UBISOFT REPORTS FULL-YEAR 2017-18 SALES AND EARNINGS FIGURES
Very solid performance for the fourth quarter and continued excellent execution across the board
2017-18: higher-THAN-EXPECTED PERFORMANCE AND new record-level PROFITABILITY
- Total annual sales of €1,731.9 million, up 18.6% year on year, outstripping target of around €1,640.0 million.
- Continued excellent execution across the board:
- Far Cry® 5: Ubisoft’s second biggest release ever with USD 310 million total players spending in the release week[1]
- Assassin’s Creed® Origins: record performance for an Assassin’s Creed game in a fourth fiscal quarter
- Rainbow Six® Siege: more than 30 million registered players, record engagement in fourth-quarter 2017-18 and esports viewership up by approximately 300.0% for the Six Invitational[2]
- The Division®: more than 20 million registered players
- Ghost Recon® Wildlands: more than 10 million registered players
- Record peak concurrent users for the Group in fourth-quarter 2017-18
- Annual digital revenue up 37.8% to €1,004.7 million (representing 58.0% of total sales versus 50.0% for the previous fiscal year)
- Sharp increase in PRI[3]: up 58.7% to €482.5 million (27.9% of total sales against 20.8% in 2016-17)
- Annual back-catalog sales up 27.2% to €826.0 million (47.7% of total sales compared with 44.5% in 2016-17), confirming the increasingly recurring profile of the Group’s business.
- Non-IFRS operating income up 26.2% to €300.1 million, exceeding target of €270.0 million.
- Non-IFRS operating margin reaches a record high at 17.3% (16.3% in 2016-17)
TARGETS FOR 2018-19: THE GROUP IS STANDING BY ITS TARGETS FOR NON-iFRS OPERATING INCOME AND FREE CASH FLOW
Sydney, Australia May 18, 2018 – Today, Ubisoft released its sales and earnings figures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
Yves Guillemot, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Ubisoft ended the fiscal year on a very positive note, with continued excellent execution across the board. The Group further strengthened its brands thanks to the quality of its games, strong live services and a deep commitment to player communities. During the fourth quarter, we reached a record of peak concurrent users thanks to record engagement levels and esports viewership for Rainbow Six Siege, the successful launch of Far Cry 5 – the second biggest launch in Ubisoft’s history – and continued strong performance by Assassin’s Creed Origins, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and our back-catalog titles. As a result, we have outperformed our financial targets, with record-high sales, digital and back-catalog revenues, and profitability.
In the short and medium term, Ubisoft has many growth opportunities to tap and expects further profitability increases. Our digital transformation is progressing at a faster pace than we anticipated. Our potential in the PC and mobile markets is massive, notably in China. Finally, we are continuing to develop and structure our esports offering, which represents a significant opportunity.
Over the longer term, new forms of gaming, enabled notably by streaming, will allow our brands to reach a much wider audience. Consequently, we are investing in our online services platform – which boasted 88 million unique active players[4] – as well as in artificial intelligence in order to better tailor the game experience to each player’s profile and therefore offer them ever-richer experiences.”
Note
Unless stated otherwise, all of the figures in this press release correspond to non-IFRS data, adjusted to exclude non-operating items. The Group presents these indicators – which are not prepared strictly in accordance with IFRS – as it considers that they are the best reflection of its operating and financial performance. The definitions of the non-IFRS indicators with a description of the applicable adjustments, as well as a reconciliation table between the IFRS consolidated income statement and the non-IFRS consolidated income statement are provided in an appendix to this press release.
Income statement and key financial data
| In € millions | 2017-18 | % | 2016-17 | % | |
| IFRS Sales | 1,731.9 | | 1,459.9 | | |
| IFRS Gross margin | 1,435.1 | 82.9% | 1,189.0 | 81.4% | |
| Non-IFRS R&D expenses | (661.1) | (38.2)% | (521.7) | (35.7)% | |
| Non-IFRS selling expenses | (335.9) | (19.4)% | (313.1) | (21.4)% | |
| Non-IFRS G&A expenses | (138.0) | (8.0)% | (116.4) | (8.0)% | |
| Total non-IFRS SG&A expenses | (473.9) | (27.4)% | (429.5) | (29.4)% | |
| Non-IFRS operating income | 300.1 | 17.3% | 237.7 | 16.3% | |
| IFRS operating income | 222.3 | | 175.8 | | |
| Non-IFRS diluted EPS (in €) | 1.80 | | 1.46 | | |
| IFRS diluted EPS (in €) | 1.18 | | 0.92 | | |
| Non-IFRS cash flows from operating activities* | 169.9 | | 149.1 | | |
| R&D investment expenditure** | 720.2 | | 610.5 | | |
| Net cash/(debt) position | (548.1) | | (80.4) | | |
| * Based on the consolidated cash flow statement for comparison with other industry players (not audited) |
|
| ** Including royalties but excluding future commitments | |
Sales
Full-year sales for 2017-18 came to €1,731.9 million, outstripping the Group’s target of around €1,640.0 million and up €18.6% (or 22.9% at constant exchange rates[5]) compared with the €1,459.9 million recorded for 2016-17.
Sales in the fourth quarter of 2017-18 – a period that saw the release of one major game, Far Cry 5 – totaled €540.7 million, exceeding the target of approximately €449.0 million. This fourth-quarter sales figure represents a 16.6% decrease (or 11.2% at constant exchange rates5) versus the €648.6 million recorded for the same period of 2016-17, when two major games were released (Ghost Recon Wildlands and For Honor®).
Main income statement items[6]
Gross margin rose to 82.9% of sales and €1,435.1 million in absolute value terms (compared with 81.4% and €1,189.0 million in 2016-17).
Non-IFRS operating income came in at €300.1 million, up 26.2% on the €237.7 million recorded for 2016-17.
Non-IFRS net income came in at €220.6 million, representing non-IFRS diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of €1.80, compared with non-IFRS net income of €174.3 million and non-IFRS diluted EPS of €1.46 for 2016-17.
IFRS net income for 2017-18 came to €139.5 million, representing IFRS diluted EPS of €1.18 versus IFRS net income of €107.8 million and IFRS diluted EPS of €0.92 in 2016-17.
Main cash flow statement[7] and balance sheet items
Non-IFRS cash flows from operating activities represented a net inflow of €169.9 million against €149.1 million in 2016-17. This increase reflects higher non-IFRS cash flow from operations (€214.9 million versus €110.2 million in 2016-17) and a €45.0 million increase in non-IFRS working capital requirement (€38.9 million decrease in 2016-17).
At March 31, 2018, Ubisoft had net debt7 of €548.1 million versus €80.4 million one year earlier. This rise mainly reflects the purchases and binding purchase commitments of own shares for €411.5 million during the fiscal year and a €100 million deposit related to a total return swap with settlement at maturity for part of the share previously owned by Vivendi. As a reminder the Company free cash flow target stands at around €300.0 million in 2018-19.
Outlook
Full-year 2018-19
Ubisoft is standing by its 2018-19 targets for non-IFRS operating income and free cash flow. As announced on May 9, 2018, in line with the recommendations of the European regulators (ESMA) and the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), Ubisoft is today introducing a new target for sales calculated in accordance with IFRS 15 as well as a new indicator called “Net Bookings” which corresponds to its sales figure as calculated prior to the Company’s application of IFRS 15 (see Press Release in appendices):
- IFRS 15 sales of around €2,000.0 million[8]
- Net bookings of approximately €2,050.0 million compared with the previous target of €2,100.0 million, calculated based on:
- The release of three new AAA games (The Crew® 2, The Division® 2 and an unannounced franchise title) representing 19 million units (vs the four AAA releases and 23 million units previously announced). In line with previous practices and in view of the acceleration of our digital transformation, growth in back-catalog sales and excellent momentum of recent releases, Ubisoft has decided to give itself more time to develop Skull & BonesTM to offer players an even more engaging experience. Skull & Bones is now scheduled for release in 2019-20.
- Digital revenue is expected to represent around 65% of net bookings (compared with approximately 60% previously) and PRI should represent around 30% of net bookings (versus the previous target of over 25%).
- Back-catalog sales are forecasted to represent approximately 50% of net bookings (versus the previous target of over 45%).
- Non-IFRS operating income (based on net bookings) of around €440.0 million.
- Free cash flow of approximately €300.0 million.
First-quarter 2018-19
For first-quarter 2018-19, the Group expects IFRS 15 sales to amount to around €350.0 million8 and net bookings to total approximately €350.0 million (compared with €202.0 million for the same period of 2017-18).
Recent significant events
Sale of Vivendi’s entire stake in Ubisoft, with the transaction structured as follows:
- New long-term investors in Ubisoft, with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Tencent acquiring 3,787,878 and 5,591,469 Ubisoft shares respectively.
- Share buybacks by Ubisoft: Ubisoft has undertaken to buy back 7,590,909 of its own shares from Vivendi through a structured transaction taking the form of (i) a forward sale of Ubisoft shares by Vivendi to Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB), and (ii) a mechanism involving Ubisoft’s forward buyback of its own shares from CACIB, enabling Ubisoft to defer its buybacks over the period from 2018 to 2021.
- Purchase of Ubisoft shares by Guillemot Brothers SE: Guillemot Brothers SE has undertaken to purchase 3,030,303 Ubisoft shares.
- An accelerated private placement of 13,376,620 Ubisoft shares among qualified investors.
Signature of a strategic partnership agreement with Tencent: Ubisoft has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Tencent which will increase Ubisoft games’ exposure and engagement in China and enable the Company to reach millions of new players on mobile and PC.
Acquisition of 1492 Studio, a game development studio specialized in the development of free-to-play episodic and interactive stories on mobile.
Acquisition of Blue Mammoth Games, a game development studio specialized in free-to-play multi-player games on PC and the PS4.
Announcement of new studios openings in India, Ukraine and Canada: The Mumbai and Odessa studios will be focused on jointly developing AAA games and post-release game support. The Winnipeg studio will play a strategic role in jointly developing AAA titles and will be dedicated to developing tools and technology.
Disclaimer
This statement may contain estimated financial data, information on future projects and transactions and future business results/performance. Such forward-looking data are provided for estimation purposes only. They are subject to market risks and uncertainties and may vary significantly compared with the actual results that will be published. The estimated financial data have been presented and approved by the Board of Directors on 05/17/18 and have not been audited by the Statutory Auditors. (Additional information is specified in the most recent Ubisoft Registration Document filed on July 21, 2017 with the French Financial Markets Authority (l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers)).
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Watch_Dogs, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2017-18 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,732 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com
© 2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.
APPENDICES
| Breakdown of sales by geographic region |
| | | | | |
| % Sales | % Sales | % Sales | % Sales |
| | Q4 2017/18 | Q4 2016/17 | 12 months 2017/18 | 12 months 2016/17 |
| Europe | 35% | 36% | 37% | 38% |
| North America | 45% | 48% | 47% | 47% |
| Rest of the World | 20% | 16% | 16% | 15% |
| TOTAL | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| | | | | |
| Breakdown of sales by platform |
| | | | | |
| Q4 2017/18 | Q4 2016/17 | 12 months 2017/18 | 12 months 2016/17 |
| PLAYSTATION®4 | 43% | 46% | 42% | 41% |
| XBOX One | 23% | 30% | 23% | 27% |
| PC | 21% | 17% | 18% | 18% |
| NINTENDO SWITCHTM | 5% | – | 7% | – |
| XBOX 360, PS®3, Wii™, Wii U™ | 1% | 2% | 2% | 7% |
| Others* | 7% | 5% | 8% | 7% |
| TOTAL | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| *Mobile, ancillaries… | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Title release schedule 1st quarter
(April – June 2018)
| PACKAGED & DIGITAL | | |
| FAR CRY® 3 CLASSIC EDITION | PlayStation®4, Xbox One™ |
| MARIO + RABBIDS® KINGDOM BATTLE GOLD EDITION (retail only) | nintendo Switch™ |
| SOUTH PARKTM THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLETM | nintendo Switch™ |
| THE CREW® 2 | PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PC |
| | | | |
| Digital ONLY | | |
| FAR CRYTM 5 – HOURS OF DARKNESS | PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PC |
| FOR HONOR® SEASON 6 HERO’S MARCH | PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PC |
| MARIO + RABBIDS® KINGDOM BATTLE – DONKEY KONG ADVENTURE | nintendo Switch™ |
| MIGHT & MAGIC® : ELEMENTAL GUARDIANS | Google play, App store |
| TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX® SIEGE OPERATION PARA BELLUM | PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PC |
| | | |
Audit procedures were carried out and audit reports are currently being issued
Consolidated income statement (IFRS, audited)
| In thousands of euros | | 03.31.18 | | 03.31.17 |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| Sales | | 1 731 894 | | 1 459 874 |
| Cost of sales | | -296 820 | | -270 887 |
| Gross Margin | | 1 435 074 | | 1 188 987 |
| Research and Development costs | | -690 592 | | -548 735 |
| Marketing costs | | -339 274 | | -316 806 |
| General and Administrative costs | | -144 649 | | -122 538 |
| Current operating income | | 260 559 | | 200 907 |
| Non-current expenses and income | | -38 241 | | -25 094 |
| Operating income | | 222 317 | | 175 813 |
| Net borrowing costs | | -15 909 | | -10 816 |
| Net foreign exchange gains/losses | | -5 747 | | -2 288 |
| Other financial income | | 8 312 | | 2 348 |
| Other financial expenses | | -56 | | -5 449 |
| Net financial income | | -13 400 | | -16 205 |
| Share in profit of associates | | -224 | | -338 |
| Income tax | | -69 241 | | -51 457 |
| Profit for the period | | 139 452 | | 107 813 |
| Earnings per share | | | | |
| Basic earnings per share (in €) | | 1,26 | | 0,98 |
| Diluted earnings per share (in €) | | 1,18 | | 0,92 |
| Weighted average number of shares in issue | | 110 399 832 | | 109 887 358 |
| Diluted weighted average number of shares in issue | | 122 443 961 | | 119 676 950 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Definitions of Non-IFRS Financial Indicators
Net Bookings: corresponds to the prior sales standard.
Non-IFRS operating income corresponds to operating income less the following items:
- Stock-based compensation expense arising on free share plans, group savings plans and stock options.
- Depreciation of acquired intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
- Non-operating income and expenses resulting from restructuring operations within the Group.
Non-IFRS operating margin corresponds to the ratio between the Non-IFRS operating income and sales. This ratio reflects the economic performance.
Non-IFRS net income corresponds to net income less the following items:
- The above-described deductions used to calculate non-IFRS operating income.
- Income and expenses arising on revaluations, carried out after the measurement period, of the potential variable compensation granted in relation to business combinations.
- OCEANE bond interest expense recognized in accordance with IAS39
- The tax impacts on these adjustments.
Non-IFRS diluted EPS corresponds to Non-IFRS net income divided by the weighted average number of shares after the exercise of dilutive instruments rights.
The adjusted cash flow statement includes:
- Non-IFRS cash flow from operations which includes:
- The costs of internal development and licenses development (presented under cash flows from investing activities in the IFRS cash flow statement) as these costs form an integral part of the Group’s operations.
- Current and deferred taxes.
- Non-IFRS change in working capital requirement which includes movements in deferred taxes, thus cancelling out the deferred tax income or expense presented in Non-IFRS cash flow from operations.
- Non-IFRS cash flows from operating activities which includes the costs of internal development and licenses development (presented under cash flows from investing activities in the IFRS cash flow statement and included in Non-IFRS cash flow from operations in the adjusted cash flow statement).
- Non-IFRS cash used by investing activities which excludes the costs of internal development and the licenses development that are presented under Non-IFRS cash flow from operations.
Free cash flow corresponds to cash flows from operating activities after cash inflows/outflows arising on the disposal/acquisition of other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
Free cash flow before WCR corresponds to cash flow from operations after cash inflows/outflows arising on the disposal/acquisition of other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
Net cash (debt) position corresponds to investments and cash and cash equivalents less financial liabilities excluding derivatives.
Reconciliation of IFRS Net income and non-IFRS Net income
In million of euros,
except for per share data | 2017-18 | 2016-17 |
| IFRS | Adjustments | Non-IFRS | IFRS | Adjustments | Non-IFRS |
| Sales | 1 731,9 | | 1 731,9 | 1 459,9 | | 1 459,9 |
| Total Operating expenses | (1 509,6) | 77,8 | (1 431,8) | (1 284,1) | 61,9 | (1 222,2) |
| Stock-based compensation | (39,6) | 39,6 | 0 | (36,8) | 36,8 | 0,0 |
| Non-current expenses and income | (38,2) | 38,2 | 0 | (25,1) | 25,1 | 0,0 |
| Operating Income | 222,3 | 77,8 | 300,1 | 175,8 | 61,9 | 237,7 |
| Net Financial income | (13,4) | 7,7 | (5,7) | (16,2) | 7,2 | (9,0) |
| Share in profit of associates | (0,2) | – | (0,2) | (0.3) | – | (0.3) |
| Income tax | (69,2) | (4,4) | (73,6) | (51,4) | (2,6) | (54,0) |
| Net Income | 139,5 | 81,1 | 220,6 | 107,8 | 66,5 | 174,3 |
| Diluted earnings per share | 1,18 | 0,62 | 1,80 | 0,92 | 0,54 | 1,46 |
Consolidated balance sheet (IFRS, audited)
| | | |
| ASSETS | Net | Net |
| In thousands of euros | 03.31.18 | 03.31.17 |
| Goodwill | 259 462 | 180 735 |
| Other intangible assets | 782 402 | 736 465 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 114 116 | 106 375 |
| Investments in associates | -289 | -68 |
| Other financial assets | 106 895 | 5 478 |
| Deferred tax assets | 84 181 | 88 831 |
| Non-current assets | 1 346 767 | 1 117 815 |
| Inventory | 20 264 | 25 359 |
| Trade receivables | 435 573 | 405 557 |
| Other receivables | 208 778 | 146 467 |
| Other current financial assets | 8 320 | 1 131 |
| Current tax assets | 38 481 | 32 967 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 746 939 | 852 699 |
| Current assets | 1 458 356 | 1 464 180 |
| Total assets | 2 805 122 | 2 581 995 |
| | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | Net | Net |
| In thousands of euros | 03.31.18 | 03.31.17 |
| Capital | 8 652 | 8 752 |
| Premiums | 234 123 | 280 975 |
| Consolidated reserves | 507 102 | 736 276 |
| Consolidated earnings | 139 452 | 107 813 |
| Total equity | 889 330 | 1 133 816 |
| Provisions | 3 074 | 4 246 |
| Employee benefit | 10 289 | 9 079 |
| Long-term borrowings | 933 629 | 640 705 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 96 047 | 72 773 |
| Non-current liabilities | 1 043 039 | 726 803 |
| Short-term borrowings | 361 538 | 293 403 |
| Trade payables | 176 613 | 178 282 |
| Other liabilities | 321 935 | 219 817 |
| Current tax liabilities | 12 667 | 29 872 |
| Current liabilities | 872 753 | 721 376 |
| Total liabilities | 1 915 792 | 1 448 179 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 2 805 122 | 2 581 995 |
| | | | | | |
Consolidated cash flow statement for comparison with other industry players (non audited)
| In thousands of euros | 03.31.18 | 03.31.17 |
| Cash flows from non-IFRS operating activities | | |
| Consolidated earnings | 139 452 | 107 813 |
| +/- Share in profit of associates | 224 | 338 |
| +/- Net depreciation on internal & external games & movies | 462 207 | 407 816 |
| +/- Other depreciation on fixed assets | 81 824 | 66 819 |
| +/- Net Provisions | 4 052 | -2 563 |
| +/- Cost of share-based payments | 39 558 | 36 836 |
| +/- Gains / losses on disposals | 308 | 408 |
| +/- Other income and expenses calculated | 8 578 | -10 655 |
| +/- Cost of internal development and license development | -521 290 | -496 588 |
| CASH FLOW FROM NON-IFRS OPERATION | 214 914 | 110 223 |
| Inventory | 229 | -5 381 |
| Trade receivables | -61 544 | 31 934 |
| Other assets | -78 567 | 3 113 |
| Trade payables | 15 243 | -45 082 |
| Other liabilities | 79 591 | 54 315 |
| +/- Change in working capital from non-IFRS operating activities | -45 048 | 38 899 |
| TOTAL CASH FLOW GENERATED BY NON-IFRS OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 169 865 | 149 122 |
| – Payments for the acquisition of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | -59 366 | -62 914 |
| + Proceeds from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 20 | 603 |
| +/- Other cash flows from investing activities | -131 493 | -44 374 |
| + Repayment of loans and other financial assets | 29 790 | 43 322 |
| +/- Changes in scope (1) | -77 589 | -105 642 |
| CASH USED BY NON-IFRS INVESTING ACTIVITIES | -238 638 | -169 005 |
| Cash flows from financing activities | | |
| + New borrowings | 894 598 | 669 147 |
| + New finance leases | 5 054 | 1 416 |
| – Repayment of finance leases | -1 672 | -898 |
| – Repayment of borrowings | -487 677 | -214 663 |
| + Proceeds from shareholders in capital increases | 48 951 | 9 465 |
| +/- Sales / purchases of own shares | -411 498 | -67 844 |
| CASH GENERATED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 47 756 | 396 623 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | -21 017 | 376 740 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the fiscal year | 632 314 | 255 688 |
| Foreign exchange gains/losses | -27 943 | -114 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fiscal year(1) | 583 354 | 632 314 |
| (1) Including cash in companies acquired and disposed of | 4 738 | 26 421 |
| RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH POSITION | | |
| | Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | 583 354 | 632 314 |
| | Bank borrowings and from the restatement of finance leases | -1 005 431 | -646 752 |
| | Commercial papers | -126 000 | -66 000 |
| | NET CASH POSITION | -548 077 | -80 438 |
| | | | | | |
Consolidated cash flow statement IFRS (audited)
| In thousands of euros | 03.31.18 | 03.31.17 |
| Cash flows from operating activities adjusted | | |
| Consolidated earnings | 139 452 | 107 813 |
| +/- Share in profit of associates | 224 | 338 |
| +/- Net Depreciation | 544 031 | 474 635 |
| +/- Net Provisions | 4 052 | -2 563 |
| +/- Cost of share-based payments | 39 558 | 36 836 |
| +/- Gains / losses on disposals | 308 | 408 |
| +/- Other income and expenses calculated | 8 578 | -10 655 |
| +/- Tax Expense | 69 241 | 51 457 |
| TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS | 805 445 | 658 269 |
| Inventory | 229 | -5 381 |
| Trade receivables | -61 544 | 31 934 |
| Other assets | -87 590 | 11 854 |
| Trade payables | 15 243 | -45 082 |
| Other liabilities | 52 832 | 30 256 |
| +/- Change in working capital from operating activities adjusted | -80 830 | 23 582 |
| +/- Payable tax expense | -33 460 | -36 140 |
| TOTAL CASH FLOW GENERATED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 691 155 | 645 711 |
| – Payments for the acquisition of internal & external games | -521 290 | -496 588 |
| – Payments for the acquisition of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | -59 366 | -62 914 |
| + Proceeds from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 20 | 603 |
| +/- Other cash flows from investing activities | -131 493 | -44 374 |
| + Repayment of loans and other financial assets | 29 790 | 43 322 |
| +/- Changes in scope (1) | -77 589 | -105 642 |
| CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES ADJUSTED | -759 928 | -665 594 |
| Cash flows from financing activities | | |
| + New borrowings | 894 598 | 669 147 |
| + New finance leases | 5 054 | 1 416 |
| – Repayment of finance leases | -1 672 | -898 |
| – Repayment of borrowings | -487 677 | -214 663 |
| + Proceeds from shareholders in capital increases | 48 951 | 9 465 |
| +/- Sales / purchases of own shares | -411 498 | -67 844 |
| CASH GENERATED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 47 756 | 396 623 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | -21 017 | 376 740 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the fiscal year | 632 314 | 255 688 |
| Foreign exchange gains/losses | -27 943 | -114 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fiscal year(1) | 583 354 | 632 314 |
| (1) Including cash in companies acquired and disposed of | 4 738 | 26 421 |
| | | |
APPLICATION OF IFRS 15*
Impact on Financial Communications
Paris, May 9, 2018 – As from fiscal 2018-19, Ubisoft will apply IFRS 15 (the new revenue recognition standard) for the first time. The main impacts that this new standard will have on the recognition of the Group’s sales and on its financial communications are presented below.
Accounting impacts of IFRS 15
The main impact of IFRS 15 for Ubisoft concerns the recognition of sales of games with a service component, i.e. “Live Services” games, which give players access to online services. Under IFRS 15, all of these services – which are accessible at no extra cost for users – constitute a distinct obligation for which the consideration received on the initial delivery of the original game must be recognized in revenue over the estimated period of time that the players use the service.
Under the currently-applicable revenue recognition standard (IAS 18**), the service component is not separated out and the full amount of the revenue received for the game is recognized when the game is delivered. Consequently, the application of IFRS 15 will result in a portion of the revenue generated on these games being deferred beyond their initial delivery date.
Impacts on financial communications
The Group will apply IFRS 15’s revenue recognition rules for the first time as from fiscal 2018-19.
In addition to its financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, Ubisoft will continue to report alternative performance indicators (non-IFRS), with the same level of detail as previously. In order to enable meaningful comparisons with prior-period sales figures, Ubisoft will introduce a new alternative performance indicator in its financial communications called “Net bookings”. This indicator is used by Ubisoft to oversee and measure its business and commercial performance.
Timeline
As recommended by the European regulators (ESMA) and the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), Ubisoft will issue sales figures that are compliant with IFRS 15 as from the press release on its first-quarter 2018-19 sales.
When it publishes its full-year results for fiscal 2017-18 on May 17, 2018, Ubisoft will report on the following targets:
- 2018-19 sales in IFRS 15 format
- Net Bookings for 2018-19
- Non-IFRS operating income for 2018-19
- Free Cash Flow for 2018-19
* International Financial Reporting Standard 15 – equivalent to US GAAP ISC 606
** International Accounting Standards
[1] Ubisoft estimate, based on observed sales price for main game sell through WW and first parties’ estimates for PRI
[2] Viewership for the Six Invitational – the annual esports final event for Rainbow Six Siege (held in February 2018) – versus viewership for the February 2017 final.
[3] Player Recurring Investment includes sales of digital items, DLC, seasonal passes, subscriptions and advertising.
[4] On consoles and PC in fiscal 2017-18
[5] Sales at constant exchange rates are calculated by applying to the data for the period under review the average exchange rates used for the same period of the previous fiscal year
[6] For further information on income statement movements and cash flows see the slideshow published on the Ubisoft website.
[7] Based on the consolidated cash flow statement for comparison with other industry players (not audited)
[8] Based on our analysis to date of IFRS 15 (unaudited)
For the most part the storyline here for Fox n Forests tends to simply be the skeletal structure to set Rick on his adventure. There are little bits of humorous dialogue and bits of plot advancement as you make your way through the game but don’t expect anything too outstanding here other than the fact that Patty manages to recruit Rick so easily to the cause.
With the use of his mana gauge, Rick can temporarily swap the season of any stage to a predetermined opposite season and alter the make-up of the level in the process. For example, Rick can turn waterfalls and lakes into frozen paths that allow him to easily navigate unclearable waterways or swap back to spring and allow trees to grow branches allowing him to jump previously unreachable areas. In fact there are numerous enemies and other hazards that can be avoided in this manner, such as extinguishing fires with fall rains and much more, giving every level some extra feeling of life and uniqueness to it.
Outside of gathering magical seeds it is often worth exploring anyways to gather money and other collectibles that can be used to upgrade Rick’s abilities and give him more health. Outside of boss encounters it is rather rare to come under dangerous circumstances in normal levels thanks to how generous the game can be with health on normal difficulty but it never hurts to have a little extra insurance when you can get it.
One of the best elements in Fox n Forests happens to be the boss battles that you take part in at the end of the worlds in the game. These boss battles are well designed and can be quite tricky as they require the use of not only the player’s skill in controlling Rick but also his ability to use the changing of seasons to his benefit, often allowing extra damage to be dealt when timed correctly. It is unfortunate however that despite all levels being able to be replayed, facing bosses is a one time affair unless you start over.
As far as the soundtrack goes, the tunes that are used as the background music are rather standard fair for a game such as this but the sound effects do sound rather impressive.