Core Viewpoint - DarkIris Inc., a mobile game developer based in Hong Kong, has filed an F-1 registration statement with the SEC to go public on NASDAQ, aiming to leverage its strong revenue generation capabilities despite a small workforce [1][2]. Company Overview - DarkIris Inc. was established in May 2024 in the Cayman Islands and primarily engages in mobile digital game development, publishing, and operations [2][3]. - The company operates through two Hong Kong subsidiaries, Quantum and Stellar, with Quantum being the main revenue source [2][3]. - DarkIris is closely related to Xiqi Network, which previously listed on the New Third Board and underwent a restructuring to separate its gaming business [1][5]. Financial Performance - For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, DarkIris reported revenues of approximately $7.92 million (about 57 million RMB), a significant increase from $3.95 million (about 28 million RMB) in the previous fiscal year [10][11]. - The company achieved a net profit of approximately $1.1 million (about 7.86 million RMB) for the same period, marking a turnaround from a loss of $1.26 million in the previous year [13][11]. - DarkIris has a small workforce of 24 employees, resulting in an impressive average net profit contribution of about 330,000 RMB per employee [13][9]. Revenue Sources - The majority of DarkIris's revenue comes from a few key games, with self-developed and agency-published titles contributing significantly to total income [14]. - The game "Nine Heavens Spirit Snake Record" generated $209,000 in revenue in 2023 and $188,000 in 2024, but its user base has sharply declined from 140,000-190,000 to just over 4,000 in the first half of 2025 [14][15]. - Other successful titles include "The Story of Wei, Shu, and Wu" and "Floating Myth," which have shown stable performance and significant revenue contributions in 2024 [15]. Legal Issues - Shortly after announcing its IPO plans, DarkIris faced a legal challenge from Shanghai DarkIris Technology Co., which claimed that DarkIris's branding and actions could lead to confusion and brand infringement [8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported fourth quarter net bookings of $1,580,000,000, which was at the top of the guidance range [8][27] - For fiscal year 2025, net bookings reached $5,650,000,000, also at the top of the guidance range [29] - GAAP net revenue increased by 13% to $1,580,000,000 in the fourth quarter and rose 5% to $5,630,000,000 for the fiscal year [29][30] - Operating expenses increased by 44% to $4,600,000,000 in the fourth quarter due to an impairment expense of $3,600,000,000 related to goodwill and acquired intangible assets [29][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - NBA 2K25 sold nearly 10,000,000 units, a 7% increase compared to NBA 2K24, with engagement metrics showing significant growth [11][12] - WWE 2K25 received critical acclaim with a Metacritic score of 84 for Xbox Series X, and recurrent consumer spending grew by 20% during the quarter [13][14] - Zynga's performance was strong, with Match Factory exceeding expectations and Color Block Jam becoming a top 10 downloaded game in the US Apple App Store [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mobile gaming segment remains challenging, but Zynga is noted for regularly creating new hits, with Match Factory and Color Block Jam being profitable [49][51] - The company expects recurrent consumer spending to be flat compared to fiscal 2025, representing 76% of net bookings for fiscal 2026 [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to release approximately 38 titles through fiscal 2028, with 13 titles expected in fiscal 2026 [22][25] - The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is anticipated to significantly enhance the company's financial profile and establish a new baseline for net bookings [21][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming pipeline and the potential for record levels of net bookings, particularly with the release of Grand Theft Auto VI [21][35] - The company is focused on delivering value to consumers and maintaining a player-first approach [21][38] Other Important Information - The company has implemented a cost reduction program and is working on improving operational efficiency [27][29] - The direct-to-consumer business has become a significant part of the company's strategy, particularly following the acquisition of Zynga [74] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing strategy for Mafia - Management explained that variable pricing is a long-standing strategy aimed at delivering more value to consumers [38][39] Question: Goodwill impairment related to Zynga - Management confirmed that the impairment was a partial impairment of one of the reporting units, resulting from updated long-term expectations [40] Question: Operating margins and structural changes - Management stated there is no reason to believe operating margins cannot return to previous levels, emphasizing ongoing cost reduction efforts [44] Question: Mobile segment performance - Management acknowledged the challenges in mobile gaming but highlighted Zynga's success in creating new hits [49][51] Question: Anticipated demand for Grand Theft Auto VI - Management noted the unprecedented anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, supported by record trailer views and ongoing engagement with existing titles [58][90]