Gigamedia : Future shift in focus from PC to Mobile
Friday, November 18, 2011 : STRATEGY SHIFT FOR GIGAMEDIA
Future shift in focus from PC to Mobile
Online gaming firm GigaMedia Limited has announced its intention to undergo an intensive company restructuring in its third-quarter financial results presentation that saw the company deliver revenues of $7.98 million, down 12 percent compared to its second quarter and flat year-over-year.
GigaMedia, an online entertainment software and services provider, develops and operates a suite of online games in Asia covering the regions of Greater China and Southeast Asia. GigaMedia also retain a 40 percent equity interest in Mangas Everest ("Everest Gaming").
The firm's chief executive candidly admitted GigaMedia's current weaknesses are inefficient business unit operations and offerings that are not broad or deep enough.
"We are making incremental improvements but need to restructure to respond to an ongoing, dramatic shift in online gaming from PCs to mobile devices," said chief executive officer Yichin Lee.
"Starting in the fourth quarter we will change course. We will build a more complete online games business with a broader and deeper portfolio supported by specific development capabilities for different game genres. We will also extend our platform to mobile devices."
Key performance highlights include:
– Group consolidated revenues for Q3/2011 held steady at $7.8 million (Q3/2010: $7.8 million)
– Asian online games business in Q3/2011 were stable year-over-year but decreased 12 percent compared to the second quarter.
– FunTown Q3/2011 revenues increased to $6.3 million (Q3/2010: $5.3 million), but were down from $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2011.
– IAHGames revenues came in at $1.5 million, down from $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2011.
– GigaMedia's 40 percent share in Everest Gaming yielded:
– A total net loss of $14.0 million for the period; consequently, GigaMedia took an investment loss of $5.6 million for its 40 percent interest in the company.
– Everest Gaming's total revenues amounted to $12.4 million, including poker revenues of $9.2 million with 111 000 active depositing players and 27 000 new depositing players in the period.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are convinced our strategy will provide us with substantial opportunities for growth, stronger performance, and increased shareholder value," said Lee.
