3, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8, and five launch titles for the Wii, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, Rapala Tournament Fishing, and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam. Our plan is to continue to build on our significant launch presence on the PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 (“the next-generation platforms”) by continuing to expand the number of titles released on the next generation platforms while continuing to market to current-generation platforms as long as economically attractive given their large installed base.

 

Our publishing business involves the development, marketing, and sale of products directly, by license, or through our affiliate label program with certain third party publishers. In North America, we primarily sell our products on a direct basis to mass-market retailers, consumer electronics stores, discount warehouses, and game specialty stores. We conduct our international publishing activities through offices in the United Kingdom (“UK”), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Scandinavia, Canada, South Korea, and Japan. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis, through third party distribution and licensing arrangements, and through our wholly owned European distribution subsidiaries. Our distribution business consists of operations located in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany that provide logistical and sales services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

 

Our profitability is directly affected by the mix of revenues from our publishing and distribution businesses. Operating margins realized from our publishing business are typically substantially higher than margins realized from our distribution business. Operating margins in our publishing business are affected by our ability to release highly successful or “hit” titles. Though many of these titles have substantial production or acquisition costs and marketing budgets, once a title recoups these costs, incremental net revenues directly and positively impact our operating margin. Operating margins in our distribution business are affected by the mix of hardware and software sales, with software typically producing higher margins than hardware.

 

Our Focus

 

With respect to future game development, we will continue to focus on our “big propositions,” products that are backed by strong brands and high quality development, for which we will provide significant marketing support.

 

Our fiscal 2007 releases have included well-established brands, which are backed by high-profile intellectual property and/or highly anticipated motion picture releases. For example, we have a long-term relationship with Marvel Entertainment, Inc. through an exclusive licensing agreement for the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises through 2017. This agreement grants us the exclusive rights to develop and publish video games based on Marvel’s comic book and movie franchises Spider-Man and X-Men. Through March 31, 2007, games based on the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises have generated approximately $852.7 million in net revenues worldwide. Under this agreement, in the

 

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first quarter of fiscal 2007 we released the video game, X-Men: The Official Game, coinciding with the theatrical release of “X-Men: The Last Stand.”  In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we released Marvel: Ultimate Alliance across multiple platforms and Spider-Man: Battle for New York on the NDS and GBA. In addition, through our licensing agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, LP, we developed and published video games based on Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment, Inc.’s feature film “Spider-Man 3,” which was released in May 2007.  Our agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, LP grants us exclusive worldwide publishing rights to publish entertainment software products based on subsequent Spider-Man movie sequels or new television series through 2017.

 

We also have an exclusive licensing agreement with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. The agreement grants us exclusive rights to develop and publish video games through 2015 using Tony Hawk’s name and likeness. Through March 31, 2007, we have released eight successful titles in the Tony Hawk franchise with cumulative net revenues of $1.2 billion, including the two fiscal 2007 third quarter releases, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, which was released on the PSP, Xbox360, PS2, and PS3, and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam which was released on the Wii, NDS, and GBA. According to the NPD Group, which is a provider of consumer and retail market research information for a wide range of industries, for the eighth consecutive year the Tony Hawk franchise had a top 10 best-selling game in the U.S. for the month of December. We will continue to build on the highly successful Tony Hawk franchise with future releases currently in development for multiple platforms.

 

We continue to develop a number of original intellectual properties internally. For example, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 we released Call of Duty 3 on the PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox360, and the Wii. According to the NPD Group, Call of Duty 3 was the #3 best-selling console game in the U.S. Call of Duty 3 was the sixth release based upon this original intellectual property following two PC exclusive titles, Call of Duty and Call of Duty: United Offensive, as well as multi-platform releases of Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Call of Duty: Big Red One, and Call of Duty 2. We expect to continue to develop a variety of games on multiple platforms based on this original intellectual property as well as continue to invest in developing other original intellectual properties.

 

We have continued our focus on establishing and maintaining relationships with talented and experienced software development and publishing teams. In June 2006, we acquired RedOctane, Inc. (“RedOctane”), the publisher of the popular Guitar Hero franchise. In the third quarter of fiscal 2007 we released Guitar Hero 2 on the PS2, which according to the NPD Group was the #1 game in dollars for the U.S. for the month of December and the #2 game overall for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. We have also developed Guitar Hero 2 for the Xbox360 and plan on continuing to build on this franchise by investing in future development of Guitar Hero titles across a variety of platforms. We also have development agreements with other top-level, third-party developers such as id Software, Inc., Splash Damage, Ltd., and Traveller’s Tales.

 

We will also continue to evaluate and exploit emerging brands that we believe have potential to become successful game franchises. For example, we have a multi-year, multi-property, publishing agreement with DreamWorks Animation LLC that grants us the exclusive rights to publish video games based on DreamWorks Animation SKG’s theatrical release “Shrek 2,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, “Shark Tale,” which was released in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, “Madagascar,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, “Over the Hedge,” which was released in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, and all of their respective sequels. In addition, our multi-year agreement with DreamWorks Animation LLC also grants us the exclusive video game rights to four upcoming feature films, as well as potential future films in the “Shrek” franchise beyond the “Shrek the Third.”

 

Additionally, we have a strategic alliance with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. that grants us the exclusive, worldwide interactive rights to develop and publish “World Series of Poker” video games based on the popular World Series of Poker Tournament. In the second quarter of fiscal 2006, we released our first title under this alliance, World Series of Poker, which became the number one poker title of calendar 2005. Further building on this franchise, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we released our second title under this alliance, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions.

 

We also continue to build on our portfolio of licensed intellectual property. In February 2006, we signed an agreement with Hasbro Properties Group granting us the exclusive global rights (excluding Japan) to develop console, hand-held, and PC games based on Hasbro’s “Transformers” brand. We anticipate releasing the first game concurrently with the July 2007 movie release of the live action “Transformers” film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures. In April 2006, we signed an agreement with MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. granting us the exclusive rights to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on the James Bond license through 2014. In May 2006, we signed a multi-year agreement with Mattel, Inc. which grants us the exclusive

 

33



 

worldwide distribution rights to new video games on all platforms based on Mattel, Inc.’s Barbie brand. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we distributed six Barbie titles: Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses, The Barbie Diaries: High School Mystery, Barbie Fashion Show, Barbie Horse Adventures: Mystery Ride, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus, and Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. In September 2006, we entered into a distribution agreement with MTV Networks Kids and Family Group’s Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom Inc., to be the exclusive distributor of three new Nick Jr. PC CD-ROM titles, published by Nickelodeon and based on the top preschool series on commercial television, Dora The Explorer, The Backyardigans, and Go, Diego, Go!.

 

We are utilizing these developer relationships, new intellectual property acquisitions, new original intellectual property creations, and our existing library of intellectual property to further focus our game development on product lines that will deliver significant, lasting, and recurring revenues and operating profits.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our financial results. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue from the sale of our products upon the transfer of title and risk of loss to our customers. Certain products are sold to customers with a street date (i.e., a date on which products are made widely available by retailers). For these products we recognize revenue no earlier than the street date. Revenue from product sales is recognized after deducting the estimated allowance for returns and price protection. With respect to license agreements that provide customers the right to make multiple copies in exchange for guaranteed amounts, revenue is recognized upon delivery of such copies. Per copy royalties on sales that exceed the guarantee are recognized as earned. With respect to on-line transactions, such as electronic downloads of titles or product add-ons, revenue is recognized when the fee is paid by the on-line customer to purchase online content and we are notified by the online retailer that the product has been downloaded. In addition, in order to recognize revenue for both product sales and licensing transactions, persuasive evidence of an arrangement must exist and collection of the related receivable must be probable. Revenue recognition also determines the timing of certain expenses, including “cost of sales – intellectual property licenses” and “cost of sales – software royalties and amortization.”

 

Sales incentives or other consideration given by us to our customers are accounted for in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 01-9, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).”  In accordance with EITF Issue 01-9, sales incentives and other consideration that are considered adjustments of the selling price of our products, such as rebates and product placement fees, are reflected as reductions of revenue. Sales incentives and other consideration that represent costs incurred by us for assets or services received, such as the appearance of our products in a customer’s national circular ad, are reflected as sales and marketing expenses.

 

Allowances for Returns, Price Protection, Doubtful Accounts, and Inventory Obsolescence. In determining the appropriate unit shipments to our customers, we benchmark our titles using historical and industry data. We closely monitor and analyze the historical performance of our various titles, the performance of products released by other publishers and the anticipated timing of other releases in order to assess future demands of current and upcoming titles. Initial volumes shipped upon title launch and subsequent reorders are evaluated to ensure that quantities are sufficient to meet the demands from the retail markets but at the same time, are controlled to prevent excess inventory in the channel.

 

We may permit product returns from, or grant price protection to, our customers under certain conditions. In general, price protection refers to the circumstances when we elect to decrease the wholesale price of a product by a certain amount and, when granted and applicable, allows customers a credit against amounts owed by such customers to us with respect to open and/or future invoices. The conditions our customers must meet to be granted the right to return products or price protection are, among other things, compliance with applicable payment terms, and consistent delivery to us of inventory and sell-through reports. We may also consider other factors, including the facilitation of

 

34



 

slow-moving inventory and other market factors. Management must make estimates of potential future product returns and price protection related to current period product revenue. We estimate the amount of future returns and price protection for current period product revenue utilizing historical experience and information regarding inventory levels and the demand and acceptance of our products by the end consumer. The following factors are used to estimate the amount of future returns and price protection for a particular title:  historical performance of titles in similar genres, historical performance of the hardware platform, historical performance of the brand, console hardware life cycle, Activision sales force and retail customer feedback, industry pricing, weeks of on-hand retail channel inventory, absolute quantity of on-hand retail channel inventory, our warehouse on-hand inventory levels, the title’s recent sell-through history (if available), marketing trade programs, and competing titles. The relative importance of these factors varies among titles depending upon, among other items, genre, platform, seasonality, and sales strategy. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowance for returns and price protection in any accounting period. Based upon historical experience we believe our estimates are reasonable. However, actual returns and price protection could vary materially from our allowance estimates due to a number of reasons including, among others, a lack of consumer acceptance of a title, the release in the same period of a similarly themed title by a competitor, or technological obsolescence due to the emergence of new hardware platforms. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if factors or market conditions change or if management makes different judgments or utilizes different estimates in determining the allowances for returns and price protection. For example, a 1% change in our March 31, 2007 allowance for returns and price protection would impact net revenues by $0.9 million.

 

Similarly, management must make estimates of the uncollectibility of our accounts receivable. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, we analyze the age of current outstanding account balances, historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic trends, and changes in our customers’ payment terms and their economic condition, as well as whether we can obtain sufficient credit insurance. Any significant changes in any of these criteria would affect management’s estimates in establishing our allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

We value inventory at the lower of cost or market. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and in the retail channel and record a provision for excess or obsolete inventory based on the future expected demand for our products. Significant changes in demand for our products would impact management’s estimates in establishing our inventory provision.

 

Software Development Costs. Software development costs include payments made to independent software developers under development agreements, as well as direct costs incurred for internally developed products.

 

We account for software development costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.”  Software development costs are capitalized once the technological feasibility of a product is established and such costs are determined to be recoverable. Technological feasibility of a product encompasses both technical design documentation and game design documentation. For products where proven technology exists, this may occur early in the development cycle. Technological feasibility is evaluated on a product-by-product basis. Prior to a product’s release, we expense, as part of “cost of sales — software royalties and amortization,” capitalized costs when we believe such amounts are not recoverable. Capitalized costs for those products that are cancelled or abandoned are charged to product development expense in the period of cancellation. Amounts related to software development which are not capitalized are charged immediately to product development expense. We evaluate the future recoverability of capitalized amounts on a quarterly basis. The recoverability of capitalized software development costs is evaluated based on the expected performance of the specific products for which the costs relate. Criteria used to evaluate expected product performance include:  historical performance of comparable products using comparable technology; orders for the product prior to its release; and estimated performance of a sequel product based on the performance of the product on which the sequel is based.

 

Commencing upon product release, capitalized software development costs are amortized to “cost of sales — software royalties and amortization” based on the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues, generally resulting in an amortization period of six months or less. For products that have been released in prior periods, we evaluate the future recoverability of capitalized amounts on a quarterly basis. The primary evaluation criterion is actual title performance.

 

Significant management judgments and estimates are utilized in the assessment of when technological feasibility is established, as well as in the ongoing assessment of the recoverability of capitalized costs. In evaluating

 

35



 

the recoverability of capitalized costs, the assessment of expected product performance utilizes forecasted sales amounts and estimates of additional costs to be incurred. If revised forecasted or actual product sales are less than and/or revised forecasted or actual costs are greater than the original forecasted amounts utilized in the initial recoverability analysis, the net realizable value may be lower than originally estimated in any given quarter, which could result in an impairment charge.

 

Intellectual Property Licenses. Intellectual property license costs represent license fees paid to intellectual property rights holders for use of their trademarks, copyrights, software, technology, or other intellectual property or proprietary rights in the development of our products. Depending upon the agreement with the rights holder, we may obtain the rights to use acquired intellectual property in multiple products over multiple years, or alternatively, for a single product.

 

We evaluate the future recoverability of capitalized intellectual property licenses on a quarterly basis. The recoverability of capitalized intellectual property license costs is evaluated based on the expected performance of the specific products in which the licensed trademark or copyright is to be used. As many of our intellectual property licenses extend for multiple products over multiple years, we also assess the recoverability of capitalized intellectual property license costs based on certain qualitative factors such as the success of other products and/or entertainment vehicles utilizing the intellectual property, whether there are any future planned theatrical releases or television series based on the intellectual property, and the rights holder’s continued promotion and exploitation of the intellectual property. Prior to the related product’s release, we expense, as part of “cost of sales — intellectual property licenses,” capitalized intellectual property costs when we believe such amounts are not recoverable. Capitalized intellectual property costs for those products that are cancelled or abandoned are charged to product development expense in the period of cancellation. Criteria used to evaluate expected product performance include: historical performance of comparable products using comparable technology; orders for the product prior to its release; and estimated performance of a sequel product based on the performance of the product on which the sequel is based.

 

Commencing upon the related product’s release, capitalized intellectual property license costs are amortized to “cost of sales — intellectual property licenses” based on the ratio of current revenues for the specific product to total projected revenues for all products in which the licensed property will be utilized. As intellectual property license contracts may extend for multiple years, the amortization of capitalized intellectual property license costs relating to such contracts may extend beyond one year. For intellectual property included in products that have been released and unreleased products, we evaluate the future recoverability of capitalized amounts on a quarterly basis. The primary evaluation criterion is actual title performance.

 

Significant management judgments and estimates are utilized in the assessment of the recoverability of capitalized costs. In evaluating the recoverability of capitalized costs, the assessment of expected product performance utilizes forecasted sales amounts and estimates of additional costs to be incurred. If revised forecasted or actual product sales are less than, and/or revised forecasted or actual costs are greater than, the original forecasted amounts utilized in the initial recoverability analysis, the net realizable value may be lower than originally estimated in any given quarter, which could result in an impairment charge. Additionally, as noted above, as many of our intellectual property licenses extend for multiple products over multiple years, we also assess the recoverability of capitalized intellectual property license costs based on certain qualitative factors such as the success of other products and/or entertainment vehicles utilizing the intellectual property, whether there are any future planned theatrical releases or television series based on the intellectual property and the rights holder’s continued promotion and exploitation of the intellectual property. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of charges for any period if management makes different judgments or utilizes different estimates in evaluating these qualitative factors.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. On April 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options and employee stock purchases related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“employee stock purchases”), based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123R supersedes our previous accounting under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”) relating to SFAS 123R. We have applied the provisions of SAB 107 in our adoption of SFAS 123R.

 

We adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of April 1, 2006, the first day of our fiscal year 2007. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 reflect the impact of SFAS 123R. In

 

36



 

accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123R. See Note 14 for additional information.

 

In November 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 123(R)-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards” (“FSP 123R-3”). We have elected not to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FSP 123R-3 for calculating the tax effects of stock-based compensation pursuant to SFAS 123R. We followed paragraph 81 of SFAS No. 123R to calculate the initial pool of excess tax benefits and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC pool and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the tax effects of employee stock-based compensation awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS 123R.

 

SFAS 123R requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the measurement date using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123R for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 was $25.5 million. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company accounted for stock-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25 as allowed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). Under APB 25, compensation expense was recorded for the issuance of stock options and other stock-based compensation based on the intrinsic value of the stock options and other stock-based compensation on the date of grant or measurement date. Under the intrinsic value method, compensation expense was recorded on the measurement date only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the stock option or other stock-based award’s exercise price. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, we recognized $3.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock, under APB 25. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 includes compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, April 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123, and compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted subsequent to April 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 

As of April 1, 2005, we changed our method of valuation for share-based awards to a binomial-lattice model from the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) which was used for options granted prior to April 1, 2005 for FAS 123 fair value disclosures. For additional information, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.

 

37



 

Selected Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

 

The following table sets forth certain Consolidated Statements of Operations data for the periods indicated as a percentage of consolidated net revenues and also breaks down net revenues by territory, business segment, and platform, as well as operating income by business segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal Year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

799,587

 

52

 

734,874

 

50

 

658,949

 

47

 

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization

 

132,353

 

9

 

147,822

 

10

 

123,800

 

9

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses

 

46,125

 

3

 

57,666

 

4

 

62,197

 

5

 

Product development

 

133,073

 

9

 

132,651

 

9

 

87,776

 

6

 

Sales and marketing

 

196,213

 

13

 

283,395

 

19

 

230,299

 

16

 

General and administrative

 

132,514

 

9

 

96,366

 

7

 

63,228

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

1,439,865

 

95

 

1,452,774

 

99

 

1,226,249

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

73,147

 

5

 

15,226

 

1

 

179,608

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income, net

 

36,678

 

2

 

30,630

 

2

 

13,092

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax provision

 

109,825

 

7

 

45,856

 

3

 

192,700

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

24,038

 

1

 

5,605

 

 

57,643

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

85,787

 

6

%

$

40,251

 

3

%

$

135,057

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues by Territory:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

753,376

 

50

%

$

710,040

 

48

%

$

696,325

 

50

%

Europe

 

718,973

 

47

 

717,494

 

49

 

675,074

 

48

 

Other

 

40,663

 

3

 

40,466

 

3

 

34,458

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

$

886,795

 

59

%

$

812,345

 

55

%

$

713,947

 

51

%

Hand-held

 

153,357

 

10

 

158,861

 

11

 

138,695

 

10

 

PC

 

78,886

 

5

 

183,457

 

13

 

220,087

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

1,119,038

 

74

 

1,154,663

 

79

 

1,072,729

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

238,662

 

16

 

196,413

 

13

 

256,452

 

18

 

Hand-held

 

122,293

 

8

 

76,973

 

5

 

23,282

 

2

 

PC

 

33,019

 

2

 

39,951

 

3

 

53,394

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distribution net revenues

 

393,974

 

26

 

313,337

 

21

 

333,128

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) by Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

$

64,076

 

4

%

$

(6,715

)

%

$

155,863

 

11

%

Distribution

 

9,071

 

1

 

21,941

 

1

 

23,745

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

$

73,147

 

5

%

$

15,226

 

1

%

$

179,608

 

13

%

 

38



 

Results of Operations – Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

Net Revenues

 

We primarily derive revenue from sales of packaged interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles (such as the PS2, PS3, Xbox360, and Wii), PCs, and hand-held game devices (such as the GBA, NDS, and PSP). We also derive revenue from our distribution business in Europe that provides logistical and sales services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations and third-party manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

 

The following table details our consolidated net revenues by business segment and our publishing net revenues by territory for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the fiscal years ended
March 31,

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

753,376

 

$

710,040

 

$

43,336

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

324,999

 

404,157

 

(79,158

)

(20

)%

Other

 

40,663

 

40,466

 

197

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total international

 

365,662

 

444,623

 

(78,961

)

(18

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

1,119,038

 

1,154,663

 

(35,625

)

(3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution net revenues

 

393,974

 

313,337

 

80,637

 

26

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

45,012

 

3

%

 

Consolidated net revenues increased 3% from $1,468.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 to $1,513.0 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. This increase in consolidated net revenues was driven by the following:

 

                  Strong performance of our North American publishing unit led to a year over year increase in net revenues of $43.3 million or 6%. In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we released a focused but high quality slate of titles, which resulted in strong consumer demand for our new releases in the third quarter, continuing reorders in the fourth quarter and strong price realization. In fiscal 2007, our major releases included Call of Duty 3, Guitar Hero 2, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Over the Hedge, X-Men: Official Game, Shrek Smash N’ Crash, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, Pimp My Ride, and titles for our Cabela’s, History Channel and new Barbie franchises. In fiscal 2006, we released the following major releases: Doom 3 for the Xbox, Madagascar, Fantastic Four, Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men Legends II, THAW, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, GUN, True Crime: New York City, Quake 4, Shrek SuperSlam, The Movies, Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2, and World Series of Poker.

 

                  An increase in net revenues from our distribution business due to a stronger release schedule for certain third-party publishers, higher revenues from hardware sales related to the launch of PS3 and Nintendo Wii, as well as ongoing sales of NDS and PSP, and the addition of a significant new customer in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

                  Impact of the year over year strengthening of the Great Britain Pound (“GBP”), Euro (“EUR”) and Australian Dollar (“AUD”)  in relation to the United States Dollar (“USD”). Foreign exchange rates increased reported net revenues by approximately $51.6 million or 4% for the year ended March 31, 2007. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our consolidated net revenues remained about in line with prior year.

 

Partially offset by:

 

                  A decrease in publishing net revenues from our European publishing operations primarily due to a more focused slate in fiscal 2007, and a decrease in our affiliate business as only one title, LucasArts’ Star Wars

 

39



 

Lego 2 was released in 2007, whereas two strong affiliate titles, LucasArts’ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and LucasArts’ Star Wars Battlefront II, were released in fiscal 2006.

 

In fiscal 2008, we plan to leverage our traditional core franchises, such as Spiderman, Shrek, Call of Duty and Tony Hawk, and extend our market leadership in the music-based gaming genre with Guitar Hero. In addition, we expect strong market growth as the next generation consoles gain critical mass. As a result, we anticipate revenues will increase in fiscal 2008 in comparison to the record net revenues achieved in fiscal 2007.

 

North America Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

753,376

 

50

%

$

710,040

 

48

%

$

43,336

 

6

%

 

North America publishing net revenues increased 6% from $710.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $753.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. Although the company released fewer titles in fiscal 2007, the high quality slate drove strong consumer demand and enabled the company to maintain pricing and record lower provisions for returns and price protection than in fiscal 2006. Net revenues were impacted by strong performances from Guitar Hero 2, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk’s Project 8. North America publishing net revenues increased as a percentage of consolidated net revenues from 48% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 50% for the year ended March 31, 2007. The increase in the percentage of consolidated net revenues is due to a combination of strong performance in North America and a decrease in our international publishing net revenues due to a smaller slate and a decrease in the number of affiliate titles in Europe released in fiscal 2007.

 

International Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

365,662

 

24

%

$

444,623

 

30

%

$

(78,961

)

(18

)%

 

International publishing net revenues decreased by 18% from $444.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $365.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. Additionally, international publishing net revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues decreased from 30% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 24% for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in international publishing net revenues was primarily due to the decrease in the number of titles released internationally in fiscal 2007. Additionally, in Europe, our net revenues were impacted by a decrease in revenues from our affiliate titles. Fiscal 2006 included the successful LucasArts’ titles, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Battlefront II, while fiscal 2007 included one major affiliate label release, LucasArts’ Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. The decrease in international publishing net revenues was partially offset by a year over year strengthening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the USD, which increased reported net revenues for fiscal 2007 by approximately $24.2 million. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our international publishing net revenues decreased 23% year over year.

 

40



 

Publishing Net Revenues by Platform

 

Publishing net revenues decreased 3% from $1,154.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $1,119.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. The following table details our publishing net revenues by platform and as a percentage of total publishing net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2007

 

Net Revs

 

2006

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing Net Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

$

78,886

 

7

%

$

183,457

 

16

%

$

(104,571

)

(57

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 3

 

53,842

 

5

%

 

%

53,842

 

n/a

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

500,927

 

45

%

422,239

 

36

%

78,688

 

19

%

Microsoft Xbox360

 

200,394

 

18

%

102,809

 

9

%

97,585

 

95

%

Microsoft Xbox

 

54,232

 

5

%

205,864

 

18

%

(151,632

)

(74

)%

Nintendo Wii

 

54,636

 

5

%

 

%

54,636

 

n/a

 

Nintendo GameCube

 

22,761

 

2

%

80,964

 

7

%

(58,203

)

(72

)%

Other

 

3

 

%

469

 

%

(466

)

(99

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console

 

886,795

 

80

%

812,345

 

70

%

74,450

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand-held

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Boy Advance

 

48,478

 

4

%

79,738

 

7

%

(31,260

)

(39

)%

PlayStation Portable

 

49,931

 

4

%

52,016

 

5

%

(2,085

)

(4

)%

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

54,948

 

5

%

27,107

 

2

%

27,841

 

103

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total hand-held

 

153,357

 

13

%

158,861

 

14

%

(5,504

)

(3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

$

1,119,038

 

100

%

$

1,154,663

 

100

%

$

(35,625

)

(3

)%

 

Personal Computer Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

78,886

 

7

%

$

183,457

 

16

%

$

(104,571

)

(57

)%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PC decreased 57% from $183.5 million and 16% of publishing net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $78.9 million and 7% of publishing net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decreases were primarily due to the strong performance of our fiscal 2006 PC releases, as well as a decrease in the number of titles released for the PC during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2006, we released the highly successful PC title, Call of Duty 2, which was ranked by NPD Funworld as the number two best selling PC title in the United States for the third quarter of fiscal 2006, as well as Quake 4, The Movies, and Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil. This compares to fiscal 2007 where net revenues were primarily derived from catalog sales of Call of Duty 2, Quake 4 and The Movies, as well as revenues from our European affiliate title LucasArts’ Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy.

 

41



 

We expect fiscal 2008 PC publishing net revenues to increase due to the release of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, and Call of Duty 4, as well as PC releases of large scale movie titles (Spider Man the Movie 3, Shrek the Third and Transformers). Quake and Call of Duty had no PC releases in the fiscal 2007 base period and should attract a significant audience on the PC platform in fiscal 2008.

 

Sony PlayStation 3 Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

53,842

 

5

%

$

 

%

$

53,842

 

n/a

 

 

The PS3 was released in November 2006 in North America and in March 2007 in Europe. Consistent with our goal of having a significant presence at the launch of each new platform, we released three titles concurrently with the hardware releases: Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8. All of these titles were released at premium retail pricing (i.e. $59.99 in the United States).

 

We expect net revenues from sales of titles for the PS3 to increase as the installed base of hardware grows.

 

Sony PlayStation 2 Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

500,927

 

45

%

$

422,239

 

36

%

$

78,688

 

19

%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 increased 19% from $422.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $500.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. Although we released a fewer number of major titles for the PS2 in fiscal 2007, the strong performance of these releases, particularly the PS2 exclusive title Guitar Hero 2, resulted in higher net revenues in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues. The key titles impacting the fiscal 2007 results were Call of Duty 3, the #3 title overall for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 according to NPD Funworld, and Guitar Hero 2 (game and accessories), the #1 best selling title on the PS2 platform for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 per NPD Funworld. In addition, we released Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Over the Hedge, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, X-Men: The Official Game, Shrek Smash N’ Crash Racing and our European affiliate title, LucasArts’ Star Wars Lego 2. This compares to fiscal 2006 where we released the PS2 titles Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, Shrek SuperSlam, GUN, True Crime: New York City, Madagascar, Fantastic Four, X-Men Legends 2, Ultimate Spiderman and two affiliate titles in Europe, LucasArts’ Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Battlefront II.

 

Although we expect net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 to decline over time as consumers transition to next generation platforms, we continue to expect significant net revenues for PS2 for fiscal 2008 as we plan to develop and release many of our key titles on this platform.

 

42



 

Microsoft Xbox360 Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

200,394

 

18

%

$

102,809

 

9

%

$

97,585

 

95

%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox360 increased 95% from $102.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $200.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. As a percentage of publishing net revenues, net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox360 doubled from 9% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 18% for the year ended March 31, 2007. These increases are due to the growing installed base for the Xbox360, as well as an increase in the number of titles released. In fiscal 2007, we released ten titles for this platform, and according to NPD Funworld, three of our titles, Call of Duty 3, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance ranked among the top ten Xbox 360 titles during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2006, we released four titles concurrently with the November 2005 launch of the Xbox360 hardware, Call of Duty 2, THAW, Quake 4, and GUN, and we experienced strong sales for these four titles although limited by hardware availability.

 

We expect net revenues from sales of titles for the XBox360 to significantly increase in the upcoming fiscal year due to the growing installed base and our strong slate of Xbox360 titles.

 

Microsoft Xbox Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

54,232

 

5

%

$

205,864

 

18

%

$

(151,632

)

(74

)%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox decreased 74% from $205.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $54.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. As a percentage of publishing net revenues, net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox decreased from 18% for the year ended March 31, 2006 to 5% for the year ended March 31, 2007. These decreases were primarily attributable to a slowdown in sales for the Xbox as customers upgrade to the Xbox360, and the reduction in the number of titles released by us for this platform. In fiscal 2007 we released five major titles for Xbox: Call of Duty 3, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Over the Hedge and X-Men: The Official Game. In fiscal 2006, we released our largest slate including Call of Duty: Big Red One, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, GUN, Ultimate Spiderman, X-Men Legends 2, True Crime: New York City, Shrek: SuperSlam, Madagascar, Fantastic Four and the Xbox exclusive, Doom 3.

 

We expect our fiscal 2008 net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox to decrease as consumers transition to next generation platforms and as we stop developing new titles for this platform.

 

Nintendo Wii Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

54,636

 

5

%

$

 

%

$

54,636

 

n/a

 

 

The Nintendo Wii was released in November 2006. Consistent with our goal of having a significant presence at the launch of each next generation platform, we released five titles concurrently with the release of Wii;

 

43