Snail, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 26, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Mar 26, 2025
SNAL$1.95+7.1%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-04-01.
0001493152-24-012392
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-26.
0001641172-25-000784
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 163 previous paragraphs and 185 current paragraphs.
140 unchanged; 19 reworded; 26 added; 4 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 7 previous and 36 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (26)
Current report
On April 15, 2024, Jim S. Tsai notified the Company of his decision to resign from his position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and all of the Company’s subsidiaries, including, Snail Games USA, Inc., with such resignation effective April 15, 2024; however, Mr. Tsai remained with the Company for a 30-day transition period. In conjunction with Mr. Tsai’s resignation as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Company appointed Hai Shi and Xuedong (Tony) Tian to serve as the Company’s new Co-Chief Executive Officers, effective April 15, 2024. We are highly dependent on the expertise, skill and knowledge of Mr. Shi, our Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Tian, our other Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Peter Kang, our Vice President and Director of Business Development and Operations.
Current report
Risk of Service Disruptions Due to Large-Scale Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
Current report
Our online game servers are vulnerable to Distributed Denial-of-Service (“DDoS) attacks, we are increasingly targeted by large-scale DDoS attacks, which have, at times, overwhelmed our game servers despite our implementation of advanced DDoS protection measures, it can disrupt gameplay, impact players experience, and harm our reputation. Recently, we have experienced waves of exceptionally large DDoS attacks that exceeded our mitigation capacity, causing prolonged server outages and disrupting player access to our games.
Current report
If we are unable to effectively prevent or mitigate future DDoS attacks, our services may experience repeated disruptions, negatively impacting the player experience, damaging our reputation, and leading to decreased user engagement and retention. Additionally, prolonged downtime could result in lost revenue, increased customer support costs, and potential refunds. Furthermore, as cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and scale, strengthening our defenses may require significant additional investment in infrastructure, third-party security services, or other protective measures. If such attacks persist or escalate, they could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Current report
We intend to regularly review our engagement metrics, including the number of our active users, paying users, and other measures to evaluate growth trends, performance and to make informed strategic decisions. These metrics are calculated using internal company data and have not been validated by an independent third party. While these numbers are based on what we currently believe to be reasonable estimates for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring, thus metrics calculations may be inaccurate, and we may not be able to identify those inaccuracies. In addition, we may implement new methodologies for calculating these metrics, which may result in the metrics changing or decreasing from prior periods or not being comparable to prior periods.
Current report
Expansion of the Company’s operations into new products, services and technologies, including content categories, is inherently risky and may subject it to additional business, legal, financial and competitive risks.
Current report
Expansion of the Company’s operations and its marketplace into additional products and services, such as short film drama involve numerous risks and challenges, including potential new competition, increased capital requirements and increased marketing spent to achieve customer awareness of these new products and services. Growth into additional content, product and service areas may require changes to the Company’s existing business model and cost structure and modifications to its infrastructure and may expose the Company to new regulatory and legal risks, any of which may require expertise in areas in which the Company has little or no experience. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenue from sales of such products and services to offset the costs of developing, acquiring, managing and monetizing such products and services and the Company’s business may be adversely affected.
Current report
If our efforts to attract and retain users are not successful, our business will be adversely affected.
Current report
Our short film revenue is derived from in-app currency spend. We must continually add users and convert them to paying users. The video streaming business is new to us and our ability to penetrate and grow our user base may fluctuate. Our ability to attract and retain users and convert them to paying users will depend in part on our ability to consistently provide our users in countries around the globe with compelling content choices that keep our users engaged with our service, effectively drive conversation around our content and service, as well as provide quality experience for choosing and enjoying our short film dramas. Furthermore, the relative service levels, content offerings, pricing and related features of competitors to our service may adversely impact on our ability to attract and retain users. Competitors include other entertainment video providers, such as linear television, and streaming entertainment providers.
Current report
Paying user growth is also impacted by adverse macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, may also adversely impact our ability to attract and retain paying users our business will be adversely affected.
Current report
If we do not continuously provide value to our users, including making improvements to our service in a manner that is favorably received by them, our revenue, results of operations and business will be adversely affected.
Current report
If consumers do not perceive our service offering to be of value, including if we introduce new or adjust existing features, adjust pricing or service offerings, or change the mix of content in a manner that is not favorably received by them, we may not be able to attract and retain paying users, and accordingly, our revenue, including revenue per paying user, and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Current report
We may, from time to time, adjust our in-app pricing, or our pricing model itself. Any adjustments we make may not be well received by our users and could negatively impact our ability to attract and retain paying users, and as a result, our ability to grow our business will be adversely affected.
Current report
If we fail to grow and maintain our active user base, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
Current report
The size of our active user base with our products are critical to our success. We are new to the short film drama business. Our financial performance has been and will continue to be significantly affected by our ability to grow and engage our active user base. In addition, we may fail to maintain or increase our user base or our users’ engagement if, among other things:
Current report
Failure to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements could result in the delisting of our Class A common stock, negatively impact the price of our Class A common stock and negatively impact our ability to raise additional capital.
Current report
On June 27, 2024, we received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that, for thirty (30) consecutive business days (from May 10, 2024 to June 26, 2024), the bid price for our Class A common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Bid Price Rule”). In accordance with Nasdaq rules, we were provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until December 24, 2024 (the “Compliance Date”), to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. The Staff informed the Company that if, at any time before the Compliance Date, the bid price for the Class A common stock closed at $1.00 or more for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days, the Staff would provide written notification to the Company that it complied with the Bid Price Rule and the matter will be closed.
Current report
On October 18, 2024, Nasdaq notified the Company that the Staff had determined that for ten (10) consecutive business days, from October 4, 2024, to October 17, 2024, the closing bid price of our Class A common stock has been at $1.00 per share or greater. Accordingly, the Staff informed us that we had regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and this matter is now closed.
Current report
If at any time we do not satisfy the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq, including compliance with the Bid Price Rule, within the time frame granted by Nasdaq, our Class A common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq. Any perception that we may not regain compliance or a delisting of our Class A common stock by Nasdaq could adversely affect our ability to attract new investors, decrease the liquidity of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock, reduce the price at which such shares trade and increase the transaction costs inherent in trading such shares with overall negative effects for our stockholder. In addition, delisting of our Class A common stock from Nasdaq could deter broker-dealers from making a market in or otherwise seeking or generating interest in our Class A common stock, and might deter certain institutions and persons from investing in our Class A common stock. In addition, if our Class A common stock was delisted, our Class A common stock would be subject to rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell our securities. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by these requirements could discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our Class A common stock. This would adversely affect the ability of investors to trade our Class A common stock and would adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our Class A common stock.
Current report
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because our Class A common stock is listed on Nasdaq, our shares of Class A common stock are “covered securities”. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. Further, if we were to be delisted from Nasdaq, our shares of Class A common stock would cease to be recognized as covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Current report
As mentioned above, in the event of a delisting, we would take actions to restore our compliance with the Nasdaq listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our Class A common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our Class A common stock or prevent our Class A common stock from meeting the mandatory Nasdaq listing requirements.
Current report
General economic factors, domestically and internationally, may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Current report
Higher energy and gasoline costs, inflation, levels of unemployment, healthcare costs, consumer debt levels, foreign-currency exchange rates, unsettled financial markets, weaknesses in housing and real estate markets, reduced consumer confidence, changes and uncertainties related to government fiscal and tax policies including changes in tax rates, duties, tariffs, or other restrictions, sovereign debt crises, and other economic factors could adversely affect demand for our products, require a change in product mix, or impact the cost of or ability to purchase inventory. Additionally, actions in various countries, particularly China and the United States, have created uncertainty with respect to tariff impacts on the costs of some of our merchandise. The degree of our exposure is dependent on (among other things) the type of goods, rates imposed, and timing of the tariffs. The impact to our business, including net sales and gross margin, will be influenced in part by merchandising and pricing strategies in response to potential cost increases by us and our competitors. While these potential impacts are uncertain, they could have an adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Current report
Prices of certain commodities, including gasoline and consumable goods used in manufacturing and our warehouse retail operations, are historically volatile and are subject to fluctuations arising from changes in domestic and international supply and demand, labor costs, competition, market speculation, government regulations, taxes and periodic delays in delivery. Rapid and significant changes in commodity prices and our ability and desire to pass them through to our customers may affect our sales and profit margins. These factors could also increase our merchandise costs and selling, general and administrative expenses, and otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial results. General economic conditions can also be affected by changes to the U.S.’s participation in, withdrawal out of, renegotiation of certain international trade agreements or other major trade related issues, including the non-renewal of expiring favorable tariffs granted to developing countries, tariff quotas and retaliatory tariffs, trade sanctions, new or onerous trade restrictions, embargoes and other stringent government controls.
Current report
Tariffs may cause cost increases and disruptions in technical R&D operations.
Current report
We rely substantially on third-party providers located in China and Europe to support our technical research and development initiatives. As a result, a significant portion of our R&D functions, including critical technical development and software engineering, are outsourced internationally. Recent and potential future trade policy changes, including the imposition or extension of tariffs on imported goods and services from China and Europe pose a material risk to our cost structure. Such tariffs may increase the costs of components, services, and skilled labor sourced from these regions, potentially resulting in higher operating expenses and reduced profit margins. In addition, tariff-induced supply chain disruptions could delay project timelines and necessitate a re-evaluation of our global outsourcing strategy, thereby adversely affecting our competitive position and financial performance.
Removed paragraphs (4)
Previous report
Hua Yuan International Limited, a minority stockholder, is indirectly controlled by China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Ventures Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned entity, which could subject us to risks involving U.S. -China relations and related risks.
Previous report
Hua Yuan International Limited, which beneficially owned 8.7% of our common stock and controlled 1.1% of our voting power during the year ended December 31, 2023, is indirectly controlled by China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Ventures Co., Ltd., a Chinese state-owned entity. Recent political and economic tensions between the United States and China have negatively impacted certain public companies with stockholders that are Chinese state-owned entities. For example, in May 2021, three telecommunications companies with controlling stockholders that are Chinese state-owned entities — China Mobile Limited, China Unicom and China Telecom Corp., Ltd. — announced they would be delisted by the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to U.S. investment restrictions enacted in 2020. In addition, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, enacted in December 2020, requires SEC registrants to disclose whether an issuer is owned or controlled by a governmental entity in a foreign jurisdiction that does not allow inspection by the Public Group Accounting Oversight Board, principally including issuers based in China.
Previous report
Although Hua Yuan International Limited does not own a controlling interest in us, its investment may subject us to risks related to having an indirect principal stockholder that is a Chinese state-owned entity as well as risks arising from political and economic tensions between the United States and China generally.
Reworded paragraphs (19)
Previous wording
ARKis a “hit” product and has historically accounted for a substantial portion of our revenue. TheARK franchise contributed 87.8% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our five best-selling franchises (includingARK), which may change year over year, in the aggregate accounted for 91.9% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. If we fail to continue to develop and sell new commercially successful “hit” titles or sequels to such “hit” titles or experience any delays in product releases or disruptions following the commercial release of our “hit” titles or their sequels, our revenue and profits may decrease substantially, and we may incur losses. In addition, competition in our industry is intense and a relatively small number of hit titles account for a large portion of total revenue in our industry. Hit products offered by our competitors may take a larger share of consumer spending than we anticipate, which could cause revenue generated from our products to fall below our expectations. If our competitors develop more successful products or services at lower price points or based on payment models perceived as offering better value, or if we do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well-received products and services, our revenue and profitability may decline.
Current wording
ARKis a “hit” product and has historically accounted for a substantial portion of our revenue. TheARK franchise contributed 85.1% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, and our five best-selling franchises (includingARK), which may change year over year, in the aggregate accounted for 94.0% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. If we fail to continue to develop and sell new commercially successful “hit” titles or sequels to such “hit” titles or experience any delays in product releases or disruptions following the commercial release of our “hit” titles or their sequels, our revenue and profits may decrease substantially, and we may incur losses. In addition, competition in our industry is intense and a relatively small number of hit titles account for a large portion of total revenue in our industry. Hit products offered by our competitors may take a larger share of consumer spending than we anticipate, which could cause revenue generated from our products to fall below our expectations. If our competitors develop more successful products or services at lower price points or based on payment models perceived as offering better value, or if we do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well-received products and services, our revenue and profitability may decline.
Previous wording
We license certain intellectual property rights from third parties, including related parties, and in the future, we may enter into additional agreements that provide us with licenses to valuable intellectual property rights or technology. In particular, we license intellectual property rights related to ourARK franchise from SDE, the parent company of Studio Wildcard, which is also an entity that is owned and controlled by the spouse of our Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Shi. We entered into an original exclusive software license agreement with SDE in November 2015, for the rights toARK: Survival Evolved, and subsequently entered into the amended and restated ARK1 License Agreement. In December 2022 and October 2023, we amended the ARK1 License Agreement. The terms of our license agreements with SDE may differ from those terms which would be negotiated with independent parties. In addition, we may have disputes with SDE that may impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or prospects. TheARK franchise contributed 87.8% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. Even if our games that are dependent on third-party license agreements remain popular, any of our licensors could decide not to renew our existing license agreements or not to license additional intellectual property rights to us and instead license to our competitors or develop and publish its own games or other applications, competing with us in the marketplace. Moreover, many of our licensors develop games for other platforms and may have significant experience and development resources available to them should they decide to compete with us rather than license to us. For additional information concerning our license arrangements, including licensing agreements with affiliated third parties, see Item 1 of Part I, “Business — Intellectual Property,” included in this Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Current wording
We license certain intellectual property rights from third parties, including related parties, and in the future, we may enter into additional agreements that provide us with licenses to valuable intellectual property rights or technology. In particular, we license intellectual property rights related to ourARK franchise from SDE, the parent company of Studio Wildcard, which is also an entity that is owned and controlled by the spouse of our Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Shi. We entered into an original exclusive software license agreement with SDE in November 2015, for the rights toARK: Survival Evolved, and subsequently entered into the amended and restated ARK1 License Agreement. In December 2022 and October 2023, we amended the ARK1 License Agreement. The terms of our license agreements with SDE may differ from those terms which would be negotiated with independent parties. In addition, we may have disputes with SDE that may impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or prospects. TheARK franchise contributed 85.1% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. Even if our games that are dependent on third-party license agreements remain popular, any of our licensors could decide not to renew our existing license agreements or not to license additional intellectual property rights to us and instead license to our competitors or develop and publish its own games or other applications, competing with us in the marketplace. Moreover, many of our licensors develop games for other platforms and may have significant experience and development resources available to them should they decide to compete with us rather than license to us. For additional information concerning our license arrangements, including licensing agreements with affiliated third parties, see Item 1 of Part I, “Business—Intellectual Property,” included in this Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
Our continued success will depend to a significant extent on our senior management team and maintaining positive relationships with our games’ developers, including Studio Wildcard, and the product development personnel responsible for content creation and development of ourARK franchise. We are also highly dependent on the expertise, skill and knowledge of Mr. Shi, our Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Jim Tsai, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Peter Kang, our Chief Operating Officer.
Current wording
Our continued success will depend to a significant extent on our senior management team and maintaining positive relationships with our games’ developers, including Studio Wildcard, and the product development personnel responsible for content creation and development of ourARK franchise.
Previous wording
The loss of the services of our executive officers, including Messrs. Shi, Tsai or Kang or certain key product development personnel, including those employed by studio partners, such as Studio Wildcard, could significantly harm our business. In addition, if one or more key employees were to join a competitor or form a competing company, we may lose additional personnel, experience material interruptions in product development, delays in bringing products to market and difficulties in our relationships with licensors, suppliers and customers, which would significantly harm our business. Failure to continue to attract and retain qualified management and creative personnel could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Current wording
The loss of the services of any or all of these executive officers, or certain key product development personnel, including those employed by studio partners, such as Studio Wildcard, could significantly harm our business. In addition, if one or more key employees were to join a competitor or form a competing company, we may lose additional personnel, experience material interruptions in product development, delays in bringing products to market and difficulties in our relationships with licensors, suppliers and customers, which would significantly harm our business. Failure to continue to attract and retain qualified management and creative personnel could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Previous wording
Our games are primarily purchased, accessed and operated through Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, and in the case of our mobile games, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore. Substantially all of the games, DLC and in-game virtual items that we sell are purchased using the payment processing systems of these platforms and, for the year ended December 31, 2023, 89.7% of our revenues were generated through Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Amazon Appstore. Consequently, our expansion and prospects depend on our continued relationships with these providers, and any other emerging platform providers that are widely adopted by our target players. In addition, having such a large portion of our total net revenues concentrated in a few counterparties reduces our negotiating leverage. We are subject to the standard terms and conditions that these platform providers have for game developers, which govern the content, promotion, distribution, operation of games and other applications on their platforms, as well as the terms of the payment processing services provided by the platforms, and which the platform providers can change unilaterally on short notice or without notice. As such, our business would be harmed if:
Current wording
Our games are primarily purchased, accessed and operated through Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, and in the case of our mobile games, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore. Substantially all of the games, DLC and in-game virtual items that we sell are purchased using the payment processing systems of these platforms and, for the year ended December 31, 2024, 94.6% of our revenues were generated through Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Amazon Appstore. Consequently, our expansion and prospects depend on our continued relationships with these providers, and any other emerging platform providers that are widely adopted by our target players. In addition, having such a large portion of our total net revenues concentrated in a few counterparties reduces our negotiating leverage. We are subject to the standard terms and conditions that these platform providers have for game developers, which govern the content, promotion, distribution, operation of games and other applications on their platforms, as well as the terms of the payment processing services provided by the platforms, and which the platform providers can change unilaterally on short notice or without notice. As such, our business would be harmed if:
Previous wording
We derive most of our revenue from publishing video games on third-party platform providers, such as Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, My Nintendo Store and the Amazon Appstore, which, in the aggregate, comprised 89.7% of our net revenue by product platform for the year ended December 31, 2023. The success of our business is subject to the continued popularity of these platforms and our ability to develop commercially successful products for these platforms.
Current wording
We derive most of our revenue from publishing video games on third-party platform providers, such as Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, My Nintendo Store and the Amazon Appstore, which, in the aggregate, comprised 94.6% of our net revenue by product platform for the year ended December 31, 2024. The success of our business is subject to the continued popularity of these platforms and our ability to develop commercially successful products for these platforms.
Previous wording
Failure to manage growth effectively could result in difficulty or delays in attracting new players, declines in quality or player satisfaction and demand for our games, increases in costs, difficulties in introducing new products and features or enhancing our offerings, loss of customers or consumers, difficulties in attracting or retaining talent or other operational difficulties, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Effectively managing our growth may also be more difficult to accomplish the longer that our employees, our customers and the overall economy is impacted by rising interest rates, inflation and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Current wording
Failure to manage growth effectively could result in difficulty or delays in attracting new players, declines in quality or player satisfaction and demand for our games, increases in costs, difficulties in introducing new products and features or enhancing our offerings, loss of customers or consumers, difficulties in attracting or retaining talent or other operational difficulties, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Effectively managing our growth may also be more difficult to accomplish the longer that our employees, our customers and the overall economy is impacted by rising interest rates, inflation, uncertainties related to government fiscal and tax policies, including changes in tax rates, duties, tariffs, or other restrictions, sovereign debt crises, and other economic factors and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Previous wording
Our effective tax rate was 20.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 168.5% for the year ended December 31, 2022. In general, changes in applicable U.S. federal and state and foreign tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, including the possibility of retroactive effect, could affect our tax expense. In addition, taxing authorities in many jurisdictions in which we operate may propose changes to their tax laws and regulations. These potential changes could have a material impact on our effective tax rate, long-term tax planning and financial results.
Current wording
Our effective tax rate was 25.7% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 20.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023. In general, changes in applicable U.S. federal and state and foreign tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, including the possibility of retroactive effect, could affect our tax expense. In addition, taxing authorities in many jurisdictions in which we operate may propose changes to their tax laws and regulations. These potential changes could have a material impact on our effective tax rate, long-term tax planning and financial results.
Previous wording
We have significant debt obligations coming due within one year. Our current revolving loan has a balance of $6.0 million as of December 31, 2023, and is due for repayment on December 31, 2024. In January 2024, the Company repaid $3.0 million of the revolving loan balance. Our short-term note has a balance of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2023, and has been fully repaid in January 2024. On August 24, 2023, the Company issued convertible notes at a 7.4% discount and a principal balance of $1,080,000. The notes have an interest rate of 7.5%, will be paid in consecutive monthly installments beginning February 24, 2024 and if the note is not converted, it will mature on May 24, 2024. In February 2024, the Company made the first paymentsof principle and accrued interest in the amount of $312,075, and the convertible note holders converted 71,460 shares for an aggregate value of $60,000. The Company paid an additional $275,063 of accrued interest and principal on its convertible notes balance in April 2024. The Company has an additional $1.5 million note payable, at December 31, 2023, which it repaid in the first quarter of 2024. The Company intends to extend the revolving loan and renew the short-term note debt arrangement and faces the risk that we will be unable to. If we are unable to extend the revolving loan or renew the debt arrangement, the Company may have significantly reduced unrestricted and restricted cash which could adversely impact our results of operations and ability to invest in the development and acquisition of IP. See Note 15 –Revolving Loan, Short Term Note and Long-Term Debt to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Current wording
We have significant debt obligations coming due within one year. Our current revolving loan has a balance of $3.0 million as of December 31, 2024, and is due for repayment on June 30, 2025. The Company intends to extend the revolving loan and renew our short-term note debt arrangement and faces the risk that we will be unable to. See Note 12 -Revolving Loan, Short Term Note and Long-Term Debt to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Previous wording
Our controlling stockholder, Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Shi, controls a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq rules. Under these rules, a listed company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:
Current wording
Our controlling stockholder, Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Mr. Shi, controls a majority of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq rules. Under these rules, a listed company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:
Previous wording
Mr. Shi, our Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, controls us, and his ownership of our common stock prevents you and other stockholders from influencing significant decisions.
Current wording
Mr. Shi, our Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, controls us, and his ownership of our common stock prevents you and other stockholders from influencing significant decisions.
Previous wording
Mr. Shi, our Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, is a Chinese national. For so long as a Chinese individual continues to exercise majority voting control over us, changes in U.S. and Chinese laws in the future may make it more difficult for us to operate as a publicly traded company in the United States.
Current wording
Mr. Shi, our Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, is a Chinese national. For so long as a Chinese individual continues to exercise majority voting control over us, changes in U.S. and Chinese laws in the future may make it more difficult for us to operate as a publicly traded company in the United States.
Previous wording
Future developments in U.S. and Chinese laws may restrict our ability or willingness to operate as a publicly traded company in the United States for so long as Mr. Shi, who is a Chinese national, or other Chinese investors, continue to beneficially own a significant percentage of our outstanding shares of common stock. The relations between the United States and China are constantly changing. During his administration, President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum directing the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets to convene to discuss the risks faced by U.S. investors in Chinese companies and issued several executive orders restricting the operations of Chinese companies, such as the company that owns TikTok, in the United States. Additionally, the federal government has recently proposed legislation intended to protect American investments in Chinese companies. President Joseph R. Biden has not put forth specific policy proposals regarding China and it is unclear at this time which of President Trump’s policies, if any, President Biden will continue to implement. In addition, various equity-based research organizations have published reports on Chinese companies after examining their corporate governance practices, related party transactions, sales practices and financial statements, and these reports have led to special investigations and listing suspensions on U.S. national exchanges. While we are not a Chinese company, any similar scrutiny of us, regardless of its merit, could have an adverse effect upon our business, including our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects. Additionally, should we be the subject of or indirectly covered by new legislation or executive orders addressed at protecting American investments in Chinese or Chinese-owned companies, our revenues and profitability would be materially reduced, and our business and results of operations would be seriously harmed.
Current wording
Future developments in U.S. and Chinese laws may restrict our ability or willingness to operate as a publicly traded company in the United States for so long as Mr. Shi, who is a Chinese national, or other Chinese investors, continue to beneficially own a significant percentage of our outstanding shares of common stock. The relations between the United States and China are constantly changing. During his administration, President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum directing the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets to convene to discuss the risks faced by U.S. investors in Chinese companies and issued several executive orders restricting the operations of Chinese companies, such as the company that owns TikTok, in the United States. Additionally, the federal government has recently proposed legislation intended to protect American investments in Chinese companies. President In addition, various equity-based research organizations have published reports on Chinese companies after examining their corporate governance practices, related party transactions, sales practices and financial statements, and these reports have led to special investigations and listing suspensions on U.S. national exchanges. While we are not a Chinese company, any similar scrutiny of us, regardless of its merit, could have an adverse effect upon our business, including our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects. Additionally, should we be the subject of or indirectly covered by new legislation or executive orders addressed at protecting American investments in Chinese or Chinese-owned companies, our revenues and profitability would be materially reduced, and our business and results of operations would be seriously harmed.
Previous wording
We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and may be restricted by our credit facilities or any future debt or preferred securities or future debt agreements we may enter into. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Class A common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy” of our Prospectus as filed by us with the SEC on November 10, 2022 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act, relating to our registration statement on Form S-1, as amended.
Current wording
We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and may be restricted by our credit facilities or any future debt or preferred securities or future debt agreements we may enter into. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Class A common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. See Part II, Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities***—***Dividend Policy” for a more detailed description of our dividend policy.
Previous wording
Our management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting involving the failure to properly design and implement controls related to the accounting for income taxes and disclosure controls related to deferred taxes in the consolidated financial statements; failure to properly classify certain operating expenses and games server costs as cost of revenues in the consolidated financial statements; failure to identify and allocate the consideration received from a settlement between the settlement gain and revenues generating activities; failure to properly determine the stand-alone selling prices of each performance obligation for certain digital revenue contracts; and, failure to design and implement information technology general controls related to segregation of duties within an information system relevant to the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Due to the size and nature of our organization and the implementation timing of our new cloud-based ERP system, we had limited personnel and system capabilities for adequate segregation of duties during the fiscal year 2023. See Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” in this Annual Report for information regarding the identified material weaknesses and our actions to date to remediate the material weaknesses. As a result of the material weaknesses, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2023.
Current wording
Our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting involving the failure to properly value the fair value of warrants related to the convertible notes and equity line of credit. See Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” in this Annual Report for information regarding the identified material weaknesses and our actions to date to remediate the material weakness. As a result of the material weakness, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
We are taking steps to remediate the material weaknesses, which include to enhancing our financial reporting close control procedures by implementing additional review of unusual transactions, improving our segregation of duties in the recording and approving of transactions, ensuring the completeness of our income tax footnote disclosure through consultation with income tax professionals, hire experts to assist in preparing our revenue recognition policies, and hire experts in designing and implementing custom approval workflows in our ERP system in order to remediate these material weaknesses. However, our efforts to remediate the material weaknesses may not be effective in preventing a future material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting. If we do not effectively remediate the material weaknesses or if we otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated, result in the loss of investor confidence and cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline.
Current wording
We are taking steps to remediate the material weakness, which include to enhancing our financial reporting close control procedures by implementing additional reviews of fair value measurements and hiring appropriate valuation experts as needed. However, our efforts to remediate the material weakness may not be effective in preventing a future material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we do not effectively remediate the material weakness or if we otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated, result in the loss of investor confidence and cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline.
Previous wording
We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken or plans to take in the future will remediate the material weaknesses identified or that any additional material weaknesses or restatements of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls.
Current wording
We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken or plans to take in the future will remediate the material weakness identified or that any additional material weakness or restatements of financial results will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of these controls.
Previous wording
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation specifies that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for most legal actions involving actions brought against us by stockholders; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America is the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. We believe these provisions may benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws by chancellors and judges, as applicable, particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. However, these provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any applicable action brought against us, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action.
Current wording
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation specifies that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for most legal actions involving actions brought against us by stockholders; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America is the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We believe these provisions may benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law and federal securities laws by chancellors and judges, as applicable, particularly experienced in resolving corporate disputes, efficient administration of cases on a more expedited schedule relative to other forums and protection against the burdens of multi-forum litigation. However, these provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any applicable action brought against us, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action.
Previous wording
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We could continue to be considered an emerging growth company for up to five years, although we would lose that status sooner if our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt in a three-year period or if the fair value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million (and we have been a public company for at least 12 months and have filed at least one Annual Report on Form 10-K). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, our total net revenue was $60.9 million.
Current wording
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We could continue to be considered an emerging growth company for up to five years, although we would lose that status sooner if our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt in a three-year period or if the fair value of our Class A common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million (and we have been a public company for at least 12 months and have filed at least one Annual Report on Form 10-K). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, our total net revenue was $84.5 million.