Snail, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2023 Financial Results

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Snail, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNAL) ("Snail" or "the Company"), a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

"This past year has been filled with exciting milestones for Snail. We launched ARK: Survival Ascended, which sold more than 600,000 units within the first two weeks and surpassed 1.5 million units in sales to date. We are pleased to see the continued engagement in the ARK series and plan to build on this momentum in 2024."

Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2023 Highlights

    --  ARK: Survival Ascended. On October 25, 2023, the Company launched its
        flagship remake of the ARK franchise leveraging Unreal Engine 5's
        stunning graphics and introduced a game-altering cross-platform modding
        system, ushering in a new era of creativity.
        --  ARK: Survival Ascended was ranked the top #1 selling game on Steam
            on launch day.
        --  Since its launch, ARK: Survival Ascended sold 1.6 million units and
            has an average of 182,000 daily active users ("DAUs") with a peak of
            308,000 DAUs.
    --  ARK: Survival Evolved. In the three months and year ended December 31,
        2023, ARK: Survival Evolved averaged a total of 192,000 DAUs and 235,000
        DAUs, respectively.
        --  ARK: Survival Evolved units sold increased for the fourth quarter
            2023 compared to the same period in 2022; approximately 0.7 million
            vs. 1.6 million, respectively.
        --  Units sold decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared
            to the same period in 2022; approximately 4.4 million vs. 5.5
            million, respectively.

Net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $28.6 million as compared to $15.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net revenues was primarily due to the release of ARK: Survival Ascended.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $13.5 million to $60.9 million, or 18.2%, compared to $74.4 million in the prior year period. The decrease in net revenues was due to a decrease in Ark Mobile sales of $2.9 million, a decrease in one-time deferred revenue from contracts recognized in 2022 of $10.3 million, one-time payments in 2022 of $8.5 million related to free download promotions and DLC's, that did not occur in 2023 and an increase in deferred revenues of $25.2 million related to Ark; partially offset by an increase in Ark sales of $32.7 million.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $2.4 million compared to a net loss of $2.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net income is due to the release of ARK: Survival Ascended, reduced general and administrative expenses of $2.5 million and decreased professional expenses related to compliance with public company requirements and litigation related expenses, partially offset by increased advertising and marketing costs of $0.9 million related to the ARK: Survival Ascended release and a $3.9 million decrease in the income tax benefit for the period.

Net loss was $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to a net income of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, representing a decrease of $10.1 million. The decrease was primarily due to decreased revenues of $13.5 million, increased research and development costs of $2.2 million, increased advertising and marketing costs of $0.9 million, increased interest expenses of $0.6 million, decreased interest income - related party of $0.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in cost of revenues of $4.8 million, and a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $2.9 million.

Bookings for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $52.6 million as compared to $11.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the strong release of ARK: Survival Ascended on the Steam, PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

Bookings for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $85.7 million as compared to $63.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the release of ARK: Survival Ascended in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition to increased sales of ARK: Survival Ascended, the Company deferred approximately $22.0 million in revenues during the fourth quarter of 2023 for the ARK: Survival Ascended DLC's which have not yet released and had $10.3 million in one-time deferred contract revenues recognized in 2022 that did not occur in 2023.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $8.8 million, or 169%, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in net income of $4.7million, partially offset by an increase in provision for income taxes of $3.9 million.

EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $9.0 million, or 1,198.1%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of a decrease in net income of $10.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in interest income of $0.7 million and an increase in interest expense of $0.6 million.

As of December 31, 2023, unrestricted cash was $15.2 million versus $12.9 million as of December 31, 2022.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Snail believes Bookings and EBITDA, as non-GAAP measures, are useful in evaluating its operating performance. Bookings and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are presented as supplemental disclosures and should not be construed as alternatives to net income (loss) or revenue as indicators of operating performance, nor as alternatives to cash flow provided by operating activities as measures of liquidity, both as determined in accordance with GAAP. Snail supplementally presents Bookings and EBITDA because they are key operating measures used by management to assess financial performance. Bookings adjusts for the impact of deferrals and, Snail believes, provides a useful indicator of sales in a given period. EBITDA adjusts for items that Snail believes do not reflect the ongoing operating performance of its business, such as certain non-cash items, unusual or infrequent items or items that change from period to period without any material relevance to its operating performance. Management believes Bookings and EBITDA are useful to investors and analysts in highlighting trends in Snail's operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which Snail operates and capital investments.

Bookings is defined as the net amount of products and services sold digitally or physically in the period. Bookings is equal to revenues excluding the impact from deferrals. Below is a reconciliation of total net revenue to Bookings, the closest GAAP financial measure.


                                             Three Months ended December 31,                     Years ended December 31,


                                        2023             2022                 2023          2022


                                     
     
           (in millions)                       (in millions)



     Total net revenue                $28.6            $15.3                $60.9         $74.4



     Change in deferred net revenue    24.0            (3.4)                24.8        (10.7)



     Bookings                         $52.6            $11.9                $85.7         $63.7

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, (ii) interest income, (iii) income tax provision (benefit from) and (iv) depreciation and amortization expense. The following table provides a reconciliation from net income (loss) to EBITDA:


                                                                           Three Months ended December 31,                  Years ended December 31,


                                                                      2023         2022                  2023     2022


                                                                           (in millions)                      (in millions)



             Net (loss) income                                       $2.4       $(2.3)               $(9.1)    $1.0



             Interest income and interest income - related parties              (0.2)                (0.1)   (0.8)



             Interest expense and interest expense - related parties  0.5          0.3                   1.5      0.9



             (Benefit from) provision for income taxes                0.6        (3.2)                (2.4)   (2.4)



             Depreciation and amortization expense, property and      0.1          0.2                   0.4      0.6
    equipment



             
                EBITDA                                     $3.6       $(5.2)               $(9.7)  $(0.7)

Webcast Details

The Company will host a webcast at 4:30 PM ET today to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results. Participants may access the live webcast and replay on the Company's investor relations website at https://investor.snail.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "should," "plan," "intend," "may," "predict," "continue," "estimate" and "potential," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Snail's intent, belief or current expectations. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Snail's business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. The statements Snail makes regarding the following matters are forward-looking by their nature: growth prospects and strategies; launching new games and additional functionality to games that are commercially successful; expectations regarding significant drivers of future growth; its ability to retain and increase its player base and develop new video games and enhance existing games; competition from companies in a number of industries, including other casual game developers and publishers and both large and small, public and private Internet companies; its ability to attract and retain a qualified management team and other team members while controlling its labor costs; its relationships with third-party platforms such as Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore; the size of addressable markets, market share and market trends; its ability to successfully enter new markets and manage international expansion; protecting and developing its brand and intellectual property portfolio; costs associated with defending intellectual property infringement and other claims; future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, on its business and the global economy generally; rulings by courts or other governmental authorities; the Share Repurchase Program, including expectations regarding the timing and manner of repurchases made under the program; its plans to pursue and successfully integrate strategic acquisitions; assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Further information on risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect Snail's financial results are included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time, annual reports on Forms 10-K and quarterly reports on 10-Q filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Snail, and Snail does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

About Snail, Inc.

Snail is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices.

For additional information, please contact: investors@snail.com


                                                                                                                                   
      
      Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                                    
      
      Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                                                                                                      December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022





              
                ASSETS





              
                Current Assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                    $15,198,123        $12,863,817



              Restricted escrow deposit                                                                                                                                              -         1,003,804



              Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $523,500 and $19,929, respectively                                                                25,134,808          6,758,024



              Accounts receivable - related party                                                                                                                                    -        11,344,184



              Loan and interest receivable - related party                                                                                                                     103,753            101,753



              Prepaid expenses - related party                                                                                                                               6,044,404



              Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                     10,169,448         10,565,141



              Total current assets                                                                                                                                          56,650,536         42,636,723





              Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                           1,116,196          6,374,368



              Accounts receivable - related party, net of current portion                                                                                                    7,500,592



              Prepaid expenses - related party                                                                                                                               7,784,062          5,582,500



              Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                                                             4,682,066          5,114,799



              Intangible assets, net - license - related parties                                                                                                                     -         1,384,058



              Intangible assets, net - other                                                                                                                                   271,717            272,521



              Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                         10,247,500          7,602,536



              Other noncurrent assets                                                                                                                                          164,170            198,668



              Operating lease right-of-use assets, net                                                                                                                       2,440,690          3,606,398



              Total assets                                                                                                                                                 $90,857,529        $72,772,571





              
                LIABILITIES, NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY





              
                Current Liabilities:



              Accounts payable                                                                                                                                             $12,102,929         $9,452,391



              Accounts payable - related parties                                                                                                                            23,094,436         19,918,259



              Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                                                         2,887,193          1,474,088



              Interest payable - related parties                                                                                                                               527,770            527,770



              Revolving loan                                                                                                                                                 6,000,000          9,000,000



              Notes payable                                                                                                                                                  2,333,333          5,416,666



              Convertible notes, net of discount                                                                                                                               797,361



              Current portion of long-term promissory note                                                                                                                   2,811,923             86,524



              Current portion of deferred revenue                                                                                                                           19,252,628          4,335,404



              Current portion of operating lease liabilities                                                                                                                 1,505,034          1,371,227



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                     71,312,607         51,582,329





              Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                                 254,731            457,024



              Promissory note, net of current portion                                                                                                                                -         3,221,963



              Deferred revenue, net of current portion                                                                                                                      15,064,078          5,216,042



              Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion                                                                                                            1,425,494          2,930,529



              Total liabilities                                                                                                                                             88,056,910         63,407,887





              
                Commitments and contingencies





              
                Stockholders' Equity:



              Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 9,275,420 shares issued and 7,925,145 shares                                                 927                925
    outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and 9,251,420 shares issued and 8,053,771 shares outstanding as of December 31,
    2022



              Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,748,580 shares issued and outstanding as of                                             2,875              2,875
    December 31, 2023 and 2022



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                    26,171,575         23,436,942



              Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                           (254,383)         (307,200)



              Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                         (13,949,325)       (4,863,250)


                                                                                                                                                                             11,971,669         18,270,292



              Treasury stock at cost (1,350,275 and 1,197,649 shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)                                                       (3,671,806)       (3,414,713)



              Total Snail, Inc. equity                                                                                                                                       8,299,863         14,855,579



              Noncontrolling interests                                                                                                                                     (5,499,244)       (5,490,895)



              Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                     2,800,619          9,364,684



              Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity                                                                                         $90,857,529        $72,772,571


                                                                                                      
              
                Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                  
              
                Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)


                                                                                                                                                                                              Three months ended December 31,                    For the Years Ended December 31,


                                                                                                                                                                                         2023               2022                     2023          2022


                                                                                                                                                                                
           
          (Unaudited)



              Revenues, net                                                                                                                                                      $28,570,222        $15,311,857              $60,902,098   $74,444,141



              Cost of revenues                                                                                                                                                    18,646,615         12,724,280               48,306,403    53,121,676





              Gross profit                                                                                                                                                         9,923,607          2,587,577               12,595,695    21,322,465





              
                Operating expenses:



              General and administrative                                                                                                                                           3,900,962          6,369,288               15,816,088    18,713,958



              Research and development                                                                                                                                             1,165,381          1,295,631                5,057,421     2,955,592



              Advertising and marketing                                                                                                                                            1,094,146            145,365                1,582,464       714,492



              Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                           86,222            130,262                  432,306       565,906



              Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets                                                                                                                                    427           (17,067)                     427      (17,067)



              Total operating expenses                                                                                                                                             6,247,138          7,923,479               22,888,706    22,932,881





              (Loss) income from operations                                                                                                                                        3,676,469        (5,335,902)            (10,293,011)  (1,610,416)





              
                Other income (expense):



              Interest income                                                                                                                                                         31,443            155,124                  129,854       200,913



              Interest income - related parties                                                                                                                                          504                504                    2,000       582,632



              Interest expense                                                                                                                                                     (570,523)         (308,955)             (1,531,719)    (922,293)



              Interest expense - related parties                                                                                                                                           -                                                (3,222)



              Other income                                                                                                                                                          (55,351)          (17,068)                 265,980       302,086



              Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain                                                                                                                              (42,574)          (23,623)                (68,180)      (1,945)



              Total other income (expense), net                                                                                                                                    (636,501)         (194,018)             (1,202,065)      158,171





              Income (loss) before (benefit from) provision for income taxes                                                                                                       3,039,968        (5,529,920)            (11,495,076)  (1,452,245)





              Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                                                                                                                              643,728        (3,249,728)             (2,400,652)  (2,446,423)





              Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                                    2,396,240        (2,280,192)             (9,094,424)      994,178





              Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests                                                                                                            (1,128)           (9,977)                 (8,349)       46,371





              Net income (loss) attributable to Snail, Inc. and Snail Games USA Inc.                                                                                              $2,397,368       $(2,270,215)            $(9,086,075)     $947,807







              
                Comprehensive income statement:





              Net (loss) income                                                                                                                                                   $2,396,240       $(2,280,192)            $(9,094,424)     $994,178



              Other comprehensive income (loss) related to currency translation adjustments, net of tax                                                                               33,302             36,077                   52,817      (40,643)





              
                Total comprehensive income (loss)                                                                                                                      $2,429,542       $(2,244,115)            $(9,041,607)     $953,535





              
                Net income (loss) attributable to Class A common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                 $516,955         $(530,686)            $(1,960,813)     $228,482



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                               $516,955         $(530,686)            $(1,960,813)     $228,482





              
                Net income (loss) attributable to Class B common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                               $1,880,413       $(1,739,529)            $(7,125,262)     $719,325



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                             $1,880,413       $(1,739,529)            $(7,125,262)     $719,325





              
                Income (loss) per share attributable to Class A common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                    $0.07            $(0.06)                 $(0.25)        $0.03



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                                  $0.07            $(0.06)                 $(0.25)        $0.03





              
                Income (loss) per share attributable to Class B common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                    $0.07            $(0.06)                 $(0.25)        $0.03



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                                  $0.07            $(0.06)                 $(0.25)        $0.03





              
                Weighted-average shares used to compute income per share attributable to Class A
    common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                                7,914,564          8,770,468                7,911,369     9,131,512



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                              7,914,564          8,770,468                7,911,369     9,131,512





              
                Weighted-average shares used to compute income per share attributable to Class B
    common stockholders:



              Basic                                                                                                                                                               28,748,580         28,748,580               28,748,580    28,748,580



              Diluted                                                                                                                                                             28,748,580         28,748,580               28,748,580    28,748,580


                                                                                           
              
         Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                       
              
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



     
                
                  For the years ended December 31,                                                                                        2023               2022





     
                Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net (loss) income                                                                                                                           $(9,094,424)          $994,178



     Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:



     Amortization - intangible assets - license                                                                                                             -           250,000



     Amortization - intangible assets - license, related parties                                                                                    1,384,058          7,403,918



     Amortization - intangible assets - other                                                                                                             804              3,751



     Amortization - loan origination fees and debt discounts                                                                                          124,595             26,514



     Accretion - convertible notes                                                                                                                    306,664



     Depreciation and amortization - property and equipment                                                                                           432,306            565,906



     Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                                                 848,035            223,250



     Gain on lease termination                                                                                                                              -         (122,533)



     Gain on paycheck protection program and economic injury disaster loan forgiveness                                                                      -         (174,436)



     Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets                                                                                                              427           (17,067)



     Interest income from shareholder loan                                                                                                                  -         (580,878)



     Interest income from restricted escrow deposit                                                                                                         -           (3,804)



     Credit losses                                                                                                                                    581,498



     Deferred taxes, net                                                                                                                          (2,644,964)           588,478





     Changes in assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                         (18,939,465)         5,486,716



     Accounts receivable - related party                                                                                                            3,824,775        (2,908,361)



     Prepaid expenses - related party                                                                                                             (8,245,966)       (2,437,500)



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                        501,104        (1,875,919)



     Other noncurrent assets                                                                                                                                -          (26,052)



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                               2,992,856          4,976,192



     Accounts payable - related parties                                                                                                             3,176,177        (3,815,313)



     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                                           659,647        (1,039,927)



     Interest receivable - related party                                                                                                              (2,000)



     Interest payable - related parties                                                                                                                     -               986



     Lease liabilities                                                                                                                              (205,520)         (145,949)



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                                              24,765,261       (10,729,488)



     Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                              465,868        (3,357,338)





     
                Cash flows from investing activities:



     Repayment on loan provided by related party                                                                                                            -         (300,000)



     Purchases of property and equipment                                                                                                                    -           (5,256)



     Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                                                                                           -            19,500



     Repayment on Pound Sand note                                                                                                                           -         1,496,063



     Net cash provided by investing activities                                                                                                              -         1,210,307





     
                Cash flows from financing activities:



     Repayments on promissory note                                                                                                                   (79,897)          (70,961)



     Repayments on notes payable                                                                                                                  (6,500,000)       (4,166,667)



     Repayments on revolving loan                                                                                                                 (3,000,000)



     Borrowings on notes payable                                                                                                                    3,000,000



     Borrowings on short-term note                                                                                                                          -        10,000,000



     Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes                                                                                                      847,500



     Refund of dividend withholding tax overpayment                                                                                                 1,886,600



     Payments on paycheck protection program and economic injury disaster loan                                                                              -          (90,198)



     Refund of payments on paycheck protection program and economic injury disaster loan                                                                    -            48,305



     Cash dividend declared and paid                                                                                                                        -       (8,200,000)



     Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                                                     (257,093)       (3,414,713)



     Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs                                                                                           -        11,791,705



     Warrants issued to underwriters                                                                                                                        -           193,927



     Payments of capitalized offering costs                                                                                                                 -       (1,247,567)



     Payments of offering costs in accounts payable                                                                                                 (342,318)



     Release of restricted escrow deposit                                                                                                           1,003,804



     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                                                                                          (3,441,404)         4,843,831





     Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents                                                                                       51,670           (12,730)





     Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents                                               (2,923,866)         2,684,070





     Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period                                                     19,238,185         16,554,115





     
                Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents - end of period                                             $16,314,319        $19,238,185





     
                Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information



     
                Cash paid during the period for:



     Interest                                                                                                                                        $934,523           $788,063



     Income taxes                                                                                                                                    $248,388           $888,303



     
                Noncash transactions during the period for:



     Loan and interest payable - related parties                                                                                             
     $            -          $103,890



     Loan and interest receivable - related parties                                                                                          
     $            -        $(103,890)



     Loan and interest from shareholder                                                                                                      
     $            -       $94,934,400



     Dividend distribution                                                                                                                   
     $            -     $(94,934,400)



     
                Noncash finance activity during the period for:



     Issuance of warrants in connection with equity line of credit                                                                                 $(105,411) 
     $             -



     Gain on paycheck protection program and economic injury disaster loan forgiveness                                                       
     $            -        $(174,436)



     Snail Games USA Common Stock transferred due to reorganization                                                                          
     $            -          $(5,000)



     Snail, Inc. Common Stock and additional paid-in capital transferred due to reorganization                                               
     $            -            $5,000



     Offering costs included in accounts payable                                                                                             
     $            -          $605,295



     Funding of the escrow deposit                                                                                                           
     $            -      $(1,000,000)

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SOURCE Snail, Inc.