Future plc – interim results for the half-year ended 31 March 2013

May 22, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

Future plc, the  specialist media group and  digital publisher,has announced  unaudited interim results for the half-year ended 31 March 2013.

Financial Highlights

Future results 2013 v2

Click on the table for a larger image.

Summary

  • Group revenues down 1%, EBITDAE down 23%, impacted by cyclical decline in Games market
  • Group digital revenues up 33% year-on-year and now represent 25% of Group revenues
  • US operations on track to return to EBITDAE profitability in FY13
  • New credit facility for four years to February 2017
  • Sale of UK Rock titles in April for £10.2m strengthens the balance sheet to support continued investment in the transition to a predominantly digital business

Digital highlights

  • Unique users up 46% year-on-year to 51.4 million a month
  • Page views up 38% year-on-year to 299 million a month
  • Digital advertising now represents 57% of total advertising, up from 47% a year ago
  • Over five million digital editions sold across all platforms
  • Over 300,000 subscribers to digital editions, up over 75% since March 2012
  • FutureFolio signed up to power 80 digital magazines for third parties

Mark Wood, Chief Executive, said, “We experienced some difficult trading conditions in the first half, above all in the Games market, which has been in a trough ahead of new console releases from Microsoft and Sony. However, the first half figures mask tremendous progress towards a predominantly digital business, reflected in a 33% growth in digital revenues. “Our refocusing of the US business is on track to meet our commitment to return the US to EBITDAE profitability this year.

“Despite continued challenging conditions, and the impact of the Games cycle, we are seeing increased momentum on commercial revenues, contributions from new initiatives and bottom line improvements from cost efficiencies. These all point to a strong performance in the second half of the year, much as we saw in FY12, and we believe we are on track to achieve results broadly in line with our expectations.”

UK, London

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Intelligent Living Inc. acquires Israeli on-line brain games company, Mind360

May 17, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

intelligent livingFEEL Golf Co., Inc. through its wholly owned subsidiary, Intelligent Living Inc., has acquired Mind360, a company which offers a series of scientifically developed online brain games targeted to improve cognitive skills and memory function. The games on Mind360 are aimed toward sharpening memory, increasing focus, building logical reasoning skills, increasing alertness and awareness, boosting productivity, and exercising the mind. Each player gets a virtual personal brain trainer that helps build up brain function.

Danny Aboody and co-founders Dr. Eran Chajut and Gil Steiner spent 2008 quietly building Mind360, a suite of brain-training games mind360that according to the company “help people boost overall well being and maximize their potential through online well-defined, entertaining cognitive training activities.”

Mind360 has over 10,000 users in every continent with more than 40 games. Sign-up is free and monthly or annual subscriptions are available.

USA, Fort Lauderdale, FL & Israel, Tel Aviv

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Wargaming to acquire Gas Powered Games

February 18, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wargaming

Wargaming, the free-to-play MMO developer and publisher, is to acquire Seattle-based developer Gas Powered Games, the maker of memorable and critically acclaimed franchises such as Dungeon Siege, Supreme Commander and Demigod.

gaspowered

“Gas Powered Games’ heritage and development pedigree shows us just how valuable an addition Chris (Chris Taylor , CEO) and his company will make to the Wargaming family,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “Gas Powered Games has a long track record of providing incredibly engaging AAA gaming experiences and we can’t wait to start working with them.”

USA, Emeryville, CA & Seattle, WA

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Wargaming acquires Day 1 Studios for $20 million

January 30, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

wargamingWargaming, the free-to-play massively multiplayer online  developer has acquired Chicago-based Day 1 Studios for $20 million. Following the acquisition, the newly formed studio will focus exclusively on the development of an unannounced console title.

The acquisition is a key milestone for Wargaming’s strategy of expanding into compelling console-focused gaming experiences, and further reinforces the company’s goal of multiplatform game development. In 2012, Wargaming acquired Australia-based Big World Party Ltd., which provided the company with streamlined development and server middleware tools.

“The move into console game development is a huge step for Wargaming, as we begin to expand our presence into new platforms,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “We are looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor soon.”

USA, Emeryville, CA & Chicago, IL

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SEGA acquires THQ Canada

January 25, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

segaSEGA Corporation has acquired THQ Canada. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

THQ Canada has developed million-seller franchise titles such as “Warhammer 40k Dawn of War” and “Company of Heroes” under the brand of Relic Entertainment Studio.thq

Relic Entertainment was established in 1997 and acquired by THQ Canada in 2004. THQ Canada have been known familiarly as Relic Entertainment since the acquisition.

“We are thrilled to have Relic Entertainment join the SEGA family. The acquisition is a strategic fit and a critical step in growing our business,” John Cheng, President and CFO, SEGA of America said. “They are a well-respected studio with a reputation for making creative and innovative games and we look forward to seeing what great things we can create together over the coming years.”

Japan, Tokyo & Canada, Vancouver

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Linden Lab acquires Blocksworld

January 24, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

blocksworldLinden Lab, the makers of Second Life and Patterns, has acquired the iPad game Blocksworld.

Blocksworld is an iPad game in which players use cubes, wedges, rockets, wheels, motors and more to easily create 3D models of anything they can imagine – from race cars to animals to robots and more. These models come alive with realistic physics simulation, and users can play, interact with, or even explode their creations. Blocksworld allows users to share their creations with others to explore, play with, and remix to make them their own.

“Blocksworld is a great fit with what we do at Linden Lab,” said Rod Humble, CEO of Linden Lab. “It’s a very user-friendly complement to our portfolio of shared creative spaces. We’re happy to have the Blocksworld team join Linden Lab and are looking forward to bringing Blocksworld to the App Store worldwide soon!”

USA, San Francisco, CA

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Kabam acquires Exploding Barrel Games

January 19, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

kabam1Kabam, producer of free online strategy games, has acquired Exploding Barrel Games. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Exploding Barrel Games is focused on creating console-quality free-to-play experiences for core gamers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.explodingbg

“Kabam continues to grow our global studio team with the best talent in the world,” said Andrew Sheppard, Kabam’s President of Studios. “With experience working on multi-billion dollar franchises like Need for Speed and EA Sports titles, and developing blockbusters in nearly every core genre, the team at Exploding Barrel Games is a perfect complement to Kabam’s mission to blend the art of game design with the science of free-to-play distribution.”

Located in Vancouver’s historic Gastown district, Exploding Barrel Games is currently working on three unannounced games and has a rapidly growing team of more than 30 designers, artists, and programmers.

USA, San Francisco, CA & Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

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NewBay Media acquires Intent Media Limited

December 7, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

New Bay IntentNewBay Media has acquired Intent Media. Intent, based in the U.K., produces business publications, websites and events within the entertainment, technology and leisure markets. Its brands include Pro Sound News Europe, TVB Europe, Installation, MCV, and ToyNews among many others.

NewBay, was formed in 2006 by the sale of United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division. It is backed by The Wicks Group of Companies, www.wicksgroup.com a New York-based private equity

“Strategically, our plan has always included international expansion, and I am pleased that we were able to do this with a company that so perfectly complements our own portfolio and mission,” states Steve Palm, President and CEO, NewBay. “The addition of Intent immediately enhances our ability to serve the Broadcast, Pro Audio and AV markets. Further, Intent’s terrific team and operating platform open up new opportunities for global expansion of our powerful U.S. brands, as well as development of Intent’s market-leading Gaming, Music and Computer/Mobile Retailing brands into the U.S.”

Intent will operate in parallel to NewBay’s existing business. Stuart Dinsey, Intent’s Founder and Managing Director, will continue his role under the new ownership and will help manage NewBay’s European efforts, operating from Intent’s offices in Hertfordshire and London.

This is the sixth major acquisition of brands by NewBay in as many years, adding assets from United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division in September 2006, from IMAS in July 2007, from Reed Business Information-US in December 2009, from Penton in February 2011, and from Future PLC in January 2012.

USA, New York, NY & UK, Hertford, Hertfordshire

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Axel Springer sells Gamigo to Samarion S.E

November 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Axel Springer is selling Gamigo AG to Samarion S.E., a strategic investor in online gaming with its headquarters in Düsseldorf. Gamigo, is one of the leading German publishers and operators of online games in the MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) segment.

Dr. Jens Müffelmann, Head of the Electronic Media Division at Axel Springer AG: “We would like to thank the management and the employees for the great effort with which they have continuously developed Gamigo’s business in recent years.”

Axel Springer has held a stake in Gamigo since 2000. Since 2009 Axel Springer has held 100 percent of the company, which mainly operates in Germany and France, but also in other international markets.

Germany, Berlin

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Games company Zattikka lists on AIM and makes three acquisitions

April 16, 2012 — Fusion DigiNet

Zattikka plc, a social and casual internet games development and publishing business, has listed in AIM. The Company has completed a placing with institutional and other investors, raising approximately £12.6 million, with proceeds to be used to fund the acquisition of three online games companies and ongoing working capital.

Zattikka is a newly-incorporated company, focused on developing and publishing interactive games entertainment products across internet connected platforms, through various media channels. These channels include PC web browsers, social networks, mobile devices (including smartphones and tablets), connected consoles, and other emerging platforms including IP TVs and set top boxes.

Contemporaneous with admission, Zattikka will complete the acquisitions of three online games companies:

  • Hattrick Holdings
  • Sneaky Games, Inc.
  • Concept Art House, Inc.

The acquisitions will provide Zattikka with products that can then be sold to end-customers in key European, US and Chinese markets, either directly through its own websites, or through third-party digital distribution channels or other new digital platforms.

The vision for the Company is to become a large scale, diverse games publisher with products operating across growth digital platforms, and with a targeted geographic emphasis in Europe, the US and China. The Company proposes to achieve this by developing Zattikka through strategic acquisitions and accelerating on-going organic growth.

Mark Opzoomer, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are delighted to list on AIM to provide the capital base and incentivise the entrepreneurs joining our group. We begin with a strong group of companies with operations in key gaming centres in the USA, China and Europe, a mix of revenues across subscriptions, virtual goods and work for hire with an exceptional team of talent. We have a great opportunity before us to accelerate the growth of this initial group across multi-platforms to create a world class games entertainment group.”

UK, London

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