UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark one)

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

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 20062007

 

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
incorporation or organization)

 

(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

 

 

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

 

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

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Common Stock, par value $.000001 per share

(Title of Class)

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 ýo  No ox

 

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 ýx

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.

 

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 ýx   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. ýx

 

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 ý                                                                                                   Accelerated Filer  o                                                                                                                                    Non-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 ýx

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant on September 30, 20052006 was $4,115,244,011.$3,404,053,450.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of May 31, 2006June 7, 2007 was 277,879,080.283,310,734.

 

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 20062007 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, and 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 and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

 

 

 

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 StockholderShareholder 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

 

 

2



 

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 20062007 product portfolio included such best-selling products as Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One,3, Guitar Hero II, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (“THAW”), Madagascar,Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam,  Marvel: Ultimate Spider-Man, Quake IV, GUN, True Crime: New York City, Alliance, Over the Hedge, and X-Men Legends IIX-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”), Nintendo GameCubeSony PlayStation 3 (“GameCube”PS3”), Microsoft XboxNintendo Wii (“Xbox”)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 this current-generationthe current generation of hardware platforms is significant and we anticipate the fiscal 2006 release of the Xbox360 and the upcoming calendar 2006fiscal 2007 releases of the Sony PlayStation 3 (“PS3”)PS3 and the Nintendo Wii (“Wii”) will further expand the software market over the next few years by expanding the installed base.market. We successfully executed our strategy of havinghad a high-quality productsuccessful and significant presence at the launchlaunches of the Xbox360, releasing four titles concurrentPS3 and the Wii with the console launch, and are currently developing additional titles for the Xbox360. We are currently developing three launch titles for the PS3, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8, and threefive 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 have acontinue to build on our significant launch presence at the launch of bothon the PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 (“the Wiinext-generation platforms”) by continuing to expand the number of titles released on the next generation platforms while marketingcontinuing to market to current-generation platforms as long as this remains 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

3



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. DuringIn fiscal 2006,2007, we continued to enhance our internal product development capabilities with the acquisition of two game developers, Toys for Bob, Inc. and Beenox, Inc. Additionally, in May 2006, we entered into an agreement to acquireacquired video game publisher RedOctane Inc., the publisher of the popular Guitar Hero franchise. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in

3



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)                                Forward-Looking Statements

In connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Litigation Reform Act”), we are hereby disclosing certain cautionary information to be used in connection with written materials (including this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and oral statements made by or on behalf of our employees and representatives that may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Litigation Reform Act. Such statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative and there are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk and reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. The discussion in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K highlights some of the more important risks identified by management, but should not be assumed to be the only factors that could affect future performance. You are cautioned that we do not have a policy of updating or revising forward-looking statements, and thus you should not assume that silence by the Company over time means that actual events are bearing out as estimated in such forward-looking statements.

(e)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 Comics’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”Third,” which was released in May 2007, and “Madagascar 2.”  As part of our agreement with DreamWorks Animation, SKG, 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 “Rex Havoc”“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

4



with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk through an exclusive multi-year agreement to develop video games using his name and likeness. Through fiscal 2006,2007, we have released seveneight 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. Recently weWe also have also signed agreements with Hasbro Properties Group to develop and publish video games based on the “Transformers” brand and with MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. to develop and publish video games based on the James Bond license.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,

4



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,  GameCube, Xbox,PS3, Xbox360, and the next-generation Xbox360Wii console systems, GBA, PSP, and NDS hand-held devices, and the PC. We are developing products for the PS3 and Wii next-generation console systems which are expected to be released in calendar 2006. 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

5



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

5



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’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, GameCube,   Xbox,PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 console systems; GBA, PSP and NDS hand-held devices; and PCs. We are also developing products for the PS3 and Wii next-generation console systems expected to be released in calendar 2006. In order to maintain general access to the console systems and hand-held devices marketplace, we have maintained licenses for PS2, GameCube, Xbox,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, and 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,

6



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.

6



 

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.

 

7



 

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 10%8%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.2007. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005,2006, our largest customer,customers, Wal-Mart and GameStop, accounted for 23%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 Australia.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 Australiathe 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

 

8



 

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, 2006,2007, sales for Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft accounted for approximately 24%22%, 3%6%, and 3%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 Ultimate Spider-Man, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland,Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, GUN, Activision Anthology, and Call of Duty 2, X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse (“X-Men Legends II”), and Fantastic Four 3 for various hand-held wireless devices, such as Nokia’s N-Gage wireless platform, as well as many traditional wireless handsets.devices. We also develop and optimize many of our titles for consoles that support online play, such as PS2, Xbox Live on both the Xbox and Xbox360, and the up-coming Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii next-generation 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.;

9



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.; Ubi SoftUbisoft Entertainment; Vivendi Games Publishing; and Vivendi Universal

9



Publishing.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, 2006,2007, we had 2,149approximately 2,125 employees, including 1,370approximately 1,300 in product development, 167200 in North American publishing, 156175 in international publishing, 150 in operations, corporate finance and administration, and 306300 in European distribution activities.

 

As of March 31, 2006, 2922007, 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.

 

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.

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 2006, 30% of our consolidated net revenues (38% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 14%, 8%, and 8% of consolidated net revenues (18%, 10%, and 10% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2005, 37% of our consolidated net revenues (48% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 16%, 11%, and 10% of consolidated net revenues (21%, 14%, and 13% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2004, 35% of our consolidated net revenues (49% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 17%, 14%, and 4% of consolidated net revenues (24%, 20%, and 5% of worldwide publishing net revenues). 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, in many cases less than one year. The life cycle of a title 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.

10



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.

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

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. In fiscal 2006, Microsoft released Xbox360 and in calendar 2006, Sony and Nintendo plan to introduce their respective next-generation hardware platforms, the Playstation 3 and Wii, respectively. We began selling games for the Xbox360 concurrently with its launch and are developing titles for the next-generation console systems being developed by Sony and Nintendo. Delays in the launch, shortages, technical problems, or lack of consumer acceptance of the next-generation platforms could adversely affect our sales of products for these platforms. In addition, 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.

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 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.

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 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. 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 year end holiday buying season.

11



If the average price of current-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 current-generation platforms. As the interactive entertainment industry transitions to next-generation video game platforms, we expect there to be fewer current-generation titles able to command premium price points, 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 current-generation titles to continue to decline, which may have a negative effect on our margins and operating results.

With the launch of the Xbox360 we have priced our next-generation titles at a premium retail price of $59.99. We also plan to offer our next-generation titles for the PS3 at the same premium pricing. We expect to continue to price next-generation titles at premium pricing, 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.

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 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 products and related promotional materials and the ability to change the fee they charge for the manufacturing of products, that 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, as online capabilities for video game platforms emerge, our platform licensors will control our ability to provide online game capabilities for our console platform products and will in large part establish the financial terms on which these services are offered to consumers. Currently, Microsoft provides online capabilities for the Xbox and Xbox360 and Sony provides online capabilities for PS2 products. We expect Sony will also provide online capabilities for PS3 products. In each case, compatibility code and the consent of the licensor are required for us to include online capabilities in our products. In addition, the business model for Microsoft’s and Sony’s online businesses for their video game products may compete with our online business. As these capabilities become more significant, the failure or refusal of our licensors to approve our products, or the successful deployment by these licensors of services competitive to ours, 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. Starting in fiscal 2005 and continuing into fiscal 2007, our platform licensors have begun to introduce new hardware platforms into the market. 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 future platforms and online

12



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.

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

Software products 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.

Inadequate intellectual property protections could prevent us from enforcing or defending our proprietary technology.

We regard our software as proprietary and rely on a combination of copyright, 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 and trademarks. We are aware that some unauthorized copying occurs within the computer software industry, and if a significantly greater amount of unauthorized copying of our interactive entertainment software products were to occur, it could cause material harm to our business and financial results.

Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult, and software piracy is a persistent problem, especially in some international markets. 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. 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.

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 inadvertently infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. Our products often utilize complex, cutting edge technology that may become subject to the intellectual property rights of others. Although we believe that we make reasonable

13



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, 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 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 in a few cases, 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.

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. 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 Computer Entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., and Microsoft Corporation 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 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

14



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. While many new products are regularly introduced, only a relatively small number of “hit” titles account for a significant portion of net revenue. 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, offer competitive products at lower price points, or if we do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well-received products, our revenue, margins, and profitability will decline.

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 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 10% of consolidated net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2006. For the year ended March 31, 2005, our largest customer, Wal-Mart, accounted for 23% of consolidated net revenues. 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.

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.

15



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

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. These services are generally performed under limited term contracts. Although we expect to use reasonable efforts to retain these vendors, we may not be successful in this regard. The cancellation or non-renewal of one or more of these contracts could significantly harm our business and financial results. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft products accounted for approximately 24%, 3%, and 3%, respectively, of our worldwide distribution net revenues for fiscal 2006.

Our international revenues may be subject to regulatory requirements as well as currency fluctuations.

Our international revenues have accounted for a significant portion of our total revenues. International sales and licensing accounted for 52%, 50%, and 53% of our consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, 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. Currency exchange rate fluctuations may in the future have a material negative impact on revenues from international sales and licensing and thus our business and financial results.

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

The Entertainment Software Rating Board, sometimes referred to as the ESRB, requires game publishers to provide consumers with information relating to graphic violence, profanity, or sexually explicit material contained in software titles, 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. Our software titles receive a rating of “E” (age 6 and older), “E10+” (age 10 and older), “T” (age 13 and over), or “M” (age 17 and over). Many of our titles have received an “M” rating. None of our titles have received the “AO” 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.

The ESRB requires publishers to conduct pertinent content audit certifications with respect to certain top selling titles, the objective of which is to assess what portion, if any, of the games on the market include undisclosed pertinent content on the disc that undermines the accuracy of the ESRB rating. This self audit procedure applies to certain current titles and may be applied to additional titles in the future. We are currently conducting a self audit in accordance with the ESRB’s requirements. It is possible that there may be content in our games that could be determined to be pertinent content that causes a change to our current ESRB rating. In such event, we may be required to record a reserve for anticipated product returns and inventory obsolescence which could expose us to additional litigation, administrative fines and penalties, and other potential liabilities, and could adversely affect our operating results.

Our business, products, and distribution are subject to increasing regulation in key territories of content, consumer piracy, and online delivery. 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 web sites. 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 advertising of interactive entertainment software. Other countries, such as Germany, have adopted laws regulating content both in packaged goods and those transmitted over the Internet that are stricter than current United States laws.

Several proposals have been made for federal legislation in the United States to regulate our industry, including a bill, referred to as The Family Entertainment Protection Act, which was recently introduced into the

16



Senate. Such bill proposes to prohibit the sale of “M” rated, “AO” rated, and “Rating Pending” products to under-17 audiences. If the bill is adopted into law, it may limit the potential market for our “M” rated products, and adversely affect our operating results. We may also be required to modify our products or alter our marketing strategies to comply with new regulations, which could delay the release of our products. Due to the uncertainties regarding such regulations, confusion in the marketplace may occur, and we are unable to predict what effect, if any, such regulations would have on our business. In addition, a number of state legislative bodies in states such as Illinois, California, New York, and Washington introduced various forms of legislation designed to regulate and control sales of video games deemed inappropriate for sales to minors. In the event such legislation is adopted and enforced, the sales of our products in states with such laws may be negatively affected.

Our products may be subject to legal claims.

In prior fiscal years, two lawsuits, Linda Sanders, et al. v. Meow Media, Inc., et al., United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and Joe James, et al. v. Meow Media, Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Division, 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.

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.

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.

17



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 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 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.

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;

18



                              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.

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.

Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export SalesGeographic 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 and 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 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS1A. RISK FACTORS

None.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

10



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

11



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.

12



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.

13



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

14



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.

15



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.

16



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,

17



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, 2006:2007:

 

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

 

China

Shanghai, China

5001,900

 

Lease

 

December 2006July 2007

Beenox, Inc.

 

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

 

4,40011,110

 

Lease

 

September 2007 + January 2010

Motion Capture StudioChina

 

Los Angeles, CA, USAShanghai & Taipei, China

 

11,5001,500

 

Lease

 

March 2009Month 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 20152009

Shaba Games, Inc.

 

San Francisco, CA, USA

 

23,300

 

Lease

 

February 20082013

Toys For Bob, Inc.

 

Novato, CA, USA

 

9,500

 

Lease

 

July 20062007

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

Vicarious Visions, Inc.

Menands, NY, USA

37,100

Lease

May 2016

Z-Axis, Ltd.

 

Foster City, CA, USA

 

24,000

 

Lease

 

August 2007February 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia Publishing

 

Sydney, Australia

 

2,2007,300

 

Lease

 

July 20062007

France Publishing

 

Bezons, France

 

4,0003,500

 

Lease

 

October 20092007

German Publishing

 

Burglengenfeld, Germany

 

2,200

 

Own

 

N/A

Italy Publishing

Legnano, Italy

2,700

Lease

September 2009

Japan Publishing

 

Tokyo, Japan

 

1,9002,200

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 20072009

United Kingdom Publishing

 

Stockley Park, UK

 

15,000

 

Lease

 

September 2015

Value Publishing

 

Eden Prairie, MN, USA

 

14,000

 

Lease

 

May 2008

Italy Publishing

Legnano, Italy

2,700

Lease

September 2009

Spain Publishing

Madrid, Spain

3,400

Lease

April 2009

Nordic Publishing

Stockholm, Sweden

3,500

Lease

July 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

German Distribution

 

Burglengenfeld, Germany

 

40,900

 

Own

 

N/A

Netherlands Distribution-offices

 

Breda, the Netherlands

 

2,5001,000

 

Lease

 

January 2007Month to Month

Netherlands Distribution-warehouse

 

Venlo, the Netherlands

 

44,600

 

Own

 

N/A

United Kingdom Distribution

 

Birmingham, UK

 

163,100182,100

 

Lease

 

May 2011-2018

 

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

 

Item 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On March 5, 2004, a class action lawsuit wasIn July 2006, individuals and/or entities claiming to be stockholders of the Company have filed derivative lawsuits, purportedly on behalf of the Company, against uscertain current and certainformer members of ourthe Company’s Board of Directors as well as several current and former officers and directors. The complaint, which asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange ActCompany. 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 1934 basedCalifornia: 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 allegationsbehalf 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 our revenuesdefense expenses associated with the matters will be covered by its directors and assets were overstated duringofficers insurance, subject to the period between Februaryterms 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, 2001 and December 17, 2002,2007, 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 Construction Industry, and Carpenters Joint Pension Trust for Southern Nevada purporting to represent a class of purchasers of Activision stock. Five additional purported class actions were subsequentlysame law firm that previously filed by Gianni Angeloni, Christopher Hinton, Stephen Anish, the Alaska Electrical Pension Fund, and Joseph A. Romans assertingHamian case, alleging substantially the same claims. Consistent

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 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (“PSLRA”), the court appointed lead plaintiffs consolidating the six putative securities class actions into a single case. In an Order dated May 16, 2005, the court dismissed the consolidated complaint because the plaintiffs failed to satisfy the heightened pleading standardsSEC’s investigation, and representatives of the PSLRA. The court did, however, give the lead plaintiffs leavespecial subcommittee of independent members of our Board of Directors established in July 2006 to file an amended consolidated complaint within 30

20



daysreview our historical stock option granting practices (the “Special Subcommittee”) and its legal counsel have met with members of the order. Rather than file a new complaint, the Plaintiff agreed to dismiss the entire case with prejudice. The Order dismissing the action with prejudice was entered on June 17, 2005.

In addition, on March 12, 2004, a shareholder derivative lawsuit captioned Frank Capovilla, Derivatively on Behalf of Activision, Inc. v. Robert Kotick, et al. was filed, purportedly on behalf of Activision, which in large measure asserts the identical claims set forth in the federal class action lawsuit. That complaint was filed in California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. On August 11, 2005, in lightstaff of the ruling dismissing with prejudiceSEC on several occasions, in person and by telephone (as has the complaint inCompany’s outside legal counsel), to discuss the earlier filed federal securities class action, plaintiffs in the shareholder derivative action filed an amended complaint, dropping mostprogress of the causes of action,Special Subcommittee’s investigation and focusing onlyon February 28, 2007 to brief the SEC staff on the allegationsSpecial Subcommittee’s findings and recommendations following the substantial completion of insider tradingthe Special Subcommittee’s investigation. A representative of the U.S. Department of Justice has attended certain of these meetings and breachesrequested copies of fiduciary dutycertain documents that were based on the same claimed misrepresentations set forth in the dismissed federal securities class action. On September 15, 2005, Activision and the individual defendants filed separate demurrerswe have provided to the Derivative Action and a motion to strike plaintiff’s jury demand. Prior to the hearing on the demurrers, the parties came to a resolutionstaff of the action and agreed to a stipulation of settlement to be submitted to the court for preliminary approval. No cash recovery is to be paid to the plaintiff pursuant to the stipulation of settlement, which also stated thatSEC. At this time, the Company vigorously deniedhas not received any assertiongrand jury subpoenas or written requests from the Department of wrongdoing or liability. In furtherance of the settlement, the Company agreed to pay $200,000 in plaintiffs’ fees, to be funded by the Company’s D&O insurance carrier. The settlement acknowledged that, after the time the derivative action was filed, the Company implemented certain enhancements to its corporate governance policies. Notice of Settlement was mailed and emailed to shareholders as well as posted on the Company’s website. No objections to settlement were received. At a hearing held on May 22, 2006, the Court approved the settlement and released and dismissed the alleged claims.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.

 

2125



 

PART II

Item 5.

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

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

 

Our common stock is quoted on the NasdaqNASDAQ 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 May 31, 2006,June 7, 2007, there were approximately 2,6502,417 holders of record of our common stock.

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Fiscal 2005

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2004

 

$

9.61

 

$

7.74

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2004

 

9.23

 

6.84

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2004

 

11.53

 

7.02

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2005

 

14.04

 

10.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Fiscal 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 

$

13.88

 

$

10.64

 

 

$

13.88

 

$

10.64

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2005

 

17.30

 

12.07

 

 

17.30

 

12.07

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2005

 

18.03

 

12.94

 

 

18.03

 

12.94

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2006

 

15.93

 

11.81

 

 

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 May 31, 2006,June 7, 2007, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $13.08.$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 20062007 or 20052006 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.

 

22



Under the buyback program, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and March 31,or 2005. We repurchased approximately 3.4 million shares of our common stock for $12.4 million in the yearsfiscal 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, 2006,2007, 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.

 

28



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 $.01$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.

 

2329



 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Information for our equity compensation plans in effect as of March 31, 20062007 is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Plan Category

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

(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

 

23,929

 

$

8.17

 

13,673

 

 

27,060

 

$

9.36

 

9,619

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

25,344

 

$

4.28

 

733

 

 

23,304

 

$

4.53

 

256

 

Total

 

49,273

 

$

6.17

 

14,406

 

 

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.

 

2430



 

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, 20062007 are derived from our audited 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, 20062007 and 20052006 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, 2006,2007, and the report thereon, are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K (in thousands, except per share data).

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

$

864,116

 

$

786,434

 

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

$

864,116

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

734,874

 

658,949

 

475,541

 

440,977

 

435,725

 

 

799,587

 

734,874

 

658,949

 

475,541

 

440,977

 

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

 

205,488

 

185,997

 

91,606

 

124,196

 

99,006

 

 

178,478

 

205,488

 

185,997

 

91,606

 

124,196

 

Income from operations

 

17,957

 

184,571

 

109,817

 

94,847

 

80,574

 

 

73,147

 

15,226

 

179,608

 

104,537

 

84,691

 

Income before income tax provision

 

48,587

 

197,663

 

115,992

 

103,407

 

83,120

 

 

109,825

 

45,856

 

192,700

 

110,712

 

93,251

 

Net income

 

41,899

 

138,335

 

77,715

 

66,180

 

52,238

 

 

85,787

 

40,251

 

135,057

 

74,098

 

59,003

 

Basic earnings per share (1)

 

0.15

 

0.55

 

0.33

 

0.26

 

0.26

 

 

0.31

 

0.15

 

0.54

 

0.31

 

0.23

 

Diluted earnings per share (1)

 

0.14

 

0.50

 

0.30

 

0.24

 

0.22

 

 

0.28

 

0.14

 

0.49

 

0.29

 

0.21

 

Basic weighted average common shares
outstanding (1)

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

236,887

 

256,639

 

202,607

 

 

281,114

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

236,887

 

256,639

 

Diluted weighted average common shares
outstanding (1)

 

299,437

 

278,860

 

257,588

 

276,413

 

237,821

 

 

305,339

 

294,002

 

277,712

 

258,350

 

277,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

86,007

 

215,309

 

67,403

 

90,975

 

111,792

 

 

27,162

 

86,007

 

215,309

 

67,403

 

90,975

 

Investing activities

 

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

(170,155

)

(301,547

)

(8,701

)

 

(35,242

)

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

(170,155

)

(301,547

)

Financing activities

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

117,569

 

64,090

 

50,402

 

 

27,968

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

117,569

 

64,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital

 

$

923,892

 

$

915,413

 

$

675,796

 

$

422,500

 

$

333,199

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

944,960

 

840,864

 

587,649

 

406,954

 

279,007

 

Capitalized software development and intellectual property licenses

 

147,665

 

127,340

 

135,201

 

107,921

 

56,742

 

Goodwill

 

100,446

 

91,661

 

76,493

 

68,019

 

35,992

 

Total assets

 

1,419,523

 

1,306,963

 

968,817

 

704,816

 

556,887

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

2,671

 

3,122

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

1,225,584

 

1,099,912

 

832,738

 

597,740

 

430,091

 

 

 

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.

 

2531



 

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

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 isare 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 20062007 product portfolio includedincludes titles such best-selling products asOver the Hedge, X-Men: The Official Game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (“THAW”), Madagascar, Ultimate Spider-Man, Quake IV, GUN, True Crime: New York City, 3, and X-Men Legends IIGuitar 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 PS2, GameCube, Xbox,Sony PlayStation 2 (“PS2”), the Sony PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), the Nintendo Wii (“Wii”), and the Microsoft Xbox360 (“Xbox360”) console systems, GBA, PSP,the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (“GBA”), the Nintendo Dual Screen (“NDS”), and NDSthe Sony PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) hand-held devices, and the PC.personal computer (“PC”). The installed base for this current-generationthe previous generation of hardware platforms (e.g., PS2, Xbox) is significant and the fiscal 2006 release of the Xbox360 and the upcoming calendar 2006fiscal 2007 releases of the PS3 and the Wii will further expand the software market. We successfully executed our strategyDuring the third quarter of havingfiscal 2007, we had a high-quality productsuccessful and significant presence at the launchlaunches of the Xbox360, releasing four titles concurrentPS3 and the Wii with the console launch, and are currently developing additional titles for the Xbox360. We are also currently developing three launch titles for the PS3, Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8, and threefive 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 have acontinue to build on our significant launch presence at the launch of bothon the PS3, Wii, and Xbox360 (“the Wiinext-generation platforms”) by continuing to expand the number of titles released on the next generation platforms while marketingcontinuing 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-partythird party publishers. In the United States and Canada,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, Sweden,Scandinavia, Canada, South Korea, and Japan. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis, through third-partythird party distribution and licensing arrangements, and through our wholly-ownedwholly 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 2006 “big proposition”2007 releases have included well-established brands, which wereare backed by high-profile intellectual property and/or highly anticipated motion picture releases. For example, we have a long-term relationship with Marvel EnterprisesEntertainment, Inc. through an exclusive licensing agreement. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we further extended our exclusive licensing agreement with Marvel Enterprises by signing a multi-year extension to our current video game 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 fiscal 2006,March 31, 2007, games based on the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises have generated more than $785.7approximately $852.7 million in net revenuerevenues worldwide. Our fiscal 2006 release schedule included titles based on Marvel’s Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic 4, which was part of our previous licensing agreement. InUnder this agreement, in the first

 

2632



 

first quarter of fiscal 20062007 we released the video game, Fantastic 4, just prior to the theatrical release of “Fantastic 4.”  We also released Ultimate Spider-Man and X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse (“X-Men Legends II”) in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 in North America and in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 internationally. In fiscal 2007, under this agreement, we plan to release X-Men: The Official Game, aroundcoinciding with the theatrical release of “X-Men: The Last Stand” andStand.”  In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we released Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.across multiple platformsand Spider-Man: Battle for New York on the NDS and GBA. In addition, through our licensing agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, LP, we will be developingdeveloped and publishingpublished video games based on Columbia Pictures/Marvel Enterprises,Entertainment, Inc.’s upcoming feature film “Spider-Man 3,” which is expected to bewas released in May 2007.  In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we signed anOur agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising, LP to extend ourgrants 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 fiscal 2006,March 31, 2007, we have released seveneight successful titles in the Tony Hawk franchise with cumulative net revenues of $1.1$1.2 billion, including the most recent,two fiscal 2007 third quarter releases, THAWTony 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 gamein the third quarterU.S. for the month of fiscal 2006.December. We will continue to build on the highly successful Tony Hawk franchise with future releases currently in fiscal 2007 with the release of Tony Hawk’s Project 8 and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam.development for multiple platforms.

 

We continue to develop a number of original intellectual properties which are developed and owned by Activision.internally. For example, in the third quarter of fiscal 20062007 we released Call of Duty 2 3 on the PC andPS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox360, and the Wii. According to the NPD Group, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One3 , onwas the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox. According to NPD Funworld,#3 best-selling console game in the U.S. Call of Duty 23 was the top selling Xbox360 title of the year. These titles were the fourth and fifth releasessixth release based upon this original intellectual property following two other PC exclusive titles, Call of Duty and Call of Duty: United Offensive, and one other console title, Callas well as multi-platform releases of Duty: Finest Hour. In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we also released True Crime: New York City, which was based upon our fiscal 2004 original intellectual property True Crime: Streets of LA, and GUN, a new original intellectual property. According to NPD Funworld, we have developed the number one new original intellectual property title in each of the past three years which included True Crime: Streets of LA in calendar 2003, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Call of Duty: Big Red One, in calendar 2004, and GUN Call of Duty 2. in calendar 2005. We expect to continue to develop a variety of games on multiple platforms based on thesethis original propertiesintellectual 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, including “Shrek the Third” and “Madagascar 2.”sequels. In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we further enhanced our multi-year agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG by signing a multi-year agreement whichLLC also grants us the exclusive video game rights to four upcoming feature films, “Bee Movie,”  “Kung Fu Panda,” “Rex Havoc,” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” as well as potential future films in the “Shrek” franchise beyond the upcoming “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. InFurther building on this franchise, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, we plan on releasingreleased our second title under this alliance, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions.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,(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 MayApril 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

 

In addition to acquiring or creating high profile intellectual property, we have also continued our focus on establishing and maintaining relationships with talented and experienced software development teams. We have strengthened our internal development capabilities through the acquisition of several development companies with talented and experienced teams including the acquisitions of developers Toys For Bob, Inc. in April 2005 and Beenox, Inc.

2733



 

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 May 2005. Additionally, in Maythe 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 ana distribution agreement to acquire video game publisher RedOctanewith MTV Networks Kids and Family Group’s Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom Inc., to be the publisherexclusive distributor of three new Nick Jr. PC CD-ROM titles, published by Nickelodeon and based on the popular Guitar Hero franchise. We have development agreements with other top-level, third-party developers such as id Software, Inc., Edge of Reality, Ltd., top preschool series on commercial television, Dora The Explorer, The Backyardigans, and Splash Damage, Ltd.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 the 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 (the(i.e., a date thaton which products are made widely available for sale 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“cost of sales intellectual property licenseslicenses” and cost“cost of sales software royalties and amortization.

 

Sales incentives or other consideration given by us to our customers isare 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, allowallows customers a credit against amounts owed by such customers to Activisionus 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 weekly inventory and sell-through reports, and consistent participation in the launches of our premium title releases.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

28



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, 20062007 allowance for returns and price protection would impact net revenues by approximately $1.0$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 impactaffect 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“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“cost of sales — software royalties and amortizationamortization” 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.

29



 

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“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“cost of sales — intellectual property licenseslicenses” 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 and expected 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.

 

30Stock-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 statementsConsolidated Statements of operationsOperations 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):

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

 

Fiscal Year ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

$

947,656

 

100

%

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

734,874

 

50

 

658,949

 

47

 

475,541

 

50

 

 

799,587

 

52

 

734,874

 

50

 

658,949

 

47

 

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization

 

147,822

 

10

 

123,800

 

9

 

59,744

 

6

 

 

132,353

 

9

 

147,822

 

10

 

123,800

 

9

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses

 

57,666

 

4

 

62,197

 

5

 

31,862

 

3

 

 

46,125

 

3

 

57,666

 

4

 

62,197

 

5

 

Product development

 

131,782

 

9

 

86,543

 

6

 

97,859

 

10

 

 

133,073

 

9

 

132,651

 

9

 

87,776

 

6

 

Sales and marketing

 

283,220

 

19

 

230,058

 

16

 

128,221

 

14

 

 

196,213

 

13

 

283,395

 

19

 

230,299

 

16

 

General and administrative

 

94,679

 

7

 

59,739

 

4

 

44,612

 

5

 

 

132,514

 

9

 

96,366

 

7

 

63,228

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

1,450,043

 

99

 

1,221,286

 

87

 

837,839

 

88

 

 

1,439,865

 

95

 

1,452,774

 

99

 

1,226,249

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

17,957

 

1

 

184,571

 

13

 

109,817

 

12

 

 

73,147

 

5

 

15,226

 

1

 

179,608

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income, net

 

30,630

 

2

 

13,092

 

1

 

6,175

 

 

 

36,678

 

2

 

30,630

 

2

 

13,092

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax provision

 

48,587

 

3

 

197,663

 

14

 

115,992

 

12

 

 

109,825

 

7

 

45,856

 

3

 

192,700

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

6,688

 

 

59,328

 

4

 

38,277

 

4

 

 

24,038

 

1

 

5,605

 

 

57,643

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,899

 

3

%

$

138,335

 

10

%

$

77,715

 

8

%

 

$

85,787

 

6

%

$

40,251

 

3

%

$

135,057

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues by Territory:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

710,040

 

48

%

$

696,325

 

50

%

$

446,812

 

47

%

 

$

753,376

 

50

%

$

710,040

 

48

%

$

696,325

 

50

%

Europe

 

717,494

 

49

 

675,074

 

48

 

479,224

 

51

 

 

718,973

 

47

 

717,494

 

49

 

675,074

 

48

 

Other

 

40,466

 

3

 

34,458

 

2

 

21,620

 

2

 

 

40,663

 

3

 

40,466

 

3

 

34,458

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

$

947,656

 

100

%

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues by Segment/Platform Mix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

$

812,345

 

55

%

$

713,947

 

51

%

$

508,418

 

54

%

 

$

886,795

 

59

%

$

812,345

 

55

%

$

713,947

 

51

%

Hand-held

 

158,861

 

11

 

138,695

 

10

 

24,945

 

2

 

 

153,357

 

10

 

158,861

 

11

 

138,695

 

10

 

PC

 

183,457

 

13

 

220,087

 

15

 

132,369

 

14

 

 

78,886

 

5

 

183,457

 

13

 

220,087

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

1,154,663

 

79

 

1,072,729

 

76

 

665,732

 

70

 

 

1,119,038

 

74

 

1,154,663

 

79

 

1,072,729

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

196,413

 

13

 

256,452

 

18

 

223,802

 

24

 

 

238,662

 

16

 

196,413

 

13

 

256,452

 

18

 

Hand-held

 

76,973

 

5

 

23,282

 

2

 

18,361

 

2

 

 

122,293

 

8

 

76,973

 

5

 

23,282

 

2

 

PC

 

39,951

 

3

 

53,394

 

4

 

39,761

 

4

 

 

33,019

 

2

 

39,951

 

3

 

53,394

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distribution net revenues

 

313,337

 

21

 

333,128

 

24

 

281,924

 

30

 

 

393,974

 

26

 

313,337

 

21

 

333,128

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

$

947,656

 

100

%

 

$

1,513,012

 

100

%

$

1,468,000

 

100

%

$

1,405,857

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss) by Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

$

(3,984

)

%

$

160,826

 

11

%

$

93,223

 

10

%

 

$

64,076

 

4

%

$

(6,715

)

%

$

155,863

 

11

%

Distribution

 

21,941

 

1

 

23,745

 

2

 

16,594

 

2

 

 

9,071

 

1

 

21,941

 

1

 

23,745

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

$

17,957

 

1

%

$

184,571

 

13

%

$

109,817

 

12

%

 

$

73,147

 

5

%

$

15,226

 

1

%

$

179,608

 

13

%

 

3138



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 andLucasArts’ 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



Call of Duty 3, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, Rapala Tournament Fishing, and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam. With the strong consumer demand for the platform, our five releases performed well, three of which were top ten Wii titles in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, according to NPD Funworld: Call of Duty 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam.

We expect net revenues from sales of titles for the Wii to significantly increase with the growth of the installed base and an increase in the number of titles on our slate for fiscal 2008. Due to its mass market appeal, we believe that the Wii will provide a significant opportunity for us in the upcoming fiscal years.

Nintendo GameCube Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

22,761

 

2

%

$

80,964

 

7

%

$

(58,203

)

(72

)%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Nintendo GameCube decreased 72% from $81.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $22.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decrease in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues reflects a decrease in the number of new releases in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 and a significant slowdown in sales on the GameCube platform as customers transition to the next generation platforms. In fiscal 2006, we released nine major titles: Madagascar, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, Ultimate Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Call of Duty: Big Red One, True Crime: New York City, GUN, Shrek Super Slam and X-Men Legends 2. This compares to fiscal 2007 when we released four titles: Over the Hedge, X-Men: The Official Game, Shrek Smash N’ Crash Racing, andour European affiliate title, Star Wars Lego 2.

We expect net revenues for the GameCube to significantly decrease in fiscal 2008. Net revenues will be generated from catalog sales only, as we will no longer develop titles for this platform.

Hand-held (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

153,357

 

13

%

$

158,861

 

14

%

$

(5,504

)

(3

)%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the hand-held platforms decreased 3% from $158.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $153.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. Hand-held net revenues as a percentage of publishing net revenues decreased slightly from 14% to 13%. Within the hand-held platforms, net revenues for the GBA platform decreased 39%, from $79.7 million for the prior fiscal year, to $48.5 million for fiscal 2007, PSP decreased by 4%, from $52.0 million to $49.9 million, and net revenues for the NDS doubled from $27.1 million for fiscal 2006 to $54.9 million for the current year. The decrease in net revenues for GBA is primarily related to slower GBA sales due to wider acceptance of the NDS platform. The net revenue increase for NDS reflects the strong performance of our key fiscal 2007 titles which includes Over the Hedge, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, X-Men: The Official Game, Spider-Man: Battle for New York and LucasArts’ Star Wars Lego 2 in Europe, as the platform continued to gain consumer acceptance and market share. PSP net revenues for fiscal 2007 were slightly lower than the previous year. In fiscal 2006, we released a stronger PSP slate and our titles performed well with the consumer excitement for the March 2005 North America platform launch, and the September 2005 European platform launch. The 2006 slate included Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Spider-Man: The Movie 2, X-Men Legends 2, World Series of Poker, and two affiliate titles in Europe. Our key releases in fiscal 2007 were Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, Call of Duty: Roads to Victory, and one European affiliate title, LucasArts’ Star Wars Lego 2.

With the installed base of the NDS and PSP continuing to increase, we expect that fiscal 2008 hand-held net revenues to continue to increase year over year.

44



Overall

The platform mix of our future publishing net revenues will likely be impacted by a number of factors, including the ability of hardware manufacturers to continue to increase their installed hardware base for the next-generation platforms, as well as the performance of key product releases from our product release schedule. We expect that net revenues from console titles will continue to represent the largest component of our publishing net revenues with Xbox 360 having the largest percentage of that business in fiscal 2008 due to its large installed hardware base and our strong slate of titles. We expect significant growth in net revenues from PS3 and Wii next-generation console systems and a decrease in the percentage of PS2 business in fiscal 2008. With the installed base of the NDS and PSP platforms continuing to increase, we also expect to see a continued increase in our hand-held business in line with the growth in the installed base. Our net revenues from PC titles will be primarily driven by our product release schedule.

A significant portion of our revenues and profits are derived from a relatively small number of popular titles and brands each year and revenues and profits are significantly affected by our ability to release highly successful “hit” titles. For example, for the year ended March 31, 2007, 29% of our consolidated net revenues and 39% of worldwide publishing net revenues were derived from net revenues from our Call of Duty 3, Guitar Hero 2, and Marvel:  Ultimate Alliance 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 operating profits resulting in a disproportionate amount of operating income being derived from these select titles. We expect that a limited number of titles and brands will continue to produce a disproportionately large amount of our net revenues and profits.

Three key factors that could affect future publishing and distribution net revenue performance are console hardware pricing, software pricing, and transitions in console platforms.  As console hardware moves through its life cycle, hardware manufacturers typically enact price reductions.  Reductions in the price of console hardware typically result in an increase in the installed base of hardware owned by consumers.  Historically, we have seen that lower console hardware prices put downward pressure on software pricing.  However, we expect console software launch pricing for the Xbox360 and PS3 to hold at current levels as a result of the strong consumer acceptance of these price points that has occurred since the launch of the next generation platforms and the greater product capability and value of next generation titles. We continue to expect software pricing on PS2 to hold at $39.99 with continued momentum on this platform. We will not be launching any new NGC or Xbox title in fiscal year 2008.

Distribution Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

393,974

 

26

%

$

313,337

 

21

%

$

80,637

 

26

%

Distribution net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2007 increased 26% from the prior fiscal year, from $313.3 million to $394.0 million. Foreign exchange rates increased reported distribution net revenues by approximately $27.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. Excluding the impact of the changing foreign currency rates, our distribution net revenues increased $53.3 million or 17% year over year. This year over year increase was primarily due to the strong releases for certain third-party publishers, increased hardware sales primarily related to the launch of two new platforms in fiscal 2007, the PS3 and the Nintendo Wii, as well as ongoing sales of NDS and PSP hardware, and the addition of a new customer in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

The mix of distribution net revenues between hardware and software sales varied year over year with approximately 17% of distribution net revenues from hardware sales in the year ended March 31, 2007 as compared to 20% in the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2007 results included the hardware releases of the Nintendo Wii in November 2006 and the PS3 in late March 2007. Fiscal 2006 included the release of the PSP in Europe in the second quarter and the Xbox360 in November 2005. The mix of future distribution net revenues will be driven by a number of factors including the occurrence of further hardware price reductions instituted by hardware manufacturers, and our ability to establish and maintain distribution agreements with hardware manufacturers, third-party software publishers and retail customers.

45



We expect our fiscal 2008 distribution net revenues to decrease in absolute dollars and as a percentage of consolidated net revenues when compared with fiscal 2007 primarily due to the loss of a customer at the end of fiscal 2007 and strong growth of our publishing business.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of Sales – Product Costs (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

799,587

 

52

%

$

734,874

 

50

%

$

64,713

 

9

%

“Cost of sales – product costs” represented 52% and 50% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. In absolute dollars, “cost of sales — product costs” increased 9% from $734.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $799.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2007. The primary factors affecting the increase in “cost of sales – product costs” in absolute dollars and as a percentage of consolidated net revenues were:

                  An increase in consolidated net revenues of 3% from $1,468.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 to $1,513.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2007.

                  A higher percentage of our business relating to distribution which carries higher product costs than our publishing business.

                  Higher net revenues from products for console platforms in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues from $812.3 million and 70% of publishing net revenues in fiscal 2006 to $886.8 million and 80% of publishing net revenues in fiscal 2007. Console products have higher costs of sales – product costs associated with them than PC products, due to the royalty payments to hardware manufacturers.

Partially offset by:

                  Non-recurring write-downs of inventory costs recorded in fiscal 2006 in the amount of $14.5 million due to the high level of inventory for certain titles which, due to weaker market conditions and a slow down in re-orders caused by the console transition.

We expect cost of sales — product costs as a percentage of net revenues to decrease in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily due to a larger proportion of our business being derived from the publishing segment in fiscal 2008.

Cost of Sales Software Royalties and Amortization (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

132,353

 

12

%

$

147,822

 

13

%

$

(15,469

)

(10

)%

“Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization” for the year ended March 31, 2007 decreased as a percentage of publishing net revenues from the prior fiscal year, from 13% to 12%. In absolute dollars, “cost of sales

46



– software royalties and amortization” for the year ended March 31, 2007 also decreased from the prior fiscal year, from $147.8 million to $132.4 million. The decreases were mainly due to:

                  A decrease in the number of titles released in fiscal 2007 as compared to the prior year when we had the largest slate of new releases in our history. A decrease in amortization of software development costs from internally developed games, was partially offset by increases in royalties for games developed by third party developers.

                  Non-recurring costs recorded in fiscal 2006 totaling $12.6 million, related to impairment charges for a title in development in 2006, and recoverability write-offs related to released titles.

We expect “costs of sales – software royalties and amortization” to increase in fiscal 2008 in proportion to the expected increase in publishing net revenues.

Cost of Sales – Intellectual Property Licenses (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

46,125

 

4

%

$

57,666

 

5

%

$

(11,541

)

(20

)%

“Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses” for the year ended March 31, 2007 decreased in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues over the same period last year, from $57.7 million to $46.1 million and from 5% to 4%, respectively. The decreases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues were due mainly to a decrease in the number of titles with associated intellectual property in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2007, we released the following titles with associated intellectual property:  Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Over the Hedge, X-Men: Official Game, Guitar Hero 1 and 2, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 and Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam. In fiscal 2006, we released the following titles with associated intellectual property: Doom 3 for the Xbox, Madagascar, Fantastic Four, Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men Legends II, THAW, Quake IV, and Shrek SuperSlam.

We expect intellectual property licenses to increase in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues in fiscal 2008 as a result of our planned title slate which includes several key releases with licensed intellectual property such as Spider-Man: The Movie 3, Transformers, Shrek the Third, and Bee Movie.

Product Development (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

133,073

 

12

%

$

132,651

 

11

%

$

422

 

%

Product development expenses of $133.1 million and $132.7 million represented 12% and 11% of publishing net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues was primarily generated by:

                  Increased costs incurred to fund more product development capacity at certain studios as well as the addition of Red Octane.

47



                  Increases in product development expenses of $4.8 million in fiscal 2007 related to stock-based compensation expense as a result of the implementation of SFAS 123R.

                  Compensation provided to employees in fiscal 2007 to cure tax penalties related to previously-exercised stock options.

Partially offset by:

                  Product cancellation charges of $11.4 million, including termination fees, incurred during fiscal 2006. Given the market conditions, the lower than expected performance of some of our third quarter fiscal 2006 releases, and risks associated with console transition, we performed a thorough review of the then pending product slate. To better align opportunities associated with the next-generation console platforms with income potential and risks associated with certain titles in development, we canceled development of certain titles and permanently removed them from our future title slate. There were no product cancellation charges during fiscal 2007.

                  The implementation during fiscal 2007 of certain cost control initiatives including sharing technologies and tools across multiple platforms and studios, increasing our development schedules to facilitate a longer pre-production phase and more predictable workflow times, and outsourcing certain areas of game development to lower cost service providers.

Sales and Marketing (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenue

 

2006

 

Net Revenue

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

196,213

 

13

%

$

283,395

 

19

%

$

(87,182

)

(31

)%

Sales and marketing expenses of $196.2 million and $283.4 million represented 13% and 19% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues was a result of the implementation of a more targeted media program which worked more efficiently helped by the overall strength and high quality of our fiscal 2007 title slate. We also released fewer titles in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006, where we had the largest slate of new releases in our history. The decreases were partially offset by expenses of $5.1 million in fiscal 2007 related to stock-based compensation expense as a result of the implementation of SFAS 123R, as well as sales and marketing expenses associated with the acquisition of the Guitar Hero franchise.

General and Administrative (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

132,514

 

9

%

$

96,366

 

7

%

$

36,148

 

38

%

General and administrative expenses of $132.5 million and $96.4 million represented 9% and 7% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increases were primarily due to increased legal expenses and professional fees relating primarily to our internal review of historical stock option granting practices, the consolidation of RedOctane into our results of operations, amortization of intangible assets related to the RedOctane acquisition, and stock-based compensation expense of $10.0 million in fiscal 2007 as a result of the implementation of SFAS 123R. These increases were partially offset by the benefits of our cost optimization program launched in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and gains on foreign currency.

48



Operating Income (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2007

 

Net Revs

 

2006

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

$

64,076

 

6

%

$

(6,715

)

(1

)%

$

70,791

 

1054

%

Distribution

 

9,071

 

2

%

21,941

 

7

%

(12,870

)

(59

)%

Consolidated

 

$

73,147

 

5

%

$

15,226

 

1

%

$

57,921

 

380

%

Publishing operating income for the year ended March 31, 2007 increased $70.8 million from the same period last year, from an operating loss of $6.7 million to operating income of $64.1 million. The increase is primarily due to:

                  The strong performance of our fiscal 2007 titles.

                  A decrease in provision for returns and price protection in fiscal 2007 from 18% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2006 compared to 9% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2007, primarily due to improved market conditions and stronger sell through of our 2007 title releases.

                  A significant decrease in sales and marketing spending as a result of improved efficiency in executing our marketing programs.

                  The implementation of certain cost control initiatives resulting in decreased product development and general and administrative expenses (excluding expenses related to our internal review of historical stock option granting practices and expenses relating to the informal SEC inquiry and derivative litigation).

                  Fiscal 2006 results included cancellation, impairment, and earn-out recoverability charges totaling $24.0 million. See additional description of charges incurred in the cost of sales – software royalties and amortization and the product development discussions.

                  Fiscal 2006 results also included write-downs of inventory costs of $14.5 million. See additional description in the cost of sales – product costs discussion.

Partially offset by:

                  Stock-based compensation expenses of $22.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2007 as a result of the implementation of SFAS 123R.

                  Legal and other professional fees of $26.9 million associated with our internal review of historical stock option granting practices, including expenses relating to the informal SEC inquiry and derivative litigation.

                  Amortization of intangible assets related to the RedOctane acquisition of $11.7 million.

Distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2007 decreased over the same period last year, from $21.9 million to $9.1 million. The decrease in operating income in 2007 was primarily due to increased business from large mass-market customers for which we earn smaller margins, an increase in hardware sales which carries a lower margin than software, and higher reserves for inventory obsolescence.

49



Investment Income, Net (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

36,678

 

2

%

$

30,630

 

2

%

$

6,048

 

20

%

Investment income, net for the year ended March 31, 2007 was $36.7 million as compared to $30.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. The increase was primarily due to higher yields earned on our short term investments and cash equivalents, and a realized gain in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 of $1.8 million on the sale of an investment in common stock.

Provision for Income Taxes (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2007

 

Income

 

2006

 

Income

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

24,038

 

22

%

$

5,605

 

12

%

$

18,433

 

329

%

The income tax provision of $24.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2007 reflects our effective income tax rate of 22%. This is higher than prior years as a result of an increase in pretax income for the year ended March 31, 2007, versus the amount of pretax income for the year ended March 31, 2006, without a corresponding increase in the benefit of book/tax differences. The significant items that generated the variance between our effective rate and our statutory rate of 35% were research and development tax credits, the impact of foreign tax rate differentials, and the elimination of the valuation allowance for research and development tax credits, partially offset by state taxes and the establishment of tax reserves for these credits and other deferred tax assets. The realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the generation of future taxable income. We believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate taxable income sufficient to realize the benefit of net deferred tax assets recognized.

Net Income

Net income for the year ended March 31, 2007 was $85.8 million or $0.28 per diluted share, as compared to $40.3 million or $0.14 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

Results of Operations – Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Net Revenues

 

We primarily derive revenue from sales of packaged interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles (such as the PS2, Xbox, Xbox360, and GameCube), 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.

50



 

The following table details our consolidated net revenues by business segment and our publishing net revenues by territory for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

710,040

 

$

696,325

 

$

13,715

 

2

%

Europe

 

404,157

 

341,946

 

62,211

 

18

%

Other

 

40,466

 

34,458

 

6,008

 

17

%

Total international

 

444,623

 

376,404

 

68,219

 

18

%

Total publishing net revenues

 

1,154,663

 

1,072,729

 

81,934

 

8

%

Distribution net revenues

 

313,337

 

333,128

 

(19,791

)

(6

)%

Consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

62,143

 

4

%

 

Consolidated net revenues increased 4% from $1,405.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $1,468.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. This increase in consolidated net revenues was solely generated by our publishing business and was driven by the following:

 

                  An increase year over year in the number of titles released. Our fiscal 2006 launch schedule included the largest slate of new releases in our history. In fiscal 2006, we released seventeen major titles including 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. In addition, four of these titles, Call of Duty 2, THAW, Quake 4, and GUN, were released concurrently with the release of the Xbox360 platform at a premium retail price of $59.99. This compares to fourteen titles in fiscal 2005, which included the following major releases: Spider-Man 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 (“THUG 2”), Shrek 2, X-Men Legends, Doom 3, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Shark Tale, Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2005, and Rome: Total War. Additionally in fiscal 2006, we achieved our goal of increasing the number of million and multi-million unit selling titles.

 

                  An increase in our hand-held platform presence growing publishing hand-held revenues by $20.2 million or 15% from $138.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $158.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. This was driven by an increase in the number of hand-held titles released combined with titles being released across more hand-held platforms with the fiscal 2005 introductions of the PSP and NDS.

 

Partially offset by:

 

                  An increase in provision for return and price protection throughout fiscal 2006 from 12% of net revenues in fiscal 2005 to 18% of net revenues in fiscal 2006, due to challenging market conditions and the ongoing console transition.

 

                  A decrease in net revenues from our distribution business due mostly to the effect of year over year weakening of the Euro (“EUR”) and Great Britain Pound (“GBP”) in relation to the United States Dollar

32



(“USD”). Foreign exchange rates decreased reported distribution net revenues by approximately $14.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our distribution net revenues decreased 1% year over year.

Due to uncertainty with regard to the market, software pricing, and first-party hardware plans for current and next-generation consoles, we plan on releasing a more focused slate of titles in fiscal 2007. As a result, we anticipate revenue will decrease in fiscal 2007 in comparison to the record net revenues achieved in fiscal 2006.

 

North America Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

710,040

 

48

%

$

696,325

 

50

%

$

13,715

 

2

%

 

North America publishing net revenues increased 2% from $696.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $710.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. The increase reflects our largest slate of releases in company history and expansion of our hand-held presence with products for PSP, NDS, and GBA. This was offset by weaker market conditions resulting in higher provisions for returns and price protection. North America publishing net

51



revenues decreased as a percentage of consolidated net revenues from 50% for year ended March 31, 2005 to 48% for the year ended March 31, 2006. The decrease is due to a larger increase in our international publishing net revenues due to successful expansion efforts into new territories and the strong performance of our affiliate titles in Europe.

 

International Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

444,623

 

31

%

$

376,404

 

26

%

$

68,219

 

18

%

444,623

 

30

%

$

376,404

 

27

%

$

68,219

 

18

%

 

International publishing net revenues increased by 18% from $376.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $444.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. Additionally, international publishing net revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues increased from 26%27% for the year ended March 31, 2005 to 31%30% for the year ended March 31, 2006. The increases were due mainly to our successful expansion efforts into new territories combined with strong performance from our affiliate label products which included the successful LucasArts’ titles, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Battlefront II. The increase in international publishing net revenues was partially offset by a weakening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the USD of approximately $14.5 million. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our international publishing net revenues increased 22% year over year. In the coming year, we will continue to focus on expanding our international publishing capabilities and direct-selling efforts in both the European and Asia-Pacific markets.

33



 

Publishing Net Revenues by Platform

 

Publishing net revenues increased 8% from $1,072.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $1,154.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. 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, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2006

 

Net Revs

 

2005

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing Net Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

$

183,457

 

16

%

$

220,087

 

21

%

$

(36,630

)

(17

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

422,239

 

36

%

417,310

 

39

%

4,929

 

1

%

Microsoft Xbox

 

205,864

 

18

%

196,894

 

18

%

8,970

 

5

%

Microsoft Xbox360

 

102,809

 

9

%

 

%

102,809

 

%

Nintendo GameCube

 

80,964

 

7

%

96,936

 

9

%

(15,972

)

(16

)%

Other

 

469

 

%

2,807

 

%

(2,338

)

(83

)%

Total console

 

812,345

 

70

%

713,947

 

66

%

98,398

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand-held

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Boy Advance

 

79,738

 

7

%

101,796

 

9

%

(22,058

)

(22

)%

PlayStation Portable

 

52,016

 

5

%

19,200

 

2

%

32,816

 

171

%

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

27,107

 

2

%

17,699

 

2

%

9,408

 

53

%

Total hand-held

 

158,861

 

14

%

138,695

 

13

%

20,166

 

15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

$

1,154,663

 

100

%

$

1,072,729

 

100

%

$

81,934

 

8

%

 

Personal Computer Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

183,457

 

16

%

$

220,087

 

21

%

$

(36,630

)

(17

)%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PC decreased 17% from $220.1 million and 21% of publishing net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $183.5 million and 16% of publishing net revenues for the year ended

52



March 31, 2006. The decrease in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing revenue was due to the slate of PC titles released in fiscal 2005 in comparison to fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2005, we released the highly successful PC titles Doom 3 and Rome: Total War and also had strong continued sell through of our catalog title, Call of Duty. Although we had strong sales from our fiscal 2006 PC titles, Call of Duty 2, The Movies, and Quake 4, in fiscal 2005, according to NPD Funworld, we were the only publisher to have three top-ten PC titles for calendar year 2004. We expect fiscal 2007 PC publishing net revenues to decrease in absolute dollars due to a more focused slate of titles in fiscal 2007 which includes only one PC exclusive title, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and one expansion pack, The Movies: Stunts and Effects. We expect fiscal 2007 PC publishing net revenues as a percentage of total publishing net revenues to remain consistent with fiscal 2006.

 

34



Sony PlayStation 2 Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

422,239

 

36

%

$

417,310

 

39

%

$

4,929

 

1

%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 increased 1% from $417.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $422.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. The slight increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of major titles released for the PS2 from seven major titles in fiscal 2005 to nine major titles in fiscal 2006. This increase was offset by an increase in the provision for returns and price protection on new releases due to weaker market conditions. In addition, Madagascar, which was our fifth best selling PS2 title for fiscal 2006 in terms of units sold, was released at a lower initial retail pricing point of $39.99 compared to $49.99 for comparable children’s titles in fiscal 2005. As a percentage of publishing net revenues, net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 decreased from 39% for the year ended March 31, 2005 to 36% for the year ended March 31, 2006. The decrease is due to a change in our platform revenue mix due to the introduction of the Xbox360. We expect the installed base of PS2 to continue to grow in fiscal 2007, although at a slower rate than in previous years, due to the anticipated release of the next-generation PS3 console system in calendar 2006. However, due to the market uncertainty involving the transition to the next-generation console systems, we plan on releasing a more focused slate in fiscal 2007 resulting in a significant decrease in PS2 titles from fiscal 2006 where we had the largest slate of titles in our history. As a result, we expect net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 to decrease in fiscal 2007 in comparison to fiscal 2006. We expect the release of the PS3 to have a small impact on fiscal 2007 net revenues given the initially low installed base.

 

Microsoft Xbox Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

205,864

 

18

%

$

196,894

 

18

%

$

8,970

 

5

%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox increased 5% from $196.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $205.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 and held steady as a percentage of publishing net revenues at 18%. The increase was primarily attributable to the strong performance of our first quarter fiscal 2006 Xbox exclusive release of Doom 3 which had no comparable Xbox exclusive title released in fiscal 2005. This increase was offset by increased provisions for returns and price protection in anticipation of quicker required pricing actions as a result of the introduction of the Xbox360, which is expected to result in a gradual slowdown in sales for the Xbox as customers upgrade or anticipate upgrading to the next-generation platform. We expect our fiscal 2007 net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox to decrease versus fiscal 2006 due to fewer anticipated title releases for the Xbox in fiscal 2007 combined with a declining customer base as the Xbox360 hardware becomes more readily available and its installed base grows.

 

Microsoft Xbox360 Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

102,809

 

9

%

$

 

%

$

102,809

 

%

 

The Xbox360 was released in November 2005 and was the first of the next-generation hardware to be released. Consistent with our goal of having a significant presence at the launch of each new platform, we released four titles concurrently with the release of the Xbox360, Call of Duty 2, THAW, Quake 4, and GUN. All of these titles

35



were released at premium retail pricing of $59.99. Although limited by hardware availability in fiscal 2006, we experienced strong sales of these four titles, and, according to NPD Funworld, Call of Duty 2 was the number one title on the Xbox360 and had the highest attach rate of any console launch in video game history. We expect the Xbox360 to provide significant opportunity for us in the upcoming fiscal years. In fiscal 2007, we expect net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox360 to continue to increase over what we achieved in fiscal 2006.

 

53



Nintendo GameCube Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

80,964

 

7

%

$

96,936

 

9

%

$

(15,972

)

(16

)%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Nintendo GameCube decreased 16% from $96.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $81.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. Despite an increase in the number of titles released for the GameCube from seven major titles for the year ended March 31, 2005 to nine major titles for the year ended March 31, 2006, the releases in fiscal 2006, which included GUN, Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, THAW, and True Crime: New York City, were less geared toward the demographics of the GameCube audience as compared to our fiscal 2005 title releases, which included Spider-Man 2 and Shrek 2. Additionally, Madagascar, which was our top selling title on the GameCube in fiscal 2006, was released at a lower initial retail pricing of $39.99 as compared to Spider-Man 2 and Shrek 2, which were both released at an initial retail price of $49.99. Madagascar was our top selling title on the GameCube for fiscal 2006 and although it performed strongly, it compares to fiscal 2005 where our top two selling titles on the GameCube were Spider-Man 2 and Shrek 2, each of which outperformed Madagascar.We expect fiscal 2007 net revenues for the GameCube to decrease over fiscal 2006 due to our more focused fiscal 2007 title slate and the next-generation platforms gaining market share over current-generation platforms such as the GameCube. It is anticipated that Nintendo will release their next-generation console, the Wii, in calendar 2006. Given the initially low installed base, we expect the release of the Wii to have little initial impact on our net revenues.

 

Hand-held (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

158,861

 

14

%

$

138,695

 

13

%

$

20,166

 

15

%

 

Net revenues from sales of titles for the hand-held for the year ended March 31, 2006 increased 15% from the prior fiscal year, from $138.7 million to $158.9 million. Additionally, hand-held net revenues as a percentage of publishing net revenues increased from 13% for the year ended March 31, 2005 to 14% for the year ended March 31, 2006. The increases were due to the worldwide introductions of the NDS and PSP hand-held platforms in late fiscal 2005 and the continued growth of their installed base throughout fiscal 2006, which resulted in hand-held titles being sold across more platforms. In addition, compared to the other hand-held platforms, titles for the PSP have a higher retail pricing point of $49.99. The major titles driving hand-held net revenues in fiscal 2006 were Madagascar, Madagascar: Operation Penguin, Fantastic Four, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Shrek SuperSlam for the GBA; Madagascar, Ultimate Spider-Man, Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land, and Shrek SuperSlam for the NDS; and THUG 2, Spider-Man 2, X-Men Legends II, and LucasArts’ Star Wars Battlefront II for the PSP. This compares to fiscal 2005 where the main titles driving hand-held net revenues were Shrek 2, Spider-Man 2, and DreamWorks’ Shark Tale for the GBA; Spider-Man 2 for the NDS; and THUG 2 and Spider-Man 2 for the PSP.With the installed base of the PSP, NDS, and GBA continuing to increase and the PSP expanding the demographic of the hand-held gamer, we expect that fiscal 2007 hand-held net revenues to continue to increase year over year.

Overall

The platform mix of our future publishing net revenues will likely be impacted by a number of factors, including the ability of hardware manufacturers to continue to increase their installed hardware base and the

36



introduction of new hardware platforms, as well as the performance of key product releases from our product release schedule. We expect that net revenues from console titles will continue to represent the largest component of our publishing net revenues with PS2 having the largest percentage of that business due to its larger installed hardware base. However, during fiscal 2007, we expect the introduction of the PS3 and Wii next-generation console systems and a higher installed base of the Xbox360 will continue to decrease the percentage of PS2 business throughout the year. With the installed base of the NDS and PSP platforms continuing to increase, we also expect to see a continued increase in our hand-held business in line with the growth in the installed base in comparison to prior periods. Our net revenues from PC titles will be primarily driven by our product release schedule.

A significant portion of our revenues and profits are derived from a relatively small number of popular titles and brands each year as revenues and profits are significantly affected by our ability to release highly successful titles. For example, for the year ended March 31, 2006, 20% of our consolidated net revenues and 26% of worldwide publishing net revenues were derived from net revenues from our Call of Duty 2, THAW, and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One 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 operating profits resulting in a disproportionate amount of operating income being derived from these select titles. We expect that a limited number of titles and brands will continue to produce a disproportionately large amount of our net revenues and profits.

Three key factors that could affect future publishing and distribution net revenue performance are console hardware pricing, software pricing, and transitions in console platforms. As console hardware moves through its life cycle, hardware manufacturers typically enact price reductions. Reductions in the price of console hardware typically result in an increase in the installed base of hardware owned by consumers. Historically, we have also seen that lower console hardware prices put downward pressure on software pricing. While we expect console software launch pricing for the Xbox360 to hold at $59.99, we have noticed downward pressure on the prices of current-generation software. Additionally, when new console platforms are announced or introduced into the market, such as the upcoming 2006 calendar year releases of the PS3 and Wii and the November 2005 release of the Xbox360, 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.

 

Distribution Net Revenues (in thousands)

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

313,337

 

21

%

$

333,128

 

24

%

$

(19,791

)

(6

)%

 

Distribution net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased 6% from the prior fiscal year, from $333.1 million to $313.3 million. Foreign exchange rates decreased reported distribution net revenues by approximately $14.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. Excluding the impact of the changing foreign currency rates, our distribution net revenues decreased $4.9 million or 1% year over year. The remaining year over year decrease was primarily due to the termination of relationships with unprofitable publishers and stronger third-party releases in fiscal 2005.

 

The mix of distribution net revenues between hardware and software sales varied year over year with approximately 20% of distribution net revenues from hardware sales in the year ended March 31, 2006 as compared to 13% in the prior fiscal year. This was mainly attributed to the release of the PSP in Europe in the second quarter of

54



fiscal 2006 and the release of the Xbox360 in November 2005. In both fiscal years, hardware sales were principally comprised of sales of console hardware. The mix of future distribution net revenues will be driven by a number of factors including the occurrence of further hardware price reductions instituted by hardware manufacturers, the introduction of new hardware platforms, and our ability to establish and maintain distribution agreements with hardware manufacturers and third-party software publishers. We expect our fiscal 2007 distribution net revenues to decrease when compared with fiscal 2006 due to uncertainty with regard to the software market as a result of the transition from current-generation console system to the next-generation Xbox360, PS3, and Wii and a more focused slate of Activision titles.

37



 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales – Product Costs (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

734,874

 

50

%

$

658,949

 

47

%

$

75,925

 

12

%

734,874

 

50

%

$

658,949

 

47

%

$

75,925

 

12

%

 

Cost of sales – product costs represented 50% and 47% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In absolute dollars, cost of sales product costs increased 12% from $658.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $734.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2006. The primary factors affecting the increase in cost of sales – product costs in absolute dollars and as a percentage of consolidated net revenues were:

 

                  Volume growth in our European territories of LucasArts’ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, and Star Wars Battlefront II. LucasArts’ titles are part of our affiliate label program and carry a significantly higher product cost than Activision developed titles.

 

                  Write-downs of inventory costs for certain titles in fiscal 2006 in the amount of $14.5 million due to the high level of inventory for certain titles at the end of our third quarter of fiscal 2006. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2006 we reviewed the levels of inventory and determined that, due to lower than expected re-orders caused by weaker market conditions and the ongoing console transition, we anticipated that certain titles in our inventory would likely be sold below its original cost.

 

                  A decrease in our PC net revenues as a percentage of publishing net revenues from 21% in fiscal 2005 to 16% in fiscal 2006. Products for PC typically have lower costs of sales – product costs associated with them as they do not require royalty payments to hardware manufacturers.

 

                  An increase in provision for returns and price protection throughout fiscal 2006 from 12% of net revenues in fiscal 2005 compared to 18% of net revenues in fiscal 2006, due to challenging market conditions and the ongoing console transition.

 

                  An increase in consolidated net revenues of 4% from $1,405.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 to $1,468.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

                  Reduced pricing on a number of catalog titles as well as new releases in our kids genre.

 

We expect cost of sales — product costs as a percentage of net revenues to remain relatively flat as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. This is primarily due to slightly higher product costs related to next-generation titles offset by higher retail pricing on next-generation titles which are anticipated to retail for $59.99.

38



Cost of Sales Software Royalties and Amortization (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

147,822

 

13

%

$

123,800

 

12

%

$

24,022

 

19

%

147,822

 

13

%

$

123,800

 

12

%

$

24,022

 

19

%

 

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization for the year ended March 31, 2006 increased as a percentage of publishing net revenues from the prior fiscal year, from 12% to 13%. In absolute dollars, cost of sales – software royalties and amortization for the year ended March 31, 2006 also increased from the prior fiscal year, from $123.8 million to $147.8 million. The increases in cost of sales – software royalties and amortization in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues were mainly due to:

 

                  Impairment charges and recoverability write-offs of $12.6 million in fiscal 2006. We performed a detailed review of capitalized costs for released titles and determined that expected future revenues, given the change

55



in market conditions, on certain titles would not support the remaining capitalized software balance on these titles. As a result, we incurred a $3.8 million recoverability charge on these titles in fiscal 2006. In addition, we reviewed future recoverability of capitalized amounts on titles in development and determined that one of our titles, to be released in fiscal 2007, was unlikely to fully recover capitalized costs given the change in expectations as a result of weaker market conditions and uncertainty involved in the console transition and, as a result, took an impairment charge of $8.8 million on this title.

 

                  Overall continued increases in costs to develop titles for additional platforms, particularly those titles released for the more technologically advanced next-generation console platforms.

 

Due to market uncertainty associated with the ongoing console transition to the next-generation hardware and our more focused fiscal 2007 title slate, we expect costs of sales – software royalties and amortization to decrease in fiscal 2007 in proportion to the expected decrease in net revenues.

Cost of Sales – Intellectual Property Licenses (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

57,666

 

5

%

$

62,197

 

6

%

$

(4,531

)

(7

)%

57,666

 

5

%

$

62,197

 

6

%

$

(4,531

)

(7

)%

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses for the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues over the same period last year, from $62.2 million to $57.7 and from 6% to 5%, respectively.The decreases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues were due mainly to a one-time benefit related to the settlement of an intellectual property claim in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The number of titles with associated intellectual property remained relatively flat year over year. In fiscal 2006, we released the following titles with associated intellectual property: Doom 3 for the Xbox, Madagascar, Fantastic Four, Ultimate Spider-Man, X-Men Legends II, THAW, Quake IV, and Shrek SuperSlam. In fiscal 2005 we released the following titles with associated intellectual property: Spider-Man 2, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, X-Men Legends, THUG 2, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Doom 3.We expect cost of sales – intellectual property licenses for fiscal 2007 to remain relatively flat as a percentage of publishing net revenues but to decrease in absolute dollars in proportion to the expected decrease in net revenues in fiscal 2007.

39



 

Product Development (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

131,782

 

11

%

$

86,543

 

8

%

$

45,239

 

52

%

132,651

 

11

%

$

87,776

 

8

%

44,875

 

51

%

 

Product development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2006 increased as a percentage of publishing net revenues from the prior fiscal year, from 8% to 11%. In absolute dollars, product development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2006 also increased from the prior fiscal year, from $86.5$87.8 million to $131.8$132.7 million. The increase in product development expenses both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues was due to:

 

                  Increased development, quality assurance, and outside developer costs as a result of the development of more technologically advanced titles across more platforms.

 

                  Product cancellation charges of $11.4 million, including termination fees, incurred during fiscal 2006. Given the market conditions, the lower than expected performance of some of our third quarter fiscal 2006 releases, and risks associated with console transition, we performed a thorough review of our upcoming product slate. To better align opportunities associated with the next-generation console platforms with income potential and risks associated with certain titles in development, we canceled development of certain titles and permanently removed them from our future title slate.

 

                  Increased costs in fiscal 2006 related to the full year operation of three recently acquired studios, Vicarious Visions, Inc., Toys for Bob, Inc., and Beenox, Inc., as well as costs incurred to fund more product development capacity at certain studios.

 

For fiscal 2007, we expect product development costs to increase as a percentage of net revenues due to the increased costs related to developing more technologically advanced titles for the next-generation console systems. Over time, we intend to offset increased development costs of the next-generation console systems by sharing technologies and tools across multiple platforms, increasing our development schedules to facilitate a longer pre-production phase and more predictable workflow times, and outsourcing certain areas of game development to lower cost service providers.56



 

Sales and Marketing (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenue

 

2005

 

Net Revenue

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenue

 

2005

 

Net Revenue

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

283,220

 

19

%

$

230,058

 

16

%

$

53,162

 

23

%

283,395

 

19

%

$

230,299

 

16

%

53,096

 

23

%

 

Sales and marketing expenses of $283.2$283.4 million and $230.1$230.3 million represented 19% and 16% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues was primarily generated by our publishing business as a result of significant marketing programs including television and in-theatre ad campaigns and in-store promotions to support our biggest product release slate in company history. The increase in sales and marketing investment as a percentage of net revenues was a result of additional sales and marketing investment during the key holiday season which did not provide the revenue increase that was anticipated at the time that the marketing costs were incurred.

 

We expect sales and marketing expense to decrease on both an absolute basis and as a percentage of consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2007 due to a more focused slate in fiscal 2007 and due to a more targeted sales and marketing plan.

40



General and Administrative (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

94,679

 

7

%

$

59,739

 

4

%

$

34,940

 

58

%

96,366

 

7

%

$

63,228

 

4

%

33,138

 

52

%

 

General and administrative expenses for the year ended March 31, 2006 increased $34.9$33.1 million over the same period last year, from $59.7$63.2 million to $94.7$96.4 million.  As a percentage of consolidated net revenues, general and administrative expenses increased from 4% to 7%. The increases were primarily due to an increase in personnel costs including costs related to European territory expansion, separation and severance costs associated with a less than 7% reduction in workforce in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, increased bad debt write-offs, an increase in foreign currency transaction losses, and increased legal costs.

 

We expect general and administrative expenses to decrease in absolute dollars in fiscal 2007 as we realize the benefits of a more efficient cost structure resulting from the recent workforce realignment partially offset by increases in compensation expense related to the implementation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.

Operating Income (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

2006

 

Net Revs

 

2005

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

2006

 

Net Revs

 

2005

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

$

(3,984

)

%

$

160,826

 

15

%

$

(164,810

)

(102

)%

 

$

(6,715

)

(1

)%

$

155,863

 

15

%

$

(162,578

)

(104

)%

Distribution

 

21,941

 

7

%

23,745

 

7

%

(1,804

)

(8

)%

 

21,941

 

7

%

23,745

 

7

%

(1,804

)

(8

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

17,957

 

1

%

$

184,571

 

13

%

$

(166,614

)

(90

)%

 

$

15,226

 

1

%

$

179,608

 

13

%

$

(164,382

)

(92

)%

 

Publishing operating income for the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased $164.8$162.6 million from the same period last year, from $160.8$155.9 million to an operating loss of $4.0$6.7 million. Changes in exchange rates related to the year over year weakening of the EUR, GBP, and Australian dollar (“AUD”) in relation to the USD did not have a material impact on publishing operating income. The decrease is primarily due to:

 

                  Increased sales and marketing spending to support our large title release slate.

 

                  An increase in provision for returns and price protection throughout fiscal 2006 from 12% of net revenues in fiscal 2005 compared to 18% of net revenues in fiscal 2006, due to challenging market conditions and the ongoing console transition.

 

                  Cancellation, impairment, and earn-out recoverability charges totaling $24.0 million taken in fiscal 2006. See additional description of charges incurred in the cost of sales – software royalties and amortization and the product development discussions.

57



 

                  Write-downs of inventory costs of $14.5 million taken during fiscal 2006. See additional description in the cost of sales – product costs discussion.

 

Distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased over the same period last year, from $23.7 million to $21.9 million. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on distribution operating income of approximately $1.4 million. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency rates, distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased approximately $0.4 million or 2% from the same period last year.

 

41



Investment Income, Net (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

30,630

 

2

%

$

13,092

 

1

%

$

17,538

 

134

%

30,630

 

2

%

$

13,092

 

1

%

$

17,538

 

134

%

 

Investment income, net for the year ended March 31, 2006 was $30.6 million as compared to $13.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. The increase was primarily due to higher invested balances combined with rising yields, a realized gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 of $1.3 million on the sale of an investment in common stock, and a realized gain of $2.9 million on the sale of a cost basis investment during the year ended March 31, 2006 as compared to 2005.

 

Provision for Income Taxes (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2006

2006

 

Income

 

2005

 

Income

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

2006

 

Income

 

2005

 

Income

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,688

 

14

%

$

59,328

 

30

%

$

(52,640

)

(89

)%

5,605

 

12

%

$

57,643

 

30

%

$

(52,038

)

(90

)%

 

The income tax provision of $6.7$5.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2006 reflects our effective income tax rate of 13.8%.12%, which differs from our effective rate of 30% for the year ended March 31, 2005, due to an increase in federal research and development credit for the year ended March 31, 2006, over the amount generated for the year ended March 31, 2005, and a decrease in pretax income for the year ended March 31, 2006, versus the amount of pretax income for the year ended March 31, 2005, without a corresponding decrease in the benefit of book/tax. The significant items that generated the variance between our effective rate and our statutory rate of 35% were research and development tax credits and the impact of foreign tax rate differentials, partially offset by an increase in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance and state taxes. The realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the generation of future taxable income. We believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate taxable income sufficient to realize the benefit of net deferred tax assets recognized.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for the year ended March 31, 2006 was $41.9$40.3 million or $0.14 per diluted share, as compared to $138.3$135.1 million or $0.50$0.49 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

4258



 

Results of Operations – Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004

Net Revenues

We primarily derive revenue from sales of packaged interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles (such as the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube), 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, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

For the Years Ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

696,325

 

$

446,812

 

$

249,513

 

56

%

Europe

 

341,946

 

197,300

 

144,646

 

73

%

Other

 

34,458

 

21,620

 

12,838

 

59

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total international

 

376,404

 

218,920

 

157,484

 

72

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

1,072,729

 

665,732

 

406,997

 

61

%

Distribution net revenues

 

333,128

 

281,924

 

51,204

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

$

458,201

 

48

%

Consolidated net revenues increased 48% from $947.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $1,405.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. This increase was principally generated by our publishing business. The increase in consolidated net revenues was driven by the following:

                  Strong performances from our publishing business on the releases of our largest ever lineup of titles including: Spider-Man 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, THUG 2, Shrek 2, X-Men Legends, Doom 3, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Shark Tale, Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2005, and Rome: Total War. The strength of these titles combined with the significant sales and marketing investment led to over ten million-unit selling titles and achievement of our goal of having four multi-million-unit selling titles. We also had strong catalog sales from a number of our franchises including Tony Hawk, True Crime, Spider-Man, and Call of Duty. As a result of the strong performance of our key fiscal 2005 releases, we were able to maintain the original price points for those titles for an extended period of time.

                  Continued focus on international publishing expansion with the opening of offices in Spain and Italy and an increased focus on other territories contributing to an increase in International Publishing revenues of 72% over fiscal 2004.

                  An increase in our hand-held platform presence growing consolidated hand-held revenues by $118.7 million or 274% from $43.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $162.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. This was driven by a significant increase in the number of GBA titles released from four titles in fiscal 2004 to eleven titles in fiscal 2005, and by the introduction of the PSP and NDS platforms, for which we released a combined total of three titles.

                  International net revenues benefited from the year over year strengthening of the Euro (“EUR”) and Great British Pound (“GBP”) in relation to the U.S. dollar. We estimate that foreign exchange rates increased reported net revenues by approximately $55.3 million. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our international net revenues increased 31% year over year.

43



North America Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

696,325

 

50

%

$

446,812

 

47

%

$

249,513

 

56

%

North America publishing net revenues increased 56% from $446.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2004, to $696.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. The increase reflects the strong performance of our fiscal 2005 slate of titles, strong catalog sales from a number of our franchises, and a significant increase in our hand-held platform presence.

International Publishing Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

376,404

 

26

%

$

218,920

 

23

%

$

157,484

 

72

%

International publishing net revenues increased by 72% from $218.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2004, to $376.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. International publishing also saw strong results from our 2005 titles, as well as strong fourth quarter performance in our LucasArts affiliate business. In addition, we had strong catalog sales from a number of our franchises, including Spider-Man, Call of Duty, Tony Hawk, and True Crime. There also was a positive strengthening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the U.S. dollar of approximately $29.0 million. Excluding the impact of changing foreign currency rates, our international publishing net revenues increased 59% year over year.

44



Publishing Net Revenues by Platform

Publishing net revenues increased 61% from $665.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $1,072.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. 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, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

Year Ended

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2005

 

Net Revs

 

2004

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

Publishing Net Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC

 

$

220,087

 

21

%

$

132,369

 

20

%

$

87,718

 

66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

417,310

 

39

%

289,048

 

43

%

128,262

 

44

%

Microsoft Xbox

 

196,894

 

18

%

145,111

 

22

%

51,783

 

36

%

Nintendo GameCube

 

96,936

 

9

%

52,909

 

8

%

44,027

 

83

%

Other

 

2,807

 

%

21,350

 

3

%

(18,543

)

(87

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total console

 

713,947

 

66

%

508,418

 

76

%

205,529

 

40

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand-held

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Boy Advance

 

101,642

 

9

%

24,621

 

4

%

77,021

 

313

%

PlayStation Portable

 

19,200

 

2

%

 

%

19,200

 

%

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

17,699

 

2

%

 

%

17,699

 

%

Other

 

154

 

%

324

 

%

(170

)

(52

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total hand-held

 

138,695

 

13

%

24,945

 

4

%

113,750

 

456

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total publishing net revenues

 

$

1,072,729

 

100

%

$

665,732

 

100

%

$

406,997

 

61

%

Personal Computer Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

220,087

 

21

%

$

132,369

 

20

%

$

87,718

 

66

%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PC increased 66% from $132.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $220.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. Driving the increase were the fiscal 2005 releases of Doom 3 and Rome: Total War combined with continued strong sell through of our catalog title, Call of Duty. According to NPD, we were the only publisher to have three top-ten PC titles for calendar year 2004: Doom 3, Call of Duty, and Rome: Total War. Also contributing to the increase in net revenues from sales of titles for the PC was an increase in the total number of titles shipped from eight in fiscal 2004 to fifteen in fiscal 2005.

45



Sony PlayStation 2 Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

417,310

 

39

%

$

289,048

 

43

%

$

128,262

 

44

%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the PS2 increased 44% from $289.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $417.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. The increase was primarily due to strong, worldwide sales of several of our fiscal 2005 releases including THUG 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, X-Men Legends, Spider-Man 2, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2005. In fiscal 2005 we released thirteen titles for PS2 compared to ten in fiscal 2004 which included:True Crime: Streets of L.A., Tony Hawk’s Underground, X2: Wolverine’s Revenge, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts, and Cabela’s Deer Hunt 2004 Season.

Microsoft Xbox Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

196,894

 

18

%

$

145,111

 

22

%

$

51,783

 

36

%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Xbox increased 36% from $145.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $196.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. Though the number of new Xbox titles remained relatively consistent from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2005, we were able to increase our Xbox sales in both the North America and international markets. The increase was primarily due to strong worldwide sales of several of our Xbox titles including THUG 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, X-Men Legends, Spider-Man 2, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Greg Hastings’ Tournament Paintball, and Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2005. The increase was also affected by an increased installed base of the Xbox due mainly to the price cuts on the Xbox hardware in calendar 2004.

Nintendo GameCube Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

96,936

 

9

%

$

52,909

 

8

%

$

44,027

 

83

%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the Nintendo GameCube increased 83% from $52.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2004 to $96.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2005. The increase is primarily due to the increase in the number of GameCube new title releases from five in fiscal 2004 to eight in fiscal 2005. Also driving the increase in revenues was that the title slate in fiscal 2005 performed strongly as it was more targeted toward the demographic of the GameCube audience than the fiscal 2004 GameCube title slate. Our fiscal 2005 title slate was driven by new title releases of Shrek 2, Spider-Man 2, Shark Tale, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, THUG 2, and Call of Duty: Finest Hour. Fiscal 2004 GameCube revenues were driven mainly by releases of Tony Hawk’s Underground and True Crime:  Streets of L.A.

46



Hand-held (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

March 31,

 

% of
Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

138,695

 

13

%

$

24,945

 

4

%

$

113,750

 

456

%

Net revenues from sales of titles for the hand-held for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased 456% from the prior fiscal year, from $24.9 million to $138.7 million. This was driven mainly by a significant increase in the number of GBA titles released from four titles in fiscal 2004 to eleven titles in fiscal 2005 and the introduction of two new hand-held devices, NDS, which was released worldwide, and PSP, which was released in North America. We successfully executed our strategy of having a high-quality presence at the launch of both the NDS and PSP platforms with one title based on the Spider-Man franchise at the launch of the NDS and two titles based on the Spider-Man and Tony Hawk franchises for the launch of the PSP. In addition to the increase in the number of GBA titles released, we implemented a customized marketing plan for the GBA platform and demographic to support a strong slate of new releases including THUG 2, Shrek 2: Beg for Mercy!, Shark Tale,Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Spider-Man 2, and Shrek 2 which were all targeted toward the demographic of the GBA audience.

Overall

A significant portion of our revenues and profits is derived from a relatively small number of popular titles and brands each year as revenues and profits are significantly affected by our ability to release highly successful or “hit” titles. For example, for the year ended March 31, 2005, 31% of our consolidated net revenues and 41% of worldwide publishing net revenues were derived from net revenues from our Spider-Man 2, THUG 2, and Call of Duty: Finest Hour titles. Though many titles have substantial production or acquisition costs and marketing budgets, once a title recoups these costs, incremental net revenues directly and positively impact operating profits resulting in a disproportionate amount of operating income being derived from these select titles.

Distribution Net Revenues (in thousands)

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

% of
Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

333,128

 

24

%

$

281,924

 

30

%

$

51,204

 

18

%

Distribution net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased 18% from the prior fiscal year, from $281.9 million to $333.1 million. Excluding the impact of the changing foreign currency rates, our distribution net revenues increased 9% year over year. About half of this increase was due to the positive impact of the year over year strengthening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the U.S. dollar. The increase was primarily due to the continued growth in the industry wide software market, an increase in sales to mass merchants, as well as a change in the product mix. The mix of distribution net revenues between hardware and software sales varied year over year with approximately 13% of distribution net revenues from hardware sales in the year ended March 31, 2005 as compared to 28% in the prior fiscal year. This was mainly attributed to an increase in business with large, mass-market customers that generate a higher percentage of sales from software. In both fiscal years, hardware sales were principally comprised of sales of console hardware.

47



Costs and Expenses

Cost of Sales – Product Costs (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

658,949

 

47

%

$

475,541

 

50

%

$

183,408

 

39

%

Cost of sales – product costs represented 47% and 50% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In absolute dollars, cost of sales — product costs increased 39% due to significantly higher sales in fiscal 2005 as compared to fiscal 2004. The primary factors affecting the reduction in the cost of sales — product costs as a percentage of consolidated net revenues were:

                  Increased ability to maintain premium pricing on “big proposition” titles for the year ended March 31, 2005.

                  An increase in publishing net revenues from sales of PC titles by 66% year over year. PC publishing revenues as a percent of publishing net revenues for the year also grew from 20% to 21%. PC titles typically have lower product costs associated with them.

                  A lower percentage of revenues generated from our distribution business, which is a lower margin business, in fiscal 2005 as compared to fiscal 2004.

Cost of Sales Software Royalties and Amortization (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

123,800

 

12

%

$

59,744

 

9

%

$

64,056

 

107

%

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased as a percentage of publishing net revenues from the prior fiscal year, from 9% to 12%. In absolute dollars, cost of sales – software royalties and amortization for the year ended March 31, 2005 also increased from the prior fiscal year, from $59.7 million to $123.8 million. This increase was due to an increase in the number of titles released as well as an increase in the overall costs to develop games. This compares to fiscal 2004 in which a higher proportion of revenues were derived from internally developed titles with lower associated game development costs.

Cost of Sales – Intellectual Property Licenses (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

62,197

 

6

%

$

31,862

 

5

%

$

30,335

 

95

%

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased in absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues over the same period last year, from 5% to 6%. The increases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of publishing net revenues were due to the release of more titles with associated licensed intellectual property as well as continued strong catalog sales of titles with associated licensed intellectual property compared to the titles released in fiscal 2004 for which a higher proportion of revenues was derived from titles that were internally developed with no associated intellectual property. In fiscal 2005 we released the following titles with associated intellectual property: Spider-Man 2, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, X-Men Legends, THUG 2, Lemony

48



Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Doom 3. In fiscal 2004, two of our top performing titles, True Crime: Streets of L.A. and Call of Duty, were based on our wholly-owned original intellectual property.

Product Development (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

March 31,

 

Publishing

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

86,543

 

8

%

$

97,859

 

15

%

$

(11,316

)

(12

)%

Product development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2005 decreased as a percentage of publishing net revenues from the prior fiscal year, from 15% to 8%. In absolute dollars, product development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2005 also decreased from the prior fiscal year, from $97.9 million to $86.5 million. The decrease in product development as a percentage of publishing net revenues and in absolute dollars primarily resulted from a pre-tax charge of approximately $21 million taken in the third quarter of fiscal 2004 related to the cancellation of products which were believed to be unlikely to produce an acceptable level of return on our investment. Excluding the impact of the pre-tax charge, product development expenses for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased by approximately $9.7 million. This increase was attributable to higher game development costs as development time and team sizes as well as quality assurance time increased due to enhanced production values and to support more complex and robust gaming experiences.

Sales and Marketing (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenue

 

2004

 

Net Revenue

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

230,058

 

16

%

$

128,221

 

14

%

$

101,837

 

79

%

Sales and marketing expenses of $230.1 million and $128.2 million represented 16% and 14% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increases in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues was primarily generated by our publishing business as a result of significant marketing programs, including television and in-theatre ad campaigns and in-store promotions, run in support of our key fiscal 2005 “big proposition” title releases Spider-Man 2, Shrek 2, Doom 3, Shark Tale, X-Men Legends, THUG 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Our experience has shown that this increased spending will lengthen the product sales life cycle and add to the long-term prospects of the respective product lines.

General and Administrative (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59,739

 

4

%

$

44,612

 

5

%

$

15,127

 

34

%

General and administrative expenses of $59.7 million and $44.6 million represented 4% and 5% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily due to an increase in headcount and related costs to support business growth, as well as an increase in professional services fees to support Sarbanes-Oxley related compliance. The decrease as a percentage of consolidated net revenues was due mainly to the significant increase in sales volume.

49



Operating Income (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

March 31,

 

Segment

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

 

 

2005

 

Net Revs

 

2004

 

Net Revs

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

$

160,826

 

15

%

$

93,223

 

14

%

$

67,603

 

73

%

Distribution

 

23,745

 

7

 

16,594

 

6

 

7,151

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

184,571

 

13

%

$

109,817

 

12

%

$

74,754

 

68

%

Publishing operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased $67.6 million from the same period last year, from $93.2 million to $160.8 million.  Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency rates, publishing operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased approximately $56.7 million from the same period last year.  International publishing operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 benefited from the positive impact of the year over year strengthening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the U.S. dollar.  The $56.7 million increase is primarily due to:

                  Strong performance in both the North America and international markets of our fiscal 2005 title releases.  The strong performance of the fiscal 2005 releases was driven by our largest lineup ever of big propositions, a record number of million-unit and multi-million unit titles, and an increased hand-held presence.

Partially offset by:

                  Increased sales and marketing spending.

                  Increased cost of sales – product costs, cost of sales – software royalties and amortization, and cost of sales – intellectual property licenses.

Distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased over the same period last year, from $16.6 million to $23.7 million.  Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency rates, distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 increased approximately $5.4 million from the same period last year.  Distribution operating income for the year ended March 31, 2005 benefited from the positive impact of the year over year strengthening of the EUR and the GBP in relation to the U.S. dollar.  The $5.4 million increase was primarily due to continued growth industry wide in the software market combined with a change in the product mix of hardware versus software sales as software tends to be a higher margin business.

Investment Income, Net (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

March 31,

 

Consolidated

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Net Revenues

 

2004

 

Net Revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,092

 

1

%

$

6,175

 

%

$

6,917

 

112

%

Investment income, net for the year ended March 31, 2005 was $13.1 million as compared to $6.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2004.  The increase was primarily due to higher invested balances combined with rising yields during the year ended March 31, 2005 as compared to 2004.

50



Provision for Income Taxes (in thousands)

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

March 31,

 

Pre Tax

 

Increase/

 

Percent

 

2005

 

Income

 

2004

 

Income

 

(Decrease)

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59,328

 

30

%

$

38,277

 

33

%

$

21,051

 

55

%

The income tax provision of $59.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2005 reflects our effective income tax rate of 30%.  The significant items that generated the variance between our effective rate and our statutory rate of 35% were research and development tax credits and the impact of foreign tax rate differentials, partially offset by an increase in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance and state taxes.  The realization of deferred tax assets depends primarily on the generation of future taxable income.  We believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate taxable income sufficient to realize the benefit of net deferred tax assets recognized.

Net Income

Net income for the year ended March 31, 2005 was $138.3 million or $0.50 per diluted share, as compared to $77.7 million or $0.30 per diluted share for the year ended March 31, 2004.

51



Selected Quarterly Operating Results

Our quarterly operating results have in the past varied significantly and will likely vary significantly in the future, depending on numerous factors, several of which are not under our control. See Item 1A - - “Risk Factors.”  Our business also has experienced and is expected to continue to experience significant seasonality, largely due to consumer buying patterns and our product release schedule focusing on those patterns. Net revenues typically are significantly higher during the fourth calendar quarter, primarily due to the increased demand for consumer software during the year-end holiday buying season. Accordingly, we believe that period to period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.

 

The following table is a comparative breakdown of our unaudited quarterly results for the immediately preceding eight quarters (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

For the Quarters Ended

 

 

For the quarters ended

 

 

March 31,
2006

 

Dec. 31,
2005

 

Sept. 30,
2005

 

June 30,
2005

 

March 31,
2005

 

Dec. 31,
2004

 

Sept. 30,
2004

 

June 30,
2004

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

Dec. 31,
2006

 

Sept. 30,
2006

 

June 30,
2006

 

March 31,
2006

 

Dec. 31,
2005

 

Sept. 30,
2005

 

June 30,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

188,125

 

$

816,242

 

$

222,540

 

$

241,093

 

$

203,861

 

$

680,094

 

$

310,626

 

$

211,276

 

 

$

312,512

 

$

824,259

 

$

188,172

 

$

188,069

 

$

188,125

 

$

816,242

 

$

222,540

 

$

241,093

 

Cost of sales

 

128,309

 

498,325

 

141,458

 

172,270

 

141,544

 

397,292

 

187,091

 

119,019

 

 

216,007

 

483,180

 

141,078

 

137,800

 

128,309

 

498,325

 

141,458

 

172,270

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(26,115

)

84,067

 

(26,547

)

(13,448

)

(2,899

)

137,079

 

34,658

 

15,733

 

 

(29,114

)

173,120

 

(37,410

)

(33,449

)

(26,560

)

83,893

 

(27,788

)

(14,319

)

Net income (loss)

 

(9,219

)

67,945

 

(13,242

)

(3,585

)

3,573

 

97,262

 

25,543

 

11,957

 

 

(14,422

)

142,820

 

(24,302

)

(18,309

)

(9,128

)

67,856

 

(14,230

)

(4,247

)

Basic earnings (loss) per share (1)

 

(0.03

)

0.25

 

(0.05

)

(0.01

)

0.01

 

0.39

 

0.10

 

0.05

 

 

(0.05

)

0.51

 

(0.09

)

(0.07

)

(0.03

)

0.25

 

(0.05

)

(0.02

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)

 

(0.03

)

0.23

 

(0.05

)

(0.01

)

0.01

 

0.35

 

0.09

 

0.04

 

 

(0.05

)

0.46

 

(0.09

)

(0.07

)

(0.03

)

0.23

 

(0.05

)

(0.02

)

 


(1)                                  Consolidated financial information 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.

 

5259



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

 

As of and for the
year ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

 

As of and for the
year ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

(in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

354,331

 

$

313,608

 

$

40,723

 

 

$

384,409

 

$

354,331

 

$

30,078

 

Short-term investments

 

590,629

 

527,256

 

63,373

 

 

570,440

 

590,629

 

(20,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

944,960

 

$

840,864

 

$

104,096

 

 

$

954,849

 

$

944,960

 

$

9,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total assets

 

67

%

64

%

 

 

 

53

%

67

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

86,007

 

$

215,309

 

$

(129,302

)

 

$

27,162

 

$

86,007

 

$

(58,845

)

Cash flows used in investing activities

 

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

58,100

 

 

(35,242

)

(85,796

)

50,554

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

(27,566

)

 

27,968

 

45,088

 

(17,120

)

 

As of March 31, 2006,2007, our primary source of liquidity is comprised of $354.3$384.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $590.6$570.4 million of short-term investments. Over the last two years, our primary sources of liquidity have included cash on hand at the beginning of the year and cash flows generated from continuing operations. We have also generated significant cash flows from the issuance of our common stock to employees through the exercise of options, which is described in more detail below in “Cash Flows from Financing Activities.”  We have not utilized debt financing as a significant source of cash flows. However, we do have available at certain of our international locations, credit facilities, which are described below in “Credit Facilities,” that can be utilized if needed.

 

In August 2003, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission two amended shelf registration statements, including the base prospectuses therein. The first shelf registration statement, on Form S-3, allows us, at any time, to offer any combination of securities described in the base prospectus in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000.  Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working capital, repayment or reduction of long-term and short-term debt, and the financing of acquisitions and other business combinations.  We may invest funds that we do not immediately require in marketable securities.

The second shelf registration statement, on Form S-4, allows us, at any time, to offer any combination of securities described in the base prospectus in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $250,000,000 in connection with our acquisition of the assets, business, or securities of other companies whether by purchase, merger, or any other form of business combination.

We believe that we have sufficient working capital ($923.91,060.1 million at March 31, 2006)2007), as well as proceeds available from our international credit facilities, to finance our operational requirements for at least the next twelve months, including purchases of inventory and equipment, the funding of the development, production, marketing and sale of new products, and the acquisition of intellectual property rights for future products from third parties.

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The primary source of cash flows from operating activities typically have included the collection of customer receivables generated by the sale of our products, offset by payments to vendors for the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of our products, third-party developers and intellectual property holders, and our own employees. A significant operating use of our cash relates to our continued investment in software development and intellectual property licenses. We spent approximately $193.9$166.1 million and $126.9$193.9 million in the years ended March 31, 20062007 and 2005,2006, respectively, in connection with the acquisition of publishing or distribution rights for products being developed by third parties, the execution of new license agreements granting us long-term rights to intellectual property of third parties, as well as the capitalization of product development costs relating to internally developed products. The

53



increase decrease period over period is primarily due to new agreements with DreamWorks Animation SKG,LLC, Marvel Enterprises, and Hasbro Properties Group, all ofCharacters which were signed in fiscal 2006. 2006, partially offset by increased product development costs related to titles in development and additional intellectual property licenses in fiscal 2007. We expect that we will continue to make significant expenditures relating to our investment in software development and intellectual property licenses. Our future cash commitments relating to these investments are detailed below in “Commitments.”  Cash flows from operations 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 expenditures, once a title recoups these costs, incremental net revenues typically will directly and positively impact cash flows.

 

For the years ended March 31, 20062007 and 2005,2006, cash flows from operating activities were $86.0$27.2 million and $215.3$86.0 million, respectively. The principal components comprising cash flows from operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2006,2007, included favorable operating results, amortization of capitalized software development costs and collection of accounts receivableintellectual property licenses, increases in payables and accrued liabilities, partially offset by investmentinvestments in software development and intellectual property licenses.licenses and increases in accounts receivables. See an analysis of the

60



change in key balance sheet accounts below in “Key Balance Sheet Accounts.”  We expect that a primary source of future liquidity, both short-term and long-term, will be the result of cash flows from continuing operations.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The primary source of cash used in investing activities typically have included capital expenditures, acquisitions of privately held interactive software development companies and publishing companies, and the net effect of purchases and sales/maturities of short-term investment vehicles. The goal of our short-term investments is to maximize return while minimizing risk, maintaining liquidity, coordinating with anticipated working capital needs, and providing for prudent investment diversification.

 

For the years ended March 31, 20062007 and 2005,2006, cash flows used in investing activities were $85.8$35.2 million and $143.9$85.8 million, respectively. For the year ended March 31, 2006,2007, cash flows used in investing activities were primarily the result of cash paid for business acquisitions and capital expenditures, the increase inpurchases of short-term investments, partially offset by proceeds from sales and business acquisitions.maturities of short-term investments. The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities versus the prior year was primarily related to our short term investment activity as we had net proceeds from maturities in fiscal 2007 versus net purchases of short term investments in fiscal 2006. We have historically financed our acquisitions through the issuance of shares of common stock or a combination of common stock and cash. We will continue to evaluate potential acquisition candidates as to the benefit they bring to us.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

The primary source of cash provided by financing activities have related tohas been transactions involving our common stock, including the issuance of shares of common stock to employees and the public, and the purchase of treasury shares.employees. We have not utilized debt financing as a significant source of cash flows. However, we do have available at certain of our international locations, credit facilities, which are described below in “Credit Facilities,” that can be utilized if needed.

 

For the years ended March 31, 20062007 and 2005,2006, cash flows from financing activities were $45.1$28.0 million and $72.7$45.1 million, respectively. The cash provided by financing activities for the year ended March 31, 20062007 was the result of the issuance of common stock related to employee stock option and stock purchase plans. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities from the prior year is due to the suspension of stock option exercises as of November 9, 2006 due to our internal review of historical stock option granting practices.

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 and within certain guidelines, from time to time, 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. In the past, we have entered into structured stock repurchase transactions that were settled in cash or stock based on the market price of our common stock on the date of the settlement. Upon settlement, we either had our capital investment returned with a premium or received shares of our common stock, depending, respectively, on whether the market price of our common stock was above or below a pre-determined price agreed in connection with each such transaction.  As of March 31, 2006,2007, we had approximately $226.2 million available for utilization under the buyback program and no outstanding structured stock repurchase transactions.program. We actively manage our capital structure as a component of our overall business strategy. Accordingly, in the future, when we determine that market conditions are appropriate, we may seek to achieve long term value for the shareholders through, among other things, new debt or equity financings or refinancings, share repurchases, and other transactions involving our equity or debt securities.

 

5461



 

Key Balance Sheet Accounts

 

Accounts Receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross accounts receivable

 

$

127,035

 

$

178,335

 

$

(51,300

)

 

$

240,112

 

$

127,035

 

$

113,077

 

Net accounts receivable

 

28,782

 

109,144

 

(80,362

)

 

148,694

 

28,782

 

119,912

 

 

The decreaseincrease in gross accounts receivable was primarily the result of:of higher fourth quarter revenues due to:

                  The fourth quarter fiscal 2007 European release of the PS3 hardware.

 

                  Late fourth quarter fiscal 2005 North American2007 European releases of THUG 2 Remix Call of Duty3, Tony Hawk’s Project 8, and Spider-Man 2 Marvel: Ultimate Alliancefor the PSP.  Both titles were released concurrently with the release of the PSP platform in late March 2005.PS3. There were no corresponding new releases in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

 

                  The fourth quarter fiscal 2005 releasesContinued strong catalogue performance of three affiliate titles, Mercenaries, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, and Star Wars: Republic Commando, in our European territories.   There was only one affiliate title released in our European territories in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 LucasArts’ Star Wars: Empire at War, which was only released on PC.holiday slate.

 

Reserves for returns, price protection and bad debt increaseddecreased from $69.2 million at March 31, 2005 to $98.3 million at March 31, 2006 to $91.4 million at March 31, 2007 while reserves as a percentage of gross receivables increaseddecreased from 39%77% to 77%38%. This increasedecrease was largely due to increasedsignificant reserves for returns and price protectionsprotection required at March 31, 2006 related to weak market conditions and the uncertainty involved in the ongoing console transition. Reserves for returns and price protection are a function of the number of units and pricing of titles in retail inventory (see description of Allowances for Returns, Price Protection, Doubtful Accounts, and Inventory Obsolescence in Item 7: Critical Accounting Policies).

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

61,483

 

$

48,018

 

$

13,465

 

 

$

91,231

 

$

61,483

 

$

29,748

 

 

Inventories have increased as aThe increase in inventories at March 31, 2007 compared to March 31, 2006 is the result of lower than expected performance on certain fiscal 2006 third quarter title releases.  Uncertaintiesadditional inventories associated with RedOctane and the Guitar Hero products, which was acquired in the marketplacefirst quarter of fiscal 2007, additional PS3 inventory due to the currentEuropean release of the console transition cycle as well as changeslate in retailer buying patterns led to a buildupthe fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, and an increase in inventories at our distribution business related to the endaddition of a significant new customer in the thirdsecond quarter of fiscal 2006, primarily in our Publishing business segment.  As a result of the buildup in inventory levels, for the year ended March 31, 2006 we had write-downs of inventory costs for certain titles in the amount of $14.5 million, as we anticipate that certain titles in our current inventory will be sold below its original cost.2007.

 

Software Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software development

 

$

60,619

 

$

91,614

 

$

(30,995

)

 

$

130,922

 

$

60,619

 

$

70,303

 

 

The decreaseSoftware development increased from $60.6 million at March 31, 2006 to $130.9 million at March 31, 2007 due to continued investment in software development was primarily the result of morefor titles in development at March 31, 2005 to support our fiscal 2006 title slate which was the largest in our history.  As we plan a more focused title slatebeing developed for release in fiscal 2007 due to the market uncertainty involved2008, particularly for three significant new games slated for release in the console transition, we have fewer titles in development than at the endfirst quarter of fiscal 2005.2008, offset by amortization of software development costs for titles launched in fiscal 2007.

 

5562



 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

$

87,046

 

$

35,726

 

$

51,320

 

 

$

100,274

 

$

87,046

 

$

13,228

 

 

Intellectual property licenses increased from $87.0 million at March 31, 2006 to $100.3 million at March 31, 2007. The increase in intellectual property licenses was primarily the result ofof:

                  continuedContinued investment in intellectual property licenses totaling $82.3$23.2 million year-to-date.  In thein fiscal 2007 for license agreements granting us long-term rights to intellectual property of third quarter of fiscal 2006, we further extendedparties, such as our exclusive licensing agreement with Marvel Enterprises by signing a multi-year extension to our current video game licensing agreement for the Spider-ManMGM Interactive and X-Men franchises.  This agreement grants us the exclusive rightsEON Productions Ltd. to develop and publish videointeractive entertainment games based on Marvel’s comic book franchises Spider-Man and X-Men.   We also signed an agreement with Spider-Man Merchandising LPthe James Bond license.

Partially offset by:

                  $10.0 million of amortization of intellectual property licenses mostly related to releases in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2006, to extend our exclusive worldwide rights to publish entertainment software products based on movie sequels subsequent to Spider-Man 3 or new television series to be produced based upon certain Marvel characters through 2017.  Additionally, in our third quarter of fiscal 2006 we signed a multi-year agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG which extended our exclusive video game rights to future films in the “Shrek” franchise beyond “Shrek the Third,” as well as titles based on several other films currently planned or in development.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we signed an agreement with Hasbro Properties Group granting us the global rights, excluding Japan, to develop console, hand-held, and PC games based on Hasbro’s “Transformers” brand.2007.

 

Accounts Payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

88,994

 

$

108,984

 

$

(19,990

)

 

$

136,517

 

$

88,994

 

$

47,523

 

 

The decreaseincrease in accounts payable was primarily the result of a high level of payables at$47.5 million from March 31, 2005 related2006 to inventory purchases by our publishing business as a result ofMarch 31, 2007 primarily reflects amounts due to support the release of Doom 3 for the Xbox in April 2005.   There were no new releases earlysignificant launch slate in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 versus no similar launches in the same quarter of fiscal 2007.

 

Accrued Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase/

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

103,169

 

$

98,067

 

$

5,102

 

 

$

204,652

 

$

104,862

 

$

99,790

 

 

The increase in accrued expenses was primarily driven by increased payroll accruals and separation and severance costs associated withby:

          Tax reserves recorded in fiscal 2007 as a less than 7% reduction in workforce in the fourth quarterresult of fiscal 2006, increased accruals for legal costs, and increased co-op marketing support. The increase was partially offset byimproved profitability leading to utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.

          Increased annual bonuses as a reduced liabilityresult of company performance.

          Increased royalties payable due to third parties on affiliate titles distributed during the fourth quarterhigher percentage of fiscal 2006 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.products being developed externally.

 

Credit Facilities

 

We have revolving credit facilities with our Centresoft subsidiary located in the UK (the “UK Facility”) and our NBG subsidiary located in Germany (the “German Facility”). The UK Facility provided Centresoft with the ability to borrow up to GBP 12.0 million ($21.023.6 million), including issuing letters of credit, on a revolving basis as of March 31, 2006.2007. Furthermore, under the UK Facility, Centresoft provided a GBP 0.6 million ($1.01.2 million) guarantee for the benefit of our CD Contact subsidiary as of March 31, 2006. The UK Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.0% as of March 31, 2006,2007, is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the subsidiary and expires in January 2007.  2008.

63



The UK Facility also contains various covenants that require the subsidiary to maintain specified financial ratios related to, among others, fixed charges. As of March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. No borrowings were outstanding against the UK Facility as of March 31, 2006. The German Facility provided for revolving loans up to EUR 0.5 million ($0.60.7 million) as of March 31, 2006,2007, bore interest at a Eurocurrency rate plus

56



2.5%, is collateralized by certain of the subsidiary’s property and equipment and has no expiration date. No borrowings were outstanding against the German Facility as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

As of March 31, 2006,2007, we maintained a $7.5 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. Under the terms of this arrangement, we are required to maintain on deposit with the bank a compensating balance, restricted as to use, of not less than the sum of the available amount of the letter of credit plus the aggregate amount of any drawings under the letter of credit that have been honored thereunder but not reimbursed. At March 31, 2006,2007, the $7.5 million deposit is included in short-term investments as restricted cash. No borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2007 or 2006.

 

As of March 31, 2006,2007, our publishing subsidiary located in the UK maintained a EUR 2.54.0 million ($3.05.3 million) irrevocable standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. The standby letter of credit does not require a compensating balance and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the subsidiary and expires in July 2006.  AsAugust 2007. No borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2006, we had EUR 1.0 million ($1.2 million) of outstanding amounts against this letter of credit.2007 or 2006.

 

Commitments

 

In the normal course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements with third parties for non-cancelable operating lease agreements for our offices, for the development of products, as well as for the rights to intellectual property. Under these agreements, we commit to provide specified payments to a lessor, developer, or intellectual property holder, based upon contractual arrangements. Typically, the payments to third-party developers are conditioned upon the achievement by the developers of contractually specified development milestones. These payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders typically are deemed to be advances and are recoupable against future royalties earned by the developer or intellectual property holder based on the sale of the related game. Additionally, in connection with certain intellectual property right acquisitions and development agreements, we will commit to spend specified amounts for marketing support for the related game(s) which is to be developed or in which the intellectual property will be utilized. Additionally, we lease certain of our facitilitesfacilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Assuming all contractual provisions are met, the total future minimum commitments for these and other contractual arrangements in place as of March 31, 2006,2007, are scheduled to be paid as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

Facility &

 

Developer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility &

 

Developer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Leases

 

and IP

 

Marketing

 

Total

 

 

Equipment Leases

 

& IP

 

Marketing

 

Total

 

Fiscal year ending March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

$

12,980

 

$

39,905

 

$

17,120

 

$

70,005

 

2008

 

13,443

 

11,022

 

44,580

 

69,045

 

 

$

14,213

 

$

67,836

 

$

40,254

 

$

122,303

 

2009

 

12,652

 

16,300

 

6,100

 

35,052

 

 

13,131

 

31,579

 

30,679

 

75,389

 

2010

 

11,709

 

23,300

 

100

 

35,109

 

 

12,070

 

29,936

 

100

 

42,106

 

2011

 

9,415

 

19,300

 

100

 

28,815

 

 

9,854

 

30,586

 

13,100

 

53,540

 

2012

 

5,543

 

16,586

 

 

22,129

 

Thereafter

 

21,651

 

35,600

 

 

57,251

 

 

17,783

 

47,586

 

 

65,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

81,850

 

$

145,427

 

$

68,000

 

$

295,277

 

 

$

72,594

 

$

224,109

 

$

84,133

 

$

380,836

 

64



 

As of March 31, 20062007 and 2005,2006, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial parties, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market, or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

Related Parties

 

From August 2001 until September 2005, one of the members of our Board of Directors was an individual who is a partner in a law firm that has provided legal services to Activision for more than ten years. For the years

57



ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, the years presented in this Annual Report for which that person was a member of the Board of Directors, the fees we paid to the law firm were an insignificant portion of the law firm’s total revenues. We believe that the fees charged to us by the law firm were competitive with the fees charged by other law firms.

 

Financial Disclosure

We maintain internal controls over financial reporting, which generally include those controls relating to the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We also are focused on our “disclosure controls and procedures,” which as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission are generally those controls and procedures designed to ensure that financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officers and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our Disclosure Committee, which operates under the Board approved Disclosure Committee Charter and Disclosure Controls & Procedures Policy, includes senior management representatives and assists executive management in its oversight of the accuracy and timeliness of our disclosures, as well as in implementing and evaluating our overall disclosure process. As part of our disclosure process, senior finance and operational representatives from all of our corporate divisions and business units prepare quarterly reports regarding their current quarter operational performance, future trends, subsequent events, internal controls, changes in internal controls, and other accounting and disclosure-relevant information. These quarterly reports are reviewed by certain key corporate finance representatives. These corporate finance representatives also conduct quarterly interviews on a rotating basis with the preparers of selected quarterly reports. The results of the quarterly reports and related interviews are reviewed by the Disclosure Committee. Finance representatives also conduct reviews with our senior management team, our internal and external counsel, and other appropriate personnel involved in the disclosure process, as appropriate. Additionally, senior finance and operational representatives provide internal certifications regarding the accuracy of information they provide that is utilized in the preparation of our periodic public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Financial results and other financial information also are reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. As required by applicable regulatory requirements, the Chief Executive Officers and the Chief Financial Officer review and make various certifications regarding the accuracy of our periodic public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our disclosure controls and procedures, and our internal control over financial reporting. With the assistance of the Disclosure Committee, we will continue to assess and monitor our disclosure controls and procedures, and our internal controls over financial reporting, and will make refinements as necessary.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Laws

 

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”).  SFAS No. 123R supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows.  Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123R is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123.  However, SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values.  Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

SFAS No. 123R permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

                  A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123R for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123R that remain unvested on the effective date.

                  A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

58



As permitted by SFAS No. 123, prior to April 1, 2006 we accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognized no compensation cost for employee stock options.  Accordingly, the adoption of the SFAS No. 123R fair value method will have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position.  We adopted SFAS No. 123R on April 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” approach.  We currently believe that the expensing of stock-based compensation will have an impact on our Consolidated Statement of Operations similar to our pro-forma disclosure under SFAS No. 123 and expect an impact in fiscal 2007 of approximately $0.05 per share.

On November 24, 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 151, Inventory Costs, an Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 (“SFAS No. 151”). The standard requires that abnormal amounts of idle capacity and spoilage costs within inventory should be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when incurred.  The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are applicable to inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.  We expect the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

On December 15, 2004 the FASB issued Statement No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an Amendment of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29.This standard requires exchanges of productive assets to be accounted for at fair value, rather than at carryover basis, unless (1) neither the asset received nor the asset surrendered has a fair value that is determinable within reasonable limits or (2) the transactions lack commercial substance. The new standard is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.  The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154 (“SFAS No. 154”), Accounting Changes and Error Corrections – A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.   SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle and correction of errors. Under previous guidance, changes in accounting principle were recognized as a cumulative effect in the net income of the period of the change. The new statement requires retrospective application of changes in accounting principle and correction of errors, limited to the direct effects of the change, to prior periods’ financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change.  SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. In the event that we have an accounting change or an error correction, SFAS No. 154 could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On February 16, 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155 (“SFAS No. 155”), Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – An amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. SFAS No. 155 amends FASB Statements No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities to resolve issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” SFAS No. 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation; clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of Statement 133; establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation; clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives; and amends Statement 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying

65



special purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 towill have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

OnIn March 17, 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 156 (“SFAS No. 156”), Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. SFAS No. 156 amends Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by entering into a servicing contract in certain situations; requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; permits either the “amortization method”amortization method or the fair“fair value measurement method,as subsequent measurement methods for each class of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities; permits a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities to trading securities by entities with recognized servicing rights; and requires separate presentation of servicing assets and servicing liabilities

59



subsequently measured at fair value in the statement of financial position and additional disclosures for all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective in the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 156 towill have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

On October 22, 2004,In July 2006, the PresidentFASB issued Final Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies the United States signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) which contains a number of tax law modifications with accounting implications.  For companies that pay U.S.for income taxes on manufacturing activitiesby prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the U.S., the Actfinancial statements. FIN 48 also provides a deduction from taxableguidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. In addition, FIN 48 excludes income equal to a stipulated percentage of qualified income from domestic production activities.  The manufacturing deduction provided by the Act replaces the extraterritorial income (“ETI”) deduction currently in place.  We currently derive benefitstaxes from the ETI exclusion which was repealed by the Act.  Our exclusionscope of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal 2006years beginning after December 15, 2006.  Differences between the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and 2007the amounts reported after adoption will be limited to 75% and 45% of the otherwise allowable exclusion and no exclusion will be available in fiscal 2008 and thereafter.  The Act also creates a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations (“Homeland Investment Act”). The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. The Act also provides for other changes in tax law that will affect a variety of taxpayers.  On December 21, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued two FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) regarding the accounting implications of the Act related to (1) the deduction for qualified domestic production activities and (2) the one-time tax benefit for the repatriation of foreign earnings. The FASB determined that the deduction for qualified domestic production activities should be accounted for as a special deductioncumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our results of operations and financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (“SFAS No. 157”), Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Financial Statements — Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 requires the use of both the “iron curtain” and “rollover” approach in quantifying the materiality of misstatements. SAB 108 also discusses the implications of misstatements uncovered upon the application of SAB 108 in situations when a registrant has historically been using either the iron curtain approach or the rollover approach. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS No. 158”). This new standard aims to make it easier for investors, employees, retirees and other parties to understand and assess an employer’s financial position and its ability to fulfill the obligations under its benefit plans. SFAS No. 158 requires employers to fully recognize in their financial statements the obligations associated with single-employer defined benefit pension plans, retiree healthcare plans, and other postretirement plans. Specifically, it requires a company to (1) recognize on its balance sheet an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status, (2) measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and (3) recognize changes in the funded status of a plan through comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.

66



In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting115 (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Subsequent unrealized gains and losses on items for Income Taxes.  The FASB also confirmed, that upon deciding that some amount of earningswhich the fair value option has been elected will be repatriated, a company must recordreported in that period the associated tax liability.earnings. The guidance in the FSPs apply toprovisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for financial statements issued for periods endingfiscal years beginning after the date the Act was enacted. November 15, 2007. We have evaluated the Act and have concluded thatare evaluating if we will not repatriate foreign earnings underadopt SFAS No. 159 and what impact the Homeland Investment Act Provisions.adoption will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements if we adopt.

 

Inflation

 

Our management currently believes that inflation has not had a material impact on continuing operations.

 

6067



 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the potential loss arising from fluctuations in market rates and prices. Our market risk exposures primarily include fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and market prices. Our market risk sensitive instruments are classified as instruments entered into for purposes “other than trading.”  Our views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not represent the maximum possible gains and losses that may occur, since actual gains and losses will differ from those estimated, based upon actual fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, market prices, and the timing of transactions.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio consisting primarily of debt instruments with high credit quality and relatively short average maturities. We also manage our interest rate risk by maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalent balances such that we are typically able to hold our investments to maturity. As of March 31, 2006,2007, our cash equivalents and short-term investments included debt securities of $666.3$652.8 million.

 

The following table presents the amounts and related weighted average interest rates of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 20062007 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Average
Interest Rate

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

 

Average
Interest Rate

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

 

4.75

%

$

154,522

 

$

154,368

 

 

5.04

%

$

89,863

 

$

89,829

 

Variable rate

 

4.59

 

37,560

 

37,560

 

 

5.25

 

106,986

 

106,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

 

3.87

%

$

535,251

 

$

529,881

 

 

4.89

%

$

564,324

 

$

562,940

 

 

Our short-term investments generally mature between three months and thirty months.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

We transact business in many different foreign currencies and may be exposed to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly EUR, GBP, and AUD. The volatility of EUR, GBP, and AUD (and all other applicable currencies) will be monitored frequently throughout the coming year. When appropriate, we enter into hedging transactions in order to mitigate our risk from foreign currency fluctuations. We will continue to use hedging programs in the future and may use currency forward contracts, currency options, and/or other derivative financial instruments commonly utilized to reduce financial market risks if it is determined that such hedging activities are appropriate to reduce risk. We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency contracts for trading purposes. As of March 31, 2007, accrued expenses included approximately $90,000 of pre-tax unrealized losses for the estimated fair value of outstanding foreign currency exchange forward contracts, which was recorded in earnings as the contracts did not qualify as hedging instruments. As of March 31, 2006, we had no outstanding hedgingforeign exchange forward contracts.

 

Market Price Risk

 

With regard to the structured stock repurchase transactions described in Note 15 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, at those times when we have structured stock repurchase transactions outstanding, it is possible that at settlement we could take delivery of shares at an effective repurchase price higher than the then market price. As of March 31, 2006,2007, we had no structured stock repurchase transactions outstanding.

 

6168



 

Item 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20062007 and 20052006

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves as of March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005

 

 

 

Item 15. Exhibit Index

 

 

All other schedules of Activision are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included elsewhere in the financial statements or in the notes thereto.

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation1) Definition and Limitations of Disclosure Controls and ProceduresProcedures.

 

The Company’sOur disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to reasonably assure thatthat: (i) information required to be disclosed in the Company’sour reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) information is accumulated and communicated to management, including theour Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports. Inherent limitations to any system of disclosure controls and procedures include, but are not limited to, the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of such controls by one or more persons. In addition, we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, and our system of controls may therefore not achieve its desired purposesobjectives under all possible future events.

 

The Company’s2)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’sour disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.March 31, 2007. Based on this controls evaluation, and subject to the limitations described above, the Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures arewere effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

6269



 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

3)  Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company’sOur management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in RulesExchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  Under the supervision and. Our management, with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness, as of itsMarch 31, 2007, of our internal control over financial reporting based onusing the criteria established in the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issuedset forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this evaluation, the Company’sour management concluded that itsour internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has audited management’sOur assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 20062007 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in this annual report on pages F-1Form 10-K.

4) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and F-2.15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last quarter of this period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting related to the remediation of the previously identified material weakness as discussed below within the Remediation of the Material Weakness.

5) Remediation of the Material Weakness.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we made the following changes that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

New policies and procedures for our stock option grant practices were approved on November 21, 2006 by the Joint Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board, and became effective January 1, 2007. Our new option granting policies and procedures are designed to ensure internal control surrounding the pricing and modification of option grants is adequate, and also provide the Compensation Committee with the full ability to review and approve all grants prior to pricing on a date set on or after the date of the Compensation Committee action. Some of the highlights of the new option granting process are:

                  All proposed grants during the month are verified so as to comply with pre-approved grant guidelines and other financial and legal requirements by the seventh day of the following month. For these purposes, a team of legal, human resources and finance personnel (“Cross Functional Team”) has been established to review each proposed grant for compliance with documentation and procedures. No grant is issued until such compliance is established and the grant is approved by the Compensation Committee.

                  The Compensation Committee meets at least quarterly, to review and approve all documented and verified proposed grants submitted by the Cross Functional Team. All grants approved by the Compensation Committee are effective, and priced based on the closing price of our stock, on a date set by the Compensation Committee that is on or after the date of Compensation Committee action. Details of the grant (including the exercise price) are communicated to the grantees promptly following approval and pricing.

                  All new hire offer letters and employee renewal agreements provide that all grants and terms of grants are subject to approval by the Compensation Committee.

                  Stock option data is entered into Equity Edge, our stock option tracking software, promptly (and only) after grant approval is received from the Compensation Committee.

70



In addition, we have realigned certain internal responsibilities related to the granting and reporting of stock options. In this regard, the employment contract of our former head of human resources, which expired on March 31, 2007, was not renewed; a new head of human resources is being recruited and, in the interim, responsibilities for stock option granting and reporting have been reassigned. To further enhance our corporate governance practices, we have established and filled a position of principal compliance officer, with a reporting line directly to the Nominating and Governance Committee, and are reviewing the configuration of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

In addition, consistent with the recommendations of the Special Subcommittee, we have disengaged from our prior outside corporate counsel and have engaged new outside corporate counsel.

Finally, Board meetings include more senior executives and human resources, finance and legal personnel have received additional training on options and compliance issues.

Management evaluated the design and operation of these new controls and concluded that these controls were in place, designed and operating effectively as of March 31, 2007. Management has concluded that the additional controls described above have remediated our previously disclosed material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

6371



 

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTAND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20062007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, entitled “Election“Proposal 1—Election of Directors” andDirectors,” “Executive Officers and Key Employees”Employees,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance Matters—Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Senior Financial Officers” and “Corporate Governance Matters—Board of Directors and Committees—Audit Committee” 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.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20062007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation” and “Indebtedness of Management”“Compensation Committee Report” 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.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERSHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20062007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” 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.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20062007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance Matters—Board of Directors and Committees—Director Independence” 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.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20062007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, entitled “Principal Accountant Fees and Services”“Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees” 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.

 

6472



 

PART IV

 

Item 15.              EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)       1.      Financial Statements  See Item 8.  -  Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index for Financial Statements and Schedule on page 62 herein.

2.Financial Statement Schedule    The following financial statement schedule of Activision, Inc. for the years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 is filed as part of this report and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Activision, Inc.:

(a)

1.

Financial Statements See Item 8. — Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index for Financial Statements and Schedule on page 62 herein.

2.

Financial Statement Schedule The following financial statement schedule of Activision, Inc. for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 is filed as part of this report and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Activision, Inc.:

Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

Other financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

Other financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

3.

3.Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 9, 2000 among Activision, Inc., Activision Holdings, Inc. and ATVI Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Holdings, dated June 1,9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

 

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws dated August 1, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed July 11, 2001).

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Holdings dated as of June 9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

 

 

 

3.4

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc. dated as of August 23, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-66280, filed August 31, 2001).

3.5

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision, Inc. dated as of December 27, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2001).

65



3.6

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc. dated as of December 29, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003).

 

 

 

3.73.4

 

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc., dated as of April 4, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed April 5, 2004)2005).

 

 

 

3.83.5

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision, Inc. dated August 4, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed August 5, 2005).

 

 

 

3.6

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Activision, Inc. dated September 15, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed September 19, 2005).

73



4.1

 

Rights Agreement dated as of April 18, 2000, between ActivisionActivision. Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which includes as exhibits the form of Right Certificates as Exhibit A, the Summary of Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock as Exhibit B and the form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision as Exhibit C, (incorporated by reference to Activision’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, Registration No. 001-15839, filed April 19, 2000).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Activision, Inc. 1991 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).

 

 

 

10.2

 

Activision, Inc. 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,September 30, 2001).

 

 

 

10.3

 

Activision, Inc. 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.4

 

Activision, Inc. 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).

 

 

 

10.6

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Executive Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix IExhibit 4.1 of Activision’s 2002 Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A,Form S-8, Registration No. 333-100114 filed June 29,September 26, 2002).

 

 

 

10.7

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002).

66



10.8

Activision, Inc. 2003 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June, 30,S-8, Registration No. 333-103323 filed February 19, 2003).

 

 

 

10.910.8

 

Activision, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed March 3,8, 2005).

10.9

Activision, Inc. 2002 Second Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan for International Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed March 8, 2005).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock PurchaseAmended and Restated 2003 Incentive Plan, for International Employeeseffective as of July 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.110.1 of Activision’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed February 19, 2003)10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

74



 

10.11

 

Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants issued pursuant to the 1998 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended,(adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.110.1 of Activision’s Form S-8, Registration No. 333-362728-K, filed May 4, 2000)31, 2005).

 

 

 

10.12

 

Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants issued pursuant the 1999 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.13

Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants issued pursuant the 2001 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.14

Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants issued pursuant the 2002 Executive Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.15

Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement for grants to Robert Kotick or Brian Kelly issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.16

Form of Non-Executive Stock Option Agreement for grants to non-executives issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.17

Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement for grants to non-employee directors issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005).

10.18

Notice of Share Option Award for grants to persons other than non-employee directors issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.19

Notice of Share Option Award for grants to non-employee directors issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.20

Notice of Restricted Share Award for grants issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

75



10.21

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.22

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 2000, between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).

10.23

Amendment, I dated July 22, 2002, to employment agreementEmployment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.1310.24

 

Amended and restated employment agreementAmendment, dated December 29, 2006, to Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000)8-K filed January 8, 2007).

 

 

 

10.1410.25

 

Stock option agreementOption Agreement, dated May 22, 2000, between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2000).

 

 

 

10.1510.26

 

Employment agreement dated November 20, 2002 between ActivisionAmended and George Rose (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002).

10.16

Service Agreement dated March 1, 2002 between Combined Distribution (Holdings) Limited and Richard Andrew Steele (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).

10.17

Employment agreement dated April 1, 2002 between Activision and Michael Rowe (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).

10.18

Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 22, 2002 between Ronald Doornink and Activision (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

10.19

Amendment I dated July 22, 2002 to employment agreement dated May 22, 2000, between Activision, and Brian G. Kelly

67



(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).

10.20

Amended and restated employment agreement dated May 22, 2000 between ActivisionInc. and Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2000).

 

 

 

10.2110.27

 

Stock option agreementAmendment, dated July 22, 2002, to Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.410.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter endingended September 30, 2000).

10.22

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo Gamecube (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 9, 2001, between Nintendo of America Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.23

License Agreement for the Nintendo Gamecube System (EEA), dated as of June 5, 2002, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.24

Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance (Western Hemisphere), dated as of May 10, 2001, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.25

Confidential License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated as of September 14, 2001, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.26

Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.27

Amendment to Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2002, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003)2002).

 

 

 

10.28

 

Xbox Live Distribution Amendment, dated December 29, 2006, to the Xbox Publisher LicensingEmployment Agreement dated as of October 28, 2002,May 22, 2000 between

68



Microsoft Corporation Activision, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc.Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.710.1 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271,8-K filed January 14, 2003)8, 2007).

 

 

 

10.29

 

Licensed PublisherEmployment Agreement, dated as of July 13,22, 2002, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.Ronald Doornink and Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Playstation license”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.810.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003)10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.30

 

Amendment, dated February 27, 2003, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

76



10.31

Amendment, dated June 1, 2004, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002, between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).

10.32

Amendment, dated June 15, 2005, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.33

Employment agreement, dated November 20, 2002, between Activision Publishing, Inc. and George Rose (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002).

10.34

Amendment, dated March 30, 2005, to the Employment Agreement dated November 20, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and George Rose (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.35

Employment Agreement, dated May 10, 2005, between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.36

Amendment, dated March 30, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2005 between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc.

10.37

Employment Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.38

Stock Option Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.39

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.40

Employment Agreement, dated September 9, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.41

Stock Option Agreement, dated October 3, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

77



10.42

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated October 3, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.43

Employment Agreement, dated September 18, 2006, between Brian Hodous and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

10.44

Letter Agreement, dated September 6, 2006, between Brian Hodous and Activision, Inc.

10.45

Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

10.46

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

10.47

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

10.48

Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, between Robin Kaminsky and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

10.49

PlayStation 2 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2000, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and Activision, Inc. (“Playstation2 license”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

 

 

 

10.3110.50

 

Playstation2Letter regarding Modification of Territory for PlayStation 2 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2004, from Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. to Activision, Inc.

10.51

PlayStation 2 Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2001, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.32

Amendment I dated February 27, 2003 to employment agreement dated July 22, 2002, between Activision and Ron Doornink. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.33

Form of Stock Option Certificate under the 1998 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.34

Form of Stock Option Certificate under the 1999 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.35

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.36

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2002 Executive Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.37

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.38

Form of Stock Option Agreement (Executive) under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

69



10.39

Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Executive) under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.40

Confidential License Agreement for the Nintendo DS (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 1, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.41

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance (Western Hemisphere) dated as of May 10, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.42

First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia, and New Zealand) dated September 14, 2004, between Nintendo Co., LTD.  and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.43

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere) dated November 9, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.4410.52

 

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement, dated September 15, 2004, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

78



10.53

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement, dated September 27, 2005, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of Activision’s Form 10-K for year ended March 31, 2006).*

 

 

 

10.54

Global PlayStation 3 Format Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated March 5, 2007, between Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. and Activision. Inc.*

10.55

First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia, and New Zealand), dated September 14, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.56

First Addendum to First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.

10.57

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 9, 2001, between Nintendo of America Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.58

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere), dated November 9, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.59

First Renewal License Agreement for the Nintendo GameCube System (EEA), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo, Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.*

10.60

Confidential License Agreement for the Nintendo DS (Western Hemisphere), dated as of October 11, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.61

License Agreement for the Nintendo DS System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.*

10.62

Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

79



10.63

Amendment to Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2002, between Microsoft Licensing, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.64

Xbox Live Distribution Amendment to the Xbox Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2002, between Microsoft Licensing, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.65

 

Amendment to the Xbox Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP, and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.4610.66

 

Microsoft Corporation Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2004,October 25, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.4710.67

 

AmendmentXbox 360 Disc Program Addendum to Microsoft Corporationthe Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).*

70



10.48

Activision, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Plan, effective as of July 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

 

 

 

10.4910.68

 

EmploymentAmendment to the Xbox 360 Publisher Licensing Agreement (Platinum/Classic Hits Program), dated June 15, 2005as of October 1, 2006, by and between Michael GriffithMicrosoft Licensing, GP and Activision, Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).Inc.*

 

 

 

10.5010.69

 

Stock OptionXbox Live Server Platform Addendum to the Xbox 360 Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated June 15, 2005as of February 6, 2007, by and between Michael GriffithMicrosoft Licensing, GP and Activision Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).Publishing, Inc.

 

 

 

10.51

Restricted Stock Agreement dated June 15, 2005 between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.52

Amendment dated June 15, 2005 to employment agreement dated July 22, 2002, as previously amended by that certain letter agreement dated June 1, 2004 between Activision and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.53

Employment Agreement dated September 9, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.54

Stock Option Agreement dated October 3, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.55

Restricted Stock Agreement dated October 3, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.56

Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2005 between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.57

Employment Agreement dated March 2, 2005 between Robin Kaminsky and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.58

Employment Agreement dated December 6, 2005 between Stephen G. Wereb and Activision Publishing, Inc

71



(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.5910.70

 

Chart of Compensation to Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

 

 

 

10.60

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement dated September 27, 2005, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited. *

14.1

 

Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004).

 

 

 

21.1

 

Principal subsidiaries of Activision.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

80



 

31.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Michael Griffith pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.3

 

Certification of Thomas Tippl pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Michael Griffith pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.3

 

Certification of Thomas Tippl pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

*

Portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 


72*Portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

81



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: June 9, 2006

Date: June 14, 2007

ACTIVISION, INC.

 

ACTIVISION, INC.

By:

/s/ Michael Griffith

 

Michael Griffith

President and Chief Executive Officer,

Activision Publishing, Inc.

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:

/s/ Robert A. Kotick

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Robert A. Kotick)

 

Activision, Inc., and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brian G. Kelly

 

Co-Chairman and Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Brian G. Kelly)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Griffith

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Michael Griffith)

 

Activision Publishing, Inc.
( and Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

Executive Officer of Activision, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Thomas Tippl

 

Chief Financial Officer of Activision

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Thomas Tippl)

 

Activision Publishing, Inc. (Principal
and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

Accounting Officer of Activision, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Corti

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Robert J. Corti)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald Doornink

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Ronald Doornink)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Barbara S. Isgur

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Barbara S. Isgur)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Morgado

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Robert J. Morgado)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Peter J. Nolan

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Peter J. Nolan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard Sarnoff

 

Director

 

June 9, 200614, 2007

(Richard Sarnoff)

 

 

 

 

 

7382



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Activision, Inc.:

 

We have completed integrated audits of Activision, Inc.’s 2006 and 2005 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006 and an audit of its 2004consolidatedfinancial statements2007, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.

 

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 8, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Activision, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at March 31, 20062007 and 20052006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 20062007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index appearing under Item 8, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

F-1As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for share-based compensation in fiscal 2007.



 

Internal control over financial reporting

 

Also, in our opinion, management’s assessment, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 20062007 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006,2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control - - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable

F-1



assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 9, 200614, 2007

 

F-2



 

Part II. Financial Information.

Item 8. Financial Statements.

 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

354,331

 

$

313,608

 

 

$

384,409

 

$

354,331

 

Short-term investments

 

590,629

 

527,256

 

 

570,440

 

590,629

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $98,253 and $69,191 at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

 

28,782

 

109,144

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $91,418 and $98,253 at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively

 

148,694

 

28,782

 

Inventories

 

61,483

 

48,018

 

 

91,231

 

61,483

 

Software development

 

40,260

 

73,096

 

 

107,779

 

40,260

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

4,973

 

21,572

 

 

27,784

 

4,973

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,664

 

6,760

 

 

51,564

 

9,664

 

Other current assets

 

25,933

 

23,010

 

 

19,332

 

25,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

1,116,055

 

1,122,464

 

 

1,401,233

 

1,116,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software development

 

20,359

 

18,518

 

 

23,143

 

20,359

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

82,073

 

14,154

 

 

72,490

 

82,073

 

Property and equipment, net

 

45,368

 

30,490

 

 

46,540

 

45,368

 

Deferred income taxes

 

53,813

 

28,041

 

 

48,791

 

52,545

 

Other assets

 

1,409

 

1,635

 

 

6,376

 

1,409

 

Goodwill

 

100,446

 

91,661

 

 

195,374

 

100,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,419,523

 

$

1,306,963

 

 

$

1,793,947

 

$

1,418,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

88,994

 

$

108,984

 

 

$

136,517

 

$

88,994

 

Accrued expenses

 

103,169

 

98,067

 

 

204,652

 

104,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

192,163

 

207,051

 

 

341,169

 

193,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

1,776

 

 

 

41,246

 

1,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

193,939

 

207,051

 

 

382,415

 

195,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.000001 par value, 3,750,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Series A Junior Preferred stock, $.000001 par value, 1,250,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Common stock, $.000001 par value, 450,000,000 and 225,000,000 shares authorized, 277,020,898 and 268,040,831 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.000001 par value, 3,750,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

Series A Junior Preferred stock, $.000001 par value, 1,250,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

Common stock, $.000001 par value and 450,000,000 shares authorized, 283,310,734 and 277,020,898 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

823,735

 

741,680

 

 

963,553

 

867,297

 

Retained earnings

 

388,513

 

346,614

 

 

427,777

 

341,990

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

16,369

 

11,618

 

 

20,202

 

16,369

 

Unearned compensation

 

(3,033

)

 

 

 

(3,033

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,225,584

 

1,099,912

 

 

1,411,532

 

1,222,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,419,523

 

$

1,306,963

 

 

$

1,793,947

 

$

1,418,255

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3



 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

734,874

 

658,949

 

475,541

 

 

799,587

 

734,874

 

658,949

 

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization

 

147,822

 

123,800

 

59,744

 

 

132,353

 

147,822

 

123,800

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses

 

57,666

 

62,197

 

31,862

 

 

46,125

 

57,666

 

62,197

 

Product development

 

131,782

 

86,543

 

97,859

 

 

133,073

 

132,651

 

87,776

 

Sales and marketing

 

283,220

 

230,058

 

128,221

 

 

196,213

 

283,395

 

230,299

 

General and administrative

 

94,679

 

59,739

 

44,612

 

 

132,514

 

96,366

 

63,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

1,450,043

 

1,221,286

 

837,839

 

 

1,439,865

 

1,452,774

 

1,226,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

17,957

 

184,571

 

109,817

 

 

73,147

 

15,226

 

179,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income, net

 

30,630

 

13,092

 

6,175

 

 

36,678

 

30,630

 

13,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax provision

 

48,587

 

197,663

 

115,992

 

 

109,825

 

45,856

 

192,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

6,688

 

59,328

 

38,277

 

 

24,038

 

5,605

 

57,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,899

 

$

138,335

 

$

77,715

 

 

$

85,787

 

$

40,251

 

$

135,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.33

 

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

236,887

 

 

281,114

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution

 

299,437

 

278,860

 

257,588

 

 

305,339

 

294,002

 

277,712

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4



 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury Stock

 

Other
Comprehensive

 

Unearned

 

Shareholders’

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury Stock

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Unearned

 

Shareholders’

 

(In thousands)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Income (Loss)

 

Compensation

 

Equity

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Income (Loss)

 

Compensation

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2003

 

286,329

 

$

 

$

592,295

 

$

130,564

 

(46,101

)

$

(121,685

)

$

(3,434

)

$

 

$

597,740

 

Components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the year

 

 

 

 

77,715

 

 

 

 

 

77,715

 

Unrealized depreciation on short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

(37

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,432

 

 

13,432

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,110

 

Issuance of common stock to employees

 

9,137

 

 

25,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,730

 

Issuance of common stock pursuant to warrants and common stock warrants

 

744

 

 

1,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,038

 

Tax benefit attributable to employee stock options and common stock warrants

 

 

 

12,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,417

 

Structured stock repurchase transactions

 

 

 

(52,621

)

 

 

 

 

 

(52,621

)

Settlement of structured stock repurchase transactions

 

 

 

176,521

 

 

(3,051

)

(10,000

)

 

 

166,521

 

Issuance of common stock to effect business combinations

 

459

 

 

3,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,246

 

Purchase of treasury shares

 

 

 

 

 

(3,373

)

(12,443

)

 

 

(12,443

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2004

 

296,669

 

 

758,626

 

208,279

 

(52,525

)

(144,128

)

9,961

 

 

832,738

 

 

296,669

 

$

 

$

797,626

 

$

166,682

 

(52,525

)

$

(144,128

)

$

9,961

 

$

 

$

830,141

 

Components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the year

 

 

 

 

138,335

 

 

 

 

 

138,335

 

 

 

 

 

135,057

 

 

 

 

 

135,057

 

Unrealized depreciation on short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,317

)

 

(3,317

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,317

)

 

(3,317

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,974

 

 

4,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,974

 

 

4,974

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

136,714

 

Issuance of common stock to employees

 

22,255

 

 

68,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,192

 

 

22,255

 

 

68,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,192

 

Issuance of common stock pursuant to warrants and common stock warrants

 

1,497

 

 

4,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,462

 

 

1,497

 

 

4,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,462

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

3,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,368

 

Tax benefit attributable to employee stock options and common stock warrants

 

 

 

53,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,337

 

 

 

 

53,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,206

 

Issuance of common stock to effect business combinations

 

145

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,191

 

 

145

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,191

 

Retirement of treasury shares

 

(52,525

)

 

(144,128

)

 

52,525

 

144,128

 

 

 

 

 

(52,525

)

 

(144,128

)

 

52,525

 

144,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2005

 

268,041

 

 

741,680

 

346,614

 

 

 

11,618

 

 

1,099,912

 

 

268,041

 

 

783,917

 

301,739

 

 

 

11,618

 

 

1,097,274

 

Components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the year

 

 

 

 

41,899

 

 

 

 

 

41,899

 

 

 

 

 

40,251

 

 

 

 

 

40,251

 

Unrealized appreciation on short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,576

 

 

10,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,576

 

 

10,576

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,825

)

 

(5,825

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,825

)

 

(5,825

)

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,002

 

Issuance of common stock to employees

 

8,782

 

 

45,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,188

 

 

8,782

 

 

45,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,188

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

2,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,632

 

Restricted stock grant

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

(3,500

)

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

(3,500

)

 

Cash distribution for fractional shares

 

(7

)

 

(100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(100

)

 

(7

)

 

(100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(100

)

Amortization of unearned compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

467

 

467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

467

 

467

 

Tax benefit attributable to employee stock options and common stock warrants

 

 

 

30,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,674

 

 

 

 

29,367

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,367

 

Issuance of common stock to effect business combinations

 

205

 

 

2,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,793

 

 

205

 

 

2,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2006

 

277,021

 

$

 

$

823,735

 

$

388,513

 

 

$

 

$

16,369

 

$

(3,033

)

$

1,225,584

 

 

277,021

 

 

867,297

 

341,990

 

 

 

16,369

 

(3,033

)

1,222,623

 

Components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the year

 

 

 

 

85,787

 

 

 

 

 

85,787

 

Unrealized depreciation, net of tax on short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,224

)

 

(8,224

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,057

 

 

12,057

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,620

 

Issuance of common stock to employees

 

3,532

 

 

18,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,956

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

32,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,077

 

Tax benefit attributable to employee stock options and common stock warrants

 

 

 

11,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,338

 

Issuance of common stock to effect business combinations

 

2,758

 

 

36,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

36,918

 

Reclassification of unearned compensation

 

 

 

(3,033

)

 

 

 

 

3,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2007

 

283,311

 

$

 

$

963,553

 

$

427,777

 

 

$

 

$

20,202

 

$

 

$

1,411,532

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5



 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(In thousands)

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,899

 

$

138,335

 

$

77,715

 

 

$

85,787

 

$

40,251

 

$

135,057

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(28,677

)

878

 

15,147

 

 

(44,092

)

(28,453

)

(674

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,634

 

10,702

 

10,795

 

 

30,155

 

14,634

 

10,702

 

Realized gain on sale of short term investments

 

(4,297

)

(471

)

(21

)

 

(1,823

)

(4,297

)

(471

)

Amortization and write-offs of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses

 

173,602

 

134,799

 

87,922

 

 

91,456

 

173,602

 

134,799

 

Amortization of stock compensation expenses

 

467

 

 

 

 

25,522

 

3,099

 

3,368

 

Tax benefit of stock options and warrants exercised

 

30,674

 

53,337

 

12,417

 

 

11,338

 

29,367

 

53,206

 

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

 

(9,012

)

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

80,405

 

(46,527

)

(42,497

)

 

(108,802

)

80,405

 

(46,527

)

Inventories

 

(13,465

)

(21,591

)

(6,850

)

 

(26,124

)

(13,465

)

(21,591

)

Software development and intellectual property licenses

 

(193,927

)

(126,938

)

(115,202

)

 

(166,138

)

(193,927

)

(126,938

)

Other assets

 

(2,038

)

1,543

 

(5,232

)

 

7,294

 

(2,038

)

1,543

 

Accounts payable

 

(19,985

)

35,413

 

23,005

 

 

41,115

 

(19,985

)

35,413

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

6,715

 

35,829

 

10,204

 

 

90,486

 

6,814

 

37,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

86,007

 

215,309

 

67,403

 

 

27,162

 

86,007

 

215,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in business acquisitions (net of cash acquired)

 

(6,890

)

(21,382

)

(3,480

)

 

(30,545

)

(6,890

)

(21,382

)

Capital expenditures

 

(30,406

)

(14,941

)

(11,976

)

 

(17,935

)

(30,406

)

(14,941

)

Increase in restricted cash

 

(7,500

)

 

 

 

 

(7,500

)

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

(242,568

)

(868,723

)

(703,400

)

 

(479,533

)

(242,568

)

(868,723

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments

 

201,568

 

761,150

 

548,701

 

 

492,771

 

201,568

 

761,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

(170,155

)

 

(35,242

)

(85,796

)

(143,896

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees and common stock pursuant to warrants

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

26,483

 

 

18,956

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

Notes payable, net

 

 

 

(2,818

)

Purchase of structured stock repurchase transactions

 

 

 

(52,621

)

Settlement of structured stock repurchase transactions

 

 

 

166,521

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

(19,996

)

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

 

9,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

117,569

 

 

27,968

 

45,088

 

72,654

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(4,576

)

4,421

 

11,195

 

 

10,190

 

(4,576

)

4,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

40,723

 

148,488

 

26,012

 

 

30,078

 

40,723

 

148,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

313,608

 

165,120

 

139,108

 

 

354,331

 

313,608

 

165,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

354,331

 

$

313,608

 

$

165,120

 

 

$

384,409

 

$

354,331

 

$

313,608

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6



 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended March 31, 20062007

 

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Business

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 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”), Nintendo GameCubeSony PlayStation 3 (“GameCube”PS3”), Microsoft XboxNintendo Wii (“Xbox”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”). In prior years, we have also offered our products on the Sony PlayStation (“PS1”), Microsoft Xbox (“Xbox”), Nintendo GameCube (“NGC”), and Nintendo 64 (“N64”) console systems, and the Nintendo Game Boy Color (“GBC”) hand-held device. We are also in the process of developing titles for the next-generation console systems being developed by Sony and Nintendo, the PlayStation 3 (“PS3”) and the Wii, respectively.

 

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 maintain operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom (“UK”), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Australia, Sweden, South Korea, and the Netherlands. In fiscal year 2006,2007, international operations contributed approximately 52%50% of consolidated net revenues.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Activision, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, money markets, and short-term investments with original maturities of not more than 90 days.

Short-term investments generally mature between three and thirty months. Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. All of our short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair market value with unrealized appreciation (depreciation) reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of securities disposed with realized gains and losses reflected in investment income, net.

 

Restricted Cash – Compensating Balances

 

As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, we maintained a $7.5 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. Under the terms of this arrangement, we are required to maintain on deposit with the bank a compensating balance, restricted as to use, of not less than the sum of the available amount of the letter of credit plus the aggregate amount of any drawings under the letter of credit that have been honored thereunder but not reimbursed. At March 31, 2007 and 2006, the $7.5 million deposit is included in short-term investments as restricted cash.

 

F-7



 

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of temporary cash investments and accounts receivable. We place our temporary cash investments with financial institutions. At various times during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, we had deposits in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limit at these financial institutions.

 

Our customer base includes retail outlets and distributors, including mass-market retailers, consumer electronics stores, discount warehouses, and game specialty stores in the United States and countries worldwide. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. We generally do not require collateral or other security from our customers. We had two customers, Wal-Mart and GameStop, that accounted for 22% and 8% of consolidated net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and 26% and 6% of consolidated gross accounts receivable at March 31, 2007. These customers were customers of both our publishing and distribution businesses. We had two customers, Wal-Mart and Gamestop, that accounted for 22% and 10% of consolidated net revenues for the year ended March 31, 2006 and 43% and 4% of consolidated gross accounts receivable at March 31, 2006. These customers were customers of both our publishing and distribution businesses. As of and forFor the yearsfiscal year ended March 31, 2005, and 2004, our largest customer, Wal-Mart, accounted for 23% and 20%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues and 33% of consolidated gross accounts receivable in both periods.revenues.

 

Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of financial instruments have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies described below. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein may not be indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Short-term investments are carried at fair value with fair values being estimated based on quoted market prices.

 

We account for derivative instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an amendment of SFAS No. 133” and SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 133, 138, and 149 require that all derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, be recognized in the balance sheet in other current assets or accrued expenses at their fair value.

 

We utilize forward contracts in order to reduce financial market risks. These instruments are used to hedge foreign currency exposures of underlying assets or liabilities. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet the criteria for designation as hedging transactions. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges, are highly effective, and qualify as hedging instruments, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings within the financial statement line item consistent with the hedged item. Any ineffective portion of a derivative change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings. The fair value of foreign currency contracts is estimated based on the spot rate of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the period. As of March 31, 2007, accrued expenses included approximately $90,000 of pre-tax unrealized losses for the estimated fair value of outstanding foreign currency exchange forward contracts, which was recorded in earnings as the contracts did not qualify as hedging instruments. As of March 31, 2006, and 2005, we had no outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts.

 

Equity Investments

From time to time, we may make a capital investment and hold a minority interest in a third-party developer in connection with entertainment software products to be developed by such developer for us. We account for those capital investments over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence using the equity method. For

F-8



those investments over which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence, we account for our investment using the cost method.

 

F-8



Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses

 

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 SFASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards 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“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“cost of sales software royalties and amortizationamortization” 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 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, music 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“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

F-9



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.

 

F-9



Commencing upon the related product’s release, capitalized intellectual property license costs are amortized to cost“cost of sales intellectual property licenseslicenses” 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.

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the lease term: buildings, 25 to 33 years; computer equipment, office furniture and other equipment, 2 to 5 years; leasehold improvements, through the life of the lease. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation thereon are removed and any resulting gains or losses are recognized in current operations.

 

Goodwill

We account for goodwill using the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles.” SFAS No. 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting requirements for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite useful life and should not be amortized but rather tested at least annually for impairment. An impairment loss should be recognized if the carrying amount of goodwill is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Our impairment tests as of March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005 did not indicate that goodwill was impaired. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we have not amortized goodwill during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.2005.

 

RRevenue Recognitionevenue 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 (the(i.e., a date thaton which products are made widely available for sale 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

F-10



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“cost of sales intellectual property licenseslicenses” and cost“cost of sales software royalties and amortization.

F-10



 

Sales incentives or other consideration given by us to our customers isare 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, allowallows customers a credit against amounts owed by such customers to Activisionus 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 weekly inventory and sell-through reports, and consistent participation in the launches of our premium title releases.reports. We may also consider other factors, including the facilitation of 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,genres; historical performance of the hardware platform,platform; historical performance of the brand,brand; console hardware life cycle,cycle; Activision sales force and retail customer feedback,feedback; industry pricing,pricing; weeks of on-hand retail channel inventory,inventory; absolute quantity of on-hand retail channel inventory,inventory; our warehouse on-hand inventory levels,levels; the title’s recent sell-through history (if available),; marketing trade programs,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, 20062007 allowance for returns and price protection would impact net revenues by $1.0$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 impactaffect 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

F-11



our products. Significant changes in demand for our products would impact management’s estimates in establishing our inventory provision.

 

F-11



Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling costs, which consist primarily of packaging and transportation charges incurred to move finished goods to customers, are included in cost of sales – product costs.

 

Advertising Expenses

We expense advertising as incurred, except for production costs associated with media advertising which are deferred and charged to expense the first time the related ad is run. Advertising expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005 were approximately $98.4 million, $192.6 million, $150.7 million, and $76.6$150.7 million, respectively, and are included in sales and marketing expense in the consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of operations.Operations.

 

Investment Income, Net

Investment income, net is comprised of the following, (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Interest income

 

$

26,595

 

$

12,898

 

$

6,502

 

 

$

34,952

 

$

26,595

 

$

12,898

 

Interest expense

 

(262

)

(277

)

(348

)

 

(97

)

(262

)

(277

)

Net realized gain on investments

 

4,297

 

471

 

21

 

 

1,823

 

4,297

 

471

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income, net

 

$

30,630

 

$

13,092

 

$

6,175

 

 

$

36,678

 

$

30,630

 

$

13,092

 

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes using SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under SFAS No. 109, income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are their local currencies. All assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the period, and revenue and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on short-term investments, foreign currency translation adjustments, and, if applicable, the effective portion of gains or losses on cash flow hedges that are presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

 

F-12



Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities or the disclosure of gain or loss contingencies 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.

 

F-12



Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all periods. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, increased by common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method and represent incremental shares issuable upon exercise of our outstanding options and warrants and, if applicable in the period, conversion of our convertible debt. However, potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive, such as in a period in which a net loss is recorded.

 

Stock-Based Compensation and Pro Forma Information

Under 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 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 (“APIC 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,”Compensation” (“SFAS 123”). Under APB 25, compensation expense iswas recorded for the issuance of stock options and other stock-based compensation in accordance with either the fair value method specified in SFAS No. 123 or in accordance withbased on the intrinsic value method specified in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”of the stock options and other stock-based compensation on the date of grant or measurement date. Under the intrinsic value method, compensation expense iswas recorded on the date of grant or measurement date only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceedsexceeded the stock option or other stock-based compensationaward’s exercise price. IfFor the grant date stock price exceeds the strike price, then the intrinsic value is equal to the positive difference between these two values. At March 31, 2006, we awarded several stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 14. We account for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

41,899

 

$

138,335

 

$

77,715

 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

 

 

64

 

192

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(17,939

)

(15,435

)

(18,303

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income

 

$

23,960

 

$

122,964

 

$

59,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic – as reported

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.33

 

Basic – pro forma

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted – as reported

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.30

 

Diluted – pro forma

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.23

 

For disclosure purposes, prior to April 1, 2005, the fair value of options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Modified Black-Scholes option pricing model as specified in SFAS 123. As of April 1, 2005, we switched to a binomial-lattice model to estimate the fair value of options granted from that date forward. The fair value of options granted in thefiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, we recognized $3.1 million and 2004 has been estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted average assumptions:$3.4

 

F-13



 

 

 

Employee and Director
Options and Warrants

 

Employee Stock
Purchase Plan

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected life (in years)

 

5

 

3

 

4

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

Risk free interest rate

 

5.17

%

3.25

%

2.01

%

3.05

%

2.66

%

1.75

%

Volatility

 

48

%

48

%

49

%

42

%

46

%

51

%

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock, under APB 25. See Note 14 for additional information.

 

BothStock-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 andfrom the Black-Scholes option pricingoption-pricing model require(“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. Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the inputdate 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 assumptions, including thevariables. These variables include, but are not limited to our expected stock price volatility. Tvolatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.

2.o estimate volatilityStock Splits

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 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. The Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, including 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.

3.Acquisitions

During the three years ended March 31, 2007, we separately completed the acquisition of four privately held interactive software development companies. We accounted for these acquisitions in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141 addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations, requiring that the purchase method be used to account and report for all business combinations. These acquisitions have further enabled us to implement our multi-platform development strategy by bolstering our internal product development capabilities for console systems and personal computers and strengthening our position in the first-person action, action/adventure, music-based gaming and action sports game categories. A significant portion of the purchase price for all of these acquisitions was assigned to goodwill as the primary asset we acquired in each of the transactions was an assembled workforce with proven technical and design talent with a history of high quality product creation. Pro forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for these acquisitions, are not shown, as they would not differ materially from reported results.

RedOctane, Inc.

On June 6, 2006, we completed our acquisition of 100% of RedOctane, Inc. (“RedOctane”) for an aggregate accounting purchase price of $99.9 million, including transaction costs, consisting of $30.9 million in cash and 2,382,077 shares of Activision common stock valued at approximately $30.0 million based upon prevailing market prices which was issued on the closing date, and $39.0 million payable in Activision common stock

F-14



within two years of the closing date, which is recorded in other liabilities. In addition, in the event the net income of the business over a certain period of time exceeds specified target levels by certain amounts, certain former shareholders of RedOctane will be entitled to an additional amount of up to $51.0 million payable in shares of Activision common stock. The contingent consideration will be recorded as an additional element of the purchase price if those contingencies are achieved. Based in Sunnyvale, California, RedOctane is a publisher, developer, and distributor of interactive entertainment software, hardware and accessories. RedOctane offers its interactive entertainment products in versions that operate on the PS2, Xbox 360, and PC, and its leading software product offering is Guitar Hero. RedOctane also designs, manufactures, and markets high quality video game peripherals and accessories. This acquisition provides Activision with an early leadership position in music-based gaming, which we expect will be one of the fastest growing genres in the coming years.

The results of operations of RedOctane and the estimated fair market values of the acquired assets and liabilities have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition. Pro forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for this acquisition are not shown, as they would not differ materially from reported results. The acquired, finite-lived intangible assets are being amortized over estimated lives ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 years. Goodwill has been included in the publishing segment of our business and is non-deductible for tax purposes.

Purchase Price Allocation

The purchase price for the binomial-lattice model, we use methods or capabilitiesRedOctane transaction was allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as set forth below (in thousands):

Current assets

 

$

17,530

 

Property and equipment, net

 

207

 

Other assets

 

1,033

 

Goodwill

 

87,004

 

Trademark and other intangibles

 

16,700

 

Deferred tax liability

 

(6,496

)

Other liabilities

 

(16,033

)

Total consideration

 

$

99,945

 

Purchased Intangible Assets

The following table presents details of the purchased finite-lived intangible assets acquired in the RedOctane acquisition (in thousands):

 

 

Estimated
Useful

 

 

 

 

 

Life

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

Amount

 

Finite-lived intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark

 

1.3

 

$

1,000

 

Development-related intangibles

 

0.6-1.6

 

15,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangibles

 

 

 

$

16,700

 

F-15



The following tables present details of our total purchased finite-lived intangible assets which are included in other current assets as of March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

Gross

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Trademark

 

$

1,000

 

$

660

 

$

340

 

Other intangibles

 

15,700

 

11,042

 

4,658

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

16,700

 

$

11,702

 

$

4,998

 

The estimated future amortization expense of purchased, finite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2007 is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal year ending March 31,

 

Amount

 

2008

 

$

4,998

 

2009

 

 

2010

 

 

2011

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4,998

 

4.Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2007 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits

 

$

187,594

 

$

 

$

 

$

187,594

 

Commercial paper

 

86,776

 

 

(34

)

86,742

 

Money market instruments

 

106,986

 

 

 

106,986

 

Corporate bonds

 

3,087

 

 

 

3,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

384,443

 

 

(34

)

384,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency issues

 

191,840

 

8

 

(1,011

)

190,837

 

Corporate bonds

 

103,006

 

39

 

(148

)

102,897

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

33,142

 

 

(199

)

32,943

 

Taxable auction rate notes

 

114,698

 

 

 

114,698

 

Asset-backed securities

 

7,754

 

2

 

(7

)

7,749

 

Commercial paper

 

92,018

 

 

(67

)

91,951

 

Certificate of deposit

 

21,866

 

2

 

(3

)

21,865

 

Restricted cash

 

7,500

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

571,824

 

51

 

(1,435

)

570,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

956,267

 

$

51

 

$

(1,469

)

$

954,849

 

F-16



The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of March 31, 2006 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits

 

$

162,403

 

$

 

$

 

$

162,403

 

Commercial paper

 

141,086

 

4

 

(155

)

140,935

 

Money market instruments

 

37,560

 

 

 

37,560

 

U.S. agency issues

 

13,436

 

 

(3

)

13,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

354,485

 

4

 

(158

)

354,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency issues

 

259,055

 

 

(3,444

)

255,611

 

Corporate bonds

 

171,207

 

1

 

(1,376

)

169,832

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

55,139

 

 

(459

)

54,680

 

Common stock

 

47,868

 

12,880

 

 

60,748

 

Asset-backed securities

 

16,866

 

 

(47

)

16,819

 

Commercial paper

 

15,016

 

 

(26

)

14,990

 

Certificate of deposit

 

10,468

 

 

(19

)

10,449

 

Restricted cash

 

7,500

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

583,119

 

12,881

 

(5,371

)

590,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

937,604

 

$

12,885

 

$

(5,529

)

$

944,960

 

Auction rate securities are securities that are discussedstructured with short-term reset dates of generally less than 90 days but with maturities in FAS 123R (“Statement no. 123(R), Share-Based Payment”). These methods includedexcess of 90 days. At the implied volatility method based upon the volatilities for exchange-traded options on our stock to estimate short-term volatility, the historical method (annualized standard deviationend of the instantaneous returnsreset period, investors can sell or continue to hold the securities at par. These securities are classified in the table below based on Activision’s stock)their legal stated maturity dates.

The following table summarizes the final maturities of our investments in securities as of March 31, 2007 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Due after one year or less

 

$

378,929

 

$

378,105

 

Due after one year through two years

 

83,333

 

83,251

 

Due after two years through three years

 

14,465

 

14,158

 

 

 

476,727

 

475,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate notes

 

114,698

 

114,698

 

Certificate of deposit

 

21,866

 

21,865

 

Asset/mortgage backed securities

 

40,896

 

40,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities

 

$

654,187

 

$

652,769

 

For the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 net realized gains on investments consisted of $1.8 million, $4.3 million, and $471,000 of gross realized gains, respectively, and no gross realized losses.

F-17



In accordance with EITF 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to estimate long-term volatilityCertain Investments,” the fair value of investments in an unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized was $496.2 million and $672.4 million at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, with related gross unrealized losses of $1.5 million and $5.5 million, respectively. At March 31, 2007, the gross unrealized losses were comprised mostly of unrealized losses on U.S. agency issues, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities with $1.1 million of unrealized loss being in a statistical modelcontinuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. At March 31, 2006, the gross unrealized losses were comprised mostly of unrealized losses on U.S. agency issues, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities with $3.9 million of unrealized loss being in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater.

The Company’s investment portfolio usually consists of government and corporate securities with effective maturities less than 30 months. The longer the term of the securities, the more susceptible they are to estimatechanges in market rates of interest and yields on bonds. Investments are reviewed periodically to identify possible impairment. When evaluating the transitioninvestments, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value up to (or beyond) the initial cost of the investment. The Company expects to realize the full value of all of these investments upon maturity or “mean reversion” from short-term volatilitysale.

5.Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses

As of March 31, 2007, capitalized software development costs included $94.3 million of internally developed software costs and $36.6 million of payments made to long-term volatility. Based on these methods,third-party software developers. As of March 31, 2006, capitalized software development costs included $45.0 million of internally developed software costs and $15.6 million of payments made to third-party software developers. Capitalized intellectual property licenses were $100.3 million and $87.0 million as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amortization and write-offs of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses, including capitalizated stock-based compensation expense, was $94.0 million, $173.6 million, and $134.8 million for options granted during the quartersyears ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

6.Inventories

Our inventories consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

$

89,048

 

$

58,876

 

Purchased parts and components

 

2,183

 

2,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

91,231

 

$

61,483

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006, we had write downs of inventory costs for certain titles in the expectedamount of $14.5 million.

F-18



7.Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net was comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

612

 

$

557

 

Buildings

 

4,915

 

4,463

 

Leasehold improvements

 

19,816

 

18,904

 

Computer equipment

 

61,382

 

50,795

 

Office furniture and other equipment

 

19,879

 

18,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of property and equipment

 

106,604

 

93,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(60,064

)

(47,831

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$

46,540

 

$

45,368

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $17.8 million, $14.2 million, and $10.6 million, respectively.

8.Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

Balance as of March 31, 2005

 

$

85,899

 

$

5,762

 

$

91,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

6,459

 

 

6,459

 

Issuance of contingent consideration

 

2,793

 

 

2,793

 

Adjustment-prior period purchase allocation

 

(260

)

 

(260

)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates

 

203

 

(410

)

(207

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2006

 

95,094

 

5,352

 

100,446

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

87,257

 

 

87,257

 

Issuance of contingent consideration

 

6,918

 

 

6,918

 

Adjustment-prior period purchase allocation

 

51

 

 

51

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates

 

22

 

680

 

702

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2007

 

$

189,342

 

$

6,032

 

$

195,374

 

F-19



9.Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses were comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued royalties payable

 

$

21,583

 

$

8,961

 

Accrued selling and marketing costs

 

23,909

 

24,637

 

Affiliate label program payable

 

1,846

 

1,121

 

Income tax payable

 

55,530

 

2,253

 

Accrued payroll related costs

 

63,249

 

33,434

 

Accrued customer payments

 

2,088

 

5,077

 

Accrued professional and legal costs

 

9,494

 

11,568

 

Other

 

26,953

 

17,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

 

$

204,652

 

$

104,862

 

10.Operations by Reportable Segments and Geographic Area

We operate two business segments: (i) publishing of interactive entertainment software and peripherals and (ii) distribution of interactive entertainment software and hardware products.

Publishing refers to the development, marketing, and sale of products directly, by license or through our affiliate label program with certain third-party publishers. In the United States, 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 UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Canada, South Korea and Japan. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis and through third-party distribution and licensing arrangements and through our wholly-owned distribution subsidiaries located in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Distribution refers to our operations 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.

Resources are allocated to each of these segments using information on their respective net revenues and operating profits before interest and taxes.

The accounting policies of these segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation.

F-20



Information on the reportable segments for the three years ended March 31, 2007 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

1,119,038

 

$

393,974

 

$

1,513,012

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(80,726

)

80,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

1,038,312

 

$

474,700

 

$

1,513,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

64,076

 

$

9,071

 

$

73,147

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,618,195

 

$

175,752

 

$

1,793,947

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

1,154,663

 

$

313,337

 

$

1,468,000

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(131,631

)

131,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

1,023,032

 

$

444,968

 

$

1,468,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

(6,715

)

$

21,941

 

$

15,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,293,014

 

$

125,241

 

$

1,418,255

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

1,072,729

 

$

333,128

 

$

1,405,857

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(111,676

)

111,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

961,053

 

$

444,804

 

$

1,405,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

155,863

 

$

23,745

 

$

179,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,173,866

 

$

132,053

 

$

1,305,919

 

F-21



Geographic information is based on the location of the selling entity. Revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

753,376

 

$

710,040

 

$

696,325

 

Europe

 

718,973

 

717,494

 

675,074

 

Other

 

40,663

 

40,466

 

34,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

Revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

$

1,125,457

 

$

1,008,758

 

$

970,399

 

Hand-held

 

275,650

 

235,834

 

161,977

 

PC

 

111,905

 

223,408

 

273,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,513,012

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from products based on a relatively small number of popular brands each year. In fiscal 2007, 39% of our consolidated net revenues (52% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 17%, 13%, and 9% of consolidated net revenues (23%, 18%, and 11% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2006, 30% of our consolidated net revenues (38% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 14%, 8%, and 8% of consolidated net revenues (18%, 10%, and 10% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2005, 37% of our consolidated net revenues (48% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 16%, 11%, and 10% of consolidated net revenues (21%, 14%, and 13% of worldwide publishing net revenues).

F-22



11.Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - income available to common shareholders

 

$

85,787

 

$

40,251

 

$

135,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average common shares outstanding

 

281,114

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options and stock purchase plan

 

23,611

 

20,232

 

26,398

 

Warrants to purchase common stock

 

614

 

593

 

1,291

 

Potential dilutive common shares

 

24,225

 

20,825

 

27,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share - weighted average common shares outstanding plus assumed conversions

 

305,339

 

294,002

 

277,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.49

 

Options to purchase approximately 7.9 million, 993,000, and 243,000 shares of common stock price volatility ranged from 40%for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be antidilutive.

F-23



12.Income Taxes

Domestic and foreign income before income taxes and details of the income tax provision are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

99,210

 

$

52,321

 

$

169,572

 

Foreign

 

10,615

 

(6,465

)

23,128

 

 

 

$

109,825

 

$

45,856

 

$

192,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

34,342

 

$

 

$

(355

)

State

 

15,325

 

308

 

342

 

Foreign

 

3,842

 

4,383

 

5,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current

 

53,509

 

4,691

 

5,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(17,074

)

(11,095

)

4,346

 

State

 

(19,608

)

(7,266

)

(2,863

)

Foreign

 

(4,127

)

(10,092

)

(2,159

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred

 

(40,809

)

(28,453

)

(676

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add back benefit credited to additional paid-in capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit related to stock option and warrant exercises

 

11,338

 

29,367

 

53,206

 

Income tax provision

 

$

24,038

 

$

5,605

 

$

57,643

 

F-24



The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the income tax provision for each of the years are as follows:

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax provision at statutory rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

35.0

%

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

4.1

 

4.3

 

2.8

 

Research and development credits

 

(8.5

)

(36.2

)

(6.6

)

Decremental effect of foreign tax rates

 

(3.6

)

(10.5

)

(2.4

)

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

 

(26.6

)

18.0

 

3.2

 

Increase (decrease) in tax reserves

 

18.8

 

(2.2

)

 (0.9

)

Other

 

2.7

 

3.8

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.9%

 

12.2

%

29.9

%

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for accounting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the net deferred tax asset and liability are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred asset:

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

369

 

$

739

 

Allowance for sales returns

 

14,094

 

16,200

 

Inventory reserve

 

1,507

 

2,474

 

Vacation and bonus reserve

 

5,996

 

4,993

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

1,566

 

3,970

 

Tax credit carryforwards

 

89,014

 

74,488

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

29,822

 

13,770

 

Stock-based compensation

 

11,879

 

3,272

 

Other

 

8,958

 

6,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred asset

 

163,205

 

126,115

 

Valuation allowance

 

(382

)

(35,555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred asset

 

162,823

 

90,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liability:

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized development expenses

 

50,159

 

22,537

 

State taxes

 

12,309

 

5,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liability

 

62,468

 

28,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred asset

 

$

100,355

 

$

62,209

 

F-25



The tax benefits associated with certain net operating loss carryforwards relate to 55%, with a weighted average volatility of 48% for options granted during the quarters inemployee stock options. For the year ended March 31, 2006.2006, pursuant to SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets for net operating losses did not include $30.9 million relating to these items which will be credited to additional paid-in capital when realized. For the Black-Scholes option pricing model used for options granted in each of the quarters in the year ended March 31, 2005,2007, $30.9 million relating to these items was realized and included in deferred tax assets for net operating losses; however, a reserve was established for this amount, as well as a reserve of $20.6 million for tax credits and foreign taxes. These reserves were established because the historical stock price volatility usedtax positions are subject to certain assumptions of the relevant legislative and judicial history that may or may not be accepted by the tax authorities.

As of March 31, 2007, our available federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $34.9 million is subject to certain limitations as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The net operating loss carryforwards expire between 2022 and 2026. We have various state net operating loss carryforwards totaling $17.6 million which are not subject to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. We have tax credit carryforwards of $52.5 million and $36.5 million for federal and state purposes, respectively, which begin to expire in fiscal year 2008.

At March 31, 2007, our deferred income tax asset for tax credit carryforwards and net operating loss carryforwards was reduced by a valuation allowance of $0.4 million, as compared to $35.6 million in the prior fiscal year. In management’s judgment, based on weekly stock price observation, using an averagethe utilization of domestic net operating loss carryforwards in the current fiscal year, it was determined to be more likely than not that the tax credit carryforwards would ultimately be utilized, and consequently, the valuation allowance relating to tax credit carryforwards was reversed.

Realization of the highdeferred tax assets is dependent upon the continued generation of sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of tax credits and low stock pricesloss carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net carrying value of the deferred tax asset will be realized.

Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which no deferred taxes have been provided approximated $97.5 million at March 31, 2007. Deferred income taxes on these earnings have not been provided as these amounts are considered to be permanent in duration.

On October 22, 2004, the President of the United States signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) which contains a number of tax law modifications with accounting implications. For companies that pay U.S. income taxes on manufacturing activities in the U.S., the Act provides a deduction from taxable income equal to a stipulated percentage of qualified income from domestic production activities. The manufacturing deduction provided by the Act replaces the extraterritorial income (“ETI”) deduction currently in place. We currently derive benefits from the ETI exclusion which was repealed by the Act. Our exclusion for fiscal 2006 and 2007 will be limited to 75% and 45% of the otherwise allowable exclusion and no exclusion will be available in fiscal 2008 and thereafter. The Act also creates a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations (“Homeland Investment Act”). The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. The Act also provides for other changes in tax law that will affect a variety of taxpayers. On December 21, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued two FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) regarding the accounting implications of the Act related to (1) the deduction for qualified domestic production activities and (2) the one-time tax benefit for the repatriation of foreign earnings. The FASB determined that the deduction for qualified domestic production activities should be accounted for as a special deduction under FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The FASB also confirmed, that upon deciding that some amount of earnings will be repatriated, a company must record in that period the associated tax liability. The guidance in the FSPs apply to financial statements for periods ending after the date the Act was enacted. We have evaluated the Act and have concluded that we will not repatriate foreign earnings under the Homeland Investment Act Provisions.

F-26



13.Commitments and Contingencies

Credit Facilities

We have revolving credit facilities with our Centresoft subsidiary located in the UK (the “UK Facility”) and our NBG subsidiary located in Germany (the “German Facility”). The UK Facility provided Centresoft with the ability to borrow up to Great British Pounds (“GBP”) 12.0 million ($23.6 million) and GBP 12.0 million ($21.0 million, including issuing letters of credit, on a revolving basis as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Furthermore, under the UK Facility, Centresoft provided a GBP 0.6 million ($1.2 million) and a GBP 0.6 million ($1.0 million) guarantee for the benefit of our common stock, which resulted in an expected stock price volatility ranging from 45% to 48%. For purposesCD Contact subsidiary as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The UK Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.0% as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, is collateralized by substantially all of the above pro forma disclosure,assets of the fair valuesubsidiary and expires in January 2008. The UK Facility also contains various covenants that require the subsidiary to maintain specified financial ratios related to, among others, fixed charges. As of options grantedMarch 31, 2007 and 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. No borrowings were outstanding against the UK Facility as of March 31, 2007 or 2006. The German Facility provided for revolving loans up to EUR 0.5 million ($0.7 million) as of March 31, 2007 and EUR 0.5 million ($0.6 million) as of March 31, 2006, bore interest at a Eurocurrency rate plus 2.5%, is amortizedcollateralized by certain of the subsidiary’s property and equipment and has no expiration date. No borrowings were outstanding against the German Facility as of March 31, 2007 or 2006.

As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, we maintained a $7.5 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to stock-based employee compensation cost overqualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. Under the period(s)terms of this arrangement, we are required to maintain on deposit with the bank a compensating balance, restricted as to use, of not less than the sum of the available amount of the letter of credit plus the aggregate amount of any drawings under the letter of credit that have been honored thereunder but not reimbursed. At March 31, 2007 and 2006, the $7.5 million deposit is included in short-term investments as restricted cash. No borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2007 or 2006.

As of March 31, 2007, our publishing subsidiary located in the UK maintained a EUR 4.0 million ($5.3 million) irrevocable standby letter of credit. As of March 31, 2006, our publishing subsidiary located in the UK maintained a EUR 2.5 million ($3.0 million) irrevocable standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. The standby letter of credit does not require a compensating balance and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the subsidiary and expires in August 2007. No borrowings were outstanding as of March 31, 2007 or 2006.

Commitments

In the normal course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements with third parties for non-cancelable operating lease agreements for our offices, for the development of products, as well as for the rights to intellectual property. Under these agreements, we commit to provide specified payments to a lessor, developer, or intellectual property holder, based upon contractual arrangements. Typically, the payments to third-party developers are conditioned upon the achievement by the developers of contractually specified development milestones. These payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders typically are deemed to be advances and are recoupable against future royalties earned by the developer or intellectual property holder based on the sale of the related game. Additionally, in connection with certain intellectual property right acquisitions and development agreements, we will commit to spend specified amounts for marketing support for the related game(s) which is to be developed or in which the related employee services are rendered. Accordingly, the pro forma stock-based compensation cost for any periodintellectual property will typically depend on options granted in both the current period and prior periods.be utilized.

 

For options granted during fiscal 2006, 2005,F-27



Additionally, we lease certain of our facilities and 2004,equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Assuming all contractual provisions are met, the per share weighted average fair valuetotal future minimum commitments for these and other contractual arrangements in place as of options with exercise prices equalMarch 31, 2007, are scheduled to market value on the date of grant was $4.90, $3.08, and $1.56, respectively. The per share weighted average estimated fair value of Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares granted duringbe paid as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

Facility &

 

Developer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Leases

 

and IP

 

Marketing

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal year ending March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

14,213

 

$

67,836

 

$

40,254

 

$

122,303

 

2009

 

13,131

 

31,579

 

30,679

 

75,389

 

2010

 

12,070

 

29,936

 

100

 

42,106

 

2011

 

9,854

 

30,586

 

13,100

 

53,540

 

2012

 

5,543

 

16,586

 

 

22,129

 

Thereafter

 

17,783

 

47,586

 

 

65,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

72,594

 

$

224,109

 

$

84,133

 

$

380,836

 

Facilities rent expense for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was approximately $14.8 million, $14.2 million, and 2004 was $3.11, $1.59, and $0.85,$10.6 million, respectively.

 

Compensation Guarantee

In June 2005, we entered into an employment agreement with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Publishing, Inc. containing a guarantee related to total compensation. The effectsagreement guarantees that in the event that on pro forma disclosuresMay 15, 2010 total compensation has not exceeded $20.0 million, we will make a payment for the amount of applying SFASthe shortfall. The $20.0 million guarantee will be recognized as compensation expense over the term of the employment agreement comprising of salary payments, bonus payments, restricted stock expense, stock option expense, and an accrual for any anticipated remaining portion of the guarantee. The remaining portion of the guarantee is accrued over the term of the agreement in “Other liabilities” and will remain accrued until the end of the employment agreement at which point it will be used to make a payment for any shortfall or reclassified into shareholders’ equity.

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. 123BC355327 (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. 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

F-28



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 not 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 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 effects on actual compensation expenseU.S. Department of applying SFAS No. 123R in future years.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.

14.      Stock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

We have a stock-based compensation program that provides our Board of Directors broad discretion in creating employee equity incentives. This program includes incentive and non-statutory stock options and restricted stock awards granted under various plans, the majority of which are stockholder approved. Stock options are generally time-based, vesting on each annual anniversary of the grant date over periods of three to five years and expire ten years from the grant date, with some options containing performance clauses which would accelerate the vesting into earlier annual periods. Additionally, we have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that allows employees to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the fair market value at either the date of enrollment or the date of purchase, whichever is lower. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises and our ESPP are generally issued as new stock issuances. As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately 11.2 million shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock option plans and ESPP.

Stock Incentive Plans

We sponsor several stock option plans for the benefit of officers, employees, consultants, and others.

On February 28, 1992, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1991 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan, as amended, (the “1991 Plan”) which permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (“ISOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1991 Plan is 45,400,000. The 1991 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were no shares remaining available for grant under the 1991 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

F-29



On September 23, 1998, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1998 Plan”). The 1998 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1998 Plan is 18,000,000. The 1998 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 56,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 1998 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 26, 1999, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1999 Plan is 30,000,000. The 1999 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 84,500 shares remaining available for grant under the 1999 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On August 23, 2001, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2001 Plan”). The 2001 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2001 Plan is 9,000,000. The 2001 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 158,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2001 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 4, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”). The 2002 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers (other than executive officers), employees, consultants, advisors, and others. The 2002 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Plan is 17,400,000. There were approximately 167,600 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On September 19, 2002, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2002 Executive Incentive Plan (the “2002 Executive Plan”). The 2002 Executive Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers, employees, directors, consultants, and advisors. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Executive Plan is 10,000,000. The 2002 Executive Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 488,700 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Executive Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On December 16, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2002 Studio Plan”). The 2002 Studio Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards to key studio employees (other than executive officers) of Activision, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and to contractors and others. The 2002 Studio Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Studio Plan is 6,000,000. There were approximately 4,200 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Studio Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 29, 2003, our Board of Directors approved the Activision 2003 Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). On September 15, 2005, the shareholders of Activision approved the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The 2003 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2003 Plan is 24,000,000. There were approximately 8,915,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2003 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

F-30



Under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for Awards issued under the 1991 Plan, 1998 Plan, 1999 Plan, 2001 Plan, 2002 Plan, 2002 Executive Plan, 2002 Studio Plan, and 2003 Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors (or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which administers the Plans), and under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for ISOs is not to be less than the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, and in the case of non-qualified options, the exercise price must exceed or be equal to 85% of the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. Options typically become exercisable in installments over a period of three to five years and must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant.  We have recently determined that certain Awards issued in certain past periods were issued with exercise prices below the fair market value of our common stock on the dates that we have determined to be the correct grant and measurement dates for those Awards.

Other Employee Stock Options

In connection with prior employment agreements between Activision and Robert A. Kotick, Activision’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian G. Kelly, Activision’s Co-Chairman, Mr. Kotick and Mr. Kelly were granted options to purchase common stock. The Board of Directors approved the granting of these options. Relating to such grants, as of March 31, 2007, approximately 8,304,800 options were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $1.74.

We additionally have approximately 9,500 options outstanding to employees as of March 31, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.48. The Board of Directors approved the granting of these options. Such options have terms similar to those options granted under the Plans.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On April 11, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and on February 11, 2003 the Board approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for International Employees (together, the “2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). Under the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, up to an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of our common stock may be purchased by eligible employees during two six-month offering periods that commence each April 1 and October 1 (the “Offering Period”). Common stock is purchased by the Amended 2002 Purchase Plans participants at a price per share generally equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first day of the Offering Period and the fair market value of the common stock on the purchase date (the last day of the Offering Period). Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an Offering Period and are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in value for any two purchases within the same calendar year. On June 13, 2007, the most recent purchase date, employees purchased 228,337 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $12.8350 per share.

Non-Employee Warrants

In prior years, we have granted stock warrants are granted from time to time to non-employeesthird parties in connection with the development of software and the acquisition of licensing rights for intellectual property. The warrants generally vest upon grant and are exercisable over the term of the warrant. The exercise price of third-party warrants is generally greater than or equal to their fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. No third-party warrants were granted during the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, third-party warrants to purchase 936,000 shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $4.54 per share.

In accordance with EITF No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Connection With Selling Goods or Services,”we measure the fair value of common stock warrants granted is determined as ofthe securities on the measurement date anddate. The fair value of each warrant is capitalized expensed and amortized consistent with our policies relating to expense when the related product is released and the related revenue is recognized. Additionally, as more fully described in Note 1, the recoverability of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property license costs.licenses is evaluated on a quarterly basis with amounts determined as not recoverable being charged to expense. In connection with the evaluation of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses, any capitalized amounts for related third-party warrants are additionally reviewed for recoverability with amounts determined as not recoverable being amortized to expense. As of March 31, 2006, capitalized amounts of third-party warrants had been fully amortized and there was no amortization related to third-party warrants for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, $0.5 and $1.6 million, respectively was amortized and included in cost of sales - software royalties and amortization and/or cost of sales - intellectual property licenses.

 

F-31



Employee Retirement Plan

We have a retirement plan covering substantially all of our eligible employees. The retirement plan is qualified in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the plan, employees may defer up to the lesser of 92% of their pre-tax salary and the maximum amount allowed by law. We contribute an amount equal to 20% of each dollar contributed by a participant. Our matching contributions to the plan were approximately $1.5 million, $1.3 million, and $905,000 for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Restricted StockLegal 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. 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

F-28



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 2005,1, 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 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 issuedhave 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.

14.      Stock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

We have a stock-based compensation program that provides our Board of Directors broad discretion in creating employee equity incentives. This program includes incentive and non-statutory stock options and restricted stock awards granted under various plans, the majority of which are stockholder approved. Stock options are generally time-based, vesting on each annual anniversary of the grant date over periods of three to 155,763five years and expire ten years from the grant date, with some options containing performance clauses which would accelerate the vesting into earlier annual periods. Additionally, we have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that allows employees to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the fair market value at either the date of enrollment or the date of purchase, whichever is lower. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises and our ESPP are generally issued as new stock issuances. As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately 11.2 million shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock option plans and ESPP.

Stock Incentive Plans

We sponsor several stock option plans for the benefit of officers, employees, consultants, and others.

On February 28, 1992, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1991 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan, as amended, (the “1991 Plan”) which permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (“ISOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to an employee. Additionally, in October 2005 we issued the rights to 96,712directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1991 Plan is 45,400,000. The 1991 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were no shares remaining available for grant under the 1991 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

F-29



On September 23, 1998, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1998 Plan”). The 1998 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to an employee. Thesedirectors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares vestof common stock available for distribution under the 1998 Plan is 18,000,000. The 1998 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 56,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 1998 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 26, 1999, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1999 Plan is 30,000,000. The 1999 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 84,500 shares remaining available for grant under the 1999 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On August 23, 2001, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2001 Plan”). The 2001 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2001 Plan is 9,000,000. The 2001 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 158,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2001 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 4, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”). The 2002 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers (other than executive officers), employees, consultants, advisors, and others. The 2002 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Plan is 17,400,000. There were approximately 167,600 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On September 19, 2002, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2002 Executive Incentive Plan (the “2002 Executive Plan”). The 2002 Executive Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers, employees, directors, consultants, and advisors. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Executive Plan is 10,000,000. The 2002 Executive Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 488,700 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Executive Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On December 16, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2002 Studio Plan”). The 2002 Studio Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards to key studio employees (other than executive officers) of Activision, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and to contractors and others. The 2002 Studio Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Studio Plan is 6,000,000. There were approximately 4,200 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Studio Plan as of March 31, 2007.

On April 29, 2003, our Board of Directors approved the Activision 2003 Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). On September 15, 2005, the shareholders of Activision approved the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The 2003 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2003 Plan is 24,000,000. There were approximately 8,915,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2003 Plan as of March 31, 2007.

F-30



Under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for Awards issued under the 1991 Plan, 1998 Plan, 1999 Plan, 2001 Plan, 2002 Plan, 2002 Executive Plan, 2002 Studio Plan, and 2003 Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors (or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which administers the Plans), and under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for ISOs is not to be less than the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, and in the case of non-qualified options, the exercise price must exceed or be equal to 85% of the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. Options typically become exercisable in installments over a five-year period of three to five years and remain subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met. In accordancemust be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant.  We have recently determined that certain Awards issued in certain past periods were issued with APB No. 25, we recognize unearned compensation in connection with the grant of restricted shares equal toexercise prices below the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of these shares when issued was approximately $12.84dates that we have determined to be the correct grant and $15.51 per share, respectively, and resulted in a total increase in “Additional paid-in capital” and “Unearned compensation” on the accompanying balance sheet of $3.5 million. Over the vesting period, we reduce unearned compensation and recognize compensation expense. For the year ended March 31, 2006, we recorded expense related to these shares of approximately $467,000 in “General and administrative” on the accompanying statements of operations.measurement dates for those Awards.

 

F-14



2.Other Employee Stock SplitsOptions

 

In April 2003, theconnection with prior employment agreements between Activision and Robert A. Kotick, Activision’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian G. Kelly, Activision’s Co-Chairman, Mr. Kotick and Mr. Kelly were granted options to purchase common stock. The Board of Directors approved a three-for-two splitthe granting of our outstanding common shares effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. The split was paid on June 6, 2003these options. Relating to shareholders of recordsuch grants, as of May 16, 2003. In February 2004, theMarch 31, 2007, approximately 8,304,800 options were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $1.74.

We additionally have approximately 9,500 options outstanding to employees as of March 31, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.48. The Board of Directors approved a second three-for-two splitthe granting of our outstanding common shares effected inthese options. Such options have terms similar to those options granted under 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 FebruaryPlans.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On April 11, 2005, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three splitthe 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and on February 11, 2003 the Board approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for International Employees (together, the “2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). Under the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, up to an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of our outstanding common stock may be purchased by eligible employees during two six-month offering periods that commence each April 1 and October 1 (the “Offering Period”). Common stock is purchased by the Amended 2002 Purchase Plans participants at a price per share generally equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first day of the Offering Period and the fair market value of the common stock on the purchase date (the last day of the Offering Period). Employees may purchase shares effectedhaving a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an Offering Period and are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in value for any two purchases within the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend. The split was paid March 22, 2005 to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2005. In September 2005,same calendar year. On June 13, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a four-for-three splitmost recent purchase date, employees purchased 228,337 shares of our outstanding common shares effectedstock at a purchase price of $12.8350 per share.

Non-Employee Warrants

In prior years, we have granted stock warrants to third parties in connection with the formdevelopment of a 33-1/3% stock dividend.software and the acquisition of licensing rights for intellectual property. The split was paid October 24, 2005warrants generally vest upon grant and are exercisable over the term of the warrant. The exercise price of third-party warrants is generally greater than or equal to shareholders of record as of October 10, 2005. The partheir fair market value of our common stock was maintained at the pre-split amountdate of $.000001. The Consolidated Financial Statementsgrant. No third-party warrants were granted during the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and Notes thereto, including all share2005. As of March 31, 2007 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, all2006, third-party warrants to purchase 936,000 shares of common stock held as treasury stock were formally cancelled and restored to the statusoutstanding with a weighted average exercise price of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.$4.54 per share.

 

3.Acquisitions

During the three years ended March 31, 2006, we separately completed the acquisition of four privately held interactive software development companies. We accounted for these acquisitions in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  SFAS No. 141 addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations, requiring that the purchase method be used to account and report for all business combinations. These acquisitions have further enabled us to implement our multi-platform development strategy by bolstering our internal product development capabilities for console systems and personal computers and strengthening our position in the first-person action, action/adventure, and action sports game categories. A significant portion of the purchase price for all of these acquisitions was assigned to goodwill as the primary asset we acquired in each of the transactions was an assembled workforce with proven technical and design talent with a history of high quality product creation. Pro forma consolidated statements of operations for these acquisitions are not shown, as they would not differ materially from reported results.

F-15



4.Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2006 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits

 

$

162,403

 

$

 

$

 

$

162,403

 

Commercial paper

 

141,086

 

4

 

(155

)

140,935

 

Money market instruments

 

37,560

 

 

 

37,560

 

U.S. agency issues

 

13,436

 

 

(3

)

13,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

354,485

 

4

 

(158

)

354,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency issues

 

259,055

 

 

(3,444

)

255,611

 

Corporate bonds

 

171,207

 

1

 

(1,376

)

169,832

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

55,139

 

 

(459

)

54,680

 

Common stock

 

47,868

 

12,880

 

 

60,748

 

Asset-backed securities

 

16,866

 

 

(47

)

16,819

 

Commercial paper

 

15,016

 

 

(26

)

14,990

 

Certificate of deposit

 

10,468

 

 

(19

)

10,449

 

Restricted cash

 

7,500

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

583,119

 

12,881

 

(5,371

)

590,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

937,604

 

$

12,885

 

$

(5,529

)

$

944,960

 

F-16



The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of March 31, 2005 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and time deposits

 

$

180,871

 

$

 

$

 

$

180,871

 

Money market funds

 

107,519

 

 

 

107,519

 

Commercial paper

 

21,589

 

 

(7

)

21,582

 

Corporate bonds

 

3,638

 

 

(2

)

3,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

313,617

 

 

(9

)

313,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate notes

 

15,020

 

 

 

15,020

 

Corporate bonds

 

160,907

 

6

 

(1,602

)

159,311

 

U.S. agency issues

 

266,837

 

 

(2,037

)

264,800

 

Asset-backed securities

 

83,517

 

23

 

(496

)

83,044

 

Municipal bonds

 

4,019

 

 

 

4,019

 

Common stock

 

167

 

895

 

 

1,062

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

530,467

 

924

 

(4,135

)

527,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

844,084

 

$

924

 

$

(4,144

)

$

840,864

 

Auction rate securities are securities that are structured with short-term reset dates of generally less than 90 days but with maturities in excess of 90 days. At the end of the reset period, investors can sell or continue to hold the securities at par. These securities are classified in the table below based on their legal stated maturity dates.

The following table summarizes the final maturities of our investments in debt securities as of March 31, 2006 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

412,677

 

$

410,504

 

Due after one year through two years

 

169,967

 

167,740

 

Due after two years through three years

 

 

 

Due in three years or more

 

17,156

 

16,557

 

 

 

599,800

 

594,801

 

Asset-backed securities

 

72,005

 

71,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments in debt securities

 

$

671,805

 

$

666,300

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006, net realized gains on investments consisted of $4.3 million of gross realized gains and no gross realized losses. For the year ended March 31, 2005, net realized gains on investments consisted of $471,000 of gross realized gains and no gross realized losses. For the year ended March 31, 2004, net realized gains on investments consisted of $25,000 of gross realized gains and $4,000 of gross realized losses.

F-17



In accordance with EITF 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” 96-18, we measure the fair value of investments in an unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized was $672.4 million and $508.2 million at March 31, 2006 and 2005,  respectively, with related gross unrealized losses of $5.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively. At March 31, 2006, the gross unrealized losses were comprised mostly of unrealized losses on U.S. agency issues, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities with $3.9 million of unrealized loss being in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. At March 31, 2005, the gross unrealized losses were comprised mostly of unrealized losses on corporate bonds, U.S. agency issues, and asset-back securities with $464,000 of unrealized loss being in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater.

The Company’s investment portfolio usually consists of government and corporate securities with effective maturities less than 30 months. The longer the term of the securities on the more susceptible they are to changes in market rates of interest and yields on bonds. Investments are reviewed periodically to identify possible impairment. When evaluating the investments, the Company reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to whichmeasurement date. The fair value has been below cost basis,of each warrant is capitalized and amortized to expense when the financial condition of the issuer,related product is released and the Company’s ability and intent to holdrelated revenue is recognized. Additionally, as more fully described in Note 1, the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value up to (or beyond) the initial cost of the investment. The Company expects to realize the full value of all of these investments upon maturity or sale.

5.Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses

As of March 31, 2006, capitalized software development costs included $45.0 million of internally developed software costs and $15.6 million of payments made to third-party software developers. As of March 31, 2005, capitalized software development costs included $61.3 million of internally developed software costs and $30.3 million of payments made to third-party software developers. Capitalized intellectual property licenses were $87.0 million and $35.7 million as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Amortization and write-offsrecoverability of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses combined, was $173.6 million, $134.8 million, and $87.9 million foris evaluated on a quarterly basis with amounts determined as not recoverable being charged to expense. In connection with the years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Amortization and write-offsevaluation of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses, any capitalized amounts for related third-party warrants are additionally reviewed for recoverability with amounts determined as not recoverable being amortized to expense. As of March 31, 2006, capitalized amounts of third-party warrants had been fully amortized and there was no amortization related to third-party warrants for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 included product cancellation charges, exclusive of termination fees, of $10.3 million, impairment charges of $8.8 million, and recoverability write-offs of $3.8 million.

6.Inventories

Our inventories consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

$

58,876

 

$

45,926

 

Purchased parts and components

 

2,607

 

2,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

61,483

 

$

48,018

 

2007. For the yearfiscal years ended March 31, 2006 we had write-downsand 2005, $0.5 and $1.6 million, respectively was amortized and included in cost of inventory costs for certain titles in the amountsales - software royalties and amortization and/or cost of $14.5 million. For the year ended March 31, 2005, we had write downs of inventory costs for certain titles in the amount of $3.6 million.sales - intellectual property licenses.

 

F-18F-31



 

7.Employee Retirement PlanProperty and Equipment, Net

 

Property and equipment, net was comprisedWe have a retirement plan covering substantially all of our eligible employees. The retirement plan is qualified in accordance with Section 401(k) of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

557

 

$

592

 

Buildings

 

4,463

 

4,684

 

Leasehold improvements

 

18,904

 

9,391

 

Computer equipment

 

50,795

 

39,696

 

Office furniture and other equipment

 

18,480

 

14,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of property and equipment

 

93,199

 

68,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(47,831

)

(38,433

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$

45,368

 

$

30,490

 

Depreciation expenseInternal Revenue Code. Under the plan, employees may defer up to the lesser of 92% of their pre-tax salary and the maximum amount allowed by law. We contribute an amount equal to 20% of each dollar contributed by a participant. Our matching contributions to the plan were approximately $1.5 million, $1.3 million, and $905,000 for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $14.2 million, $10.6 million, and $10.0 million,2005, respectively.

 

8.Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2004

 

$

70,898

 

$

5,595

 

$

76,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

16,194

 

 

16,194

 

Issuance of contingent consideration

 

1,191

 

 

1,191

 

Adjustment-prior period purchase allocation

 

(2,384

)

 

(2,384

)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates

 

 

167

 

167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2005

 

85,899

 

5,762

 

91,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

 

6,459

 

 

6,459

 

Issuance of contingent consideration

 

2,793

 

 

2,793

 

Adjustment-prior period purchase allocation

 

(260

)

 

(260

)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates

 

203

 

(410

)

(207

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2006

 

$

95,094

 

$

5,352

 

$

100,446

 

F-19



9.Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses were comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued royalties payable

 

$

8,961

 

$

11,851

 

Accrued selling and marketing costs

 

24,637

 

17,521

 

Affiliate label program payable

 

1,121

 

20,605

 

Income tax payable

 

2,253

 

3,977

 

Accrued payroll related costs

 

31,741

 

22,452

 

Accrued customer payments

 

5,077

 

 

Accrued professional and legal costs

 

11,568

 

3,950

 

Other

 

17,811

 

17,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

 

$

103,169

 

$

98,067

 

10.Operations by Reportable Segments and Geographic Area

We operate two business segments: (i) publishing of interactive entertainment software and (ii) distribution of interactive entertainment software and hardware products.

Publishing refers to the development, marketing, and sale of products directly, by license or through our affiliate label program with certain third-party publishers. In the United States, 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 UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and Japan. Our products are sold internationally on a direct-to-retail basis and through third-party distribution and licensing arrangements and through our wholly-owned distribution subsidiaries located in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Distribution refers to our operations 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.

Resources are allocated to each of these segments using information on their respective net revenues and operating profits before interest and taxes.

The accounting policies of these segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation.

F-20



Information on the reportable segments for the three years ended March 31, 2006 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

1,154,663

 

$

313,337

 

$

1,468,000

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(131,631

)

131,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

1,023,032

 

$

444,968

 

$

1,468,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

(3,984

)

$

21,941

 

$

17,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,294,282

 

$

125,241

 

$

1,419,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

1,072,729

 

$

333,128

 

$

1,405,857

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(111,676

)

111,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

961,053

 

$

444,804

 

$

1,405,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

160,826

 

$

23,745

 

$

184,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,174,910

 

$

132,053

 

$

1,306,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2004

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Distribution

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenues

 

$

665,732

 

$

281,924

 

$

947,656

 

Revenue from sales between segments

 

(67,859

)

67,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

$

597,873

 

$

349,783

 

$

947,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

93,223

 

$

16,594

 

$

109,817

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

859,874

 

$

108,943

 

$

968,817

 

F-21



Geographic information is based on the location of the selling entity. Revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

710,040

 

$

696,325

 

$

446,812

 

Europe

 

717,494

 

675,074

 

479,224

 

Other

 

40,466

 

34,458

 

21,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

Revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

$

1,008,758

 

$

970,399

 

$

732,220

 

Hand-held

 

235,834

 

161,977

 

43,306

 

PC

 

223,408

 

273,481

 

172,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,468,000

 

$

1,405,857

 

$

947,656

 

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from products based on a relatively small number of popular brands each year. In fiscal 2006, 30% of our consolidated net revenues (38% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 14%, 8%, and 8% of consolidated net revenues (18%, 10%, and 10% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2005, 37% of our consolidated net revenues (48% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 16%, 11%, and 10% of consolidated net revenues (21%, 14%, and 13% of worldwide publishing net revenues). In fiscal 2004, 35% of our consolidated net revenues (49% of worldwide publishing net revenues) was derived from three brands, which accounted for 17%, 14%, and 4% of consolidated net revenues (24%, 20%, and 5% of worldwide publishing net revenues).

F-22



11.Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - income available to common shareholders

 

$

41,899

 

$

138,335

 

$

77,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average common shares outstanding

 

273,177

 

250,023

 

236,887

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options and stock purchase plan

 

25,667

 

27,546

 

19,631

 

Warrants to purchase common stock

 

593

 

1,291

 

1,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential dilutive common shares

 

26,260

 

28,837

 

20,701

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share - weighted average common shares outstanding plus assumed conversions

 

299,437

 

278,860

 

257,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.30

 

Options to purchase approximately 993,000, 243,000, and 16,837,000 shares of common stock for the years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be antidilutive.

F-23



12.Income Taxes

Domestic and foreign income before income taxes and details of the income tax provision are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

55,052

 

$

174,535

 

$

84,339

 

Foreign

 

(6,465

)

23,128

 

31,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

48,587

 

$

197,663

 

$

115,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

$

(355

)

$

502

 

State

 

308

 

342

 

311

 

Foreign

 

4,383

 

5,126

 

9,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current

 

4,691

 

5,113

 

10,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

(11,296

)

5,744

 

14,113

 

State

 

(7,289

)

(2,707

)

(871

)

Foreign

 

(10,092

)

(2,159

)

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred

 

(28,677

)

878

 

15,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add back benefit credited to additional paid-in capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit related to stock option and warrant exercises

 

30,674

 

53,337

 

12,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

$

6,688

 

$

59,328

 

$

38,277

 

F-24



The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the income tax provision for each of the years are as follows:

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax provision at statutory rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

35.0

%

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

4.3

 

2.8

 

2.3

 

Research and development credits

 

(34.2

)

(6.4

)

(8.0

)

Decremental effect of foreign tax rates

 

(9.9

)

(2.3

)

(2.3

)

Increase of valuation allowance

 

15.0

 

2.3

 

5.8

 

Other

 

3.6

 

(1.4

)

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.8

%

30.0

%

33.0

%

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for accounting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the net deferred tax asset and liability are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred asset:

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

739

 

$

205

 

Allowance for sales returns

 

16,200

 

8,580

 

Inventory reserve

 

2,474

 

391

 

Vacation and bonus reserve

 

4,993

 

2,961

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

3,970

 

4,306

 

Tax credit carryforwards

 

74,488

 

53,130

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

18,729

 

31,885

 

Other

 

6,209

 

3,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred asset

 

127,802

 

105,357

 

Valuation allowance

 

(35,555

)

(25,666

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred asset

 

92,247

 

79,691

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liability:

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized research expenses

 

22,537

 

41,208

 

State taxes

 

6,233

 

3,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred liability

 

28,770

 

44,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred asset

 

$

63,477

 

$

34,801

 

The tax benefits associated with certain net operating loss carryovers relate to employee stock options. Pursuant to SFAS No. 109, net operating losses do not include $30.9 million relating to these items which will be credited to additional paid-in capital when realized.

As of March 31, 2006, our available federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $87.7 million is subject to certain limitations as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The net operating loss carryforwards expire between 2020 and 2024. We have various state net operating loss carryforwards

F-25



totaling $51.0 million which are not subject to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. We have tax credit carryforwards of $43.7 million and $31.4 million for federal and state purposes, respectively, which begin to expire in 2008.

At March 31, 2006, our deferred income tax asset for tax credit carryforwards and net operating loss carryforwards was reduced by a valuation allowance of $35.6 million as compared to $25.7 million in the prior fiscal year. Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the continued generation of sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of tax credits and loss carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net carrying value of the deferred tax asset will be realized.

Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which no deferred taxes have been provided approximated $68.4 million at March 31, 2006. Deferred income taxes on these earnings have not been provided as these amounts are considered to be permanent in duration.

On October 22, 2004, the President of the United States signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) which contains a number of tax law modifications with accounting implications. For companies that pay U.S. income taxes on manufacturing activities in the U.S., the Act provides a deduction from taxable income equal to a stipulated percentage of qualified income from domestic production activities. The manufacturing deduction provided by the Act replaces the extraterritorial income (“ETI”) deduction currently in place. We currently derive benefits from the ETI exclusion which was repealed by the Act. Our exclusion for fiscal 2006 and 2007 will be limited to 75% and 45% of the otherwise allowable exclusion and no exclusion will be available in fiscal 2008 and thereafter. The Act also creates a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations (“Homeland Investment Act”). The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. The Act also provides for other changes in tax law that will affect a variety of taxpayers. On December 21, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued two FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) regarding the accounting implications of the Act related to (1) the deduction for qualified domestic production activities and (2) the one-time tax benefit for the repatriation of foreign earnings. The FASB determined that the deduction for qualified domestic production activities should be accounted for as a special deduction under FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The FASB also confirmed, that upon deciding that some amount of earnings will be repatriated, a company must record in that period the associated tax liability. The guidance in the FSPs apply to financial statements for periods ending after the date the Act was enacted. We have evaluated the Act and have concluded that we will not repatriate foreign earnings under the Homeland Investment Act Provisions.

13.Commitments and Contingencies

Credit Facilities

We have revolving credit facilities with our Centresoft subsidiary located in the UK (the “UK Facility”) and our NBG subsidiary located in Germany (the “German Facility”). The UK Facility provided Centresoft with the ability to borrow up to Great British Pounds (“GBP”) 12.0 million ($21.0 million) and GBP 8.0 million ($15.0 million), including issuing letters of credit, on a revolving basis as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Furthermore, under the UK Facility, Centresoft provided a GBP 0.6 million ($1.0 million) and a GBP 0.6 million ($1.1 million) guarantee for the benefit of our CD Contact subsidiary as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The UK Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.0% as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the subsidiary and expires in January 2007. The UK Facility also contains various covenants that require the subsidiary to maintain specified financial ratios related to, among others, fixed charges. As of March 31, 2006 and 2005, we were in compliance with these covenants. No borrowings were outstanding against the UK Facility as of March 31, 2006 or 2005. The German Facility provided for revolving loans up to EUR 0.5 million ($0.6 million) as of both March 31, 2006 and 2005, bore interest at a Eurocurrency rate plus 2.5%, is collateralized by certain of the subsidiary’s property and equipment and has no expiration date. No borrowings were outstanding against the German Facility as of March 31, 2006 or 2005.

F-26



As of March 31, 2006, we maintained a $7.5 million irrevocable standby letter of credit. As of March 31, 2005, we did not maintain this standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. Under the terms of this arrangement, we are required to maintain on deposit with the bank a compensating balance, restricted as to use, of not less than the sum of the available amount of the letter of credit plus the aggregate amount of any drawings under the letter of credit that have been honored thereunder but not reimbursed. At March 31, 2006, the $7.5 million deposit is included in short-term investments as restricted cash.

As of March 31, 2006, our publishing subsidiary located in the UK maintained a EUR 2.5 million ($3.0 million) irrevocable standby letter of credit. As of March 31, 2005, we did not maintain this standby letter of credit. The standby letter of credit is required by one of our inventory manufacturers to qualify for payment terms on our inventory purchases. The standby letter of credit does not require a compensating balance and is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the subsidiary and expires in July 2006. As of March 31, 2006, we had EUR 1.0 million ($1.2 million) of outstanding amount against this letter of credit.

Commitments

In the normal course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements with third parties for non-cancelable operating lease agreements for our offices, for the development of products, as well as for the rights to intellectual property. Under these agreements, we commit to provide specified payments to a lessor, developer, or intellectual property holder, based upon contractual arrangements. Typically, the payments to third-party developers are conditioned upon the achievement by the developers of contractually specified development milestones. These payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders typically are deemed to be advances and are recoupable against future royalties earned by the developer or intellectual property holder based on the sale of the related game. Additionally, in connection with certain intellectual property right acquisitions and development agreements, we will commit to spend specified amounts for marketing support for the related game(s) which is to be developed or in which the intellectual property will be utilized. Additionally, we lease certain of our facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Assuming all contractual provisions are met, the total future minimum commitments for these and other contractual arrangements in place as of March 31, 2006, are scheduled to be paid as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

Facility &

 

Developer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Leases

 

and IP

 

Marketing

 

Total

 

Fiscal year ending March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

$

12,980

 

$

39,905

 

$

17,120

 

$

70,005

 

2008

 

13,443

 

11,022

 

44,580

 

69,045

 

2009

 

12,652

 

16,300

 

6,100

 

35,052

 

2010

 

11,709

 

23,300

 

100

 

35,109

 

2011

 

9,415

 

19,300

 

100

 

28,815

 

Thereafter

 

21,651

 

35,600

 

 

57,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

81,850

��

$

145,427

 

$

68,000

 

$

295,277

 

Facilities rent expense for the years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was approximately $14.2 million, $10.6 million, and $8.7 million, respectively.

Compensation Guarantee

In June 2005, we entered into an employment agreement with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Publishing, Inc. containing a guarantee related to total compensation. The agreement guarantees that in the event that on May 15, 2010 total compensation has not exceeded $20.0 million, we will make a payment for the amount of the shortfall. The $20.0 million guarantee will be recognized as compensation expense evenly

F-27



over the term of the employment agreement comprising of salary payments, bonus payments, restricted stock expense, stock option expense, and an accrual for any anticipated remaining portion of the guarantee. The remaining portion of the guarantee is accrued over the term of the agreement in “Other liabilities” and will remain accrued until the end of the employment agreement at which point it will be used to make a payment for any shortfall or reclassified into shareholders’ equity.

Legal Proceedings

On March 5, 2004, a class action lawsuit wasIn July 2006, individuals and/or entities claiming to be stockholders of the Company have filed derivative lawsuits, purportedly on behalf of the Company, against uscertain current and certainformer members of ourthe Company’s Board of Directors as well as several current and former officers and directors. The complaint, which asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange ActCompany. 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. 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 1934 basedCalifornia: 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 allegationsbehalf 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 our revenuesdefense expenses associated with the matters will be covered by its directors and assets were overstated duringofficers insurance, subject to the period between Februaryterms and conditions of the applicable policies. On May

F-28



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, 2001 and December 17, 2002,2007, 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 Construction Industry, and Carpenters Joint Pension Trust for Southern Nevada purporting to represent a class of purchasers of Activision stock. Five additional purported class actions were subsequentlysame law firm that previously filed by Gianni Angeloni, Christopher Hinton, Stephen Anish, the Alaska Electrical Pension Fund, and Joseph A. Romans assertingHamian case, alleging substantially the same claims. Consistent

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 require the production of documents. The Company is cooperating with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (“PSLRA”), the court appointed lead plaintiffs consolidating the six putative securities class actions into a single case. In an Order dated May 16, 2005, the court dismissed the consolidated complaint because the plaintiffs failed to satisfy the heightened pleading standardsSEC’s investigation, and representatives of the PSLRA. The court did, however, give the lead plaintiffs leavespecial subcommittee of independent members of our Board of Directors established in July 2006 to file an amended consolidated complaint within 30 daysreview our historical stock option granting practices (the “Special Subcommittee”) and its legal counsel have met with members of the order. Rather than file a new complaint, the Plaintiff agreed to dismiss the entire case with prejudice. The Order dismissing the action with prejudice was entered on June 17, 2005.

In addition, on March 12, 2004, a shareholder derivative lawsuit captioned Frank Capovilla, Derivatively on Behalf of Activision, Inc. v. Robert Kotick, et al. was filed, purportedly on behalf of Activision, which in large measure asserts the identical claims set forth in the federal class action lawsuit. That complaint was filed in California Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. On August 11, 2005, in lightstaff of the ruling dismissing with prejudiceSEC on several occasions, in person and by telephone (as has the complaint inCompany’s outside legal counsel), to discuss the earlier filed federal securities class action, plaintiffs in the shareholder derivative action filed an amended complaint, dropping mostprogress of the causes of action,Special Subcommittee’s investigation and focusing onlyon February 28, 2007 to brief the SEC staff on the allegationsSpecial Subcommittee’s findings and recommendations following the substantial completion of insider tradingthe Special Subcommittee’s investigation. A representative of the U.S. Department of Justice has attended certain of these meetings and breachesrequested copies of fiduciary dutycertain documents that were based on the same claimed misrepresentations set forth in the dismissed federal securities class action. On September 15, 2005, Activision and the individual defendants filed separate demurrerswe have provided to the Derivative Action and a motion to strike plaintiff’s jury demand. Prior to the hearing on the demurrers, the parties came to a resolutionstaff of the action and agreed to a stipulation of settlement to be submitted to the court for preliminary approval. No cash recovery is to be paid to the plaintiff pursuant to the stipulation of settlement, which also stated thatSEC. At this time, the Company vigorously deniedhas not received any assertiongrand jury subpoenas or written requests from the Department of wrongdoing or liability. In furtherance of the settlement, the Company agreed to pay $200,000 in plaintiffs’ fees, to be funded by the Company’s D&O insurance carrier. The settlement acknowledged that, after the time the derivative action was filed, the Company implemented certain enhancements to its corporate governance policies. Notice of Settlement was mailed and emailed to shareholders as well as posted on the Company’s website. No objections to settlement were received. At a hearing held on May 22, 2006, the Court approved the settlement and released and dismissed the alleged claims.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.

 

F-28



14.      StockStock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

We have a stock-based compensation program that provides our Board of Directors broad discretion in creating employee equity incentives. This program includes incentive and non-statutory stock options and restricted stock awards granted under various plans, the majority of which are stockholder approved. Stock options are generally time-based, vesting on each annual anniversary of the grant date over periods of three to five years and expire ten years from the grant date, with some options containing performance clauses which would accelerate the vesting into earlier annual periods. Additionally, we have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that allows employees to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the fair market value at either the date of enrollment or the date of purchase, whichever is lower. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises and our ESPP are generally issued as new stock issuances. As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately 11.2 million shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock option plans and ESPP.

 

Stock OptionIncentive Plans

We sponsor several stock option plans for the benefit of officers, employees, consultants, and others.

 

On February 28, 1992, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1991 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan, as amended, (the “1991 Plan”) which permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (“ISOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1991 Plan is 45,400,000. The 1991 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were no shares remaining available for grant under the 1991 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

F-29



 

On September 23, 1998, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1998 Plan”). The 1998 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1998 Plan is 18,000,000. The 1998 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 9,50056,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 1998 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

On April 26, 1999, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 1999 Plan is 30,000,000. The 1999 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 103,80084,500 shares remaining available for grant under the 1999 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

On August 23, 2001, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2001 Plan”). The 2001 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2001 Plan is 9,000,000. The 2001 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 421,700158,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2001 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

On April 4, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”). The 2002 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers (other than executive officers), employees, consultants, advisors, and others. The 2002 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Plan is 17,400,000. There were approximately 625,700167,600 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

On September 19, 2002, the shareholders of Activision approved the Activision 2002 Executive Incentive Plan (the “2002 Executive Plan”). The 2002 Executive Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, ISOs, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred share awards, and other common stock-based awards to officers, employees, directors, consultants, and advisors. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Executive Plan is 10,000,000. The 2002 Executive Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. There were approximately 8,700488,700 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Executive Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

F-29



 

On December 16, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the Activision 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2002 Studio Plan”). The 2002 Studio Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards to key studio employees (other than executive officers) of Activision, ourits subsidiaries and affiliates, and to contractors and others. The 2002 Studio Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2002 Studio Plan is 6,000,000. There were approximately 4,200 shares remaining available for grant under the 2002 Studio Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

On April 29, 2003, our Board of Directors approved the Activision 2003 Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). On September 15, 2005, the shareholders of Activision approved the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan permits the granting of “Awards” in the form of non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, deferred stock awards, and other common stock-based awards to directors, officers, employees, consultants, and others. The 2003 Plan requires available shares to consist in whole or in part of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The total number of shares of common stock available for distribution under the 2003 Plan is 24,000,000. There were approximately 13,232,9008,915,300 shares remaining available for grant under the 2003 Plan as of March 31, 2006.2007.

 

TheF-30



Under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for Awards issued under the 1991 Plan, 1998 Plan, 1999 Plan, 2001 Plan, 2002 Plan, 2002 Executive Plan, 2002 Studio Plan, and 2003 Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors (or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which administers the Plans), and under the terms of the plans, the exercise price for ISOs is not to be less than the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, orand in the case of non-qualified options, the exercise price must exceed or be equal to 85% of the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. Options typically become exercisable in installments over a period notof three to exceed sevenfive years and must be exercised within 10 years of the date of grant.  Historically, stock optionsWe have been grantedrecently determined that certain Awards issued in certain past periods were issued with exercise prices equal to or greater thanbelow the fair market value atof our common stock on the date of grant.dates that we have determined to be the correct grant and measurement dates for those Awards.

 

Other Employee Stock Options

 

In connection with prior employment agreements between Activision and Robert A. Kotick, Activision’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian G. Kelly, Activision’s Co-Chairman, Mr. Kotick and Mr. Kelly were granted options to purchase common stock. The Board of Directors approved the granting of these options. Relating to such grants, as of March 31, 2006,2007, approximately 8,304,800 sharesoptions were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $1.74.

 

We additionally have approximately 35,4009,500 options outstanding to employees as of March 31, 2006,2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.48. The Board of Directors approved the granting of these options. Such options have terms similar to those options granted under the Plans.

 

Employee Stock Purchase PlansPlan

On April 1,11, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the Second Amended and Restated 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Amendedand on February 11, 2003 the Board approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for International Employees (together, the “2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) for eligible Employees.. Under the Amended 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, up to 500,000an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of our common stock may be purchased by eligible employees during two six-month offering periods that commence each April 1 and October 1 (the “Offering Period”). The first day of each Offering Period is referred to as the “Offering Date.”  Common stock is purchased by the Amended 2002 Purchase Plans participants at a price per share generally equal to 85% of the lesserlower of fair market value on the Offering Date for the Offering Period that includes the common stock purchase date or the fair market value onof the common stock on the first day of the Offering Period and the fair market value of the common stock on the purchase date.date (the last day of the Offering Period). Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an Offering Period and are limited to a maximum of $10,000 in value for any two purchases within the same calendar year. DuringOn June 13, 2007, the year ended March 31, 2006,most recent purchase date, employees purchased approximately 101,800 and 282,900 shares at a price of $9.83 and $11.72 per share, respectively, within the Amended 2002 Purchase Plans’ Offering Periods.

Prior to the Amended 2002 Purchase Plan, On January 22, 2002, the Board of Directors approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for eligible domestic employees. The shareholders of Activision subsequently approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on September 19, 2002. Then, on February 11, 2003, the Board of Directors approved the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan For International Employees. The

F-30



primary terms of the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan For International Employees (collectively the “2002 Purchase Plans”) are the same. Under the 2002 Purchase Plans, up to 1,125,000228,337 shares of our common stock may be purchased by eligible employees during two overlapping, twelve-month offering periods that commence each April 1 and October 1 (the “Offering Period”). At any point in time, employees may participate in only one Offering Period. The first day of each Offering Period is referred to as the “Offering Date.”  Common stock is purchased by 2002 Purchase Plans participants at 85% of the lesser of fair market value on the Offering Date for the Offering Period that includes the common stock purchase date or the fair market value on the common stock purchase date. Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an Offering Period, limited to a maximum of 15,000 common shares per common stock purchase date. During the year ended March 31, 2006, employees purchased approximately 289,200 shares at a purchase price of $6.45 within the 2002 Purchase Plans’ Offering Period. During the year ended March 31, 2005, employees purchased approximately 197,100, 67,300 and 349,700 shares at a price of $8.84, $5.29 and $8.61$12.8350 per share, respectively, within the 2002 Purchase Plans’ Offering Periods.share.

 

Activity of Employee and Director Options and Warrants

Activity of all employee and director options and warrants during the last three fiscal years was as follows (amounts in thousands, except weighted average exercise price amounts):

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

48,772

 

$

4.84

 

65,135

 

$

3.71

 

65,263

 

$

3.57

 

Granted

 

8,728

 

12.66

 

7,501

 

8.82

 

12,080

 

4.07

 

Exercised

 

(8,108

)

4.81

 

(22,167

)

2.90

 

(8,151

)

2.74

 

Forfeited

 

(1,055

)

7.35

 

(1,697

)

4.47

 

(4,057

)

4.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

48,337

 

$

6.20

 

48,772

 

$

4.84

 

65,135

 

$

3.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of year

 

27,126

 

$

4.17

 

25,180

 

$

3.92

 

34,844

 

$

2.96

 

For the years ended March 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, all options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant.

F-31



The following tables summarize information about all employee and director stock options and warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2006 (share amounts in thousands):

 

 

Outstanding Options

 

Exercisable Options

 

 

 

Shares

 

Remaining
Wtd Avg
Contractual
Life
(in years)

 

Wtd Avg
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range of exercise prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.00 to $1.08

 

721

 

4.11

 

$

1.05

 

721

 

$

1.05

 

$1.38 to $1.75

 

8,217

 

2.98

 

1.75

 

8,217

 

1.75

 

$1.76 to $3.48

 

4,907

 

5.86

 

3.23

 

3,149

 

3.18

 

$3.52 to $4.17

 

5,899

 

6.66

 

3.65

 

3,913

 

3.70

 

$4.17 to $5.74

 

7,962

 

6.63

 

5.38

 

4,394

 

5.41

 

$5.79 to $7.38

 

5,225

 

6.30

 

6.77

 

4,054

 

6.75

 

$7.39 to $8.58

 

5,197

 

8.02

 

8.09

 

2,325

 

7.89

 

$8.58 to $11.98

 

5,114

 

9.07

 

11.08

 

232

 

10.96

 

$12.02 to $15.86

 

4,864

 

9.35

 

13.63

 

100

 

12.62

 

$15.88 to $17.21

 

231

 

9.52

 

16.67

 

21

 

16.45

 

 

 

48,337

 

6.56

 

$

6.20

 

27,126

 

$

4.17

 

Non-Employee Warrants

In prior years, we have granted stock warrants to third parties in connection with the development of software and the acquisition of licensing rights for intellectual property. The warrants generally vest upon grant and are exercisable over the term of the warrant. The exercise price of third-party warrants is generally greater than or equal to their fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. No third-party warrants were granted during the yearyears ended March 31, 2006.2007, 2006, and 2005. As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, 936,000 third-party warrants to purchase 936,000 shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $4.54 per share. No third-party warrants were granted during the year ended March 31, 2005. As of March 31, 2005, 936,000 third-party warrants to purchase common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $4.54 per share. No third-party warrants were granted during the year ended March 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2004, 2,736,000 third-party warrants to purchase common stock were outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $5.35 per share.

 

In accordance with EITF 96-18, we measure the fair value of the securities on the measurement date. The fair value of each warrant is capitalized and amortized to expense when the related product is released and the related revenue is recognized. Additionally, as more fully described in Note 1, the recoverability of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses is evaluated on a quarterly basis with amounts determined as not recoverable being charged to expense. In connection with the evaluation of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses, any capitalized amounts for related third-party warrants are additionally reviewed for recoverability with amounts determined as not recoverable being amortized to expense. As of March 31, 2006, capitalized amounts of third-party warrants had been fully amortized and there was no amortization related to third-party warrants for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, $0.5 and 2004, $0.5 million, $1.6 million, and $0.2 million, respectively was amortized and included in cost of sales - software royalties and amortization and/or cost of sales - intellectual property licenses.

 

F-31



Employee Retirement Plan

We have a retirement plan covering substantially all of our eligible employees. The retirement plan is qualified in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the plan, employees may defer up to the lesser of 92% of their pre-tax salary but not more than statutory limits.and the maximum amount allowed by law. We contribute an amount equal to 20% of each dollar contributed

F-32



by a participant. Our matching contributions to the plan were approximately $1.5 million, $1.3 million, and $905,000 for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and $700,0002005, respectively.

Restricted Stock

In June 2005, we issued the rights to 155,763 shares of restricted stock to an employee. Additionally, in October 2005 we issued the rights to 96,712 shares of restricted stock to an employee. These shares all vest over a five-year period and remain subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met. In accordance with APB 25, we recognized unearned compensation in connection with the grant of restricted shares equal to the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of these shares when issued was approximately $12.84 and $15.51 per share, respectively, and resulted in a total increase in “Additional paid-in capital” and “Unearned compensation” of $2.0 million and $1.5 million on the respective balance sheets at the times of grant. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we reduced unearned compensation and recognized compensation expense over the vesting periods. Upon adoption of SFAS 123R, unearned compensation was reclassified against additional paid in capital and we will increase additional paid in capital and recognize compensation expense over the respective remaining vesting periods. Additionally, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 we issued the rights to an aggregate of 81,000 shares of restricted stock to various employees. These shares vest over two and three year periods (with some subject to vesting acceleration clauses if the holder achieves certain performance objectives) and remain subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met. In accordance with SFAS 123R we will recognize compensation expense and increase additional paid in capital related to these restricted stock shares over the requisite service period. For the year ended March 31, 2007, we recorded expenses related to these shares of approximately $981,000, which was included as a component of stock-based compensation expense within “General and administrative” on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the issuance dates, we have recognized $1.4 million of the $4.8 million total fair value, with the remainder to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.88 years.

On April 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R, requiring us to recognize expense related to the fair value of our stock-based compensation awards. We elected to use the modified prospective transition method as permitted by SFAS 123R and therefore have not restated our financial results for prior periods. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense for the year ended March 31, 2007 includes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation 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 original provisions of SFAS 123. Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted subsequent to April 1, 2006 was based on the grant-date fair value, estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.

The effect of adopting SFAS 123R in the year ended March 31, 2007 was as follows:

(in thousands except per share data)

 

For the year ended
March 31, 2007

 

Additional pre-tax stock-based compensation

 

$

21,436

 

Additional stock-based compensation, net of tax

 

13,055

 

Cash flows from operations

 

(9,012

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

9,012

 

Effect on earnings per share:

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.05

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

The following table sets forth the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options, restricted stock awards, and the ESPP included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands) in accordance with SFAS 123R for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and APB 25 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

For the year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - software royalties and amortization

 

$

2,503

 

$

 

$

 

Product development

 

5,728

 

869

 

1,233

 

Sales and marketing

 

5,267

 

175

 

241

 

General and administrative

 

12,024

 

2,055

 

1,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes

 

25,522

 

3,099

 

3,368

 

Income tax benefit

 

(9,979

)

(1,208

)

(1,310

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes

 

$

15,543

 

$

1,891

 

$

2,058

 

F-32



Additionally, stock option expenses are capitalized in accordance with SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed” as discussed in Note 1. For the year ended March 31, 2007, stock-based compensation costs in the amount of $9.1 million were capitalized and $2.5 million of capitalized stock-based compensation costs were amortized. The following table summarizes stock –based compensation included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of software development (in thousands):

 

 

Software
Development

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2006

 

$

 

Stock-based compensation expense capitalized during period

 

9,069

 

Amortization of capitalized stock-based compensation expense

 

(2,503

)

Balance, March 31, 2007

 

$

6,566

 

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $19.0 million, $45.1 million, and $72.7 million for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. Income tax benefit from stock option exercises was $11.3 million, $29.4 million, and $53.2 million for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. In accordance with SFAS 123R, we present excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options, if any, as financing cash flows rather than operating cash flows.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we applied SFAS 123, amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”), which allowed companies to apply the existing accounting rules under APB 25 and related Interpretations. According to APB 25, a non-cash stock-based compensation expense is recognized for any options granted where the exercise price is lower than the market price on the actual date of grant. This expense is then amortized over the vesting period of the associated option. As required by SFAS 148, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we provided pro forma net income and pro forma net income per common share disclosures for stock-based awards, as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS 123 had been applied.

F-33



The following table illustrates the effect on net income after tax and net earnings per common share as if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to stock-based compensation during the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

40,251

 

$

135,057

 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

 

1,589

 

2,313

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(16,175

)

(14,233

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income

 

$

25,665

 

$

123,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic - as reported

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.54

 

Basic - pro forma

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted - as reported

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.49

 

Diluted - pro forma

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.44

 

In the table above, stock-based compensation has been tax effected using our effective tax rate which differs from our statutory rate. Additionally, included in fiscal year 2006 net income, as reported, is $467,000 of amortization of unearned compensation related to restricted stock.

As of April 1, 2005, the Company began estimating the value of employee stock options on the date of grant using a binomial-lattice model. Prior to April 1, 2005 the value of each employee stock option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for the purpose of the pro forma financial information in accordance with SFAS 123.

Our employee stock options have features that differentiate them from exchange-traded options. These features include lack of transferability, early exercise, vesting restrictions, pre- and 2004,post-vesting termination provisions, blackout dates, and time-varying inputs. In addition, some of the options have non-traditional features, such as accelerated vesting upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions that must be reflected in the valuation. A binomial-lattice model was selected because it is better able to explicitly address these features than closed-form models such as the Black-Scholes model, and is able to reflect expected future changes in model inputs, including changes in volatility, during the option’s contractual term.

Consistent with SFAS 123R, we have attempted to reflect expected future changes in model inputs during the option’s contractual term. The inputs required by our binomial-lattice model include expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, risk-adjusted stock return, dividend yield, contractual term, and vesting schedule, as well as measures of employees’ forfeiture, exercise, and post-vesting termination behavior. Statistical methods were used to estimate employee type specific termination rates. These termination rates, in turn, were used to model the number of options that are expected to vest and post-vesting termination behavior. Employee type specific estimates of Expected Time-To-Exercise (“ETTE”) were used to reflect employee exercise behavior. ETTE was estimated by using statistical procedures to first estimate the conditional probability of exercise occurring during each time period, conditional on the option surviving to that time period. These probabilities are then used to estimate ETTE. The model was calibrated by adjusting parameters controlling exercise and post-vesting termination behavior so that the measures output by the model matched values of these measures that were estimated from historical data. The weighted-average estimated value of employee stock options granted during the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $5.86, $5.09, and $3.06 per share, respectively, using the binomial-lattice model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

F-34



 

 

Employee and Director
Options and Warrants

 

Employee Stock
Purchase Plan

 

 

 

For the year ended March 31,

 

For the year ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected life (in years)

 

4.87

 

4.85

 

3.20

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

0.5

 

Risk free interest rate

 

4.99

%

5.17

%

3.25

%

4.71

%

3.05

%

2.66

%

Volatility

 

54

%

48

%

48

%

43

%

42

%

46

%

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average fair value at grant date

 

$

5.86

 

$

5.09

 

$

3.06

 

$

3.72

 

$

3.11

 

$

1.59

 

To estimate volatility for the binomial-lattice model, we use methods or capabilities that are discussed in SFAS 123R and SAB 107. These methods included the implied volatility method based upon the volatilities for exchange-traded options on our stock to estimate short-term volatility, the historical method (annualized standard deviation of the instantaneous returns on Activision’s stock) during the option’s contractual term to estimate long-term volatility and a statistical model to estimate the transition or “mean reversion” from short-term volatility to long-term volatility. Based on these methods, for options granted during the year ended March 31, 2007, the expected stock price volatility ranged from 38% to 56%, with a weighted-average volatility of 54%. For options granted during the year ended March 31, 2006, the expected stock price volatility ranged from 40% to 55%, with a weighted average volatility of 48%. For options granted during the year ended March 31, 2005, the expected stock price volatility ranged from 45% to 48%, with a weighted average volatility of 48%.

As is the case for volatility, the risk-free rate is assumed to change during the option’s contractual term. Consistent with the calculation required by a binomial lattice model, the risk-free rate reflects the interest from one time period to the next (“forward rate”) as opposed to the interest rate from the grant date to the given time period (“spot rate”). Since we do not currently pay dividends and are not expected to pay them in the future, we have assumed that the dividend yield is zero.

The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is, as required by SFAS 123R, an output by the binomial-lattice model. The expected life of employee stock options depends on all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of our model. A binomial-lattice model can be viewed as assuming that employees will exercise their options when the stock price equals or exceeds an exercise boundary. The exercise boundary is not constant but continually declines as one approaches the option’s expiration date. The exact placement of the exercise boundary depends on all of the model inputs as well as the measures that are used to calibrate the model to estimated measures of employees’ exercise and termination behavior.

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the 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. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

The Company uses third-party analyses to assist in developing the assumptions used in the binomial-lattice model, including model inputs and measures of employees’ exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. However, we are ultimately responsible for the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our share-based payment awards.

Our ability to accurately estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards as of the grant date depends upon the accuracy of the model and our ability to accurately forecast model inputs as long as ten years into the future. These inputs include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility, risk-free rate, dividend yield, and employee termination rates. Although the fair value of employee stock options is determined in accordance with SFAS 123R and SAB 107 using an option-pricing model, the estimates that are produced by this model may not

F-35



be indicative of the fair value observed between a willing buyer/willing seller. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine if this is the case, because markets do not currently exist that permit the active trading of employee stock option and other share-based instruments.

Stock option activity for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd Avg
Ex Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

48,337

 

$

6.20

 

48,772

 

$

4.84

 

65,135

 

$

3.71

 

Granted

 

6,361

 

13.91

 

8,728

 

12.66

 

7,501

 

8.82

 

Exercised

 

(3,352

)

5.03

 

(8,108

)

4.81

 

(22,167

)

2.90

 

Forfeited

 

(1,917

)

8.61

 

(1,055

)

7.35

 

(1,697

)

4.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

49,429

 

$

7.18

 

48,337

 

$

6.20

 

48,772

 

$

4.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of year

 

31,291

 

$

4.60

 

27,126

 

$

4.17

 

25,180

 

$

3.92

 

The following table shows the weighted-average remaining contractual term and aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding and options exercisable at March 31, 2007 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2007

 

5.97

 

$

581,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2007

 

4.69

 

$

448,621

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (i.e., the difference between our closing stock price on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price, times the number of shares for options where the exercise price is below the closing stock price) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on that date. This amount changes based on the fair market value of our stock. Total intrinsic value of options actually exercised was $32.0 million, $77.9 million, and $198.0 million for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

As of March 31, 2007, $34.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.61 years.

F-36



The following table summarizes information about all employee and director stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2007 (share amounts in thousands):

 

 

Outstanding Options

 

Exercisable Options

 

 

 

Shares

 

Remaining
Wtd. Avg.
Contractual
Life
(in years)

 

Wtd. Avg.
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Wtd. Avg.
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range of exercise prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.00 to $1.08

 

665

 

3.11

 

$

1.05

 

665

 

$

1.05

 

$1.72 to $1.75

 

8,202

 

1.95

 

1.75

 

8,202

 

1.75

 

$1.76 to $3.53

 

5,354

 

5.09

 

3.34

 

4,714

 

3.34

 

$3.54 to $5.00

 

5,696

 

5.74

 

4.04

 

5,185

 

4.07

 

$5.08 to $5.74

 

4,959

 

5.36

 

5.72

 

4,292

 

5.72

 

$5.79 to $7.73

 

6,605

 

5.96

 

7.12

 

6,032

 

7.10

 

$7.75 to $11.10

 

5,440

 

7.61

 

9.77

 

1,009

 

8.99

 

$11.15 to $13.61

 

8,959

 

8.65

 

12.90

 

779

 

12.14

 

$13.62 to $17.21

 

3,388

 

8.97

 

15.24

 

413

 

15.06

 

$18.43 to $18.43

 

161

 

9.80

 

18.43

 

 

 

 

 

49,429

 

5.97

 

$

7.18

 

31,291

 

$

4.60

 

 

15.                   Capital Transactions

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 years ended March 31, 2007, March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005. We repurchased approximately 3.4 million shares of our common stock for $12.4 million in the year ended March 31, 2004. In addition, approximately 3.1 million shares of common stock were acquired in the 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, 2006,2007, we had no outstanding structured stock repurchase transactions. Structured stock repurchase transactions are settled in cash or stock basedstock-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. These transactions are recorded in shareholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31, 2006,2007, we had approximately $226.2 million available for utilization under the buyback program and no outstanding stock repurchase transactions.

Shelf Registrations

In August 2003, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission two amended shelf registration statements, including the base prospectuses therein. The first shelf registration statement, on Form S-3, allows us, at any time, to offer any combination of securities described in the base prospectus in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working capital, repayment or reduction of long-term and short-term debt, and the financing of acquisitions and other business combinations. We may invest funds that we do not immediately require in marketable securities.

 

The second shelf registration statement, on Form S-4, allows us, at any time, to offer any combination of securities described in the base prospectus in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $250,000,000 in connection with our acquisition of the assets, business or securities of other companies whether by purchase, merger, or any other form of business combination.

F-37



 

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 per share, 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.

 

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

F-33



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 $.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.

 

16.                   Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 20042005 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,899

 

$

138,335

 

$

77,715

 

 

$

85,787

 

$

40,251

 

$

135,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

 

10,576

 

(3,317

)

(37

)

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of taxes

 

(8,224

)

10,576

 

(3,317

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(5,825

)

4,974

 

13,432

 

 

12,057

 

(5,825

)

4,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

4,751

 

1,657

 

13,395

 

 

3,833

 

4,751

 

1,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

46,650

 

$

139,992

 

$

91,110

 

 

$

89,620

 

$

45,002

 

$

136,714

 

F-38



 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended March 31, 20062007 and 20052006 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

Foreign Currency

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Investments

 

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

Foreign Currency

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Investments

 

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2005

 

$

14,838

 

$

(3,220

)

$

11,618

 

Balance, March 31, 2006

 

$

9,013

 

$

7,356

 

$

16,369

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(5,825

)

10,576

 

4,751

 

 

12,057

 

(8,224

)

3,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2006

 

$

9,013

 

$

7,356

 

$

16,369

 

Balance, March 31, 2007

 

$

21,070

 

$

(868

)

$

20,202

 

 

Comprehensive income is presented net of taxes of $0.6 million related to unrealized depreciation on investments. Income taxes were not provided for foreign currency translation items as these are considered indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

F-34



17.      Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Non-cash investing and financing activities and supplemental cash flow information are as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

For the years ended March 31,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries acquired with common stock

 

$

2,793

 

$

1,191

 

$

3,246

 

 

$

30,000

 

$

2,793

 

$

1,191

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

 

(8,224

)

10,576

 

(3,317

)

Common stock payable, related to acquisition

 

39,000

 

 

 

Adjustment-prior period purchase allocation

 

(260

)

(2,384

)

 

 

51

 

(260

)

(2,384

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

 

10,576

 

(3,317

)

(37

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

4,698

 

$

12,178

 

$

10,463

 

 

$

3,677

 

$

4,698

 

$

12,178

 

Cash received for interest, net

 

25,912

 

10,543

 

6,213

 

 

35,345

 

25,912

 

10,543

 

 

F-35F-39



 

18.      Quarterly Financial and Market Information (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Quarters Ended

 

For the
Year

 

 

For the quarters ended

 

For the year

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

June 30

 

Sept. 30

 

Dec. 31

 

Mar. 31

 

ended

 

 

June 30(a)

 

Sept. 30

 

Dec. 31

 

Mar. 31

 

ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

188,069

 

$

188,172

 

$

824,259

 

$

312,512

 

$

1,513,012

 

Cost of sales

 

137,800

 

141,078

 

483,180

 

216,007

 

978,065

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(33,449

)

(37,410

)

173,120

 

(29,114

)

73,147

 

Net income (loss)

 

(18,309

)

(24,302

)

142,820

 

(14,422

)

85,787

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.07

)

(0.09

)

0.51

 

(0.05

)

0.31

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.07

)

(0.09

)

0.46

 

(0.05

)

0.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

15.11

 

16.00

 

18.19

 

19.20

 

19.20

 

Low

 

10.71

 

10.47

 

14.22

 

16.05

 

10.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

241,093

 

$

222,540

 

$

816,242

 

$

188,125

 

$

1,468,000

 

 

$

241,093

 

$

222,540

 

$

816,242

 

$

188,125

 

$

1,468,000

 

Cost of sales

 

172,270

 

141,458

 

498,325

 

128,309

 

940,362

 

 

172,270

 

141,458

 

498,325

 

128,309

 

940,362

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(13,448

)

(26,547

)

84,067

 

(26,115

)

17,957

 

 

(14,319

)

(27,788

)

83,893

 

(26,560

)

15,226

 

Net income (loss)

 

(3,585

)

(13,242

)

67,945

 

(9,219

)

41,899

 

 

(4,247

)

(14,230

)

67,856

 

(9,128

)

40,251

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.01

)

(0.05

)

0.25

 

(0.03

)

0.15

 

 

(0.02

)

(0.05

)

0.25

 

(0.03

)

0.15

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.01

)

(0.05

)

0.23

 

(0.03

)

0.14

 

 

(0.02

)

(0.05

)

0.23

 

(0.03

)

0.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

13.88

 

17.30

 

18.03

 

15.93

 

18.03

 

 

13.88

 

17.30

 

18.03

 

15.93

 

18.03

 

Low

 

10.64

 

12.07

 

12.94

 

11.81

 

10.64

 

 

10.64

 

12.07

 

12.94

 

11.81

 

10.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

211,276

 

$

310,626

 

$

680,094

 

$

203,861

 

$

1,405,857

 

Cost of sales

 

119,019

 

187,091

 

397,292

 

141,544

 

844,946

 

Operating income (loss)

 

15,733

 

34,658

 

137,079

 

(2,899

)

184,571

 

Net income

 

11,957

 

25,543

 

97,262

 

3,573

 

138,335

 

Basic earnings per share

 

0.05

 

0.10

 

0.39

 

0.01

 

0.55

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.04

 

0.09

 

0.35

 

0.01

 

0.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

9.61

 

9.23

 

11.53

 

14.04

 

14.04

 

Low

 

7.74

 

6.84

 

7.02

 

10.19

 

6.84

 

a)  On June 7, 2007, we filed an Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A to restate our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2006 and for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the related disclosures to correct our stock-based compensation expense and related tax effects as discussed in the Form 10-Q/A.

The following table reflects the impact of the non-cash charges for stock-based compensation expense and related tax effects:

 

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

As previously reported

 

Adjustments

 

As restated

 

Net revenues

 

$

188,069

 

$

 

$

188,069

 

Cost of sales

 

137,789

 

11

 

137,800

 

Operating loss

 

(32,786

)

(663

)

(33,449

)

Net loss

 

(17,826

)

(483

)

(18,309

)

Basic loss per share

 

(0.06

)

(0.01

)

(0.07

)

Diluted loss per share

 

(0.06

)

(0.01

)

(0.07

)

 

19.                   Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Laws

On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123”). SFAS No. 123R supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows.  Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123R is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123.  However, SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values.  Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

SFAS No. 123R permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

      A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123R for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123R that remain unvested on the effective date.

      A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

F-36



As permitted by SFAS No. 123, prior to April 1, 2006 we accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognized no compensation cost for employee stock options.  Accordingly, the adoption of the SFAS No. 123R fair value method will have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. We adopted SFAS No. 123R on April 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” approach. We currently believe that the expensing of stock-based compensation will have an impact on our Consolidated Statement of Operations similar to our pro-forma disclosure under SFAS No. 123 and expect an impact in fiscal 2007 of approximately $0.05 per share.

On November 24, 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 151, Inventory Costs, an Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 (“SFAS No. 151”). The standard requires that abnormal amounts of idle capacity and spoilage costs within inventory should be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when incurred. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are applicable to inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We expect the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

On December 15, 2004 the FASB issued Statement No. 153 (“SFAS No. 153”), Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an Amendment of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29. This standard requires exchanges of productive assets to be accounted for at fair value, rather than at carryover basis, unless (1) neither the asset received nor the asset surrendered has a fair value that is determinable within reasonable limits or (2) the transactions lack commercial substance. The new standard is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154 (“SFAS No. 154”), Accounting Changes and Error Corrections – A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle and correction of errors. Under previous guidance, changes in accounting principle were recognized as a cumulative effect in the net income of the period of the change. The new statement requires retrospective application of changes in accounting principle and correction of errors, limited to the direct effects of the change, to prior periods’ financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and correction of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. In the event that we have an accounting change or an error correction, SFAS No. 154 could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On February 16, 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155 (“SFAS No. 155”), Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments – An amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. SFAS No. 155 amends FASB Statements No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities to resolve issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” SFAS No. 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation; clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of Statement 133; establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation; clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives; and amends Statement 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 towill have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

OnIn March 17, 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 156 (“SFAS No. 156”), Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. SFAS No. 156 amends Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 requires an entity to recognize a servicing asset or servicing liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset

F-40



by entering into a servicing contract in certain situations; requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable; permits either the

F-37



“amortization method”amortization method or the fair“fair value measurement method,as subsequent measurement methods for each class of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities; permits a one-time reclassification of available-for-sale securities to trading securities by entities with recognized servicing rights; and requires separate presentation of servicing assets and servicing liabilities subsequently measured at fair value in the statement of financial position and additional disclosures for all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective in the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 156 towill have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

On October 22, 2004,In July 2006, the PresidentFASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies the United States signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) which contains a number of tax law modifications with accounting implications. For companies that pay U.S.for income taxes on manufacturing activitiesby prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the U.S., the Actfinancial statements. FIN 48 also provides a deduction from taxableguidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. In addition, FIN 48 excludes income equal to a stipulated percentage of qualified income from domestic production activities. The manufacturing deduction provided by the Act replaces the extraterritorial income (“ETI”) deduction currently in place. We currently derive benefitstaxes from the ETI exclusion which was repealed by the Act. Our exclusionscope of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.  FIN 48 is effective for fiscal 2006years beginning after December 15, 2006.  Differences between the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and 2007the amounts reported after adoption will be limited to 75% and 45% of the otherwise allowable exclusion and no exclusion will be available in fiscal 2008 and thereafter. The Act also creates a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations (“Homeland Investment Act”). The deduction is subject to a number of limitations. The Act also provides for other changes in tax law that will affect a variety of taxpayers. On December 21, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued two FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) regarding the accounting implications of the Act related to (1) the deduction for qualified domestic production activities and (2) the one-time tax benefit for the repatriation of foreign earnings. The FASB determined that the deduction for qualified domestic production activities should be accounted for as a special deductioncumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our results of operations and financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (“SFAS No. 157”), Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Financial Statements — Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB 108 requires the use of both the “iron curtain” and “rollover” approach in quantifying the materiality of misstatements. SAB 108 also discusses the implications of misstatements uncovered upon the application of SAB 108 in situations when a registrant has historically been using either the iron curtain approach or the rollover approach. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS No. 158”). This new standard aims to make it easier for investors, employees, retirees and other parties to understand and assess an employer’s financial position and its ability to fulfill the obligations under its benefit plans. SFAS No. 158 requires employers to fully recognize in their financial statements the obligations associated with single-employer defined benefit pension plans, retiree healthcare plans, and other postretirement plans. Specifically, it requires a company to (1) recognize on its balance sheet an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status, (2) measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and (3) recognize changes in the funded status of a plan through comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 had no impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting115 (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Subsequent unrealized gains and losses on items for Income Taxes. The FASB also confirmed, that upon deciding that some amount of earningswhich the fair value option has been elected will be repatriated, a company must recordreported in that period the associated tax liability.earnings. The guidance in the FSPs apply toprovisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for financial statements issued for periods endingfiscal years beginning after the date the Act was enacted. November 15, 2007. We have evaluated the Act and have concluded thatare evaluating

F-41



if we will not repatriate foreign earnings underadopt SFAS No. 159 and what impact the Homeland Investment Act Provisions.adoption will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements if we adopt.

 

20.                 Subsequent Events

On May 3, 2006, we announced11, 2007, Activision completed its acquisition of DemonWare, the leading provider of network middleware technologies for console and PC games headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The acquisition is expected to enable Activision to gain efficiencies related to online game development and to position the company to take advantage of the growth in online gameplay that MGM Interactiveis expected to be driven by the next-generation consoles.

On June 8, 2007, with respect to unexercised options subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code held by employees who are not executive officers, Activision commenced an offer to amend the exercise price of these options to eliminate the grantee’s Section 409A tax liability consistent with Internal Revenue Service guidance. Pursuant to the offer, the Company will also make a cash payment in January 2008 to employees who accept the offer, in an amount equal to the difference between the original exercise price of each amended option and EON Productions, Ltd. have awarded us the rightsamended exercise price of each amended option. The offer with respect to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based onall eligible options is considered a modification of those options for financial reporting purposes. Pursuant to the James Bond license through 2014. The agreement, signed on April 11, 2006, did not have an impact on our March 31, 2006 statement of financial condition or results of operations.

On May 9, 2006, we announced that we have entered into an agreement, signed on May 6, 2006, to acquire video game publisher RedOctane, Inc. (“RedOctane”)accounting standards in effect under SFAS 123R (revised 2004), the publisherfair value of the Guitar Hero franchise. Undermodified options (including for this purpose the cash payments that become payable pursuant to the terms of the agreement, RedOctane becameoffer) will be recognized as compensation expense over the remaining requisite service period with the fair value created as a wholly owned subsidiaryresult of Activisioncash payments that become payable pursuant to the terms of the offer recognized as compensation expense at the expiration of the offer period on July 6, 2007. In addition, a portion of the compensation costs associated with the original award may be accelerated and RedOctane’s management team and key employees signed long-term employment contracts with Activision. RedOctane will continue to be based in Sunnyvale, CA. The agreement, did not have an impact on our March 31, 2006 statementrecognized as compensation expense at the expiration of financial condition or resultsthe offer period as a result of operations.the cash payment.

F-38F-42



SCHEDULE II

 

ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
(In thousands)

 

Col. A

 

Col. B

 

Col. C

 

Col. D

 

Col. E

 

Description

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

 

Additions (A)

 

Deductions (B)

 

Balance at End
of Period

 

Col. A
Description

 

Col. B
Balance at
Beginning of
Period

 

Col. C
Additions (A)

 

Col. D
Deductions (B)

 

Col. E
Balance at End
of Period

 

Year ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for sales returns and price protection

 

$

95,150

 

$

143,456

 

$

(148,963

)

$

89,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

3,103

 

(1,804

)

476

 

1,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax valuation allowance

 

35,555

 

 

(35,173

)

382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for sales returns and price protection

 

$

67,603

 

$

262,555

 

$

(235,008

)

$

95,150

 

 

$

67,603

 

$

262,555

 

$

(235,008

)

$

95,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

1,588

 

5,149

 

(3,634

)

3,103

 

 

1,588

 

5,149

 

(3,634

)

3,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax valuation allowance

 

25,666

 

9,943

 

(54

)

35,555

 

 

25,666

 

9,943

 

(54

)

35,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for sales returns and price protection

 

$

44,538

 

$

172,156

 

$

(149,091

)

$

67,603

 

 

$

44,538

 

$

172,156

 

$

(149,091

)

$

67,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

2,490

 

(1,451

)

549

 

1,588

 

 

2,490

 

(1,451

)

549

 

1,588

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax valuation allowance

 

18,857

 

7,703

 

(894

)

25,666

 

 

18,857

 

7,703

 

(894

)

25,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for sales returns and price protection

 

$

52,597

 

$

111,440

 

$

(119,499

)

$

44,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

4,759

 

(1,705

)

(564

)

2,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax valuation allowance

 

27,606

 

5,101

 

(13,850

)

18,857

 

 

(A)


(A)Includes increases in allowance for sales returns, price protection, doubtful accounts, and deferred tax valuation due to normal reserving terms and allowance accounts acquired in conjunction with acquisitions.

(B)

Includes actual write-offs of sales returns, price protection, uncollectible accounts receivable, net of recoveries, and foreign currency translation and other adjustments, and deferred taxes.

 

F-39(B)                    Includes actual write-offs of sales returns, price protection, uncollectible accounts receivable, net of recoveries, and foreign currency translation and other adjustments, and deferred taxes.

F-43



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit


Number

 

Exhibit

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 9, 2000 among Activision, Inc., Activision Holdings, Inc. and ATVI Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Holdings, dated June 1,9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

 

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws dated August 1, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed July 11, 2001).

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Holdings dated as of June 9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed June 16, 2000).

 

 

 

3.4

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc. dated as of August 23, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-66280, filed August 31, 2001).

3.5

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision, Inc. dated as of December 27, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2001).

 

 

 

3.6

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc. dated as of December 29, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003).

3.73.4

 

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Activision, Inc., dated as of April 4, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed April 5, 2004)2005).

 

 

 

3.83.5

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision, Inc. dated August 4, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed August 5, 2005).

 

 

 

3.6

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Activision, Inc. dated September 15, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed September 19, 2005).

4.1

 

Rights Agreement dated as of April 18, 2000, between ActivisionActivision. Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which includes as exhibits the form of Right Certificates as Exhibit A, the Summary of Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock as Exhibit B and the form of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Preferred Stock of Activision as Exhibit C, (incorporated by reference to Activision’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, Registration No. 001-15839, filed April 19, 2000).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Activision, Inc. 1991 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).

E-1



 

10.2

 

Activision, Inc. 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31,September 30, 2001).

E-1



 

10.3

 

Activision, Inc. 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.4

 

Activision, Inc. 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).

 

 

 

10.6

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Executive Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix IExhibit 4.1 of Activision’s 2002 Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A,Form S-8, Registration No. 333-100114 filed June 29,September 26, 2002).

 

 

 

10.7

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002)S-8, Registration No. 333-103323 filed February 19, 2003).

 

 

 

10.8

Activision, Inc. 2003 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June, 30, 2003).

10.9

 

Activision, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed March 3,8, 2005).

10.9

Activision, Inc. 2002 Second Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan for International Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed March 8, 2005).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Activision, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock PurchaseAmended and Restated 2003 Incentive Plan, for International Employeeseffective as of July 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.110.1 of Activision’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed February 19, 2003)10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

 

 

 

10.11

 

Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants issued pursuant to the 1998 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended,(adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.110.1 of Activision’s Form S-8, Registration No. 333-362728-K, filed May 4, 2000)31, 2005).

 

 

 

10.12

 

Amendment I dated July 22, 2002 to employment agreement datedForm of Stock Option Certificate for grants issued pursuant the 1999 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 22, 2000, between Activision and Robert A. Kotick24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.110.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002)8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

 

 

 

10.13

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants issued pursuant the 2001 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

E-2



10.14

Form of Stock Option Agreement for grants issued pursuant the 2002 Executive Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 24, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.15

Form of Executive Stock Option Agreement for grants to Robert Kotick or Brian Kelly issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.16

Form of Non-Executive Stock Option Agreement for grants to non-executives issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.17

Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement for grants to non-employee directors issued pursuant the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted May 2005).

10.18

Notice of Share Option Award for grants to persons other than non-employee directors issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.19

Notice of Share Option Award for grants to non-employee directors issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.20

Notice of Restricted Share Award for grants issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.21

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants issued pursuant to the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (adopted June 13, 2007).

10.22

Amended and restated employment agreementRestated Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 2000, between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000).

 

 

 

10.1410.23

Amendment, dated July 22, 2002, to Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).

E-3



10.24

Amendment, dated December 29, 2006, to Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K filed January 8, 2007).

10.25

 

Stock option agreementOption Agreement, dated May 22, 2000, between Activision, Inc. and Robert A. Kotick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2000).

 

 

 

10.1510.26

 

Amended and Restated Employment agreementAgreement, dated November 20, 2002May 22, 2000, between Activision, Inc. and George RoseBrian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.110.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002).

E-2



10.16

Service Agreement dated March 1, 2002 between Combined Distribution (Holdings) Limited and Richard Andrew Steele (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002)ending September 30, 2000).

 

 

 

10.17

Employment agreement dated April 1, 2002 between Activision and Michael Rowe (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002).

10.18

Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002 between Ronald Doornink and Activision (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

10.1910.27

 

Amendment, I dated July 22, 2002, to employment agreementEmployment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.2010.28

 

Amended and restated employment agreementAmendment, dated December 29, 2006, to Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision, Inc. and Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2000).

10.21

Stock option agreement dated May 22, 2000 between Activision and Brian G. Kelly (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2000).

10.22

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo Gamecube (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 9, 2001, between Nintendo of America Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271,8-K filed January 14, 2003).

10.23

License Agreement for the Nintendo Gamecube System (EEA), dated as of June 5, 2002, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.24

Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance (Western Hemisphere), dated as of May 10, 2001, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.25

Confidential License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated as of September 14, 2001, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.26

Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

E-3



10.27

Amendment to Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2002, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.28

Xbox Live Distribution Amendment to the Xbox Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2002, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003)8, 2007).

 

 

 

10.29

 

Licensed PublisherEmployment Agreement, dated as of July 13,22, 2002, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.Ronald Doornink and Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Playstation license”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.810.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003)10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.30

 

Amendment, dated February 27, 2003, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.31

Amendment, dated June 1, 2004, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002, between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).

10.32

Amendment, dated June 15, 2005, to Employment Agreement dated July 22, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.33

Employment agreement, dated November 20, 2002, between Activision Publishing, Inc. and George Rose (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002).

E-4



10.34

Amendment, dated March 30, 2005, to the Employment Agreement dated November 20, 2002 between Activision Publishing, Inc. and George Rose (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.35

Employment Agreement, dated May 10, 2005, between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.36

Amendment, dated March 30, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2005 between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc.

10.37

Employment Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.38

Stock Option Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.39

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated June 15, 2005, between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.40

Employment Agreement, dated September 9, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.41

Stock Option Agreement, dated October 3, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.42

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated October 3, 2005, between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.43

Employment Agreement, dated September 18, 2006, between Brian Hodous and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

10.44

Letter Agreement, dated September 6, 2006, between Brian Hodous and Activision, Inc.

10.45

Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

E-5



10.46

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

10.47

Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2006, between Activision and Brian Hodous.

10.48

Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, between Robin Kaminsky and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

10.49

PlayStation 2 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2000, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and Activision, Inc. (“Playstation2 license”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

 

 

 

10.3110.50

 

Playstation2Letter regarding Modification of Territory for PlayStation 2 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2004, from Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. to Activision, Inc.

10.51

PlayStation 2 Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2001, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).

10.32

Amendment I dated February 27, 2003 to employment agreement dated July 22, 2002, between Activision and Ron Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.33

Form of Stock Option Certificate under the 1998 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision���s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.34

Form of Stock Option Certificate under the 1999 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.35

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.36

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2002 Executive Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.37

Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 8-K, filed May 31, 2005).

10.38

Form of Stock Option Agreement (Executive) under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

E-4



10.39

Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Executive) under the 2003 Incentive Plan of Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.40

Confidential License Agreement for the Nintendo DS (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 1, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.41

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance (Western Hemisphere) dated as of May 10, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.42

First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia, and New Zealand) dated September 14, 2004, between Nintendo Co., LTD. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.43

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere) dated November 9, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.4410.52

 

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement, dated September 15, 2004, between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.53

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement, dated September 27, 2005, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of Activision’s Form 10-K for year ended March 31, 2006).*

10.54

Global PlayStation 3 Format Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated March 5, 2007, between Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. and Activision. Inc.*

10.55

First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia, and New Zealand), dated September 14, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

E-6



10.56

First Addendum to First Renewal License Agreement for the Game Boy Advance Video Game System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.

10.57

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere), dated as of November 9, 2001, between Nintendo of America Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.58

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere), dated November 9, 2004, between Nintendo of America, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).

10.59

First Renewal License Agreement for the Nintendo GameCube System (EEA), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo, Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.*

10.60

Confidential License Agreement for the Nintendo DS (Western Hemisphere), dated as of October 11, 2004, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

10.61

License Agreement for the Nintendo DS System (EEA, Australia and New Zealand), dated June 20, 2006, between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Activision, Inc.*

10.62

Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, between Microsoft Corporation and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.63

Amendment to Microsoft Corporation Xbox Publisher License Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2002, between Microsoft Licensing, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

10.64

Xbox Live Distribution Amendment to the Xbox Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2002, between Microsoft Licensing, Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Activision’s Form S-3, Registration No. 333-101271, filed January 14, 2003).*

E-7



10.65

 

Amendment to the Xbox Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP, and Activision Publishing, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.4610.66

 

Microsoft Corporation Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2004,October 25, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form
10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.4710.67

 

AmendmentXbox 360 Disc Program Addendum to Microsoft Corporationthe Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2005, between Microsoft Licensing, GP and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).*

 

 

 

10.4810.68

 

Activision, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Plan, effectiveAmendment to the Xbox 360 Publisher Licensing Agreement (Platinum/Classic Hits Program), dated as of July 26, 2005 (incorporatedOctober 1, 2006, by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).and between Microsoft Licensing, GP and Activision, Inc.*

 

 

 

10.4910.69

 

EmploymentXbox Live Server Platform Addendum to the Xbox 360 Publisher Licensing Agreement, dated June 15, 2005as of February 6, 2007, by and between Michael GriffithMicrosoft Licensing, GP and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

E-5



10.50

Stock Option Agreement dated June 15, 2005 between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).Inc.

 

 

 

10.51

Restricted Stock Agreement dated June 15, 2005 between Michael Griffith and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.52

Amendment dated June 15, 2005 to employment agreement dated July 22, 2002, as previously amended by that certain letter agreement dated June 1, 2004 between Activision and Ronald Doornink (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.53

Employment Agreement dated September 9, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.54

Stock Option Agreement dated October 3, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.55

Restricted Stock Agreement dated October 3, 2005 between Thomas Tippl and Activision, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).

10.56

Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2005 between Charles J. Huebner and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.57

Employment Agreement dated March 2, 2005 between Robin Kaminsky and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.58

Employment Agreement dated December 6, 2005 between Stephen G. Wereb and Activision Publishing, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.5910.70

 

Chart of Compensation to Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Activision’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

 

 

 

10.60

PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) Licensed PSP Publisher Agreement dated September 27, 2005, between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Activision UK Limited. *

14.1

 

Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of Activision’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004).

 

 

 

21.1

 

Principal subsidiaries of Activision.

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

E-6



 

31.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Michael Griffith pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

E-8



 

31.3

 

Certification of Thomas Tippl pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Michael Griffith pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.3

 

Certification of Thomas Tippl pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


*

Portions omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 

E-7E-9