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Microprose Inc/DE – ‘10-Q’ for 12/31/97

As of:  Wednesday, 2/11/98   ·   For:  12/31/97   ·   Accession #:  1047469-98-4981   ·   File #:  0-19463

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 2/11/98  Microprose Inc/DE                 10-Q       12/31/97    2:77K                                    Merrill Corp/New/FA

Quarterly Report   —   Form 10-Q
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-Q        Quarterly Report                                      22    145K 
 2: EX-27.1     Financial Data Schedule (Pre-XBRL)                     2      7K 


10-Q   —   Quarterly Report
Document Table of Contents

Page (sequential) | (alphabetic) Top
 
11st Page   -   Filing Submission
2Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
9Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
13Risk Factors
20Item 1. Legal Proceedings
"Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 _____________________ FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For Quarter Ended: December 31, 1997 Commission File Number: 0-19463 ----------------- MICROPROSE, INC. ---------------- Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter Delaware 52-1728656 --------------------------------- ---------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification Incorporation or organization) Number) 2490 Mariner Square Loop, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501 ------------------------------------------------ ---------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (510)864-4440 ----------------------------------------------------- Registrant's telephone number, including area code Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No --- --- 28,631,196 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of January 30, 1998.
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MICROPROSE, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31 and March 31, 1997 3 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 20 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 20 Signatures 22 Exhibits 23 2
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MICROPROSE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share amounts) [Enlarge/Download Table] December 31, March 31, 1997 1997 ------------ --------- (UNAUDITED) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,130 $ 47,110 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $6,542 and $6,568 at December 31 and March 31, 1997, respectively 8,955 7,891 Inventories 1,995 4,042 Prepaid royalties 7,097 2,139 Other current assets 2,055 1,958 --------- --------- Total current assets 44,232 63,140 Property, plant and equipment, net 7,955 7,802 Goodwill, net 619 892 Investments 3,871 6,050 Other assets 2,920 2,421 --------- --------- $ 59,597 $ 80,305 --------- --------- --------- --------- Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6,464 $ 3,508 Salaries, wages and related accruals 4,535 6,337 Royalties payable 1,330 1,840 Current portion of redeemable preferred stock 2,940 - Other current liabilities 8,271 7,122 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 23,540 18,807 Other liabilities 1,266 1,280 Long-term debt 32,408 32,739 --------- --------- Total liabilities 57,214 52,826 --------- --------- Redeemable preferred stock (net of current portion), $0.001 par value, 4,000 shares designated Series A, outstanding shares and liquidation preference at December 31 and March 31, 1997, respectively, as follows: Issued and outstanding: 2,000 and 4,000 shares Redemption and liquidation amount: $2,735 and $5,260 -- 5,881 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 9,000 shares authorized (of which 4,000 shares have been designated Series A), 16 Series B-1 convertible shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 1997 -- -- Common stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized, 28,631 and 28,287 shares issued and outstanding at December 31 and March 31, 1997, respectively 30 29 Additional paid-in capital 144,274 142,558 Accumulated deficit (141,438) (120,468) Foreign currency translation adjustment (483) (521) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity 2,383 21,598 --------- --------- $ 59,597 $ 80,305 --------- --------- --------- --------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 3
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MICROPROSE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (UNAUDITED) [Enlarge/Download Table] THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 1997 1996 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- Net revenue $ 14,853 $ 35,888 $ 47,632 $ 76,373 Cost of revenue 10,211 13,888 23,994 28,973 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Gross profit 4,642 22,000 23,638 47,400 Operating expenses: Sales and marketing 4,223 5,086 13,118 14,679 General and administrative 3,240 4,508 8,391 11,952 Research and development 8,106 5,959 20,174 17,862 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Total operating expenses 15,569 15,553 41,683 44,493 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Operating income (loss) (10,927) 6,447 (18,045) 2,907 Interest and other income (expense), net (89) (391) (3,056) 797 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and extraordinary item (11,016) 6,056 (21,101) 3,704 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (131) 398 (131) 398 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Income (loss) before extraordinary item (10,885) 5,658 (20,970) 3,306 Extraordinary item, net of tax effect -- -- -- 3,547 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Net income (loss) $( 10,885) $ 5,658 $( 20,970) $ 6,853 --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Basic income (loss) per share: Income (loss) before extraordinary item $ (0.38) $ 0.21 $ (0.75) $ 0.12 Extraordinary item, net of tax effect -- -- -- 0.14 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Net income (loss) $ (0.38) $ 0.21 $ (0.75) $ 0.26 --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Diluted income (loss) per share: Income (loss) before extraordinary item $ (0.38) $ 0.20 $ (0.75) $ 0.11 Extraordinary item, net of tax effect -- -- -- 0.13 --------- --------- --------- ---------- Net income (loss) $ (0.38) $ 0.20 $ (0.75) $ 0.24 --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Weighted average shares used to calculate: Basic income (loss) per share 28,593 26,837 28,422 25,797 Diluted income (loss) per share 28,593 28,470 28,422 27,281 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 4
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MICROPROSE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) (UNAUDITED) [Enlarge/Download Table] Nine months ended December 31, -------------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------- ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ (20,970) $ 6,853 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,568 3,291 Gain on the sale of investment in FASA -- (1,895) Loss on the write-down of investment in TEN 2,605 -- Extraordinary gain on extinguishment of long-term debt -- (3,547) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (865) (3,907) Inventories 2,119 (967) Prepaid royalties (5,533) (1,387) Other current assets (123) 1,106 Other assets 89 118 Accounts payable 2,869 (106) Salaries, wages and related accruals (1,662) 2,417 Royalties payable (530) 1,291 Other current liabilities 1,070 3,472 Other (98) (36) ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (18,461) 6,703 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (2,056) (1,992) Acquisition of certain net assets of Leisuresoft GmbH, net of cash acquired -- (447) Proceeds from sale of investment in FASA Interactive Technologies -- 570 Equity investments (426) (570) Other -- 145 ---------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (2,482) (2,294) Cash flows from financing activities: Extinguishment of debt -- (2,959) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs 1,507 10,058 Repurchase of Series A preferred stock (2,730) -- Repayments under notes, lines of credit and capital lease obligations (512) (1,095) ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (1,735) 6,004 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (302) (270) ---------- ---------- Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (22,980) 10,143 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 47,110 35,369 ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 24,130 $ 45,512 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest 1,012 1,148 Cash paid for income taxes 296 56 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 5
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MICROPROSE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The consolidated financial statements are the unaudited historical financial statements of MicroProse, Inc. (formerly Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.) and subsidiaries (the "Company") and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of interim period results. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 1997. The March 31, 1997 consolidated balance sheet included herein was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures, including notes, required by generally accepted accounting principles. The results of operations for the current interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire current year or other future interim periods. For the purposes of presentation, the Company has indicated its interim fiscal periods as ended on December 31, 1997 and 1996, and its prior fiscal year as ended on March 31, 1997. As the Company's annual fiscal period is accounted for on a 52-53 week year, the interim period financial statements included herein represent interim results through December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996, and the end of the prior fiscal year included herein represents amounts as of March 30, 1997. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income (loss) or stockholders' equity. NOTE 2. TERMINATED MERGER On October 5, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to merge with GT Interactive Software Corp. ("GT"), a Delaware corporation and a developer, publisher and distributor of entertainment software for personal computers and certain console platforms. Under the terms of the proposed merger, the Company's outstanding shares of common and preferred stock were to be exchanged for a proportional number of shares of GT stock. On December 5, 1997, the Company and GT announced the mutual agreement to terminate the definitive merger agreement. There were no breakup fees due to either company. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 1997, include the write-off of approximately $700,000 of capitalized costs associated with the proposed merger. NOTE 3. INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Inventories at December 31 and March 31, 1997 consisted of (IN THOUSANDS): [Download Table] December 31, March 31, 1997 1997 ----------------- --------------- Raw materials $ 348 $ 413 Finished goods 1,647 3,629 ----------------- --------------- $ 1,995 $ 4,042 ----------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------- NOTE 4. INVESTMENT In fiscal 1996 and 1997, the Company made minority equity investments of $2.6 million in Total Entertainment Network, Inc. ("TEN"). These cost-basis investments were made pursuant to an investment and licensing arrangement whereby the Company committed to allow certain of the Company's future titles to be played over the Total Entertainment Network. In conjunction with the planned refinancing of TEN, the Company recorded a $2.6 million charge in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 to write-down its investment as management estimated that a decline in fair value had occurred that was other than 6
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MICROPROSE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) temporary in nature. The charge was included in other income and expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the nine month period ended December 31, 1997. NOTE 5. FOREIGN EXCHANGE The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency denominated balances against changes in rates of exchange. These contracts, which require the Company to exchange foreign currencies, generally mature within three months. Contracts that are inversely correlated to the risk of the hedged item and are designated and effective as a hedge of transactions for which a firm commitment has been attained qualify for hedge accounting. Gains and losses on these contracts are deferred and recognized in income in the same period that the underlying transactions are settled. If an instrument ceases to qualify for hedge accounting, any subsequent gains and losses are recognized as income in the current period. The Company does not use any derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, net of gains and losses on hedge contracts, were not material in the periods presented. NOTE 6. PREFERRED STOCK During the three-month period ended December 31, 1997, the Company redeemed 2,000,000 shares of the outstanding Series A preferred stock ("Series A Stock") for approximately $2.7 million. The excess of the carrying value immediately prior to the redemption (approximately $2.9 million) over the redemption amount was credited to additional paid-in capital in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The remaining 2,000,000 shares of Series A Stock outstanding will become redeemable in September 1998. In September 1997, all outstanding shares of Series B-1 preferred stock (16,045) were converted into an equivalent number of common shares. NOTE 7. INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," ("SFAS 128") effective December 31, 1997. SFAS 128 requires the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"). Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible preferred stock (using the "if converted" method) and exercise of stock options and warrants. All prior period earnings per share amounts have been restated to comply with SFAS 128. In accordance with the disclosure requirements of SFAS 128, a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): 7
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MICROPROSE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) [Enlarge/Download Table] Three months ended Nine months ended December 31, December 31, -------------------- -------------------- 1997 1996 1997 1996 -------- -------- -------- -------- Numerator - Basic and diluted EPS Net income (loss) $(10,885) $ 5,658 $(20,970) $ 6,853 Less: preferred stock dividends (70) (70) (210) (210) -------- -------- -------- -------- Income available to common stockholders $(10,955) $ 5,588 $(21,180) $ 6,643 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Denominator - Basic EPS Weighed average shares outstanding 28,593 26,837 28,422 25,797 -------- -------- -------- -------- Basic earnings per share $ (0.38) $ 0.21 $ (0.75) $ 0.26 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Denominator - Diluted EPS Denominator - Basic EPS 28,593 26,837 28,422 25,797 Effect of dilutive securities: Common stock options -- 336 -- 365 Convertible preferred stock -- 1,297 -- 1,119 -------- -------- -------- -------- 28,593 28,470 28,422 27,281 -------- -------- -------- -------- Diluted earnings per share $ (0.38) $ 0.20 $ (0.75) $ 0.24 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Weighted average options to purchase 2,759,329 and 2,870,291 shares of common stock were outstanding during the three months and nine months ended December 31, 1997, respectively. These options were not included in the calculations of diluted EPS because their effect on reported losses would be anti-dilutive. Weighted average options to purchase 3,016,158 and 3,108,241 shares of common stock were outstanding during the three months and nine months ended December 31, 1996, respectively. Certain of these options were not included in the calculations of diluted EPS because the options' exercise price was greater than the average fair market price of the common shares. NOTE 8. RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which requires disclosure of all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments or contributions by stockholders. SFAS No. 130 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company does not expect this pronouncement to materially impact the Company's results of operations. In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which requires disclosure about operating segments in annual financial statements and selected information in interim financial reports. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. This statement supersedes SFAS No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise" and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 131 and the effects, if any, on the Company's current reporting and disclosures. During October 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 97-2 ("SOP 97-2"), Software Revenue Recognition. This statement establishes requirements for revenue recognition for software companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SOP 97-2 and has not yet determined the result, if any, on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 8
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MICROPROSE, INC. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated historical financial information and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 1997. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company may, from time to time, make oral forward-looking statements. The factors discussed in "Risk Factors" below are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements. OVERVIEW MicroProse, Inc. ("the Company") derives revenue primarily from publishing and distributing entertainment software for the personal computer ("PC") platform on Compact-Disc Read-Only Memory ("CD-ROM") media. In addition, revenue is generated from CD-ROM products for videogame consoles (including 32-bit "next-generation" systems), the licensing of products to third-party publishers and the distribution of third-party software and related products. On October 5, 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to merge with GT Interactive Software Corp. ("GT"), a Delaware corporation and a developer, publisher and distributor of entertainment software for personal computers and certain console platforms. Under the terms of the proposed merger, the Company's outstanding shares of common and preferred stock were to be exchanged for a proportional number of shares of GT stock. On December 5, 1997, the Company and GT announced the mutual agreement to terminate the definitive merger agreement. There were no breakup fees due to either company. See additional discussion in "Risk Factors" below. 9
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MICROPROSE, INC. OPERATING RESULTS Consolidated net revenue generated in North America and the rest of the world consisted of the following (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS): [Enlarge/Download Table] % of Consolidated Net Amount Revenue ------------------------- ---------------------- Three months ended December 31: 1997 1996 % CHANGE 1997 1996 ------------------------- ------------ ---------------------- North America $ 2,136 $ 11,594 (81.6%) 14.4% 32.3% International 12,717 24,294 (47.7%) 85.6% 67.7% ------------------------- ---------------------- Consolidated $ 14,853 $ 35,888 (58.6%) 100.0% 100.0% ------------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------- Nine months ended December 31: North America $ 14,069 $ 26,381 (46.7%) 29.5% 34.5% International 33,563 49,992 (32.9%) 70.5% 65.5% ------------------------- ---------------------- Consolidated $ 47,632 $ 76,373 (37.6%) 100.0% 100.0% ------------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------- The following table sets forth the components of net revenue in dollars and as a percentage of total net revenue (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS): [Enlarge/Download Table] % of Consolidated Net Amount Revenue ------------------------- --------------------- Three months ended December 31: 1997 1996 % CHANGE 1997 1996 ------------------------- ------------ --------------------- Company-published titles: CD-ROM $ 7,290 $ 26,233 (72.2%) 49.1% 73.1% Videogame 283 3,031 (90.7%) 1.9% 8.5% Licensing/OEM 1,351 1,197 12.9% 9.1% 3.3% Floppy disk and other 251 725 (65.4%) 1.7% 2.0% ------------------------- --------------------- Total published titles 9,175 31,186 (70.6%) 61.8% 86.9% Third-party distribution 5,678 4,702 20.8% 38.2% 13.1% ------------------------- --------------------- Consolidated $ 14,853 $ 35,888 (53.4%) 100.0% 100.0% ------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- --------------------- Nine months ended December 31: Company-published titles: CD-ROM $ 32,961 $ 57,049 (42.2%) 69.2% 74.7% Videogame 1,143 7,793 (85.3%) 2.4% 10.2% Licensing/OEM 4,298 3,768 14.1% 9.0% 4.9% Floppy disk and other 949 849 11.8% 2.0% 1.1% ------------------------- --------------------- Total published titles 39,351 69,459 (43.3%) 82.6% 90.9% Third-party distribution 8,281 6,914 19.8% 17.4% 9.1% ------------------------- --------------------- Consolidated $ 47,632 $ 76,373 (37.6%) 100.0% 100.0% ------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- --------------------- Net revenue declined in both the three and nine-month periods due principally to the prior year success of two Company-published products, GRAND PRIX II and SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION II. These two titles combined for 37% and 53% of revenue in the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 1996, respectively. Net revenue in the 10
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MICROPROSE, INC. December 1997 quarter was also adversely impacted by lower North American market acceptance of new product releases. The Company released two new titles in the third quarter of both fiscal 1997 and 1998, although domestic shipments of new titles in the comparable third fiscal quarters declined from 235,000 to 65,000 units. Provisions for future returns and markdowns also increased due to lower holiday sell-through of these new releases and other previously released titles. The decline in videogame revenue in fiscal 1998 was due to the release of three console titles in the first three quarters of the prior fiscal year as compared to no titles released to date in fiscal 1998, as the Company has strategically focused on PC CD-ROM products in the current fiscal year. The three fiscal 1997 titles (all for the SONY PLAYSTATION-Registered Trademark-) were TOP GUN: FIRE AT WILL, GUNSHIP 2000, and X-COM: TERROR FROM THE DEEP. Third-party distribution revenue includes shipments of computer software and related products published or manufactured by third parties and distributed by the Company. This revenue is generally derived under either standard, low-margin distribution agreements (which include the purchase and resale of products) or high-margin, lower revenue agency relationships (under which the Company earns a commission or agency fee). The increases in third party distribution revenue were due largely to the European release in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 of WORMS II, a distribution title which is being published in Europe by the third-party developer and marketed by the Company. Partially offsetting these increases were declines in revenue due to a shift in strategic focus in Germany from distribution to higher-margin agency-related revenue. Gross profit consisted of the following (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS): [Enlarge/Download Table] % of Consolidated Net Amount Revenue -------------------- -------------------- 1997 1996 % CHANGE 1997 1996 -------------------- -------- -------------------- Three months ended December 31 $ 4,642 $ 22,000 (78.9%) 31.3% 61.3% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Nine months ended December 31 $ 23,638 $ 47,400 (50.1%) 49.6% 62.1% -------------------- -------- -------------------- -------------------- -------- -------------------- Gross profit as a percent of consolidated net revenue declined in the third quarter due to an increased proportion of revenue generated from third-party developed titles. The Company's two most significant product releases in the December 1997 quarter were third-party developed products, one of which was a low-margin distribution title. In addition, margins were adversely impacted by declining average selling prices for back catalog titles, mostly in Europe. Partially offsetting the decreases in gross profit in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 1998 was a reduction in shipments of Sony PlayStation titles which generally have lower margins than PC products. The following table sets forth operating expenses, interest and other income (expense) and extraordinary items (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS): [Enlarge/Download Table] % of Consolidated Net AMOUNT Revenue -------------------- -------------------- Three months ended December 31: 1997 1996 % CHANGE 1997 1996 -------------------- -------- -------------------- Sales and marketing $ 4,223 $ 5,086 (17.0%) 28.4% 14.2% General and administrative 3,240 4,508 (28.1%) 21.8% 12.5% Research and development 8,106 5,959 36.0% 54.6% 16.6% -------------------- -------------------- Total operating expenses $ 15,569 $ 15,553 0.1% 104.8% 43.3% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Interest and other income (expense), net $ (89) $ (391) (77.2%) (0.6%) (1.1%) -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (131) $ 398 -- (0.9%) 1.1% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- 11
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MICROPROSE, INC. [Enlarge/Download Table] % of Consolidated Net AMOUNT Revenue -------------------- -------------------- Nine months ended December 31: 1997 1996 % CHANGE 1997 1996 -------------------- -------- -------------------- Sales and marketing $ 13,118 $ 14,679 (10.6%) 27.6% 19.2% General and administrative 8,391 11,952 (29.8%) 17.6% 15.7% Research and development 20,174 17,862 12.9% 42.3% 23.4% -------------------- -------------------- Total operating expenses $ 41,683 $ 44,493 (6.3%) 87.5% 58.3% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Interest and other income (expense), net $ (3,056) $ 797 (483.4%) (6.4%) 1.0% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (131) $ 398 -- (0.3%) 0.5% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Extraordinary item, net of tax effect $ -- $ 3,547 (100.0%) -- 4.6% -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Sales and marketing expenses declined in fiscal 1998 due mostly to declining net revenue and associated variable marketing and selling costs. General and administrative costs were down in fiscal 1998 due mostly to a decline in bad debt charges ($0.6 million and $2.5 million for the three and nine-month periods, respectively) related to the improved stability of certain customers, and to a $1.0 million reduction in incentive compensation due to lower operating profits. Partially offsetting these amounts was a $0.7 million charge in the December 1997 quarter to write-off costs associated with the proposed merger with GT Interactive, which was terminated during the quarter. Research and development costs were up in the most recent three-month and nine-month periods due to a $2.0 million charge in the quarter ended December 31, 1997, to write-off unrealizable third-party royalty advances. This write-off was made primarily due to lower than anticipated holiday sell-through, mostly due to one third-party developed title. The change in other income and expense for the nine-month period ended December 31, 1997, was due to the following factors: 1) in the first quarter of fiscal 1998, a $2.6 million charge was recorded to write-down the Company's equity investment in Total Entertainment Network, Inc. due to management's determination that a decline in fair value had occurred that was other than temporary in nature, 2) a $1.9 million gain was recorded in the first quarter of the prior year related to the sale of the Company's investment in FASA Interactive Technologies, Inc., and 3) lower interest costs were incurred in the first nine months of fiscal 1998 due to a reduction in indebtedness outstanding. The changes in the tax provision (benefit) during fiscal 1998 are due to the net losses generated. The extraordinary item recorded in the prior year reflects the gains realized upon the repurchase and the conversion to equity of a portion of the Company's notes payable at a discount from face value. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Cash decreased to $24.1 million and working capital decreased to $20.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 1998. The main uses of cash and cash equivalents in fiscal 1998 to date were to fund operating losses, royalty advances, bonuses earned in fiscal 1997 and a Series A preferred stock repurchase. 12
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MICROPROSE, INC. The Company has authorized 9,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value, of which 4,000,000 shares are designated Series A redeemable preferred stock ("Series A Stock"). During the quarter ended December 31, 1997, 2,000,000 of the outstanding shares of Series A Stock were redeemed for approximately $2.7 million. At December 31, 1997, there were 2,000,000 shares of Series A Stock outstanding which are convertible into 98,039 shares of common stock and which accrue dividends at an annual rate of 7%. Preferred stockholders receive one vote for each common share into which their preferred shares are convertible. The Series A Stock is redeemable for $1.00 per share plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends (total redemption of $2.7 million as of December 31, 1997) (i) at any time by the Company, or (ii) in its entirety commencing on September 24, 1998, upon written demand of holders of the majority of Series A Stock. Management believes that existing cash and cash equivalents, together with cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet the Company's liquidity and capital needs for at least the next 12 months. RISK FACTORS THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS PROSPECTS. TERMINATED BUSINESS COMBINATION. In October 1997, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to merge with GT Interactive Software Corp. Under the terms of the proposed merger, the Company's outstanding shares of common and preferred stock were to be exchanged for a proportional number of shares of GT stock. On December 5, 1997, the Company and GT announced the mutual agreement to terminate the definitive merger agreement. The termination of the merger agreement has had an adverse impact on (a) the Company's sales and operating results, (b) the Company's ability to attract and retain key sales and administrative personnel, (c) the progress of certain development projects and (d) the trading price of the Company's Common Stock. There can be no assurance that the termination of the merger will not continue to adversely impact the Company's business and results of operations in future periods. NASDAQ LISTING. As of December 31, 1997, the Company is not in compliance with the current net tangible assets requirement of The Nasdaq Stock Market ("NASDAQ") for continued listing on The Nasdaq National Market. However, new listing requirements taking effect February 23, 1998, include alternative requirements for continued listing. The Company is considering a number of options for meeting the new requirements, including a reverse stock split, and has been proactive in initiating a dialog with NASDAQ with respect to these new requirements. Until the Company completes the steps necessary to address this situation and those steps have been approved by NASDAQ, there can be no assurance that the Company will be in compliance with the National Market listing requirements. If the Company is unable to comply with the new National Market listing requirements, the Company believes that it will qualify for listing under The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. If for any reason the Company is unable to achieve and maintain compliance with the SmallCap listing requirements and is delisted from both the Nasdaq National Market and The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the holders of the Company's 6.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2002 (the "Notes") would be entitled to require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of such holders' Notes for cash at a price equal to the principal amount plus accrued interest. In such event, the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition would likely be materially and adversely affected. COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND YEAR 2000 Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to accept only two digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish twenty-first century dates from twentieth century dates. As a result, many companies' software and computer systems may need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. Although the Company is planning to upgrade its systems before the Year 2000 to be Year 2000 compliant, the Company currently utilizes third-party equipment and software that is not Year 2000 compliant. Failure of the Company's third-party equipment or software to meet the Company's Year 2000 system requirements by the Year 2000 would require the Company to incur unanticipated expenses to remedy any problems, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. Operating Results. The Company reported net losses for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 1998 of $10.9 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share, and $21.0 million, or $0.75 per diluted common share, respectively. Although the Company reported net income for the year ended March 31, 1997 of $8.0 million or $0.28 per share, the Company had net losses of approximately $39.8 million, $18.1 million and $58.5 million for fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. There can be no assurance that the Company's business strategies and tactics will be successful or that the Company will be able to generate profitability in future quarterly or annual periods. FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS; SEASONALITY. The Company's operating results have varied significantly in the past, and are expected to vary significantly in the future. This variability is a result of factors such as: 1) volume shipments of significant new products, 2) the degree of market acceptance of the Company's products, 3) the introduction of products 13
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MICROPROSE, INC. competitive with those of the Company, 4) the timing and market acceptance of new hardware and software product introductions, 5) the size and growth rate of the consumer software market, 6) the seasonality of sales, 7) development and promotional expenses relating to the introduction of new products or new versions of existing products, 8) product returns and markdowns, 9) changes in pricing policies by the Company and its competitors, 10) the accuracy of retailers' forecasts of consumer demand, 11) the timing of orders from major customers, 12) order cancellations, 13) delays of shipment, and 14) write-offs of advance royalty payments. Because a majority of the unit sales for a product typically occurs in the first 90 to 120 days following the introduction of the product, the Company's revenue may increase significantly in a period in which a major product introduction occurs and may decline in following periods or in periods in which there are no major product introductions. The Company's expenses are based, in part, on expected future revenue. Certain overhead and product development expenses are fixed and do not vary directly in relation to revenue. Consequently, if net revenue is below expectations, the Company's operating results are likely to be materially and adversely affected. In certain past periods the Company's revenue or operating results were below the expectations of, and certain new products were not introduced when anticipated by, public market analysts and investors. These circumstances could recur in future periods, and in such event, the prices of the Company's common stock and Notes would likely be materially and adversely affected. The entertainment software business is highly seasonal. Typically, net revenue is highest during the last calendar quarter (which includes the holiday buying season), declines in the first calendar quarter, is lowest in the second and increases in the third calendar quarter. This seasonal pattern is due primarily to the increased demand for entertainment software products during the year-end holiday buying season. The Company's net revenue, however, is largely dependent on releases of major new products and, as such, may not necessarily reflect the seasonal patterns of the industry as a whole. The Company expects that its net revenue and operating results will continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. SIGNIFICANT LEVERAGE. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had outstanding indebtedness for borrowed funds of approximately $32.4 million and cumulative manditorily redeemable preferred stock of $2.9 million. This substantial leverage will have several important consequences for the Company's future operations, including the following: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flows from operations will be dedicated to the payment of interest on, and principal of, its indebtedness; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future for capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes may be impaired; and (iii) the Company's ability to withstand competitive pressures, adverse economic conditions and adverse changes in governmental regulations and to make acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of significant business opportunities that may arise may be negatively impacted. The Company, in the future, may enter into lines of credit or other borrowing arrangements, any of which would add to the total outstanding indebtedness of the Company. The Company's ability to meet its debt service obligations and to reduce its total indebtedness will be dependent upon the Company's future performance, which will be subject to financial, business and other factors affecting the operations of the Company, many of which are beyond its control. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service its debt, it may be required to convert or refinance all or a portion of such debt, including the Notes (see below), or to obtain additional financing. However, there can be no assurance that any refinancing would be possible or that any additional financing could be obtained. DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS; PRODUCT DELAYS. A significant portion of the Company's fiscal year revenue is generated by products introduced during that fiscal year. The Company depends on both the timely introduction of successful new products or sequels to existing products to replace declining revenue from older products and continued revenue from back-catalogue products. If for any reason revenue from new products or other activities fails to replace declining revenue from existing products, or if revenue from back-catalogue titles declines significantly, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. In order to maintain or grow its current revenue levels, the Company believes it will be necessary to develop or obtain rights to new products that achieve and sustain market acceptance, are developed for the appropriate platforms and are introduced in a timely manner. The Company is continuing to devote considerable resources toward the development of new products and has 14
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MICROPROSE, INC. secured rights to intellectual properties and technologies owned by third parties. As is typical in the industry, while the Company maintains internally developed release schedules, there can be no assurance that new products under development will be released on schedule or at all, that third party technology will be delivered or completed on schedule, or that the Company's products will generate significant revenue. Historically, the Company has frequently missed product release schedules. To the extent that major new products are not released on schedule, both net revenue and gross profit are likely to be materially and adversely affected. In addition, as access to distribution channels and retail shelf space becomes increasingly competitive, the Company's ability to produce and bring to market new and compelling products in a timely fashion plays an increasingly important role in the Company's ability to retain adequate access to these channels and retail shelf space. The Company's current production schedules contemplate that the Company will commence shipments of a number of new products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998 and in fiscal 1999. As with any software product, however, until all aspects of the development and initial distribution of a game are completed, there can be no assurance of its release date. Release dates will vary depending on quality assurance testing and other development factors. If the Company were unable to commence volume shipments of a significant new product during the scheduled quarter, the Company's revenue and earnings would likely be materially and adversely affected in that quarter. In the past, the Company has experienced significant delays in the introduction of certain new products. It is likely in the future that certain new products will not be released in accordance with the Company's internal development schedule or the expectations of public market analysts and investors. A significant delay in the introduction of, or the presence of a defect in, one or more new products could have a material adverse effect on the ultimate success of such products and on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition, particularly in the quarter in which such products are scheduled to be introduced. The process of developing software products such as those offered by the Company is extremely complex and is expected to become more complex and expensive in the future as consumers demand products with more sophisticated and elaborate multimedia features and as new platforms and technologies are supported. At the same time, the introduction of new technologies and competitive products, the increase in competition for retail shelf space among software products and other factors may cause the effective lives of the Company's products to become shorter and the Company's ability to introduce new products on a timely basis to become increasingly important. UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE; UNPREDICTABLE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLES. Consumer preferences for entertainment software products are continually and rapidly changing and are extremely difficult to predict. In addition, a majority of the unit sales for a product typically occurs in the first 90 to 120 days after the product is introduced, and, therefore, the Company cannot rely on the sales of current products to sustain its business in the future. There can be no assurance that new products introduced by the Company will achieve any significant degree of market acceptance, or that acceptance, if achieved, will be sustained for any significant period. Failure of new products or platforms to achieve or sustain market acceptance would have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the Company does not carry significant inventory of its new products. As a result, significant production delays would have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business and operating results. Further, if demand for a particular product is greater than anticipated, the Company may not have sufficient inventory to meet customer demands. COMPETITION. The entertainment software industry is intensely competitive. The Company's competitors vary in size from very small companies with limited resources to very large corporations with greater financial, marketing and product development resources than those of the Company. The Company competes primarily with other developers of PC entertainment and video game entertainment software. Significant competitors of the Company in the entertainment software industry include Electronic Arts, Cendant (formerly CUC International), Lucas Arts, Interplay, GT Interactive, Acclaim Entertainment, Broderbund Software, Activision and Virgin Interactive. The success of one or more of these companies or the entry and participation of new companies, including diversified entertainment companies, may adversely affect the Company's future performance. The availability of significant financial resources has become a major competitive factor in the entertainment software industry, principally as a result of the technical sophistication of advanced multimedia computer game products requiring substantial investments in research and development and the 15
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MICROPROSE, INC. increasing need to license products and rights to use other intellectual properties from third parties. Also, competitors with large product lines and popular titles typically have greater leverage with retailers and distributors and other customers who may be willing to promote titles with less consumer appeal in addition to such competitors' most popular titles. Many of the Company's competitors are developing on-line interactive computer games that will be competitive with the Company's products. As competition increases, significant price competition and reduced profit margins may result. In addition, competition from new technologies may reduce demand in markets in which the Company has traditionally competed. Prolonged price competition or reduced demand as a result of competing technologies would have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating results. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to compete successfully against current or future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not materially and adversely affect its business, operating results and financial condition. Retailers of the Company's products typically have a limited amount of shelf space and promotional resources, and there is intense competition among consumer software producers for adequate levels of shelf space and promotional support from retailers. To the extent that the number of consumer software products and computer platforms increases, this competition for shelf space may intensify. Due to increased competition for limited shelf space, retailers and distributors are increasingly in a better position to negotiate favorable terms of sale, including promotional discounts and product return policies. Retailers often require software publishers to pay fees in exchange for preferred shelf space. The Company's products constitute a relatively small percentage of a retailer's sales volume, and there can be no assurance that retailers will continue to purchase the Company's products or provide the Company's products with adequate levels of shelf space and promotional support. As more consumers own multimedia PCs, the distribution channels for entertainment software have changed, and are expected to continue to change, to increasingly depend on mass merchandisers, online services and the Internet to reach the broader market. In addition, while this trend has increased the number of distribution channels, it has intensified competition for shelf space because these new channels generally carry only top-selling titles. In addition, other types of retail outlets and methods of product distribution, such as on-line services and the Internet, may become important in the future, and it will be important for the Company to gain access to these channels of distribution. There can be no assurance that the Company will gain such access or that the Company's access will allow the Company to maintain its historical levels of sales volume. CONCENTRATION OF CUSTOMER BASE; RISK OF CUSTOMER BUSINESS FAILURE; PRODUCT RETURNS. The Company principally sells its products to retailers and distributors, who resell the products to consumers. During the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 1997, sales to the top ten such customers represented approximately 46% and 51%, respectively, of the Company's net revenue. Sales are typically made on credit, with terms that vary depending upon the customer and the nature of the product. The Company does not require collateral to secure payment. Retailers and distributors compete in a volatile industry and are subject to the risk of business failure. The business failure of a significant distributor or customer could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The Company is exposed to the risk of product returns from distributors and retailers. The Company currently maintains a stock balancing policy that allows distributors and retailers to return products subject to certain conditions. The Company provides reserves for returns that it believes are adequate, and the Company's agreements with various customers place certain limits on product returns. However, new product introductions by the Company or its competitors, or changes in consumer demand from that anticipated, could cause customers to seek to return inventory to the Company. Due to the unpredictability of consumer demand and the uncertainties associated with a rapidly changing market, there can be no assurance that the Company or its customers will be able to forecast demand accurately. Any significant amount of product returns or markdowns could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. 16
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MICROPROSE, INC. DEPENDENCE UPON STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS. The Company's business strategy relies to a significant extent on its strategic relationships with other companies and on its alliances with key developers. Certain agreements allow third parties to approve a product prior to its release, and therefore, subject the product to delay. The Company is also in negotiations for extension or renewal of certain licenses that have expired or are about to expire. There can be no assurance that the Company's relationships will be successful or that the Company will continue to maintain and develop strategic relationships, or that licenses between the Company and any third party will be renewed or extended at their expiration dates. The Company's failure to renew or extend a key license or maintain its strategic relationships could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, under certain key license agreements, the Company must obtain approval on a timely basis from the licensor in order to market products it develops under the license. There can be no assurance that the Company will obtain such approval, and failure to do so could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's operating results, financial condition and business prospects. The Company has made certain minority equity investments that it believes will provide future access to products, technologies or distribution channels. Management performs ongoing evaluations of the future realization of these investments, and charges any declines in value that are other than temporary in nature to other expense in its quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations. A write down of one or more of these investments could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results and financial condition. CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT PLATFORMS. The market for entertainment software, including entertainment software platforms, is undergoing rapid technological change. As a result, the Company must continually anticipate and adapt its products to emerging platforms and evolving consumer preferences. The introduction of new platforms and technologies can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. Development of entertainment software products for new hardware platforms requires substantial investments in research and development for technologies such as enhanced sound, digitized speech, music and video and requires the Company to anticipate and develop products for those platforms that will ultimately be successful. Such research and development efforts, which generally require 12 to 24 months, must occur well in advance of the release of new platforms in order to introduce products on a timely basis following the release of such platforms. In addition, the Company expects that the trend toward more complex multimedia products and increasing product development costs will continue for the foreseeable future. Although the Company intends to develop and market games for certain advanced and emerging platforms, these development and marketing efforts may require greater financial and technical resources than those currently possessed by the Company. In addition, there can be no assurance that the platforms for which the Company develops products will achieve market acceptance and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's development efforts with respect to such new platforms will lead to marketable products or products that generate sufficient revenue to offset research and development costs incurred in connection with their development. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing products for new platforms. Failure to develop products for new platforms that achieve significant market acceptance may have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The Company is developing games that may be played interactively over on-line services and the Internet, but there can be no assurance that the market for networked videogame play will evolve or develop as anticipated. Consumer preferences change continually and are extremely difficult to predict. Even if a market for networked videogame play develops, no assurance can be given that the Company's products will meet the requirements of such market and achieve market acceptance. The Company is heavily dependent on the success of the entertainment software developed for use on the PC. However, there are multiple, competing and incompatible formats being introduced in this new market. There can be no assurance that the Company's strategy of developing primarily for the PC or the other platforms the Company chooses to support ultimately will be successful. The development, marketing and distribution of products for game consoles the Company chooses to support will involve substantial investment and risks. The Company believes that the principal target audience for game consoles may be younger than the Company's traditional customers, and there can be no assurance that the Company's products will be successful with this different audience. In addition, the Company anticipates that products in the game console market will require substantially greater expenditures for marketing, advertising and inventory buildup, often before the market acceptance of a product is known. Inventory will be two or more times more 17
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MICROPROSE, INC. expensive as a result of license fees that are required to be prepaid to the manufacturers of the hardware platforms. Further, game console products will be sold through channels that overlap with, but are somewhat different from, the retail channels currently utilized by the Company, and the Company will be competing in distribution against much larger organizations with greater financial resources. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in marketing and distributing software for game consoles. RISK OF SOFTWARE ERRORS OR FAILURES. Software products as complex as those offered by the Company may contain undetected errors when first introduced or when new versions are released. In the past, the Company has discovered software errors in certain of its product offerings after their introduction and has experienced delays or lost revenue during the period required to correct these errors. The Company's products must maintain compatibility with certain hardware, software and accessories. Any changes that result in incompatibility could result in significant product returns and customer service costs. In particular, the PC hardware environment is characterized by a wide variety of nonstandard peripherals (such as sound and graphics cards) and configurations that make prerelease testing for programming or compatibility errors very difficult and time consuming. There can be no assurance that, despite testing by the Company, errors will not be found in new products or releases after commencement of commercial shipments, resulting in loss of or delay in market acceptance, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The risk of undetected product errors can be expected to increase as products and their development processes become more complex and as growing competition leads to increased pressure to reduce time to market. DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; MANAGEMENT CHANGES. The Company's future success depends in large part on the continued service of its key product development, technical and management personnel and on its ability to continue to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees, including additional management personnel. The loss of certain key employees could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business. In addition, the Company depends on teams of programmers, game designers and artists. Competition for these skilled employees is intense, and the loss of the services of key development personnel could have a material and adverse effect upon the Company's current business, new product development efforts and prospects. There can be no assurance that qualified personnel can be readily identified and hired wherever necessary, that any new personnel will be successfully integrated into the Company, its operations and culture, or that new personnel, if hired, will improve the Company's business, operations or operating results. The Company does not currently have key person life insurance on any employees. USE OF INDEPENDENT SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS. In addition to marketing internally developed software, the Company also markets entertainment software created in whole or in part by independent software developers. The cost to retain independent developers is increasing in the form of guaranteed advances and royalties. Additionally, the Company has less control over the scheduling and the quality of work of independent contractors than that of its own employees. Furthermore, the Company's agreements to publish and market certain independent software developers' titles will terminate after specified dates unless renewed. The Company's business and future operating results will depend in part on the Company's continued ability to attract and maintain relationships with skilled independent software developers, and to enter into and renew product development agreements with such developers. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain such relationships or enter into and renew such agreements. In addition, there can be no assurance that future products which incorporate software developed by third parties will be released in accordance with internal delivery schedules or at all. INTERNATIONAL REVENUE. International net revenue represented approximately 86%, 70%, 64%, and 49% of the Company's net revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 1997, and for fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company expects that international net revenue will continue to account for a significant portion of its net revenue in future periods. International revenue is subject to inherent risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other economic barriers, fluctuating exchange rates, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations and the possibility of difficulty in accounts receivable collection. The Company attempts to minimize its exposure to currency fluctuations by entering into forward currency contracts, however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful at mitigating currency risks. In some markets, localization of the Company's products is essential to achieve market penetration. The Company may incur substantial costs and 18
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MICROPROSE, INC. experience delays in localizing its products, and there can be no assurance that any localized product will ever generate significant revenue. These or other factors could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's future international revenue and, consequently, on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. RECOVERY OF PREPAID ROYALTIES AND GUARANTEES. The Company, from time to time, enters into agreements with licensors of intellectual property and developers of games that involve royalty advances and guaranteed minimum royalty payments. If the future anticipated sales volumes of products subject to such arrangements are not sufficient to recover such advances and guarantees, the Company provides a reserve for the anticipated portion of such payments that will not be recovered. If existing advances are determined to be unrecoverable in future periods, the Company's results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Company regards the software that it owns or licenses as proprietary and relies primarily on a combination of copyrights, trade secret laws, patent and trademark laws, nondisclosure agreements and other copy protection methods to protect its proprietary rights to its products. It is the Company's policy that all employees and third-party developers sign nondisclosure agreements. There can be no assurance that these measures will be sufficient to protect the Company's intellectual property rights against infringement. The Company owns or licenses various trademarks and copyrights. However, the Company has only standard "shrink wrap" license agreements or no license agreements at all with the end users of its products and does not copy-protect its software. The Company relies largely on the copyright laws to prevent unauthorized distribution of its software. Existing copyright laws afford only limited protection. It may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy the Company's products or to reverse engineer or otherwise obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult, and software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. Further, the laws of certain countries in which the Company's products are, or may be, distributed do not protect the Company's products and intellectual rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The Company believes that its products, trademarks and other proprietary rights do not infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties. As the number of entertainment software products in the industry increases, the Company believes that software increasingly will become the subject of claims that such software infringes upon the rights of others. From time to time, the Company has received communications from parties asserting that features or content of certain of its products may infringe upon intellectual property rights of such parties. The Company believes such claims have been without merit. To date, no such claims have had an adverse effect on the Company's ability to develop, market or sell its products. There can be no assurance that existing or future infringement claims against the Company will not result in costly litigation or require the Company to license the intellectual property rights of parties. There can be no assurance that such licenses will be available on reasonable terms or at all. VOLATILITY OF PRICE OF STOCK AND NOTES. There has been a history of significant volatility in the market prices of companies engaged in the entertainment software industry, including the Company. It is likely that the market price of the Company's common stock will continue to be highly volatile and the price of the Company's Notes will also be subject to such fluctuations. Factors such as the timing and market acceptance of new product introductions by the Company, the introduction of new products by the Company's competitors, loss of key personnel of the Company, variations in quarterly operating results or changes in market conditions in the entertainment software industry may have a significant impact on the market price of the Company's common stock and Notes. In the past, the Company has experienced fluctuations in its operating results, and it is likely that in some future quarter the Company's revenue or operating results will be below the expectations of, and certain new products will not be introduced when anticipated by, public market analysts and investors. In such event, the price of the Company's common stock would likely be materially adversely affected. Volatility in the price of the Company's common stock, changes in prevailing interest rates and changes in perceptions of the Company's creditworthiness may in the future adversely affect the price of the Notes. 19
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MICROPROSE, INC. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Other than as set forth below, no material developments occurred with regard to legal proceedings in this quarter. On November 12, 1997, a lawsuit entitled Activision, Inc. and The Avalon Hill Game Company v. MicroProse Software, Inc., MicroProse, Inc., and Spectrum HoloByte, Inc., Case No. 97-8302ER, was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint alleged causes of action for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false designation of origin, false advertising, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices in connection with the Company's publication of certain CIVILIZATION computer game products. On January 21, 1998, the Company and its Maryland subsidiary, MicroProse Software, Inc., filed an action against Activision, Inc. and The Avalon Hill Game Company in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The Company's complaint alleges that the defendants have engaged in false advertising, trademark infringement, and unfair business practices in connection with announced plans to develop and publish CIVILIZATION computer games under a claimed licensing relationship between Activision and Avalon Hill. The Company also seeks cancellation of Avalon Hill's related trademark registration. On February 4, 1998, Activision and Avalon Hill filed a First Amended Complaint, correcting certain statements in their original complaint and adding claims for declaratory relief and cancellation of the Company's related trademark registration. The action was served upon the Company for the first time on February 5, 1998. Both the Company and opposing parties are seeking damages and injunctive relief with respect to publication of future CIVILIZATION products. The Company intends to defend itself and pursue its claims vigorously in these actions. However, in the event that the Company should not prevail in the lawsuit filed by Activision and Avalon Hill, the Company may not be able to ship or sell certain of its products and may be required to pay damages, both of which would have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results, and financial condition of the Company. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (A) THE FOLLOWING EXHIBITS ARE FILED HEREWITH: [Download Table] Exhibit Number Description ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1+ Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant 3.2+ Amended Bylaws of Registrant 4.1+ Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant 4.2+ Warrants issuable to the Grotech Investors and Corporate Venture Partners, L.P., dated as of October 17, 1991 4.3+ Form of Warrant issuable to Paragon Investors, dated July 1992 4.4+ Form of Warrant, issued to Ince & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, File No. 0-19463, filed on December 31, 1994) 4.5+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 12, 1995 by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Stephen Barcia and Maria Barcia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 0-19463, filed on June 27, 1995) 4.6+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and IPWEL LTD (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 20
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MICROPROSE, INC. [Download Table] Exhibit Number Description ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.7+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and GFL Advantage Fund Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.8+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and GFL Advantage Fund Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.9+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Banque Scandinave en Suisse (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.10+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 25, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and PJP International, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.11+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Tanner, Owen & Co. Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.12+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 6, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Tanner, Owen & Co. Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 33-94580, filed October 24, 1995) 4.13+ Indenture, dated as of September 15, 1995, between Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Chemical Trust Company of California (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 0-19463, filed October 17, 1995) 4.14+ Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 26, 1995, by and among Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and Robertson, Stephens & Company, L.P., Jefferies & Company, Inc. and Piper Jaffray Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 0-19463, filed October 17, 1995) 4.15+ Certificate of Designation for Series B Convertible Preferred Stock 4.16+ Certificate of Designation for Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock 10.1+ Form of Purchase Agreement, by and between Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. and certain investors, effective June 26, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Spectrum HoloByte, Inc.'s Registration on Form S-3, File No. 333-08385, filed July 18, 1996) 27.1 Statement Re: Financial Data Schedule + Previously filed. (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K: October 15, 1997 - Item 5 - Other events - Reporting that MicroProse, Inc. had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with GT Interactive Software Corp. and Swan Acquisition Corp. (a wholly owned subsidiary of GT Interactive Software Corp.). 21
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MICROPROSE, INC. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements 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, on October 13, 1997. MICROPROSE, INC. By: /s/ Stephen M. Race -------------------------------------- Stephen M. Race CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACTING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND DIRECTOR 22

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