10-K 1 a07-14939_110k.htm 10-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission file number 0-18813


GRAPHIC

THQ INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

 

13-3541686

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification No.)

29903 Agoura Road

 

 

Agoura Hills, CA

 

91301

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (818) 871-5000


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock,  $.01 par value

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  o  No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o  No  þ

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  þ  No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer   þ

 

Accelerated filer   o

 

Non-accelerated filer   o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b 2 of the Act). Yes  o  No  þ

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter, September 30, 2006 was approximately $1.9 billion (based on the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on September 29, 2006). The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of May 25, 2007 was approximately 66,913,074.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The 2007 Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III herein.

 




THQ INC.
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2007

ITEMS IN FORM 10-K

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

Part I

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

 

1

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

 

10

 

 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

 

16

 

 

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

 

16

 

 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

 

16

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

20

 

 

Item 6.

 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

 

23

 

 

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      

 

 

25

 

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

49

 

 

Item 8.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

 

50

 

 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     

 

 

86

 

 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

86

 

 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

Part III

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

 

89

 

 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

 

89

 

 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   

 

 

89

 

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

 

89

 

 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

 

89

 

 

 

 

Part IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

90

 

 

Signatures

 

 

94

 

 

Certifications

 

 

 

 

 

 




This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, or incorporates by reference, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow projections and other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those relating to product releases; (3) statements of future economic performance; and (4) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. We generally use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors,” included in Item 1A herein. All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “THQ,” or the “Company” in the following discussion and analysis mean THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Introduction

We are a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all popular game systems, including:(1)

·       Home video game consoles such as Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 3 and Sony PlayStation 2;

·       Handheld platforms such as Nintendo Dual Screen, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, PSP portable entertainment system (“PSP system”), wireless devices; and

·       Personal computers.

Our titles span a wide range of categories, including action, adventure, fighting, racing, role-playing, simulation, sports and strategy. We have created, licensed and acquired a group of highly recognizable brands, which we market to a variety of consumer demographics ranging from products targeted at children and the mass market to products targeted at core gamers. Our portfolio of licensed properties includes the DisneyPixar properties Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille; World Wrestling Entertainment®; Nickelodeon properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants™, Avatar, Barnyard and Nicktoons; Bratz™; Warhammer® 40,000™; and the Ultimate Fighting Championship®; as well as others. We also have licenses to create wireless products based on DisneyPixar’s Ratatouille as well as Star Wars and major sports leagues. In addition to licensed properties, we also develop games based upon owned intellectual properties, including Company of Heroes™, Destroy All Humans! ® Juiced™, MX vs. ATV™, Red Faction®, Saints Row™ and Stuntman®.


(1)          Nintendo®, Dual Screen, Game Boy® Advance, GameCube® and Wii are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. (“Nintendo”). “PSP” is a trademark and “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (“Sony”). Microsoft, Xbox®, Xbox 360™ and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are referred to herein collectively as the “platform manufacturers” or the “manufacturers.”

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We develop our games using both internal and external resources. We currently have 16 internal development studios located in the United States, Australia, the UK and Canada. We also contract with third-party developers around the world to develop our products for us.

Our global sales network includes offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In the U.S. and Canada, we market and distribute games directly to mass merchandisers, consumer electronic stores, discount warehouses and other national retail chain stores. Internationally, we market and distribute games on a direct-to-retail basis in the territories where we have a direct sales force and to a lesser extent, in the territories where we do not have a direct sales force, third parties distribute our games. We also globally market and distribute games and other content for wireless devices through major wireless carriers.

We were originally incorporated in New York in 1989 as Trinity Acquisition Corporation, which changed its name in 1991 to T.HQ, Inc. following a merger with THQ, Inc., a California corporation. We were reincorporated in Delaware as THQ Inc. in 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at 29903 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, California 91301, and our telephone number is (818) 871-5000. Our internet address is http://www.thq.com.(2)

Narrative Description of Business

Our corporate goal is to grow our revenues at or above the market and continue to increase our profitability. Our business strategy and a detailed summary of our business operations are detailed below and should be read in conjunction with our “Risk Factors,” included in Item 1A herein.

Strategy

In order to increase our revenues and expand our market share, we believe it is important to offer a broad portfolio of titles for all ages that are playable on all popular platforms. We are also focused on increasing the profitability of our business. We intend to do this by executing on the following strategies:

·  Increase sales and profits from our leading portfolio of mass-market franchises

We have grown and diversified our products targeted at the mass market by securing key content licenses. We have leveraged our licensed brands by introducing new products and through continued sales of our catalog of existing products. Our license with Pixar Animation Studios (“Pixar”) grants us the exclusive interactive rights to publish up to two game concepts based on each of the next four Pixar animated feature films beginning with Ratatouille. Our license agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment (“WWE”) through our joint venture with JAKKS Pacific, Inc., grants us the exclusive rights to publish games based on WWE across all viable game systems through 2014. Our license agreement with Nickelodeon grants us the exclusive right to publish games based on all existing and future Nickelodeon animated television and movie properties targeting kids ages 6-14 across all viable game systems through 2010. Additionally, we have a content license with MGA for their Bratz brand and in fiscal 2007 secured the exclusive rights to develop video games based upon the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In order to increase sales and profits, our goal is to continue building high quality products based on our leading portfolio of mass-market franchises, market them aggressively and shift more development to our internal development studios. In fiscal 2007, our key DisneyPixar and Nickelodeon titles were developed by our internal studios. We also entered into a long-term agreement with Yuke’s to continue to develop games based on the WWE brand. We own less than a 20% interest in Yuke’s, which has consistently delivered extremely high quality WWE games since we started working with them in 1999.


(2)          THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

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In fiscal 2007, we successfully executed upon our strategies by launching Cars in all major markets throughout the world across nine separate platforms, including new generation consoles Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. We also increased sales of games based on the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise with the introduction of that property to the Microsoft Xbox 360. We grew revenues from our Nickelodeon franchise with the introduction of games based upon their Avatar property and the continued strength of games based on SpongeBob SquarePants and Nicktoons.

In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008 (“fiscal 2008”), we plan to continue to execute on this strategy by shipping mass-market titles for new generation console and handheld platforms, PlayStation 2 and PC, including the following games based upon our key licenses: DisneyPixar’s Ratatouille, on even more platforms than Cars in fiscal 2007, a multi-platform release of the sequel to Cars called Cars: Mater-National; WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® on six platforms up from three a year ago, including the Wii, PS3 and DS platforms for the first time; and Nickelodeon titles led by Avatar, Nicktoons and SpongeBob SquarePants. Also for fiscal 2008, we plan to introduce a new Nickelodeon brand, El Tigre on the DS platform.

·      Sequel and extend our growing portfolio of owned intellectual property

In order to grow revenue and increase profitability, we believe it is important for us to create and acquire new intellectual property, expand our internal development capabilities and increase ownership of development tools and technology.

In fiscal 2007, we executed on this strategy with the launch of our internally developed Saints Row franchise, the internally developed Company of Heroes franchise, the release of a sequel in our Destroy All Humans! franchise and the introduction of PC game Titan Quest™. In fiscal 2008, we plan to introduce internally developed Frontlines: Fuel of War. We also plan to release a sequel from our recently acquired Stuntman franchise, Stuntman®: Ignition™, our Juiced franchise, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, the next installment in our MX vs ATV franchise and the next chapter in our Company of Heroes franchise, all developed internally by our Studio System.

We plan to continue expanding our internal development capabilities by selectively acquiring and establishing development studios and through internal growth of our existing studios. During fiscal 2007, we expanded our internal Studio System with the acquisitions of Paradigm Entertainment, located outside of Dallas, Texas, the developers of our Stuntman franchise, and Mass Media Inc., located in Moorpark, California, a PlayStation 3 development studio. With the addition of these studios, we now have 16 studios, which are staffed by producers, game designers, software engineers, artists, animators and game testers. Our worldwide product development operations have grown and now include more than 1,500 people, an increase of more than 300 people over fiscal 2006. Some of the titles released in fiscal 2007 that were developed by our Studio System included owned properties: Saints Row and Company of Heroes and licensed properties: Cars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Barnyard, Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island and Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade™. In fiscal 2008 we plan to release several internally developed games including owned properties: Frontlines: Fuel of War, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, MX vs. ATV: Untamed™, Stuntman: Ignition, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts and licensed properties: Ratatouille and a sequel to Cars, Cars: Mater-National; Avatar: The Burning Earth, Nicktoons, and others.

·       Pursue growing trends of digital content creation and distribution

As the interactive entertainment industry continues to evolve, new revenue streams are emerging from the growing trends of digital content creation and distribution. While still nascent, these revenue opportunities are expected to increase significantly in future years. We are currently focused on generating revenue from in-game advertising, downloadable content/micro-transactions, mobile content and massively multiplayer online gaming.

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In fiscal 2007, we positioned the company to take advantage of these growing trends. We signed agreements with industry leaders for in-game advertising, which we plan to implement in several fiscal 2008 titles, including Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, MX vs. ATV: Untamed, and Stuntman: Ignition. We offered our first PC titles via digital distribution channels. We provided digital downloads of additional content for Saints Row and plan to expand our digital download offerings in fiscal 2008. We re-positioned our wireless business for future growth, adding new brands and development capabilities to the business. We secured the rights to publish Warhammer:40,000 as a massively multiplayer online game and commenced internal development of this title.

·       Expand international business

As the global gaming market continues to grow, we believe that international markets represent a significant growth opportunity for us. In fiscal 2007, we increased our market share in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Our international revenues totaled $426.7 million or 42% of total net sales, up from $316.6 million or 39% of revenues a year ago.

International revenues were driven by our increasingly global product portfolio and our expanded direct sales presence. We currently distribute our products in more than 75 countries and territories outside of North America. In fiscal 2007, we established sales offices in Italy and Mexico. We now operate international offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific as follows: United States, Canada and Mexico; Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom; Australia, Korea, and Japan.

We expect to continue to expand our international business. In fiscal 2008, we expect international revenues to grow to 43% of revenues, driven by continued execution on our global product portfolio and our ability to drive higher sales via direct distribution of our products. In addition, we are currently exploring new business opportunities in China, which has not been a key market for us in the past.

Industry Overview

As a publisher of interactive entertainment software, we consider ourselves to be part of the entertainment industry. At the most fundamental level, our products compete with other forms of entertainment, such as motion pictures, television and music, for the leisure time and discretionary spending of consumers. We believe that video games have increasingly become a mainstream entertainment choice for both children and adults. According to the International Development Group, Inc. (“IDG”), an independent consulting and advisory services company that analyzes the consumer electronics and interactive entertainment industries, sales of console, handheld and PC games (excluding wireless) reached $7.9 billion in North America, and $7.1 billion in Europe in 2006. We look toward an expanding market for interactive entertainment software over the next several years due to the introduction of the new generation of console systems. We believe that improved graphics and expanded artificial intelligence capabilities of the new platforms will enhance game play and help grow our industry significantly. In addition, incremental revenue opportunities from in-game advertising, downloadable content/micro-transactions and mobile content are expected to grow to $7 billion in 2009 from $2 billion in 2006, according to DFC Intelligence and Juniper Research.

The first modern platform was introduced by Nintendo in 1985. Advances in technology over the past 20 years have resulted in continuous increases in the processing power of the chips that power both the consoles and PC. For the past several years, Sony has been the leader in the console market (with its PlayStation 2 console); however, Microsoft and Nintendo are large and viable competitors. In 2005, Microsoft introduced its new generation console, Xbox 360, and both Sony and Nintendo released their new generation consoles, PlayStation 3 and Wii, respectively, in November 2006. Nintendo has been the dominant manufacturer of handheld platforms with its Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. In fiscal

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2005 Sony introduced its first handheld platform, the PSP. PCs continue to be a viable interactive game platform and over the past few years, wireless devices, such as mobile phones, have become a viable gaming platform.

We currently develop and publish products for all major platforms, and this diversification continues to be a cornerstone of our strategy. In fiscal 2007, our product releases were for the Sony PlayStation 2 and PSP, Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, DS, GameCube and Game Boy Advance, PC and wireless devices. In fiscal 2008 we expect to add products for the Sony PlayStation 3 to this line-up and expect to continue to enter into additional platform licenses and extend current licenses as new platforms are launched or our current agreements expire.

Products

We develop, market and sell video games and other interactive software and content for console platforms, handheld platforms and PCs. In fiscal 2007, we published eight titles that shipped more than one million units. The following list identifies games that generated a significant portion of our sales during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:

·       in fiscal 2007, Disney•Pixar’s Cars, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, Saints Row, Nickelodeon titles, Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab and Bratz: Forever Diamondz, and;

·       in fiscal 2006, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006, Juiced, Destroy All Humans!, SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! and The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer; and

·       in fiscal 2005, Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles, The SpongeBob SquarePantsMovie, and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw.

Our games are based on intellectual property that is either wholly-owned by us or licensed from third parties. We develop our games using both internal development resources and external development resources working for us pursuant to contractual agreements. Whether a game is developed internally or externally, upon completion of development we extensively play-test each game, and if required, send the game to the manufacturer for its review and approval. Other than games that we release for PCs or wireless devices, the console manufacturers or their authorized vendors manufacture our products for us. We then market and distribute our games for sale throughout the world.

Intellectual Property

Our business process begins with the creation of intellectual property or acquisition of intellectual property rights. Traditionally, most of our titles were based upon licensed properties that have attained a high level of consumer recognition or acceptance. We have relationships with many well-known licensors, including DisneyPixar, Nickelodeon, World Wrestling Entertainment, Warner Bros. and MGA Entertainment.

Our intellectual property licenses usually grant us the exclusive use of the property for specified titles, on specified platforms, within a defined territory and during the license term. All of our licenses are of varying duration and we pay royalties to our property licensors generally based on our net sales of the title which includes the licensor’s intellectual property. We typically advance payments against minimum guaranteed royalties over the license term. Royalty rates are generally higher for properties with proven popularity and less perceived risk of commercial failure.

Our original intellectual property is created either by one of our 16 development studios or by a third-party developer that we contract with, in which instance, we retain all ownership rights in the intellectual property. In other instances, wherein a third-party developer creates the intellectual property and develops the game, we obtain a license that is typically exclusive and we try to retain rights to any future products based on the intellectual property.

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Platform Licenses

Our business is dependent upon entering into license agreements with the platform manufacturers, which allow us the right to develop, publish and distribute titles for use on such manufacturer’s platform. Our platform licenses include licenses to publish on consoles and handheld platforms manufactured by Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Each license is for a fixed term, and as each license expires, we generally enter into a new agreement or an amendment with the licensor to extend the term of the agreement. Certain agreements, such as the licenses with Sony and Microsoft for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, respectively, automatically renew each year unless either party gives notice by the applicable date that it intends to terminate the agreement. Additionally, each agreement designates a territory in which we can publish and distribute titles. We currently are licensed or are in negotiations to license rights to publish and distribute titles on all platforms that are currently sold in the United States and Canada. Our key platform licenses also allow us to publish and distribute titles in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. We are also licensed to publish and distribute titles for GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360 in various additional territories, including parts of Asia and Central and South America. We expect to enter into additional platform licenses and extend current licenses as new platforms are launched or our current agreements expire.

The platform licenses are not exclusive and require that each title be approved by the manufacturer. The manufacturers have the right to review, evaluate and approve a prototype of each title and the title’s packaging and marketing materials. Once a title is developed and approved by the manufacturer, the title is manufactured solely by such manufacturer or a designated vendor of the manufacturer. The licenses establish the payment terms for the manufacture of each cartridge or disc made, which generally provide for a charge for every cartridge or disc manufactured. The amounts charged by the manufacturers for both console discs and handheld cartridges include a manufacturing, printing and packaging fee as well as a royalty for the use of the manufacturer’s name, proprietary information and technology, and are subject to adjustment by the manufacturers at their discretion.

In addition, we must indemnify the manufacturers with respect to all loss, liability and expense resulting from any claim against the manufacturer involving the development, marketing, sale, or use of our games, including any claims for copyright or trademark infringement brought against the manufacturer. As a result, we bear a risk that the properties upon which the titles are based, or that the information and technology licensed from others and incorporated in the products, may infringe the rights of third parties. Conversely, our agreements with our third-party software developers and property licensors typically provide for us to be indemnified with respect to certain matters. If any claim is brought by a manufacturer against us for indemnification, however, our developers or licensors may not have sufficient resources to, in turn, indemnify us. Furthermore, these parties’ indemnification of us may not cover the matter that gives rise to the manufacturer’s claim.

Each platform license may be terminated by the manufacturer if a breach or default by us is not cured after we receive written notice from the manufacturer, or if we become insolvent. Upon termination of a platform license for any reason other than our breach or default, we have a limited period of time to sell any existing product inventory remaining as of the date of termination. The length of this sell-off period varies between 90 and 180 days, depending upon the platform agreement. We must destroy any such inventory remaining after the end of the sell-off period. Upon termination as a result of our breach or default, we must destroy any remaining inventory.

Product Development

We develop our products using both internal and external development resources. The internal resources consist of producers, game designers, software engineers, artists, animators and game testers located within our 16 internal studios and corporate headquarters. The external development resources consist of

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third-party software developers and other independent resources such as artists. We refer to this collective group of development resources as our Studio System.

We make the decision as to which development resources to use based upon the creative and technical challenges of the product, whether the intellectual property which is being developed into a game is licensed, an original concept that we created, or an original concept created by a third-party developer. Once we determine where a product will be developed, our internal product development team oversees the internal or external resources in its design, technical assessment and construction of each game.

The development cycle for a new game depends on the platform and the complexity and scope of the game. Additionally, when developing an intellectual property into a game which is simultaneously being made into a motion picture, our development schedule is designed to ensure that our games are commercially available by the motion picture’s release. The development cycle for console and PC games ranges from 12-36 months and the development cycle for handheld games ranges from 9-24 months.

These development cycles require that we assess whether there will be adequate retailer and consumer demand for a game well in advance of its release. The investments in such development, prior to reaching technological feasibility, are recorded as product development expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. We had product development expenses of $97.1 million in fiscal 2007, $94.6 million in fiscal 2006 and $80.1 million in fiscal 2005.

Upon completion of development, each game is extensively play-tested by us to ensure compatibility with the appropriate hardware systems and configurations and to minimize the number of bugs and other defects found in the products. If required, we also send the game to the manufacturer for its review and approval. To support our products after release, we provide online access to our customers on a 24 hour basis as well as operator help lines during regular business hours. The customer support group tracks customer inquiries, and we use this data to help improve the development and production processes.

Manufacturing

Other than games that we release for sale on PCs or wireless devices, our video games are manufactured for us by the platform manufacturers or their authorized vendors. We contract with various PC replicators for the manufacturing of our PC products.

The platform game manufacturing process begins with our placing a purchase order with a manufacturer. We then send the software code and a prototype of the game to the manufacturer (together with related artwork, user instructions, warranty information, brochures and packaging designs) for approval, defect testing, and manufacture.

We are required by our platform licenses to provide a standard defective product warranty on all of the products sold. Generally, we are responsible for resolving, at our own expense, any warranty or repair claims. We have not experienced any material warranty claims, but there is no guarantee that we will not experience such claims in the future.

Marketing and Sales

Our marketing activities vary depending upon whether a video game title is based upon a licensed or an original property. A licensed property has pre-existing brand popularity and thus often requires less initial effort by us to promote. Our marketing efforts for titles based upon original properties begin well in advance of a title’s release and focus on building positive awareness of our game concepts with consumers and retailers. We conduct consumer and retail research, which provides us with feedback to position a title prior to its release. Our public relations promotional activities for original titles in fiscal 2007 included coverage in broadcast, print and online media targeting enthusiast, lifestyle and major mainstream outlets.

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Additionally, we continue to increase our corporate public relations efforts by establishing relationships with leading technology and business reporters.

Our marketing efforts for products released in fiscal 2007 covered a broad range of media including, television, print, in-theater, radio, internet advertising and promotional events. Most of our major new releases in fiscal 2007 received television support. Our games were also supported by promotional activities such as trailers, demo discs, standees, posters, pre-sell giveaways at retail stores, game kiosks at sporting and outdoor events, game demos and promotions with major consumer brands. Our games are also promoted to retailers by display at select retailer specific trade shows. We also conduct print and cooperative retail advertising campaigns for most titles and prepare a range of promotional sales and marketing materials to increase awareness among retailers.

We strive to create global brand awareness for our products. Consistent with our strategy to build and maintain franchise properties with global appeal, our international marketing efforts include localization of products to conform to consumer preferences and languages in the countries in which each title is distributed. This structure is designed to maximize market performance in all territories.

North American Sales.   In North America, our products are primarily sold directly to mass merchandisers, consumer electronics stores, discount warehouses and national retail chain stores. Our products are also sold to smaller, regional retailers, as well as distributors who, in turn, sell our products to retailers that we do not service directly, such as grocery and drug stores. Our domestic sales activities are led by our national sales team, which has representatives in most major markets in the United States.

We utilize electronic data interchange with most of our major North American customers in order to (i) efficiently receive, process, and ship customer product orders and (ii) accurately track and forecast sell-through of products to consumers in order to determine whether to order additional products from the manufacturers. We believe that the direct relationship model we use in North America allows us to better manage inventory, merchandise and communications. We ship all of our products to our North American customers from warehouses located in Canada, Michigan and Minnesota.

The domestic retail prices for our titles currently range between: (i) $15 and $35 for handheld platforms; (ii) $15 and $65 for console platforms; and (iii) $10 and $55 for PC games. The domestic retail price for our wireless games currently range between $2 and $8 for a one time purchase and between $2 and $4 for a monthly subscription.

International Sales.   Our international sales activities operate via our offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Korea, Japan, Spain, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Italy. International offices market and distribute direct-to-retail customers and through distributors in both their home territories and to approximately 60 additional territories.

Our largest customers worldwide include Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Toys “R” Us and Wal-Mart. We also sell our products to other national and regional retailers, discount store chains and specialty retailers. Our largest customer, Wal-Mart, accounted for 18% of our worldwide sales in fiscal 2007. A substantial reduction, termination of purchases, or business failure by any of our largest customers could have a material adverse effect on us.

Seasonality

The interactive entertainment software market is highly seasonal, with sales typically significantly higher during the third quarter of our fiscal year, due primarily to the increased demand for interactive games during the year-end holiday buying season.

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Competition

The video game industry is intensely competitive. It is characterized by the continuous introduction of new titles and the development of new technologies. Our business is driven by hit titles, which requires us to invest significantly in production and in marketing. Competition in the video games segment is also based on product quality and features, timing of product releases, brand-name recognition, access to distribution channels, and effectiveness of marketing and price.

We compete both for licenses to properties and the sale of interactive entertainment software with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, each of which is a large developer and marketer of software for its own platforms. Each of these competitors also has the financial resources to withstand significant price competition and to implement extensive advertising campaigns, particularly for prime-time television spots. In addition to the manufacturers, our competitors include publishers and developers of interactive entertainment software, such as Activision, Atari, Electronic Arts, LucasArts, Namco, Sega, Take-Two Interactive Software, Ubisoft, and Vivendi Games.

In addition, some of our competitors are very large, diversified corporations that have begun to develop games based upon their own highly recognizable brands, and, as a result, stand to become more direct competitors. Disney Interactive Studios recently expanded its internal software game publishing efforts and Viacom has expanded its efforts in interactive entertainment software publishing.

Employees

As of March 31, 2007, we employed approximately 2,000 people, of whom over 640 were outside the United States. We believe that our ability to attract and retain qualified employees is a critical factor in the successful development of our products and that our future success will depend, in large measure, on our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we consider our relations with employees to be favorable.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

See Item 7 “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 18 of notes to consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act are available to the public free of charge over the internet at our website at http://www.thq.com or at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings will be available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we have electronically filed or furnished them to the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K. You may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or on the internet at http://www.sec.gov/info/edgar/prrrules.htm. You can view our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Other Senior Financial Officers and the charters for each of our committees of the Board of Directors free of charge on the corporate governance section of our website.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties which may affect our future financial performance. Some of those important risks and uncertainties which may cause our operating results to vary or which may materially and adversely affect our operating results are as follows:

Risk factors related to console hardware

Our business depends on hardware on which consumers play our games. In the past 18 months, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony each released a new console platform, the Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), respectively. These platforms are called “new generation” consoles and succeed the Xbox, GameCube and PlayStation 2 (“PS2”), respectively, which we refer to herein as the “legacy platforms”. The new generation consoles can adversely affect sales of our video games and our profitability as follows:

Hardware shortages.   Each of the new generation consoles has experienced hardware shortages, which continue for some of the most recently released platforms. Hardware shortages generally negatively affect the sales of video games since consumers do not have consoles on which to play the games.

Hardware pricing.   The new generation consoles are priced higher than each of the predecessor platforms. The Xbox 360 can cost as much as $479.99, the Wii is priced at $249.99 and the PS3 can cost as much as $599.99. The cost of the hardware could adversely affect their sales, which could negatively affect sales of our products for these platforms since consumers need a platform in order to play our games.

Software pricing.   Software prices for the new generation console games are higher than prices for games for the predecessor platforms. There is no assurance that consumers will continue to pay the higher prices of these games.

Additionally, although we still publish games for the PS2, as consumers purchase games for new generation consoles rather than for the PS2 and demand for games on the PS2 declines, the prices of our games for the PS2 may also decline. Reduced pricing of our PS2 products may result in lower revenues, which could materially affect our profitability.

Increasing development costs.   The introduction of the new generation platforms has required the development of new software to play on such consoles and new technologies to create such software. Because the new generation consoles have greater complexity and capabilities than the predecessor platforms, costs are higher to develop games for new generation consoles. Greater costs can lead to lower operating margins, negatively affecting our profitability.

We must continue to develop and sell new titles in order to remain profitable.

Our profitability has directly resulted from our ability to develop and sell successful new titles for use on multiple platforms. Consumer preferences for games are difficult to predict, and even the most successful titles remain popular for only limited periods of time, often less than six months.

Competitive launches may negatively affect the sales of our games.

We compete for consumer dollars with several other video game publishers and consumers must make choices among available games. If we make our games available for sale at the same time as many other new games become available, consumers may choose to spend their money on products published by our competitors rather than our products and retailers may choose to give more shelf space to our competitors’ products, leaving less space to sell our products. Since, as described above, the life cycle of a game is short, strong sales of our competitors’ games could negatively affect the sales of our games.

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We rely on a relatively small number of licensed brands for a significant portion of our sales.

Games we develop based upon a small number of licensed brands make up a substantial portion of our sales each year. In fiscal 2007, sales of titles for our three top-selling brands, Disney·Pixar, Nickelodeon and World Wrestling Entertainment (“WWE”) comprised 54% of our net sales; in fiscal 2006, 47% of our net sales were based on titles from such brands; and in fiscal 2005, 52% of our net sales were based on titles from such brands. A limited number of licensed brands may continue to produce a disproportionately large amount of our sales. Due to this dependence on a limited number of brands, the failure of one or more products based on these brands to achieve anticipated results or the loss of a license pursuant to which we develop games for such brands may significantly harm our business and financial results.

We are currently involved in litigation with the WWE with respect to our video game license. Since WWE titles make up a significant portion of our sales, our inability to retain the license could harm us. See, Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” for a more detailed discussion of this litigation.

Our inability to acquire or create intellectual property rights which have a high level of consumer recognition or acceptance could harm us.

A significant portion of our net sales are derived from products based on popular licensed properties. A decrease in the popularity of the underlying property of our licenses could negatively impact our ability to sell products based on such licenses.

We also generate revenue from wholly-owned intellectual property. The success of our internal brands depends on our ability to create original ideas which appeal to the avid gamer. Titles based on wholly-owned intellectual property can be expensive to develop and market since they do not have a built-in consumer base or licensor support. Our inability to create new products targeted at the core gamer could negatively impact our operations.

Our inability to enter into agreements with the manufacturers to develop, publish and distribute titles on their platforms could seriously impact our operations.

We are dependent on the platform manufacturers (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) and our non-exclusive licenses with them, both for the right to publish titles for their platforms and for the manufacture of our products for their platforms. Our existing platform licenses require that we obtain approval for the publication of new games on a title-by-title basis. As a result, the number of titles we are able to publish for these platforms, and our sales from titles for these platforms, may be limited. Should any manufacturer choose not to renew or extend our license agreement at the end of its current term, or if any license was terminated, we would be unable to publish additional titles for that manufacturer’s platform, which could negatively affect our operating results.

Additionally, since each of the manufacturers publish games for its own platform, and also manufactures products for all of its other licensees, a manufacturer may give priority to its own products or those of other publishers in the event of insufficient manufacturing capacity. Unanticipated delays in the delivery of products due to delayed manufacturing could also negatively affect our operating results.

Video game product development schedules are difficult to predict and can be subject to delays. Postponements in shipments can substantially impact our earnings in any given quarter.

Our ability to meet product development schedules is affected by a number of factors, including the creative processes involved, the coordination of large and sometimes geographically dispersed development teams required by the increasing complexity of our products, and the need to refine and tune our products prior to their release. We have in the past experienced development delays for several of our products. Failure to meet anticipated production schedules may cause a shortfall in our expected sales and

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profitability and cause our operating results in any given quarter to be materially different from expectations. Delays that prevent release of our products during peak selling seasons or in conjunction with specific events, such as the release of a related movie, could adversely affect the sales of such products and thus our financial performance.

We rely on external developers for the development of some of our titles.

Some of our titles are developed by third-party developers. We have no direct control over the business, finances and operational practices of these external developers. A delay or failure to complete the work performed by external developers may result in delays in, or cancellations of, product releases. Additionally, the future success of externally developed titles will depend on our continued ability to maintain relationships and obtain developer agreements on favorable terms with skilled external developers. Our competitors may acquire the businesses of key developers or sign them to exclusive development arrangements. In either case, we would not be able to continue to engage such developers’ services for our products, except for those that they are contractually obligated to complete for us. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to establish or maintain such relationships with external developers and failure to do so could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

We rely on a small number of customers that account for a significant amount of our sales.

Our largest single customer, Wal-Mart, accounted for 18% of our gross sales in fiscal 2007, 19% of our gross sales in fiscal 2006 and 14% of our gross sales in fiscal 2005. In fiscal 2007, our five largest customers, including Wal-Mart, accounted for 46% of our gross sales. A substantial reduction, termination of purchases, or business failure by any of our largest customers could have a material adverse effect on us.

Increased sales of used video game products could lower our sales.

Increased sales of used video games, which are generally priced lower than new video games, by one of our key customers could negatively affect our sales of new titles and thus our revenues.

Competition in the interactive software entertainment industry may lead to reduced sales of our products and reduced market share.

Our industry is intensely competitive. We compete for both the sale of games and licenses to properties with the platform manufacturers and other publishers. Such competition could negatively affect sales of our games as follows:

Development of software by hardware manufacturers.   Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have each increased development efforts of software for their own hardware platforms. As a result of their commanding positions in the industry, the manufacturers may have better bargaining positions with respect to retail pricing, shelf space and retailer accommodations than do any of their licensees, including us. Additionally, the manufacturers can bundle their software with their hardware, creating less demand for individual sales of our products.

Development of software by intellectual property owners.   As discussed above, a significant portion of our revenue is due to sales of games based upon licensed properties. In recent years, some of our key licensors, including Disney and Warner Bros., have increased their own development of video games, which could lead to such licensors not renewing our licenses to publish games based upon their properties or not grant future licenses to develop games based upon such properties. If we do not publish such games, our revenue could be significantly affected.

Competition for licenses.   Some of our competitors have greater name recognition among consumers and licensors of properties, a broader product line, or greater financial, marketing and other resources than we

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do. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to market their products more effectively or make larger offers or guarantees in connection with the acquisition of licensed properties. As competition for popular properties increases, our cost of acquiring licenses for such properties may increase, resulting in reduced margins.

Competition for shelf space.   As competitors in our industry strive to release more blockbuster titles and as retailers merge, competition for retail shelf space may become more intense. We may need to increase our marketing expenditures to maintain sales of our titles. Increased expenses without corresponding increased sales could reduce our profit margins and thus have a negative effect on our business and financial results.

Competition with emerging forms of home-based entertainment may reduce sales of our products.

We also compete with other forms of entertainment and leisure activities. For example, we believe the overall growth in the use of the internet and online services by consumers may pose a competitive threat if customers and potential customers spend less of their available time using interactive entertainment software and more using the internet and online services.

Competition for qualified personnel is intense in the interactive software entertainment industry and failure to hire and retain qualified personnel could seriously harm our business.

We rely to a substantial extent on the management, marketing, sales, technical and software development skills of a limited number of employees to formulate and implement our business plan. Our success depends to a significant extent upon our ability to attract and retain key personnel. Competition for employees can be intense and the process of locating key personnel with the right combination of skills is often lengthy. The loss of services of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Consolidation in the interactive software entertainment industry presents challenges with respect to resources and integration of acquired businesses.

Consistent with our strategy to expand our internal development capabilities and distribution channels, we intend to continue to pursue acquisitions of companies, intellectual property rights and other assets that can be acquired on acceptable terms and which we believe can be operated or exploited profitably. As our industry continues to consolidate, we face significant competition in making acquisitions, which may constrain our ability to complete suitable transactions.

Further, as we acquire companies, we are faced with additional challenges. The integration of newly acquired companies’ operations with our existing operations takes management time and effort. Additionally, there is a risk of loss of key employees, customers and vendors of the recently-acquired companies.

Emerging technologies, such as games for wireless devices, require investments and present many risks.

Wireless network and mobile phone technologies are undergoing rapid innovation. New mobile phones with more advanced processors and supporting advanced programming languages continue to be introduced in the market. We have no control over the demand for, or success of, these products. However, if we fail to anticipate and adapt to these and other technological changes, our market share and our operating results may suffer. Our future success in providing wireless games and other content will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, develop applications to accommodate evolving industry standards and improve the performance and reliability of our applications. In addition, the widespread adoption of networking or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our entertainment applications.

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The markets for our applications are also characterized by frequent new mobile phone model introductions and shortening mobile phone model life cycles. The development of new, technologically advanced applications to match the advancements in mobile phone technology is a complex process requiring significant research and development expense, as well as the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. As the life cycle of mobile phone models and other wireless devices shortens, we will be required to develop and adapt our existing applications and create new applications more quickly. These efforts may not be successful. Any failure or delay in anticipating technological advances or developing and marketing new applications that respond to any significant change in technology or customer demand could limit the available channels for our applications and limit or reduce our sales.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from our international operations, which may subject us to economic, political, regulatory and other risks.

In fiscal 2007 we derived 42% of our revenues from our international operations, up from 39% in fiscal 2006. We intend to continue expanding our international operations, which may subject us to many risks, including: different consumer preferences, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, and possible difficulties collecting foreign accounts receivable. These factors or others could have an adverse effect on our future foreign sales or the profits generated from these sales.

Sales generated by our international offices will generally be denominated in the currency of the country in which the sales are made. To the extent our foreign sales are not denominated in U.S. dollars, our sales and profits could be materially and adversely affected by foreign currency fluctuations.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights against piracy, infringement of our patents by third parties, or declining legal protection for intellectual property.

We defend our intellectual property rights and combat unlicensed copying and use of software and intellectual property rights through a variety of techniques. Preventing unauthorized use or infringement of our rights is difficult. Unauthorized production occurs in the computer software industry generally, and were a significant amount of unauthorized production of our products to occur, it could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. We hold copyrights on the products, manuals, advertising and other materials owned by us and we maintain certain trademark rights. We regard our titles, including the underlying software, as proprietary and rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements, among other methods to protect our rights. We include with our products a “shrink-wrap” or “click-wrap” license agreement or limitations on use of the software. It is uncertain to what extent these agreements and limitations are enforceable, especially in foreign countries. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult, and software piracy is a persistent problem, especially in some international markets. Further, the laws of some countries where our products are or may be distributed either do not protect our products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, or are poorly enforced. Legal protection of our rights may be ineffective in such countries. We cannot be certain that existing intellectual property laws will provide adequate protection for our products.

Third parties may claim we infringe their intellectual property rights.

Although we believe that we make reasonable efforts to ensure that our products do not violate the intellectual property rights of others, from time to time we receive notices from others claiming we infringe their intellectual property rights. The number of these claims may grow. Responding to these claims may require us to enter into royalty and licensing agreements on less favorable terms, require us to stop selling or to redesign affected products, or to pay damages or to satisfy indemnification commitments with our

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customers including contractual provisions under various license arrangements. If we are required to enter into such agreements or take such actions, our operating margins may decline as a result.

Defects in our game software could harm our reputation or decrease the market acceptance of our products.

Our game software may contain defects. In addition, because we do not manufacture our games for console platforms, we may not discover defects until after our products are in use by retail customers. Any defects in our software could damage our reputation, cause our customers to terminate relationships with us or to initiate product liability suits against us, divert our engineering resources, delay market acceptance of our products, increase our costs or cause our revenue to decline.

We cannot be certain of the future effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting or the impact of the same on our operations or the market price for our common stock.

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to include in our Annual Report on Form 10-K our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Furthermore, our independent registered public accounting firm is required to audit our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and separately report on whether it believes we maintain, in all material respects, effective internal controls over financial reporting. Although we believe that we currently have adequate internal controls procedures in place, we cannot be certain that future material changes to our internal controls over financial reporting will be effective. If we cannot adequately maintain the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our common stock.

Fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to seasonality in the interactive software entertainment industry and other factors related to our business operations could result in substantial losses to investors.

We have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant quarterly fluctuations in sales and operating results. The interactive software entertainment market is highly seasonal, with sales typically significantly higher during the year-end holiday buying season. Other factors that cause fluctuations in our sales and operating results include:

·       the timing of our release of new titles as well as the release of our competitor’s products;

·       the popularity of both new titles and titles released in prior periods;

·       the profit margins for titles we sell;

·       the competition in the industry for retail shelf space;

·       fluctuations in the size and rate of growth of consumer demand for titles for different platforms; and

·       the timing of the introduction of new platforms and the accuracy of retailers’ forecasts of consumer demand.

We believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance. We may not be able to maintain consistent profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. It is likely that in some future quarter, our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors and as a result of the factors described above and others described throughout this “Risk Factors” section, the price of our common stock may fall or significantly fluctuate.

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Rating systems and future legislation may make it difficult to successfully market and sell our products.

Currently, the interactive software entertainment industry is self-regulated and rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (“ESRB”). Our retail customers take the ESRB rating into consideration when deciding which of our products they will purchase. If the ESRB or a manufacturer determines that a product should have a rating directed to an older or more mature consumer, we may be less successful in our marketing and sales of a particular product.

From time to time, legislation has been introduced at the local, state and federal levels for the establishment of a government mandated rating and governing system in the United States and in foreign countries for our industry. Various foreign countries already allow government censorship of interactive entertainment products. We believe that if our industry were to become subject to a government rating system, our ability to successfully market and sell our products could be adversely affected.

Any significant downturn in general economic conditions which results in a reduction in discretionary spending could reduce demand for our products and harm our business.

Our product sales are affected by the retail customer’s ability and desire to spend disposable income on the purchase of our games. Any significant downturn in general economic conditions which results in a reduction in discretionary spending could result in a reduction in demand for our products and could harm our business. Such industry downturns have been, and may continue to be, characterized by diminished product demand and subsequent erosion of average selling prices.

Because of these and other factors affecting our operating results and financial condition, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The following is a summary of the principal leased offices we maintained as of May 25, 2007:

Purpose

 

 

 

North America

 

Europe

 

Asia Pacific

 

Total

 

Sales and administrative

 

 

116,800

 

 

56,700

 

 

11,600

 

 

185,100

 

Product development

 

 

373,900

 

 

6,100

 

 

20,700

 

 

400,700

 

Total leased square footage

 

 

490,700

 

 

62,800

 

 

32,300

 

 

585,800

 

 

We also own 10,820 square feet of space in Phoenix, Arizona which serves as our data center and motion capture studio.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

WWE related Lawsuits

On October 19, 2004, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (“JAKKS”), THQ, THQ/JAKKS Pacific LLC (the “LLC”), and others, alleging, among other claims, improper conduct by JAKKS, certain executives of JAKKS, an employee of the WWE and an agent of the WWE in granting the WWE videogame license to the LLC. The complaint seeks various forms of relief, including monetary damages and a judicial determination that, among other things, the WWE videogame license is void. On March 30, 2005, WWE filed an amended complaint, adding both new claims and THQ’s

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president and chief executive officer, Brian Farrell, as a defendant. In August 2005, the Court directed the parties to file briefs on the three federal law claims alleged by the Plaintiffs (i.e., Robinson-Patman, and Sherman Act, and a threshold issue concerning the Plaintiff’s RICO claim). The motions to dismiss the amended complaint based on these issues were fully briefed and argued and, on March 31, 2006, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the Robinson-Patman Act and Sherman Act claims and denied the defendants’ motion seeking to dismiss the RICO claims on the basis of the threshold “enterprise” issue that was briefed (the “March 31 Order”).

On April 7, 2006, the Company and the other defendants sought certification to appeal from the portion of the March 31 Order denying the motion to dismiss the RICO claim on the one ground that was briefed. Shortly thereafter, WWE filed a motion for re-argument with respect to the portion of the March 31 Order that dismissed the Sherman Act claim and, alternatively, sought judgment with respect to the Sherman Act claim so that it could pursue an immediate appeal. At a court hearing on April 26, 2006, the Court deferred a ruling on the requests for partial judgment and for certification and set briefing schedules with respect to the remaining grounds for defendants’ motion to dismiss the RICO claim, currently the sole remaining basis for federal jurisdiction in this action, that were not the subject of the first round of briefing. The Court also established a briefing schedule for WWE’s motion for re-argument of the dismissal of the Sherman Act claim. The briefing was completed in August of 2006 and a hearing was held in September of 2006. The Court has not yet ruled on the pending motions. Discovery in this action remains stayed.

THQ believes that neither it, nor Brian Farrell, is primarily accused of any wrongdoing in the complaint or the amended complaint, and believes that either there is no basis for terminating the WWE videogame license, or that THQ will be made whole by those whose conduct is eventually found to be unlawful. We intend to vigorously protect our rights and, if necessary, pursue appropriate claims against third parties.

On October 12, 2006, WWE filed a separate lawsuit against the Company and the LLC in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut, alleging that the Company’s agreements with Yuke’s Co., Ltd. (“Yukes”), a developer and distributor in Japan, violated a provision of the WWE videogame license prohibiting sublicenses without WWE’s written consent. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, a declaration that the WWE is entitled to terminate the video game license and seek monetary damages. On February 8, 2007, the Company and the LLC jointly moved to strike one of the claims, for violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trading Practices Act; on March 28, 2007, the Court denied that motion, without prejudice to the defendants’ ability to raise the same issue at a later date. On February 22, 2007, the Court established a schedule for this case, including discovery, and ordering that the case be “exposed for trial” as of October 14, 2008. However, on March 30, 2007, WWE moved for leave to amend its pleadings to add allegations and claims substantially similar to those already pending in WWE’s lawsuit in the Southern District of New York and to “cite in” the other defendants from that action. The defendants objected to this motion. At a hearing on May 8, 2007, the Court granted WWE’s request to amend the complaint and add defendants. The Court also suspended deadlines under its existing scheduling order and indicated it will re-examine the schedule after the new defendants have been served and have appeared. The amended complaint was served on the Company and Brian Farrell on or about May 10, 2007. The Company believes it and the LLC have several bases for defending any claim of breach of the WWE videogame license agreement resulting from the manner of distribution of WWE-licensed products in Japan and other Asian territories. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the claims raised in this action, including those raised in the amended complaint.

Due to the early status of this litigation with WWE we cannot estimate a possible loss, if any. Games we develop based upon our WWE videogame license have contributed to approximately 15% of our net sales during each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2007. The loss of the WWE license would have a negative impact on our future financial results.

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Operating agreement with JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

In June 1999 we entered into an operating agreement with JAKKS that governs our relationship with respect to the WWE videogame license. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, JAKKS is entitled to a preferred payment from revenues derived from exploitation of the WWE videogame license. The amount of the preferred payment to JAKKS for the period beginning July 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2009 (the “First Subsequent Distribution Period”) is to be determined by agreement or, failing that, by arbitration.

The parties have not reached agreement on the preferred payment for the First Subsequent Distribution Period. Accordingly, as provided in the operating agreement, the parties are in the process of selecting an arbitrator to resolve this dispute. Although we believe continuation of the previous preferred payment would represent significantly excessive compensation to JAKKS for the First Subsequent Distribution Period, we are not able to predict the outcome of the arbitration or otherwise estimate the amount of the preferred payment for the First Subsequent Distribution Period. Accordingly, we are currently accruing for a preferred payment to JAKKS at the previous rate. However, we have advised JAKKS that we do not intend to make any payment until the amount of the preferred payment payable to JAKKS for the First Subsequent Distribution Period is agreed or otherwise determined as provided in the operating agreement. On April 30, 2007, we filed a petition to compel arbitration and appoint an arbitrator in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, West District. Our petition seeks a court order compelling JAKKS to comply with the arbitration provisions in the operating agreement and establishing a process and timeline for selecting an arbitrator. On or about May 22, 2007, JAKKS filed a response to our petition, as well as an application for provisional relief requesting that, pending conclusion of the arbitration, THQ either be enjoined from distributing to itself any proceeds from the joint venture since June 2006 or be compelled to resume payments to JAKKS at the same rate that was in effect prior to June 2006. A hearing on the petition is scheduled for June 19, 2007.

We do not expect the resolution of this dispute to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

SEC Informal Inquiry

On August 4, 2006, we received an informal inquiry from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requesting certain documents and information relating to our stock option grant practices from January 1, 1996 to the present. We publicly announced this inquiry on August 7, 2006. Prior to August 4, 2006, we were already conducting an internal review of our historical stock option grant practices with the assistance of outside counsel. We initiated the internal review following extensive news coverage and analyst reports about the option practices of numerous companies across several different industries. The Company has cooperated fully with the SEC’s inquiry.

Upon receipt of the notice of informal inquiry from the SEC, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) formed a special committee consisting of one outside director, Jeffrey Griffiths (the “Special Committee”), to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation of our stock option practices and to oversee our response to the SEC. The Special Committee retained independent outside legal counsel and forensic accountants (the “Investigative Team”) to aid in its investigation.

The Special Committee concluded its investigation and reported its findings to the full Board on December 2, 2006. The Special Committee found no evidence of fraud or misconduct by any person with respect to the company’s historical stock option grant practices. The Special Committee did identify instances where documentation of certain option grants was lacking. The Special Committee also determined that an incorrect measurement date for financial accounting purposes was used on a number of occasions. These errors resulted primarily from misapplication of accounting standards related to certain measurement date selection methods discussed in detail in Note 2 to the Notes to the Consolidated

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Financial Statements of our Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A for the year ended March 31, 2006, which in a number of occasions resulted in employees receiving options with stated exercise prices lower than the market prices as measured based upon the measurement dates as determined by the applicable accounting standards. The Special Committee also recommended certain remedial measures with respect to the Company’s stock option granting practices, which were adopted by the Board. The Special Committee and the Investigative Team reported the Special Committee’s findings to the SEC on January 8, 2007.

Lawsuits related to our historical stock option granting practices

Kukor and Ramsey v. Haller, et. Al.   On August 25, 2006, following our announcement of the informal inquiry by the SEC, a purported shareholder derivative action captioned Ramsey v. Haller et Al. was filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. The complaint alleges, among other things, purported improprieties in our issuance of stock options, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. Another lawsuit was subsequently filed by the same law firm on behalf of another purported shareholder, David Kukor, and the parties stipulated to consolidate the two actions. On or about April 19, 2007, a Consolidated Shareholder Derivative Complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) was filed, alleging the same types of claims and quoting from various public statements by THQ since the filing of the original complaint. THQ is also named as a nominal defendant. The Company intends to demur to the Consolidated Complaint. Pursuant to court order, the demurrer must be filed by May 28, 2007, and a hearing for the demurrer is currently scheduled for August 9, 2007. Discovery in this matter is currently stayed.

Hawaii Laborers Pension Fund v. THQ, et. Al.   In October 2006, a purported shareholder derivative action captioned Hawaii Laborers Pension Fund v. THQ, et. Al., was filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors in federal district court, alleging claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as well as various state law claims arising out of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty related to stock option practices. On or about April 20, 2007, the plaintiff filed an Amended and Verified Shareholder Derivative Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”) alleging that certain current and former officers and directors engaged in a conspiracy to manipulate grants dates associated with stock options and then concealed the alleged backdating option scheme and filed false and misleading statements with the SEC. THQ is also named as a nominal defendant. The Company intends to file a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which pursuant to a stipulation between the parties, must be filed by June 1, 2007. No discovery has yet commenced in this action.

Although litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, we do not believe the results of these actions will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other

We are also involved in additional routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of our management, none of such pending litigation is expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.

19




PART II

Item 5.         Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

THQ’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “THQI.”  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market:

 

 

Closing
Sales Prices

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2007

 

$

34.33

 

$

29.64

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2006

 

34.00

 

28.69

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2006

 

30.87

 

19.74

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2006

 

27.76

 

19.65

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2006

 

$

27.62

 

$

23.81

 

Third Quarter ended December 31, 2005

 

24.58

 

19.14

 

Second Quarter ended September 30, 2005

 

23.97

 

19.49

 

First Quarter ended June 30, 2005

 

20.67

 

16.81

 

 

The last reported price of our common stock on May 25, 2007, as reported by NASDAQ Global Select Market, was $32.46 per share.

Stock Price Performance Graph

The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder returns for the period from December 31, 2001 through March 31, 2007, for the Company’s common stock, NASDAQ Global Select Market Composite Index and the RDG Technology Index. The comparison assumes an initial investment of $100 in each on December 31, 2001 and that all dividends were reinvested. The Company has not paid any cash dividends and, therefore, the cumulative total return calculation for the Company is based solely upon stock price appreciation and not upon reinvestment of cash dividends.

The comparisons in the graph below are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast the possible future performance of THQ’s common stock.

20




COMPARISON OF 63 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among THQ Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index and The RDG Technology Composite Index

GRAPHIC


*                    $100 invested on December 31, 2001 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending March 31.

 

 

12/31/2001

 

12/31/2002

 

3/31/2003

 

3/31/2004

 

3/31/2005

 

3/31/2006

 

3/31/2007

 

THQ Inc.

 

 

$

100.00

 

 

 

$

41.00

 

 

 

$

40.41

 

 

$

62.61

 

$

87.08

 

$

120.18

 

$

158.71

 

NASDAQ Composite

 

 

$

100.00

 

 

 

$

70.85

 

 

 

$

71.02

 

 

$

104.35

 

$

104.99

 

$

124.25

 

$

128.04

 

RDG Technology Composite

 

 

$

100.00

 

 

 

$

62.90

 

 

 

$

62.52

 

 

$

92.82

 

$

89.48

 

$

105.43

 

$

109.51

 

 

Information presented is as of the end of the calendar year for December 31, 2002, as of March 31, 2003 for our three-month transition period, and as of March 31 for fiscal 2004, fiscal 2005, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007.

Holders

As of May 25, 2007 there were approximately 262 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividend Policy

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and, therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future.

21




Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

Information for our equity compensation plans in effect as of March 31, 2007 is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Plan Category

 

 

 

Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

 

Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

7,471,425

 

 

 

$

19.21

 

 

 

6,082,100

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

752,576

(1)

 

 

$

12.15

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

8,224,001

 

 

 

$

18.56

 

 

 

6,082,100

 

 


(1)          Represents the aggregate number of shares of THQ common stock to be issued upon exercise of individual compensation arrangements with employee and non-employee option and warrant holders. The outstanding options were primarily granted under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Non-executive Employee Stock Option Plan (the “NEEP Plan”). For a description of the material features of the NEEP Plan, see “Note 14—Stock-based Compensation” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases

The following table presents the Company’s repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Period

 

 

 

Total Number 
of Shares 
Purchased (1)

 

Average Price 
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans

 

Maximum Number 
(or Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans (2)

 

January 1 - January 31

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

February 1 - February 28

 

 

115,500

 

 

 

30.53

 

 

 

4,064,500

 

 

 

8,500,000

 

 

March 1 - March 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

115,500

 

 

 

$

30.53

 

 

 

4,064,500

 

 

 

$

8,500,000

 

 


(1)          On September 10, 2002, November 21, 2002, and February 5, 2004 we announced that our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in private transactions with a total authorized repurchase amount of $75.0 million. At March 31, 2006 there was $22.1 million available for future repurchases. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, we repurchased $13.6 million of our common stock. As of March 31, 2007, we have repurchased 4,064,500 shares of our common stock for approximately $66.5 million, leaving $8.5 million available for future repurchases. On May 16, 2007, we announced that our Board authorized the repurchase of an additional $25.0 million of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in private transactions bringing the total authorized repurchase amount to $100.0 million. There is no expiration date for the authorized repurchases.

(2)          Based upon the closing price of THQ Common Stock on March 31, 2007.

22




Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein. Effective January 1, 2003, we changed our fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31. Since the change in fiscal year end affects the comparability of the information reflected in the selected financial data, we have included unaudited results for the period from April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003. Other than this unaudited period, the selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2007 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2007, and 2006, and the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, and the report thereon are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005(a)

 

2004(b)

 

2003(c)(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Net sales

 

$

1,026,856

 

$

806,560

 

$

756,731

 

$

640,846

 

 

$

467,647

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales—product costs

 

351,449

 

287,946

 

255,187

 

234,574

 

 

181,532

 

 

Cost of sales—software amortization and royalties

 

165,462

 

116,371

 

93,622

 

105,632

 

 

84,916

 

 

Cost of sales—license amortization and royalties

 

99,533

 

80,508

 

85,926

 

71,132

 

 

38,988

 

 

Cost of sales—venture partner expense

 

16,730

 

12,572

 

9,774

 

9,675

 

 

9,218

 

 

Product development

 

97,105

 

94,575

 

80,090

 

42,292

 

 

41,803

 

 

Selling and marketing

 

139,958

 

124,809

 

111,444

 

88,295

 

 

68,817

 

 

General and administrative

 

78,413

 

57,944

 

50,278

 

43,831

 

 

33,951

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

948,650

 

774,725

 

686,321

 

595,431

 

 

459,225

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

78,206

 

31,835

 

70,410

 

45,415

 

 

8,422

 

 

Interest and other income, net

 

12,822

 

7,955

 

6,483

 

7,720

 

 

(6,226

)

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

 

91,028

 

39,790

 

76,893

 

53,135

 

 

2,196

 

 

Income taxes

 

26,206

 

7,621

 

15,235

 

19,063

 

 

1,220

 

 

Income from continuing operations before minority interest

 

64,822

 

32,169

 

61,658

 

34,072

 

 

976

 

 

Minority interest

 

136

 

(63

)

(261

)

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

64,958

 

32,106

 

61,397

 

34,072

 

 

976

 

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

3,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

68,038

 

$

32,106

 

$

61,397

 

$

34,072

 

 

$

976

 

 

Earnings per share—basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.00

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.05

 

$

0.59

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share—basic

 

$

1.05

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.05

 

$

0.59

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

Earnings per share—diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.96

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share—diluted

 

$

1.01

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

Shares used in per share calculation—basic

 

65,039

 

62,615

 

58,545

 

57,279

 

 

58,527

 

 

Shares used in per share calculation—diluted

 

67,593

 

65,520

 

60,367

 

58,605

 

 

60,881

 

 

 

23




 

BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands)

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Working capital

 

$

562,316

 

$

459,558

 

$

400,063

 

$

309,633

 

$

286,899

 

Total assets

 

$

1,013,541

 

$

848,468

 

$

746,606

 

$

527,901

 

$

473,867

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

768,957

 

$

627,751

 

$

547,758

 

$

437,879

 

$

397,309

 


Notes:

(a)           Net income includes a $7.8 million benefit for research and development income tax credits claimed for prior years.

(b)          Net income includes a $4.0 million benefit for a settlement of a dispute with directors’ and officers’ insurance carrier, net of tax.

(c)           Net income includes a charge of $1.8 million due to the other than temporary impairment of our investment in Yuke’s Co., Ltd. (See “Note 8—Other Long-Term Assets” in Note to Consolidated Financial Statements). We also changed our fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31, effective January 1, 2003.

(d)          Net income includes a charge of $7.9 million, net of tax, for the cancellation of 20 SKUs as well as a charge of $4.6 million, net of tax, related to the settlement of a class action lawsuit and a charge of $1.1 million, net of tax, related to the write-off of inventory and software development for “WWF” branded games that we had been prevented from shipping pursuant to an action by the World Wide Fund for Nature against World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and a charge of $2.8 million, net of tax, related to the discontinuation of our online joint venture in the United Kingdom (Network Interactive Sports, Ltd.).

24




Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The following is a discussion of our operating results and the primary trends that affect our business. Certain of these trends and other statements made herein may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are included herein because management believes that an understanding of these trends is important to understand our results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 (“fiscal 2007”), as well as our future prospects. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to be a substitute for the detailed discussion and analysis provided elsewhere in this Form 10-K, including in the remainder of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” or the consolidated financial statements and related notes. The discussion and analysis herein may be understood more fully by reference to the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, readers should refer to our cautionary statement on page 1 herein as well as “Risk Factors” set forth in Item 1A. All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “THQ,” or the “Company” in the following discussion and analysis mean THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview of Fiscal 2007 Results

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, we recorded the highest total annual revenue in our history. Net sales in fiscal 2007 increased 27% over the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 (“fiscal 2006”), to $1,026.9 million, up from $806.6 million. The year-over-year growth in our net sales was due primarily to significant growth in sales of games from our key long-term licensed properties; DisneyPixar, WWE and Nickelodeon as well as sales of our new, owned intellectual property, Saints Row. Titles released in fiscal 2007 under our key licensed properties included Cars, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 and a new title from our Nickelodeon license, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Additionally, in fiscal 2007, our operating margin improved by 367 basis points over fiscal 2006, to 8% of net sales. Our operating margin improved in fiscal 2007 due primarily to improved gross margins on our key titles, led by multi-million unit sales of Cars and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw and leverage of our selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses.

Net income from continuing operations for fiscal 2007 was $65.0 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $32.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006. Net income for fiscal 2007 was $68.0 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, and included a $3.1 million gain on sale of discontinued operations. Our fiscal 2007 results include our continued investment in development of games based on new generation consoles.

Cash provided by operations was $64.0 million during fiscal 2007, up 50% as compared to fiscal 2006, which had $42.8 million. The increase in cash provided by operations was primarily a result of an increase in earnings, improved working capital and amortization of licenses and software, partially offset by increases in cash payments for software development and licenses.

Prospective Business Trends

We operate in one business segment: video game development and publishing. We derive revenue principally from sales of packaged interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles, handheld devices and personal computers.

Transition to new generation console systems.   In fiscal 2007, our industry continued to transition from the legacy consoles, Sony PlayStation 2 (“PS2”) and Nintendo GameCube, to the new generation consoles, Sony PlayStation 3 (“PS3”) and Nintendo Wii. Additionally, in fiscal 2006, Microsoft launched its new generation platform, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and two new handheld platforms were launched, the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. With the new generation of console systems and new handheld platforms, we believe that market segmentation will be extremely important. We have designed our publishing strategy to

25




take advantage of the unique feature sets of the new consoles, handhelds and PC. Our strategy to reach core gamers focuses on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC platforms. Our mass-market brands are targeted primarily for the Nintendo Wii, PS2 and DS platforms. We plan to publish some of our licensed brands, such as WWE and Disney•Pixar across all viable platforms.

Software development.   The new generation consoles have increased functionality (e.g., realistic environments and artificial intelligence) over their legacy counterparts. The increased functionality delivers a more exciting gaming experience but adds complexity to the development of video games for these new consoles. This complexity increases the overall cost to develop these games and accordingly, during fiscal 2008, we expect our average software development costs to increase as we develop more games for these new consoles.

Products.   In order to increase revenues while facing higher development costs, we believe that it is more important than ever in our industry to have a robust and diversified product portfolio. In recent years, we have focused our efforts on growing both our owned intellectual properties and our licensed brands. As a result of these efforts, we believe that we can continue to grow our revenues at or above the market growth rate in our industry.

International growth.   Over the past few years, sales of video games outside of the United States have grown significantly. In fiscal 2007, international sales growth drove approximately $110.1 million of our overall net sales increase of $220.3 million. The international installed base of video game platforms continues to increase and we are focused on expanding our international presence by identifying territories where we see opportunity and establishing a direct sales presence to seize such opportunities. In addition to our sales force presence, we are focused on releasing and aggressively marketing titles with international appeal. We continue to evaluate new business opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

Incremental revenue opportunities.   Digital content creation and distribution is an emerging revenue source in our industry. We expect several of our games in fiscal 2008 to include in-game advertising. In fiscal 2007, we began offering our first PC titles via digital distribution channels and provided digital downloads of new content after shipping Saints Row. We are focused on growing these sources of incremental revenue in the future. Additionally, we re-positioned our wireless business for future growth, adding new brands and development capabilities to the business.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates discussed below are considered by management to be critical because they are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting estimates are described in the following paragraphs. For all of these estimates, management cautions that actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Accounts receivable allowances.   We derive revenue from sales of packaged software for video game systems and personal computers and sales of content and services for wireless devices. Product revenue is recognized net of allowances for price protection and returns and various customer discounts. We typically only allow returns for our personal computer products; however, we may decide to provide price protection or allow returns for our video game systems or personal computer products after we analyze: (1) inventory remaining in the retail channel, (2) the rate of inventory sell-through in the retail channel,

26




and (3) our remaining inventory on hand. We maintain a policy of giving credits for price protection and returns, but do not give cash refunds. Included in our accounts receivable allowances is our allowance for co-operative advertising that we engage in with our retail channel partners. Our co-operative advertising allowance is based upon specific contractual commitments and does not involve estimates made by management.

We establish sales allowances based on estimates of future price protection and returns with respect to current period product revenue. We analyze historical price protection granted, historical returns, current sell-through of retailer and distributor inventory of our products, current trends in the video game market and the overall economy, changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products, and other related factors when evaluating the adequacy of the price protection and returns allowance. In addition, management monitors the volume of our sales to retailers and distributors and their inventories, because slow-moving inventory in the distribution channel can result in the requirement for price protection or returns in subsequent periods. In the past, actual price protection and returns have not generally exceeded our reserves. However, actual price protection and returns in any future period are uncertain. While management believes it can make reliable estimates for these matters, if we changed our assumptions and estimates, our price protection and returns reserves would change, which would impact the net revenue we report. In addition, if actual price protection and returns were significantly greater than the reserves we have established, the actual results of our reported net sales would decrease. Conversely, if actual price protection and returns were significantly less than our reserves, our reported net sales would increase.

Similarly, management must use significant judgment and make estimates in connection with establishing allowances for doubtful accounts in any accounting period. Management analyzes customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our bad debt expense for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. If our customers experience financial difficulties and are not able to meet their ongoing financial obligations to us, our results of operations may be adversely impacted.

Licenses.   Minimum guaranteed royalty payments for intellectual property licenses are initially recorded on our balance sheet as an asset (licenses) and as a liability (accrued royalties) at the contractual amount upon execution of the contract if no significant performance obligation remains with the licensor. When a significant performance obligation remains with the licensor, we record royalty payments as an asset (licenses) when payable rather than upon execution of the contract. Royalty payments for intellectual property licenses are classified as current assets and current liabilities to the extent such royalty payments relate to anticipated sales during the subsequent year and long-term assets and long-term liabilities if such royalty payments relate to anticipated sales after one year.

We evaluate the future recoverability of our capitalized licenses on a quarterly basis. The recoverability of capitalized license costs is evaluated based on the expected performance of the specific products in which the licensed trademark or copyright is to be used. As many of our licenses extend for multiple products over multiple years, we also assess the recoverability of capitalized license costs based on certain qualitative factors such as the success of other products and/or entertainment vehicles utilizing the intellectual property, whether there are any future planned theatrical releases or television series based on the intellectual property and the rights holder’s continued promotion and exploitation of the intellectual property. Prior to the related product’s release, we expense, as part of cost of sales—license amortization and royalties, capitalized license costs when we believe such amounts are not recoverable.

Licenses are expensed to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties at the higher of (1) the contractual royalty rate based on actual net product sales related to such license or (2) an effective rate based upon total projected revenue related to such license. When, in management’s estimate, future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover previously capitalized costs, we expense these capitalized costs to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties. If actual revenues or revised forecasted revenues fall below

27




the initial forecasted revenues for a particular license, the charge to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties expense may be larger than anticipated in any given quarter. As of March 31, 2007, the net carrying value of our licenses was $91.1 million. If we were required to write off licenses, due to changes in market conditions or product acceptance, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Software Development.   We utilize both internal development teams and third-party software developers to develop our software. We account for software development costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.”  We capitalize software development costs once technological feasibility is established and we determine that such costs are recoverable against future revenues. For products where proven game engine technology exists, this may occur early in the development cycle. We capitalize the milestone payments made to third-party software developers and the direct payroll and overhead costs for our internal development teams. We evaluate technological feasibility on a product-by-product basis. Amounts related to software development for which technological feasibility is not yet met are charged as incurred to product development expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

On a quarterly basis, we compare our unamortized software development costs to net realizable value, on a product-by-product basis. The amount by which any unamortized software development costs exceed their net realizable value is charged to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties. The net realizable value is the estimated future gross revenues from the product, reduced by the estimated future costs of completing the product.

Commencing upon product release, capitalized software development costs are amortized to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties based on the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues. If actual revenues, or revised projected revenues, fall below the initial projections, the charge to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties may be larger than anticipated in any given quarter. As of March 31, 2007, the net carrying value of our software development was $164.3 million.

The milestone payments made to our third-party developers during their development of our games are typically considered non-refundable advances against the total compensation they can earn based upon the sales performance of the products. Any additional compensation earned beyond the milestone payments are expensed to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties as earned.

Goodwill.   When we adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”) effective January 1, 2002, we elected to perform the annual review of goodwill impairment required by FAS 142 on June 30th of each calendar year which at that time corresponded to the second quarter of our fiscal year. In February 2003 we changed our fiscal year end from December 31st to March 31st. Since changing our fiscal year end to March 31st we continued to perform our annual review of goodwill impairment on June 30th, which also changed to be the end of our first fiscal quarter. In fiscal 2007, we changed the date of our annual review of goodwill for impairment to the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter. Our first fiscal quarter is generally when we are required to adopt recently issued accounting pronouncements in addition to managing our annual financial reporting requirements, which can strain our personnel resources in that quarter. We changed the quarter in which we perform our annual review of goodwill impairment to better utilize these resources. Additionally, the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter’s proximity to our fiscal year end provides us with more comprehensive data to be included in our review. It was not intended to delay, accelerate or avoid any impairment charge. Accordingly, we believe that this change is preferable. Goodwill impairment tests performed as of January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 concluded that no impairment charges were required as of those dates. The change in accounting principle related to the annual testing does not result in adjustments to our financial statements when applied retrospectively. We will perform this annual review on the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter in future years or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist.

Our impairment review process is based on a discounted future cash flow approach that uses our estimates of revenue for the reporting units, driven by anticipated success of our products and product release

28




schedules, and estimated costs as well as appropriate discount rates. These estimates are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage the underlying businesses. The success of our products is affected by the ability to accurately predict which platforms and which products we develop will be successful. Also, our revenues and earnings are dependent on our ability to meet our product release schedules. Due to these and other factors described in “Item 1A Risk Factors” we may not realize the future net cash flows necessary to recover our goodwill.

Based on these judgments and assumptions, we determine whether we need to take an impairment charge to reduce the value of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets stated on our balance sheets to reflect their estimated fair values. Judgments and assumptions about future values are complex and often subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends, significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or the strategy of our overall business and significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results. Although we believe the judgments and assumptions we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, there is nonetheless a high degree of uncertainty and judgment involved.

We continue to encounter the risks and difficulties faced with launching or acquiring a new business. When the business is a development studio, we look for ways to maximize the talent and intellectual property within the studio. We make judgments and assumptions as to the commercial success and quantity of games developed by a particular studio. Different judgments and assumptions could materially impact our reported financial results. For example, if we do not develop games with the same commercial success or the same number of games as we have estimated, we may need to take an impairment charge against goodwill in the future. More conservative assumptions of the anticipated future benefits from these businesses would result in lower fair values which could result in impairment charges, which would decrease net income and result in lower asset values on our balance sheets. Conversely, less conservative assumptions would result in higher fair values which could result in lower impairment charges and higher net income.

Stock-based compensation.   We adopted SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”) in our first quarter of fiscal 2007 and accordingly, we now record stock-based compensation expense for all of our stock-based awards. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement had a material impact on our consolidated statement of operations and our cash flows from operating and financing activities for fiscal 2007. See “Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Under FAS 123R, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value for awards that are expected to vest is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term. The amount of expense recognized represents the expense associated with the stock options we expect to ultimately vest based upon an estimated rate of forfeitures; this rate of forfeitures is updated as necessary and any adjustments needed to recognize the fair value of options that actually vest or are forfeited are recorded. The Black-Scholes option pricing model, used to estimate the fair value of an award, requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected volatility of our common stock and an option’s expected life. As a result, the financial statements include amounts that are based upon our best estimates and judgments relating to the expenses recognized for stock-based compensation. We adopted FAS 123R under the modified prospective transition method wherein no prior period financial statement information was affected. All prior period financial statements include stock-based compensation accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended (“FAS 123”). The financial statements for fiscal 2007, include stock-based compensation accounted for under FAS 123R. There were no material differences in valuation methodologies or assumptions compared to those that were used in estimating the fair value of stock options under the disclosure only provisions of FAS 123.

29




The following table sets forth the amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized in fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cost of sales—software amortization and royalties

 

$

2,087

 

$

 

$

 

Product development

 

3,364

 

926

 

475

 

Selling and marketing

 

2,817

 

981

 

132

 

General and administrative

 

10,704

 

1,515

 

199

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

18,972

 

$

3,422

 

$

806

 

 

Income taxes.   As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves: (1) estimating our current tax exposure in each jurisdiction including the impact, if any, of changes or interpretations to applicable tax laws and regulations, (2) estimating additional taxes resulting from tax examinations and (3) making judgments regarding the recoverability of deferred tax assets. To the extent recovery of deferred tax assets is not likely based on our estimates of future taxable income in each jurisdiction, a valuation allowance is established.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. Our estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue, including our recent claim for research and development income tax credits, requires judgment. We believe we have adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters. However, our future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire.

As of March 31, 2007, the non-current portion of income tax receivable is recorded net of a $17.0 million contingent tax liability. The contingent tax liability relates to tax positions taken in previously filed tax returns and similar positions expected to be taken in our current year tax returns. Moreover, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has commenced a routine examination of our U.S. income tax returns for the calendar year 1999 through fiscal year 2004. A portion of the contingent tax liability relates to the fiscal years under examination. On May 24, 2007 we received notification from the IRS that the Joint Committee on Taxation had completed its review of our file and took no exception to the conclusions reached by the IRS. The conclusions reached by the IRS were not significantly different from the positions taken on our tax returns. We are evaluating the impact the conclusions of the IRS examination has on the measurement of our contingent tax liabilities and will make any necessary adjustments in the quarter ending June 30, 2007. The amount of tax benefit recognized may be impacted by our adoption of FIN 48, which is effective for us as of April 1, 2007.

As a result of the items discussed above, our actual effective income tax rates can differ from the projected effective income tax rates used when preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS 155”), an amendment of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“FAS 140”), allowing companies to elect fair value measurement for instruments in their entirety in cases otherwise requiring a derivative to be bifurcated. FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006, which will be our fiscal year 2008. We do not expect the

30




adoption of this statement to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 contains a two step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FAS 109”). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If a tax position is to be recognized after the first step, the second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. This provision is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, which will be our fiscal year 2008. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 states that both a balance sheet (iron curtain) approach and an income statement (rollover) approach should be used when quantifying and evaluating the materiality of a misstatement. SAB 108 contains guidance on correcting errors under the dual approach and provides transition guidance for correcting errors existing in prior years. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006, which will be our fiscal year 2008. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. FAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which will be our fiscal year 2009. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. Subsequent unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which will be our fiscal year 2009. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Fiscal 2007 to Fiscal 2006

Net income from continuing operations for fiscal 2007 was $65.0 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $32.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006. Net income for fiscal 2007 was $68.0 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, and included a $3.1 million gain on sale of discontinued operations.

Net Sales

We derive revenue principally from sales of packaged interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles, handheld devices and personal computers. We also derive revenue through downloads by mobile phone users of our wireless content.

31




The following table details our net sales by territory for fiscal 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

North America

 

$

600,159

 

58.4

%

$

489,945

 

60.7

%

$

110,214

 

 

22.5

%

 

Europe

 

365,406

 

35.6

 

269,928

 

33.5

 

95,478

 

 

35.4

%

 

Asia Pacific

 

61,291

 

6.0

 

46,687

 

5.8

 

14,604

 

 

31.3

%

 

International

 

426,697

 

41.6

 

316,615

 

39.3

 

110,082

 

 

34.8

%

 

Consolidated net sales

 

$

1,026,856

 

100.0

%

$

806,560

 

100.0

%

$

220,296

 

 

27.3

%

 

 

North America and international net sales in fiscal 2007 were primarily driven by the release of Cars, from the DisneyPixar franchise, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, and the successful launch of Saints Row, a new internally developed and owned intellectual property.

Net sales in fiscal 2007 increased 27% over fiscal 2006, from $806.6 million to $1,026.9 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the following:

·       growth in sales from games from our Disney•Pixar license, led by the release of Cars, which shipped nearly eight million units in the fiscal 2007. Sales of Cars outperformed sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, which was released in fiscal 2006 and was a sequel to The Incredibles, which was released in fiscal 2005;

·       sales of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, which shipped four million units in fiscal 2007, outperforming sales of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 in fiscal 2006;

·       growth in sales of games from our Nickelodeon license, which increased by approximately 22% over sales from this license in fiscal 2006; and

·       sales of Saints Row, a new internally developed and owned intellectual property.

In fiscal 2007, our North American sales increased by 22.5% over fiscal 2006. Our international sales increased by $110.1 million, or 35% in fiscal 2007 due to marketing and sales expansion in the international markets as well as the release of games with increased international appeal. While we expect net sales in North America to continue to constitute the largest portion of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2008, we expect net sales for North America as a percentage of total sales to decrease slightly as we continue to expand our international direct sales and product mix. We will continue to focus on growing sales internationally in fiscal 2008 as we expand our product portfolio and direct sales forces in the international markets. In fiscal 2007, we established sales offices in Italy and Mexico. In fiscal 2008 we will look to expand our direct sales force into Eastern Europe, and we continue to explore opportunities in Asia, especially China.

Changes in foreign currency rates increased reported international net sales by $25.2 million or 6% in fiscal 2007, as compared to fiscal 2006. Excluding the impacts of foreign exchange rates, international net sales increased by 22% in fiscal 2007.

32




Net Sales by Platform

Our worldwide net sales by platform for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

 

 

Platform

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

Consoles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Xbox 360

 

$

134,908

 

13.1

%

$

14,479

 

1.8

%

$

120,429

 

 

831.7

%

 

Microsoft Xbox

 

27,476

 

2.7

 

88,181

 

10.9

 

(60,705

)

 

(68.8

)%

 

Nintendo Wii

 

30,025

 

2.9

 

 

 

30,025

 

 

%

 

Nintendo GameCube

 

52,338

 

5.1

 

59,255

 

7.3

 

(6,917

)

 

(11.7

)%

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

304,916

 

29.7

 

296,294

 

36.7

 

8,622

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

 

549,663

 

53.5

 

458,209

 

56.7

 

91,454

 

 

20.0

%

 

Handheld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

114,143

 

11.1

 

32,855

 

4.1

 

81,288

 

 

247.4

%

 

Nintendo Game Boy Advance

 

119,869

 

11.7

 

171,477

 

21.3

 

(51,608

)

 

(30.1

)%

 

Sony PlayStation Portable

 

65,402

 

6.4

 

29,406

 

3.6

 

35,996

 

 

122.4

%

 

Wireless

 

26,467

 

2.6

 

36,112

 

4.5

 

(9,645

)

 

(26.7

)%

 

 

 

325,881

 

31.8

 

269,850

 

33.5

 

56,031

 

 

20.8

%

 

PC

 

149,546

 

14.6

 

77,615

 

9.6

 

71,931

 

 

92.7

%

 

Other

 

1,766

 

0.1

 

886

 

0.2

 

880

 

 

99.3

%

 

Net Sales

 

$

1,026,856

 

100.0

%

$

806,560

 

100.0

%

$

220,296

 

 

27.3

%

 

 

Console Platforms

Net sales for console platforms increased by 20% in fiscal 2007 to $549.7 million from $458.2 million in fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2007, sales of games for the Sony PlayStation 2 constituted 55% of our sales for console platforms, down from 65% of total console sales in fiscal 2006, while sales of games on the Microsoft Xbox 360 climbed from approximately 3% of total console sales in fiscal 2006 to almost 25% in fiscal 2007. We released 31 new SKUs for console platforms in fiscal 2007 and 2006. A SKU is a version of a title designed for play on a particular platform.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$134,908

 

 

13.1

%

 

 

$

14,479

 

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

831.7

%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for Xbox 360 were primarily driven by the release of our owned and internally developed property Saints Row and by WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. In fiscal 2006, The Outfit was the only game released for the Xbox 360, while we released five new SKUs in fiscal 2007. The $120.4 million increase in net sales in fiscal 2007 is due to our release of four more SKUs as compared to fiscal 2006. As the installed base of Xbox 360 hardware has grown since its launch in November 2005, we have brought more titles to the platform, including DisneyPixar’s Cars. We expect to continue to bring new titles to this platform as the installed base of Xbox 360 continues to grow.

Microsoft Xbox Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$27,476

 

 

2.7

%

 

 

$

88,181

 

 

 

10.9

%

 

 

(68.8

)%

 

 

33




In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for Xbox were primarily driven by the release of DisneyPixar’s Cars, Destroy All Humans! 2 and sales of our catalog titles. We released three and 11 new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales decreased by $60.7 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to fewer units sold of video games for Xbox as consumer demand shifted to games for Microsoft’s new generation console, Xbox 360.

Nintendo Wii Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$30,025

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

Nintendo launched its new generation console, Nintendo Wii (“Wii”) in November 2006. In fiscal 2007, we released four new SKUs, which accounted for all sales on Wii in fiscal 2007. The games released were DisneyPixar’s Cars and three Nickelodeon titles: SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Barnyard. We expect to continue to bring new titles to this platform as the installed base of Wii continues to grow including bringing WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 to Wii in fiscal 2008 as well as original content developed solely for Wii.

Nintendo GameCube Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$52,338

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

$

59,255

 

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

(11.7

)%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for Nintendo GameCube (“GameCube”) were primarily driven by sales of DisneyPixar’s Cars and our Nickelodeon titles, as well as sales of our catalog titles. We released eight and seven new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales decreased by $6.9 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to decreased sales of catalog titles in fiscal 2007 as consumers shifted to the new generation consoles. We expect net sales for GameCube to continue to decline in the future as consumer demand shifts to video games made for Wii.

Sony PlayStation 2 Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$304,916

 

 

29.7

%

 

 

$

296,294

 

 

 

36.7

%

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for PlayStation 2 (“PS2”) were primarily driven by WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, DisneyPixar’s Cars and sales of our Nickelodeon and catalog titles. We released 11 and 12 new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales increased $8.6 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to sales of DisneyPixar’s Cars as compared to sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer in fiscal 2006, partially offset by lower sales of catalog titles, which were higher in fiscal 2006. Sony released its new generation console, PS3, in November 2006. We expect net sales of games for PS2 to decline in the future as the installed base of PS3 grows.

Handheld Platforms

Net sales for handheld platforms increased by 21% in fiscal 2007 to $325.9 million from $269.9 million in fiscal 2006. We released 27 and 22 new handheld SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Consistent with our expectations, net sales of games for Nintendo’s Dual Screen (“DS”) and Sony’s PlayStation Portable (“PSP”) continued to increase in fiscal 2007 with the growth of the installed base, while net sales

34




of games for Game Boy Advance (“GBA”) declined from 64% of game sales for handheld platforms in fiscal 2006 to 37% in fiscal 2007.

Nintendo Dual Screen Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$114,143

 

 

11.1

%

 

 

$

32,855

 

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

247.4

%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, sales of Cars, Bratz: Forever Diamondz and sales of our Nickelodeon and catalog titles drove our sales and contributed to an $81.3 million increase in net sales over fiscal 2006. We released nine and eight new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. As the installed base of DS hardware continues to grow, we expect to continue to bring more titles to the platform.

Nintendo Game Boy Advance Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$119,869

 

 

11.7

%

 

 

$

171,477

 

 

 

21.3

%

 

 

(30.1

)%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for GBA were primarily driven by Cars and sales of our catalog titles. We released 13 and 10 new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales decreased by $51.6 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 as consumer demand shifted to DS. We expect net sales from GBA products to continue to decline as a result of continued growth of DS and PSP into the handheld video game market.

PlayStation Portable Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$65,402

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

$

29,406

 

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

122.4

%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for PSP were driven by Cars and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. We released five and four new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales increased by $36.0 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to sales of Cars and increased sales of catalog titles. As the installed base of PSP hardware continues to grow, we expect to continue to bring more titles to the platform.

Wireless Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$26,467

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

$

36,112

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

(26.7

)%

 

 

Wireless net sales consist of wireless games and other content such as wireless wallpapers and ringtones. Prior to December 2006 we also derived wireless revenue by providing infrastructure services for the delivery of wireless content and entertainment through our controlling interest in Minick Holding AG (“Minick”).

In fiscal 2007, wireless net sales consisted of games and other content based on Star Wars and Worms; licensed properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and WWE; and owned intellectual properties such as Saints Row and Juiced. Wireless net sales decreased by $9.6 million during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The decrease is due to the sale of our interest in Minick in December 2006 and fewer new titles

35




released as we re-align our wireless product portfolio to emphasize more casual game content to position ourselves for wireless platform share gains in the future.

We expect a slight decrease in wireless net sales in fiscal 2008, as compared to fiscal 2007, due to the sale of our interest in Minick, which comprised approximately 34% of total wireless net sales in fiscal 2007. Excluding net sales from Minick, we expect our wireless net sales to increase by approximately 50% in fiscal 2008 as we execute against our product strategy, leveraging our strong portfolio of owned and licensed properties.

PC Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$149,546

 

 

14.6

%

 

 

$

77,615

 

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

92.7

%

 

 

In fiscal 2007, net sales of video games for PC products were primarily driven by the release of our new owned and internally developed property, Company of Heroes, as well as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, Supreme Commander and Titan Quest. We released nine and 11 new SKUs in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net sales increased by $71.9 million in fiscal 2007, as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to these core-gamer titles with premium PC pricing. We expect PC net sales to decrease in fiscal 2008 due to our product line-up.

Costs and Expenses, Interest Income, Other Income, Income Taxes and Minority Interest

Our costs and expenses increased by $174.0 million, or 22%, in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006, to $948.7 million, from $774.7 million. This increase was primarily due to:

·       higher product costs related to our increase in net sales,

·       an increase in software amortization and royalties due to greater sales and the higher cost of developing games for new generation consoles, and

·       $19.0 million of stock-based compensation expense primarily due to our adoption of FAS 123R in our first quarter of fiscal 2007, $15.6 million higher than in fiscal 2006; $5.0 million of legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with the investigation of our historical stock option grant practices in fiscal 2007 and $2.9 million from the payroll tax effects of our historical stock option grant practices investigation in fiscal 2007.

Costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased by 4 points to 92% in fiscal 2007 from 96% in fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily due to product mix of higher priced titles and leverage of our selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses.

Cost of Sales—Product Costs (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$351,449

 

 

34.2

%

 

 

$

287,946

 

 

 

35.7

%

 

 

22.1

%

 

 

Product costs primarily consist of direct manufacturing costs (including platform manufacturer license fees), net of manufacturer volume rebates and discounts. Product costs as a percentage of net sales decreased by 1.5 points in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in sales from our premium priced PC games including Company of Heroes, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, Supreme Commander and Titan Quest. These PC games have lower product costs as compared to most of our other platforms due to the lack of a platform manufacturer license fee.

36




Cost of Sales—Software Amortization and Royalties (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$165,462

 

 

16.1

%

 

 

$

116,371

 

 

 

14.4

%

 

 

42.2

%

 

 

Software amortization and royalties primarily consists of amortization of capitalized payments made to third-party software developers and amortization of capitalized internal studio development costs. Commencing upon product release, capitalized software development costs are amortized to software amortization and royalties based on the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues. In fiscal 2007 software amortization and royalties as a percentage of net sales increased by 1.7 points over fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily due to a greater mix of new generation titles with higher development costs.

Cost of Sales—License Amortization and Royalties (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$99,533

 

 

9.7

%

 

 

$

80,508

 

 

 

10.0

%

 

 

23.6

%

 

 

License amortization and royalties expense consists of royalty payments due to licensors, which are expensed at the higher of (1) the contractual royalty rate based on actual net product sales for such license or (2) an effective rate based upon total projected revenue for such license. In fiscal 2007 license amortization and royalties as a percentage of net sales decreased slightly versus fiscal 2006. The top selling titles in fiscal 2007 were Cars and WWE® SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, both licensed properties. However, the increased mix of net sales from games based on our owned intellectual properties including Saints Row, Destroy All Humans! 2, Company of Heroes and Titan Quest lowered the overall rate as compared to fiscal 2006.

Cost of Sales—Venture Partner Expense (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$16,730

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

$

12,572

 

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

Venture partner expense is related to the joint license agreement that THQ and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (“JAKKS”) have with the WWE under which our role is to develop, manufacture, distribute, market and sell WWE video games. Venture partner expense increased by $4.2 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. This increase is due to an overall increase in net sales of games based upon the WWE license, which is primarily due to the release of WWE® SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 in fiscal 2007 and the introduction of this game to the new generation console Xbox360. See “Item 3—Legal Proceedings” for information regarding our venture partner agreement.

Product Development (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$97,105

 

 

9.5

%

 

 

$

94,575

 

 

 

11.7

%

 

 

2.7

%

 

 

Product development expense primarily consists of expenses incurred by internal development studios and payments made to external development studios prior to products reaching technological feasibility. Product development expense increased by $2.5 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. This increase is primarily due to $3.4 million of stock-based compensation expense due to our adoption of

37




FAS 123R in our first quarter of fiscal 2007, $2.4 million higher than in fiscal 2006, and $1.5 million from the payroll tax effects of our historical stock option grant practices investigation in fiscal 2007. This increase was partially offset by more products under development that reached technological feasibility earlier in the development process in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.

Selling and Marketing (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$139,958

 

 

13.6

%

 

 

$

124,809

 

 

 

15.5

%

 

 

12.1

%

 

 

Selling and marketing expenses consist of advertising, promotional expenses, and personnel-related costs. In fiscal 2007, selling and marketing expenses increased on a dollar basis by $15.1 million over fiscal 2006. This increase was primarily due to the promotional efforts supporting Cars and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 which exceeded the promotional costs for Incredibles:  Rise of the Underminer and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 in fiscal 2006 as well as the launch of Saints Row in fiscal 2007. The increase is also due to $2.8 million of stock-based compensation expense due to our adoption of FAS 123R in our first quarter of fiscal 2007, $1.8 million higher than in fiscal 2006, and $0.7 million from the payroll tax effects of our historical stock option grant practices investigation in fiscal 2007.

In fiscal 2007, selling and marketing expenses decreased by 1.9 points as a percentage of net sales as compared to fiscal 2006. This decrease is due to our effective marketing spend that drove a 27% increase in net sales as compared to fiscal 2006.

General and Administrative (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$78,413

 

 

7.6

%

 

 

$

57,944

 

 

 

7.2

%

 

 

35.3

%

 

 

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel and related expenses of executive and administrative staff, as well as fees for professional services such as legal and accounting. General and administrative expenses increased by $20.5 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due to $10.7 million of stock-based compensation expense due to our adoption of FAS 123R in our first quarter of fiscal 2007, which was $9.2 million higher than in fiscal 2006. The increase is also attributable to $5.0 million in legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with the investigation of our historical stock option grant practices and $0.8 million for the related payroll tax effects.

Interest and Other Income, net

Interest and other income consists of interest earned on our short-term investments as well as gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes for transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. Interest and other income increased by $4.9 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due to higher average yields on our short-term investment balances.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 29% for fiscal 2007 and 19% for fiscal 2006. The fiscal 2006 effective income tax rate benefited from the following factors: (1) a higher ratio of research and development tax credits to pre-tax income and (2) a higher ratio of tax exempt interest income to overall pre-tax income. If fiscal 2006 pretax income was the same as in fiscal 2005 the effective tax rate would have been

38




approximately 28%. The tax rate for fiscal 2007 is higher because of non-deductible stock-based compensation expense recognized under FAS 123R.

Minority Interest and Discontinued Operations

Minority interest reflects the income allocable to equity interests in Minick that are not owned by THQ. Prior to December 1, 2006, we owned 50% of Minick’s outstanding common stock and controlled its board of directors. On December 1, 2006, we sold our interest in Minick. As of March 31, 2007 we received approximately $17.1 million in cash and recognized a gain of approximately $3.1 million in discontinued operations due to the sale. Pursuant to the Minick sale agreement, we may receive additional consideration of approximately $2.7 million over the next 9 to 15 months. If such amounts are received, the additional gain recognized will be reported in discontinued operations in the period the proceeds are collected. The results of Minick’s operations were not material to any of the periods presented and have therefore not been reclassified as discontinued operations.

Comparison of Fiscal 2006 to Fiscal 2005

Our net income for fiscal 2006 was $32.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, as compared to $61.4 million, or $1.02 per diluted share in fiscal 2005.

Net Sales

The following table details our net sales by territory for fiscal 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

North America

 

$

489,945

 

60.7

%

$

470,619

 

62.2

%

 

$

19,326

 

 

 

4.1

%

 

Europe

 

269,928

 

33.5

 

245,083

 

32.4

 

 

24,845

 

 

 

10.1

%

 

Asia Pacific

 

46,687

 

5.8

 

41,029

 

5.4

 

 

5,658

 

 

 

13.8

%

 

International

 

316,615

 

39.3

 

286,112

 

37.8

 

 

30,503

 

 

 

10.7

%

 

Consolidated net sales

 

$

806,560

 

100.0

%

$

756,731

 

100.0

%

 

$

49,829

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

Net sales in fiscal 2006 increased 7% over fiscal 2005, from $756.7 million to $806.6 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the following:

·       An increase in the number of titles that shipped more than one million units in the fiscal year from six in fiscal 2005 to 10 in fiscal 2006.

·       Higher fiscal 2006 sales of new original, owned properties targeted to the core gamer, Juiced, Destroy All Humans! and The Outfit, our first new generation console title, as compared to core gamer titles released in fiscal 2005: Full Spectrum Warrior™, The Punisher and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.

·       International net sales increased $30.5 million and 11% in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 due to continued sales and marketing expansion in the international markets as well as the release of games with increased international appeal.

·       The continued sales of games released in prior fiscal years (we refer to this as “catalog sales”).

·       Higher sales of games on handheld platforms due to the introduction of Nintendo Dual Screen and PlayStation Portable.

·       These items were partially offset by lower fiscal 2006 sales of titles based on two of our key brands: The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as

39




compared to fiscal 2005 releases: The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases.

North America

Year-over-year net sales growth in North America was primarily due to sales of original, owned properties targeted to the core gamer, Destroy All Humans! and Juiced, sales of games based on our WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise on current generation console platforms as well as the first-time release of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise on PSP. These items were partially offset by lower fiscal 2006 sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as compared to fiscal 2005 releases of The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases.

International

Year-over-year international net sales growth was primarily due to increased sales of our original, owned properties targeted to the core gamer, Juiced and Destroy All Humans!, as compared to Full Spectrum Warrior and The Punisher in fiscal 2005, as well as increased sales of games based on our WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise on legacy generation console platforms and the first-time release of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise on PSP. These items were partially offset by lower fiscal 2006 sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as compared to fiscal 2005 releases of The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases.

Changes in foreign currency rates reduced reported international net sales by $11.4 million or 3% in fiscal 2006, as compared to fiscal 2005. Excluding the impacts of foreign exchange rates, international net sales increased by 15% in fiscal 2006.

Net Sales by Platform

Our worldwide net sales by platform for fiscal 2006 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

Increase/

 

 

 

Platform

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

% Change

 

Consoles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

$

296,294

 

36.7

%

$

275,850

 

36.5

%

 

$

20,444

 

 

 

7.4

%

 

Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360

 

102,660

 

12.7

 

80,623

 

10.7

 

 

22,037

 

 

 

27.3

%

 

Nintendo GameCube

 

59,255

 

7.3

 

73,157

 

9.7

 

 

(13,902

)

 

 

(19.0

)%

 

 

 

458,209

 

56.7

 

429,630

 

56.9

 

 

28,579

 

 

 

6.7

%

 

Handheld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nintendo Game Boy Advance

 

171,477

 

21.3

 

204,348

 

27.0

 

 

(32,871

)

 

 

(16.1

)%

 

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

32,855

 

4.1

 

3,110

 

0.4

 

 

29,745

 

 

 

956.4

%

 

Sony PlayStation Portable

 

29,406

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

29,406

 

 

 

%

 

Wireless

 

36,112

 

4.5

 

24,613

 

3.3

 

 

11,499

 

 

 

46.7

%

 

 

 

269,850

 

33.5

 

232,071

 

30.7

 

 

37,779

 

 

 

16.3

%

 

PC

 

77,615

 

9.6

 

86,667

 

11.5

 

 

(9,052

)

 

 

(10.4

)%

 

Other

 

886

 

0.2

 

8,363

 

0.9

 

 

(7,477

)

 

 

(89.4

)%

 

Net Sales

 

$

806,560

 

100.0

%

$

756,731

 

100.0

%

 

$

49,829

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

Console Platforms

Net sales for console platforms increased 7% for fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. We released 31 and 30 new console SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively.

40




Sony PlayStation 2 Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$296,294

 

 

36.7

%

 

 

$

275,850

 

 

 

36.5

%

 

 

7.4

%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for PlayStation 2 (“PS2”) were primarily driven by the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006, Juiced and Destroy All Humans!, as well as catalog sales. In fiscal 2005, net sales of video games for PS2 were primarily driven by the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, The Incredibles, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, as well as catalog sales. We released 12 and 14 new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. A SKU is a version of a title designed for play on a particular platform. Net sales increased $20.4 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 primarily due to:

·       higher sales of our two new owned, original properties targeted to the core gamer: Juiced and Destroy All Humans!, as compared to core gamer titles released in fiscal 2005: Full Spectrum Warrior, MX v. ATV Unleashed and The Punisher;

·       higher sales of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 as compared to the fiscal 2005 release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw;

·       higher catalog sales mainly attributable to increases in sales of games based on our WWE and MX franchises, as well as Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie;

·       partially offset by lower fiscal 2006 sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer as compared to the fiscal 2005 release of The Incredibles, which was released in conjunction with its movie release.

Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360 Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$102,660

 

 

12.7

%

 

 

$

80,623

 

 

 

10.7

%

 

 

27.3

%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for Xbox and Xbox 360 were primarily driven by the release of WWE® Wrestlemania® 21, Destroy All Humans!, The Outfit and Juiced. In fiscal 2005 net sales of video games for Xbox were primarily driven by the release of Full Spectrum Warrior, The Incredibles and The Punisher. We released 12 and eight new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net sales increased by $22.0 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 primarily due to:

·       the release of The Outfit for Xbox 360 whereas there were no Xbox 360 SKUs released in fiscal 2005;

·       sales of our new release WWE Wrestlemania 21, there were no WWE titles released on Xbox in fiscal 2005;

·       higher sales of our two new owned, original properties targeted to the core gamer: Juiced and Destroy All Humans!, as compared to core gamer titles released in fiscal 2005: MX v. ATV Unleashed and The Punisher;

·       four additional SKUs released in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005;

·       partially offset by lower sales of Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers™, as compared to Full Spectrum Warrior released in fiscal 2005;

·       and partially offset by lower fiscal 2006 sales of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer as compared to fiscal 2005 wherein we released The Incredibles which was released in conjunction with its movie release.

41




In November 2005, Microsoft launched its new generation console, Xbox 360, in North America, Europe and Japan.

Nintendo GameCube Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$59,255

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

$

73,157

 

 

 

9.7

%

 

 

(19.0

)%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for GameCube were primarily driven by the release of WWE® Day of Reckoning 2, SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS!, Nicktoons: Unite and The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, as well as catalog sales. In fiscal 2005, net sales of video games for GameCube were primarily driven by the release of The Incredibles, WWE Day of Reckoning and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. We released seven and eight new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net sales decreased by $13.9 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 primarily due to:

·       lower sales of our fiscal 2006 releases of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as compared to fiscal 2005 releases of The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, both which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases;

·       lower sales of our fiscal 2006 release of WWE Day of Reckoning 2, as compared to WWE Day of Reckoning in fiscal 2005;

·       partially offset by sales of our fiscal 2006 release of Bratz: Rock Angelz with no comparable title in fiscal 2005.

Handheld Platforms

Net sales for handheld platforms increased 16% for fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. We released 22 and 20 new handheld SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Both Nintendo and Sony have launched new handheld platforms, Dual Screen (“DS”) and PlayStation Portable (“PSP”), respectively. Consistent with our expectations, net sales of games for those new platforms increased in fiscal 2006, while net sales of games for Game Boy Advance declined.

Nintendo Game Boy Advance Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$171,477

 

 

21.3

%

 

 

$

204,348

 

 

 

27.0

%

 

 

(16.1

)%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for Game Boy Advance were primarily driven by the release of Bratz: Rock Angelz, SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! and The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, as well as sales of our Game Boy Advance Double Packs. Game Boy Advance Double Packs feature two previously released titles on one cartridge, providing us with a way to reintroduce our top selling mass-market titles. In fiscal 2005, net sales of video games for Game Boy Advance were primarily driven by the release of The Incredibles, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and Sonic Advance 3, as well as catalog titles. We released 10 and 19 new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net sales decreased by $32.9 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 primarily due to:

·       lower sales on our fiscal 2006 releases of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as compared to fiscal 2005 releases of The Incredibles and The

42




SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, both which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases;

·       strong fiscal 2005 performance of Sonic Advance 3 without a comparable game released in fiscal 2006;

·       nine fewer SKUs released in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 and an overall decline in the Game Boy Advance market due to the introduction of DS and PSP into the handheld video game market;

·       partially offset by a 21% increase in sales of catalog titles, mainly Game Boy Advance Double Packs.

Nintendo Dual Screen Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$32,855

 

 

4.1

%

 

 

$

3,110

 

 

 

0.4

%

 

 

956.4

%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for DS were primarily driven by the release of Zoo Tycoon, SpongeBob SquarePants: Yellow Avenger and The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer. We released eight and one new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net sales increased by $29.7 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. The increase is due to the increased number of titles released in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005.

PlayStation Portable Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$29,406

 

 

3.6

%

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for PSP were driven by the release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006. We released four and zero new SKUs in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively.

Wireless Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$36,112

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

$

24,613

 

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

46.7

%

 

 

Wireless revenues consist of sales of wireless games and other content such as wireless wallpapers and ringtones. Prior to December 2006 we also derived wireless revenue by providing infrastructure services for the delivery of wireless content and entertainment through our controlling interest in Minick Holding AG (“Minick”).

Wireless net sales increased by $11.5 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. Our product content for wireless devices grew significantly in fiscal 2006 over fiscal 2005. The increase in wireless net sales reflected sales of Star Wars, SpongeBob SquarePants and NFL based content, as well as the continued growth in the installed base of data enabled wireless handsets with game capabilities.

43




PC Net Sales (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$77,615

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

$

86,667

 

 

 

11.5

%

 

 

(10.4

)%

 

 

In fiscal 2006, net sales of video games for PC were primarily driven by the release of Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War: Winter Assault and Juiced, as well as catalog titles. In fiscal 2005, net sales of video games for PC were primarily driven by the release of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, The Incredibles, Full Spectrum Warrior and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. We released 11 and 12 new titles in fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net sales decreased by $9.1 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 primarily due to:

·       lower sales of our Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Winter Assault, an expansion pack to the successful core gamer title Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War released in fiscal 2005;

·       lower sales of our Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers, as compared to Full Spectrum Warrior released in fiscal 2005;

·       lower sales of our fiscal 2006 releases of The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer and SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! as compared to fiscal 2005 releases of The Incredibles and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, both which were released in conjunction with their respective movie releases;

·       partially offset by a 44% increase in sales of catalog titles.

Other Net Sales

Other net sales in fiscal 2006 and 2005 were primarily comprised of sales from Sony PlayStation products.

Costs and Expenses, Interest Income, Other Income, Income Taxes and Minority Interest

Our costs and expenses increased by $88.4 million or 13% in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005, to $774.7 million, from $686.3 million. Costs and expenses as a percentage of net sales increased by five points to 96% in fiscal 2006 from 91% in fiscal 2005. The increase in costs and expenses in fiscal 2006 were primarily due to:

·       higher catalog sales as a percentage of total net sales,

·       a change in development strategy for our WWE games wherein we ceased internal product development for wrestling games and as a result we wrote-off the underlying capitalized software development costs to software amortization and royalties, and

·       higher price protection and software amortization and royalties for Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers.

Cost of Sales—Product Costs (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$287,946

 

 

35.7

%

 

 

$

255,187

 

 

 

33.7

%

 

 

12.8

%

 

 

Product costs primarily consists of direct manufacturing costs net of manufacturer volume rebates and discounts. Product costs as a percentage of net sales increased for fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005,

44




due to higher catalog sales as a percentage of total net sales in fiscal 2006, including reduced year over year pricing primarily from our Game Boy Advance Dual Packs.

Cost of Sales—Software Amortization and Royalties (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$116,371

 

 

14.4

%

 

 

$

93,622

 

 

 

12.4

%

 

 

24.3

%

 

 

Software amortization and royalties consists of amortization of capitalized payments made to third-party software developers and amortization of capitalized internal studio development costs. Commencing upon product release, capitalized software development costs are amortized to software amortization and royalties based on the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues. In fiscal 2006 software amortization and royalties as a percentage of net sales increased by 2.0 points over fiscal 2005 primarily due to a change in our development strategy for our WWE games wherein we ceased internal product development for wrestling games and as a result we wrote-off the underlying capitalized software development costs to software amortization and royalties. The increase in software amortization and royalties as a percent of net sales is also due to high software amortization and royalties related to the performance of Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers on Xbox.

Cost of Sales—License Amortization and Royalties (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$80,508

 

 

10.0

%

 

 

$

85,926

 

 

 

11.4

%

 

 

(6.3

)%

 

 

License amortization and royalties expense consists of royalty payments due to licensors, which are expensed at the higher of (1) the contractual royalty rate based on actual net product sales for such license or (2) an effective rate based upon total projected revenue for such license. For fiscal 2006, license amortization and royalties as a percentage of net sales decreased by 1.4 points compared to fiscal 2005. This is partially due to a $4.0 million write-off of a license in fiscal 2005. The decrease is also due to a higher mix of net sales in fiscal 2006 from games with lower contractual royalty rates and games based on owned intellectual properties with no license rate as compared to fiscal 2005.

Cost of sales—Venture Partner Expense (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$12,572

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

$

9,774

 

 

 

1.3

%

 

 

28.6

%

 

 

Venture partner expense is related to the joint license agreement that THQ and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. have with the WWE under which our role is to develop, manufacture, distribute, market and sell WWE video games. Venture partner expense increased by $2.8 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005 due to increases in net sales of games based upon the WWE license. In fiscal 2006 we released WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable and in fiscal 2005 we released WWE SmackDown vs. Raw on PlayStation 2.

Product Development (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$94,575

 

 

11.7

%

 

 

$

80,090

 

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

18.1

%

 

 

45




Product development expense primarily consists of expenses incurred by internal development studios and payments made to external development studios prior to products reaching technological feasibility. Product development expense increased by $14.5 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily due to the expansion of our internal studios with the acquisitions of Juice Games Limited and Vigil Games, LLC and with the formation of two new studios, Kaos Studios and Incinerator Games. Product development expense also increased due to spending on development of games for new generation platforms.

Selling and Marketing (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$124,809

 

 

15.5

%

 

 

$

111,444

 

 

 

14.7

%

 

 

12.0

%

 

 

Selling and marketing expense consists of advertising, promotional expenses, and personnel-related costs. In fiscal 2006, selling and marketing expenses increased as a percentage of net sales as compared to fiscal 2005. Selling and marketing expenses increased in absolute dollars by $13.4 million for fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily due to promotional efforts to support the launch of two new owned and original titles: Juiced and Destroy All Humans!.

General and Administrative (in thousands)

Year Ended
March 31, 2006

 

% of net sales

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2005

 

% of net sales

 

% change

 

$57,944

 

 

7.2

%

 

 

$

50,278

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

15.2

%

 

 

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel and related expenses of executive and administrative staff, as well as fees for professional services such as legal and accounting. General and administrative expenses increased by $7.7 million in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005. The increase in fiscal 2006 is primarily due to foreign exchange transactions in fiscal 2005, as well as growth in European operations, higher depreciation expense and higher amortization expense related to prior acquisitions.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 19% for fiscal 2006 and 20% for fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2006 effective income tax rate benefited from the following factors: (1) a higher ratio of research and development tax credits to pre-tax income and (2) a higher ratio of tax exempt interest income to overall pre-tax income. If our pretax income was the same as in fiscal 2005 our effective tax rate would have been approximately 28%. The fiscal 2005 effective income tax rate benefited from the following factors: (1) the recognition of $7.8 million of research and development income tax credits claimed for prior years and (2) our estimate of fiscal 2005 year research and development income tax credits. Excluding the one-time benefit of $7.8 million, our effective income tax rate for fiscal 2005 would have been 30%.

Minority Interest

Minority interest reflects the income allocable to equity interests in Minick that were not owned by THQ. Prior to December 1, 2006, we owned 50% of Minick’s outstanding common stock and controlled its board of directors. Minority interest included in our consolidated statement of operations is $63,000 for fiscal 2006 and $261,000 for fiscal 2005.

46




Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

Change

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

174,748

 

 

 

$

91,517

 

 

$

83,231

 

Short-term investments

 

 

283,210

 

 

 

280,120

 

 

3,090

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

 

$

457,958

 

 

 

$

371,637

 

 

$

86,321

 

Percentage of total assets

 

 

45

%

 

 

44

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

63,997

 

$

42,789

 

$

21,208

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

(28,135

)

(85,882

)

57,747

 

Cash provided by financing activities

 

40,939

 

37,787

 

3,152

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

6,430

 

(1,352

)

7,782

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

83,231

 

$

(6,658

)

$

89,889

 

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities.   Our principal source of cash is from sales of interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles, handheld devices and personal computers. Our principal uses of cash are for product purchases of discs and cartridges along with associated manufacturer’s royalties, payments to external developers and licensors, the costs of internal software development and selling and marketing expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities increased by approximately $21.2 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The increase in cash provided was primarily a result of an increase in earnings, improved working capital and amortization of licenses and software development, partially offset by increases in cash payments for software development and licenses. We expect to generate positive operating cash flow for the full fiscal year 2008.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities.   Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2007 decreased by approximately $57.7 million primarily due to movement between our short-term investments and our cash balances.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities.   Cash provided by financing activities increased by approximately $3.2 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006, primarily due to an increase in proceeds from exercise of stock options, partially offset by common stock repurchases. We had $13.6 million of stock repurchases in fiscal 2007 and no repurchases in fiscal 2006.

In fiscal 2008, we expect to generate more cash than we did in fiscal 2007. The increase in the generation of cash is expected to be primarily attributable to higher net income.

Key Balance Sheet Accounts

Accounts Receivable.   Accounts receivable decreased $11.3 million in fiscal 2007, from $78.9 million at March 31, 2006 to $67.6 million at March 31, 2007. The decrease in net accounts receivable is primarily due to improved collection cycles and the timing of our fourth quarter product releases. Accounts receivable allowances were $80.5 million as of March 31, 2007, a $22.7 million increase from March 31, 2006. Allowances for price protection and returns as a percentage of trailing nine month net sales were 8% as of March 31, 2007 and 2006. We believe our current reserves are adequate based on historical experience, inventory remaining in the retail channel and the rate of inventory sell-through in the retail channel.

47




Inventory.   Inventory decreased $1.2 million in fiscal 2007, from $28.6 million at March 31, 2006 to $27.4 million at March 31, 2007. The decrease in inventory is primarily due to increased focus on inventory processes and an increase in catalog sales. Inventory turns on a rolling twelve month basis were 10 at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Licenses.   Licenses increased $9.6 million in fiscal 2007, from $81.5 million at March 31, 2006 to $91.1 million at March 31, 2007. The increase in licenses is due to the acquisition of new licenses during fiscal 2007, partially offset by amortization of our existing licenses.

Software Development.   Software development increased $55.2 million in fiscal 2007, from $109.1 million at March 31, 2006 to $164.3 million at March 31, 2007. The increase in software development is primarily the result of our investment in new generation cross-platform titles with higher development costs which are scheduled to be released in fiscal 2008 and beyond.

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities.   Accrued and other current liabilities increased $32.5 million in fiscal 2007, from $110.9 million at March 31, 2006 to $143.4 million at March 31, 2007. The increase in accrued and other current liabilities is primarily due to the withholding of payments due our venture partner as well as an increase in accrued compensation.

Inflation

Our management currently believes that inflation has not had a material impact on continuing operations.

Financial Condition

We believe the existing cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months, including working capital requirements, capital expenditures and potential future acquisitions or strategic investments. We may choose at any time to raise additional capital to strengthen our cash position, facilitate expansion, pursue strategic investments or to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.

Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity could be affected by various risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Guarantees and Commitments

A summary of annual minimum contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2007 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

 

 

License /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

Software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ending

 

Development

 

 

 

 

 

Letters of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

Commitments(1)

 

Advertising(2)

 

Leases(3)

 

Credit(4)

 

Total

 

2008

 

 

$

95,642

 

 

 

$

14,078

 

 

 

$

14,206

 

 

 

$

22,699

 

 

$

146,625

 

2009

 

 

49,294

 

 

 

14,034

 

 

 

13,669

 

 

 

 

 

76,997

 

2010

 

 

43,115

 

 

 

14,815

 

 

 

13,151

 

 

 

 

 

71,081

 

2011

 

 

13,850

 

 

 

9,678

 

 

 

12,558

 

 

 

 

 

36,086

 

2012

 

 

850

 

 

 

1,461

 

 

 

10,637

 

 

 

 

 

12,948

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,100

 

 

 

2,557

 

 

 

23,044

 

 

 

 

 

26,701

 

 

 

 

$

203,851

 

 

 

$

56,623

 

 

 

$

87,265

 

 

 

$

22,699

 

 

$

370,438

 


(1)          Licenses and Software Development.   We enter into contractual agreements with third parties for the rights to intellectual property and for the development of products. Under these agreements, we commit to provide specified payments to an intellectual property holder or developer. Assuming all

48




contractual provisions are met, the total future minimum contract commitments for contracts in place as of March 31, 2007 are approximately $203.9 million. License/software development commitments in the table above include $67.0 million of commitments to licensors that are included in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007 because the licensors do not have any significant performance obligations to us. These commitments are included in both current and long-term licenses and accrued royalties.

(2)          Advertising.   We have certain minimum advertising commitments under most of our major license agreements. These minimum commitments generally range from 2% to 12% of net sales related to the respective license. We estimate that our minimum commitment for advertising in fiscal 2008 will be $14.1 million.

(3)          Leases.   We are committed under operating leases with lease termination dates through 2015. Most of our leases contain rent escalations. Rent expense was $14.0 million, $10.6 million and $6.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(4)          Letters of Credit.   As of March 31, 2007, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $22.7 million. Our previous credit facility expired on November 29, 2006 and we did not renew it. On October 3, 2006, we entered into an agreement with a bank primarily to provide stand-by letters of credit to a platform manufacturer from whom we purchase products. We are required to pledge cash equivalents and investments to the bank as collateral in an amount equal to 110% of the amount of the outstanding stand-by letters of credit.

Other potential future expenditures relate to the following:

Manufacturer Indemnification.   We must indemnify the platform manufacturers (Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony) of our games with respect to all loss, liability and expenses resulting from any claim against such manufacturer involving the development, marketing, sale or use of our games, including any claims for copyright or trademark infringement brought against such manufacturer. As a result, we bear a risk that the properties upon which the titles of our games are based, or that the information and technology licensed from others and incorporated into the products, may infringe the rights of third parties. Our agreements with our third-party software developers and property licensors typically provide indemnification rights for us with respect to certain matters. However, if a manufacturer brings a claim against us for indemnification, the developers or licensors may not have sufficient resources to, in turn, indemnify us.

Director Indemnity Agreements.   We have entered into indemnification agreements with the members of our Board of Directors to provide a contractual right of indemnification to our Directors to the extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities, costs, expenses, amounts paid in settlement and damages incurred by the Directors as a result of any lawsuit, or any judicial, administrative or investigative proceeding in which the Directors are sued as a result of their service as members of our Board of Directors. The indemnification agreements provide specific procedures and time frames with respect to requests for indemnification and clarify the benefits and remedies available to Directors in the event of an indemnification request.

Litigation.   For information related to legal proceedings that may result in future expenditures to the Company, see “Item 3—Legal Proceedings.”

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to certain market risks arising from transactions in the normal course of business, principally risks associated with interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations.

49




Interest Rate Risk

We have interest rate risk primarily related to our investment portfolio. A substantial portion of our portfolio is in short-term investments made up of floating rate securities and municipal securities. The value of these investments may fluctuate with changes in interest rates. However, we believe this risk is immaterial due to the short-term nature of the investments. At March 31, 2007, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $22.7 million.

Foreign Currency Risk

We transact business in many different foreign currencies and are exposed to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the British Pound (“GBP”) and the Euro, which may result in a gain or loss of earnings to us. Our international business is subject to risks typical of an international business, including, but not limited to, foreign currency exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, our future results could be materially and adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Throughout the year, we frequently monitor the volatility of the GBP and the Euro (and all other applicable currencies). We utilize foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk associated with foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, primarily certain inter-company receivables and payables. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are accounted for as derivatives whereby the fair value of the contracts are reflected as other current assets or other current liabilities and the associated gains and losses are reflected in interest and other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The forward contracts generally have a contractual term of one month or less and are transacted near month-end. Therefore, the fair value of the forward contracts generally is not significant at each month-end.

Foreign exchange forward contracts are designed to offset gains and losses on the underlying foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities. Any movement in foreign currency exchange rates resulting in a gain or loss on our foreign exchange forward contracts would be offset by an opposing gain or loss in the underlying foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities that were hedged and would not have a material impact on our financial position.

As of March 31, 2007, we had foreign exchange forward contracts in the notional amount of $47.0 million, all with maturities of one month, consisting primarily of Euros, British Pounds, and Australian Dollars. The counterparties to these forward contracts are creditworthy multinational commercial and investment banks. The risks of counterparty non-performance associated with these contracts are not considered to be material. Notwithstanding our efforts to manage foreign exchange risks, there can be no assurances that our mitigating or hedging activities will adequately protect us against the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations.

We do not hedge foreign currency translation risk. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates would result in a reduction of reported net sales of approximately $42.5 million and a reduction of reported income before taxes of approximately $3.2 million. This estimate assumes an adverse shift in all foreign currency exchange rates, which do not always move in the same direction; actual results may differ materially.

Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements follow below.

50




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of THQ Inc.,

Agoura Hills, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of THQ Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated May 30, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

As discussed in Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” effective April 1, 2006.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Los Angeles, California
May 30, 2007

51




THQ INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

174,748

 

$

91,517

 

Short-term investments

 

283,210

 

280,120

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

457,958

 

371,637

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

 

67,586

 

78,876

 

Inventory

 

27,381

 

28,620

 

Licenses

 

41,406

 

20,849

 

Software development

 

130,512

 

91,843

 

Income taxes receivable

 

18,525

 

4,686

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

16,238

 

12,420

 

Total current assets

 

759,606

 

608,931

 

Property and equipment, net

 

45,095

 

37,485

 

Licenses, net of current portion

 

49,661

 

60,623

 

Software development, net of current portion

 

33,766

 

17,236

 

Income taxes receivable, net of current portion

 

2,163

 

10,273

 

Deferred income taxes

 

15,812

 

 

Goodwill

 

88,688

 

90,872

 

Other long-term assets, net

 

18,750

 

23,048

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,013,541

 

$

848,468

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

28,225

 

$

34,871

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

143,418

 

110,924

 

Deferred income taxes

 

25,647

 

3,578

 

Total current liabilities

 

197,290

 

149,373

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

47,294

 

60,323

 

Deferred income taxes, net of current portion

 

 

9,681

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

1,340

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 1,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 66,677,721 and 64,140,977 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively

 

667

 

642

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

471,332

 

405,425

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

17,603

 

10,367

 

Retained earnings

 

279,355

 

211,317

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

768,957

 

627,751

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

1,013,541

 

$

848,468

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

52




THQ INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

1,026,856

 

$

806,560

 

$

756,731

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales—product costs

 

351,449

 

287,946

 

255,187

 

Cost of sales—software amortization and royalties

 

165,462

 

116,371

 

93,622

 

Cost of sales—license amortization and royalties

 

99,533

 

80,508

 

85,926

 

Cost of sales—venture partner expense

 

16,730

 

12,572

 

9,774

 

Product development

 

97,105

 

94,575

 

80,090

 

Selling and marketing

 

139,958

 

124,809

 

111,444

 

General and administrative

 

78,413

 

57,944

 

50,278

 

Total costs and expenses

 

948,650

 

774,725

 

686,321

 

Income from continuing operations

 

78,206

 

31,835

 

70,410

 

Interest and other income, net

 

12,822

 

7,955

 

6,483

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

 

91,028

 

39,790

 

76,893

 

Income taxes

 

26,206

 

7,621

 

15,235

 

Income from continuing operations before minority interest

 

64,822

 

32,169

 

61,658

 

Minority interest

 

136

 

(63

)

(261

)

Income from continuing operations

 

64,958

 

32,106

 

61,397

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

3,080

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

68,038

 

$

32,106

 

$

61,397

 

Earnings per share—basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

1.00

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.05

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

 

 

Earnings per share—basic

 

$

1.05

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.05

 

Earnings per share—diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.96

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.02

 

Discontinued operations

 

0.05

 

 

 

Earnings per share—diluted

 

$

1.01

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.02

 

Shares used in per share calculation—basic

 

65,039

 

62,615

 

58,545

 

Shares used in per share calculation—diluted

 

67,593

 

65,520

 

60,367

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

53




THQ INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Income (Loss)

 

Earnings

 

Total

 

Balance at March 31, 2004

 

57,250,467

 

 

$

573

 

 

 

$

311,190

 

 

 

$

8,302

 

 

 

$

117,814

 

 

$

437,879

 

Exercise of options

 

4,189,155

 

 

42

 

 

 

42,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,845

 

Issuance of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,422

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(750,000

)

 

(8

)

 

 

(9,072

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,080

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

806

 

Tax benefit related to the exercise of employee stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,940

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,397

 

 

61,397

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

Unrealized gain on investments, net of $1.9 million tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,747

 

 

 

 

 

1,747

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,946

 

Balance at March 31, 2005

 

60,689,622

 

 

$

607

 

 

 

$

355,089

 

 

 

$

12,851

 

 

 

$

179,211

 

 

$

547,758

 

Exercise of options

 

3,187,569

 

 

32

 

 

 

37,755

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,787

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

263,786

 

 

3

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

858

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,564

 

Tax benefit related to the exercise of employee stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,162

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,106

 

 

32,106

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,085

)

 

 

 

 

(3,085

)

Unrealized gain on investments, net of $0.4 million tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

601

 

 

 

 

 

601

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,622

 

Balance at March 31, 2006

 

64,140,977

 

 

$

642

 

 

 

$

405,425

 

 

 

$

10,367

 

 

 

$

211,317

 

 

$

627,751

 

Exercise of options

 

3,193,844

 

 

31

 

 

 

50,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,563

 

Conversion of stock unit awards

 

8,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellation of restricted stock

 

(49,700

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(615,500

)

 

(6

)

 

 

(13,581

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,587

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,090

 

Tax benefit related to the exercise of employee stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,866

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,038

 

 

68,038

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,463

 

 

 

 

 

9,463

 

Unrealized loss on investments, net of $1.3 million tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,227

)

 

 

 

 

(2,227

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,274

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

 

66,677,721

 

 

$

667

 

 

 

$

471,332

 

 

 

$

17,603

 

 

 

$

279,355

 

 

$

768,957

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

54




THQ INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

68,038

 

$

32,106

 

$

61,397

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest and other

 

54

 

63

 

261

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

15,651

 

14,162

 

10,485

 

Amortization of licenses and software development

 

179,684

 

112,916

 

121,801

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

 

(3,080

)

 

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

1,395

 

538

 

48

 

Stock-based compensation

 

16,253

 

3,422

 

806

 

Tax benefit related to stock-based awards

 

8,866

 

9,162

 

6,940

 

Excess tax benefit related to stock-based awards

 

(3,963

)

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(948

)

2,082

 

7,569

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

 

7,053

 

(5,902

)

(8,507

)

Inventory

 

2,277

 

(5,501

)

(1,015

)

Licenses

 

(37,809

)

(13,392

)

(107,679

)

Software development

 

(203,089

)

(134,943

)

(92,863

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(3,275

)

1,970

 

(4,362

)

Accounts payable

 

(5,584

)

(397

)

11,205

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

28,380

 

22,925

 

73,741

 

Income taxes

 

(5,906

)

3,578

 

(19,372

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

63,997

 

42,789

 

60,455

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments

 

672,645

 

510,555

 

394,965

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

(675,735

)

(557,677

)

(431,846

)

Other long-term assets

 

(2,933

)

(3,366

)

(5,125

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(7,797

)

(12,282

)

(19,234

)

Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 

7,181

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(21,496

)

(23,112

)

(16,651

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(28,135

)

(85,882

)

(77,891

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock repurchase

 

(13,587

)

 

(9,080

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

50,563

 

37,787

 

42,844

 

Excess tax benefit related to stock-based awards

 

3,963

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

40,939

 

37,787

 

33,764

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

6,430

 

(1,352

)

605

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

83,231

 

(6,658

)

16,933

 

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

 

91,517

 

98,175

 

81,242

 

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

 

$

174,748

 

$

91,517

 

$

98,175

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 

$

28,476

 

$

6,037

 

$

21,825

 

Cash paid during the period for interest

 

$

79

 

$

155

 

$

199

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

55




THQ INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

We are a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all popular game systems, including:

·       Home video game consoles such as Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 3 and Sony PlayStation 2;

·       Handheld platforms such as Nintendo Dual Screen, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, PSP portable entertainment system (“PSP system”), wireless devices; and

·       Personal computers.

Our titles span a wide range of categories, including action, adventure, fighting, racing, role-playing, simulation, sports and strategy. We have created, licensed and acquired a group of highly recognizable brands, which we market to a variety of consumer demographics ranging from products targeted at children and the mass market to products targeted at core gamers. Our portfolio of licensed properties includes the DisneyPixar properties Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars and Ratatouille; World Wrestling Entertainment; Nickelodeon properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar, Barnyard and Nicktoons; Bratz™; MotoGP; Warhammer 40,000; and the Ultimate Fighting Championship; as well as others. We also have licenses to create wireless products based on DisneyPixar’s Ratatouille as well as Star Wars and major sports leagues. In addition to licensed properties, we also develop games based upon owned intellectual properties, including Company of Heroes, Destroy All Humans!, Juiced, MX vs. ATV, Red Faction, Saints Row and Stuntman.

Principles of Consolidation.   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of THQ Inc. and our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries as well as the venture we have with JAKKS Pacific, Inc. See “Note 16—Agreement with JAKKS Pacific, Inc.”  The results of operations for acquisitions of companies have been included in the consolidated statements of operations beginning on the closing date of acquisition. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Pervasiveness of Estimates.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates relate to licenses, software development, accounts receivable allowances, income taxes and stock-based compensation expense.

Reclassifications.   Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods consolidated financial statements to conform to current period consolidated financial statements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we reclassified certain depreciation and amortization expenses from general and administrative expenses to selling and marketing expenses and to product development expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses are now classified in our consolidated statement of operations according to the department utilizing the related assets. The reclassified depreciation and amortization expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, to selling and marketing expenses and $9.3 million and $6.5 million, respectively, to product development expenses. We also reclassified transactional foreign currency gains and losses from general and administrative expenses

56




to net interest and other income. The reclassified transactional foreign currency gains and losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $0.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation.   Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at current rates of exchange while results of operations are translated at average rates in effect for the period. Translation gains or losses are shown as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses result from exchange rate changes for transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency and are included in interest and other income in our consolidated statements of operations. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, foreign currency transaction gains were $0.1 million. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, foreign currency transaction losses were $0.3 million and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, foreign currency transaction gains were $2.3 million.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments.   We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months, but less than one year, when purchased are considered short-term investments. Our short-term investments are primarily auction rate securities. These auction rate securities are variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates with maturities on the face of the underlying security in excess of 90 days. Auction rate securities have interest rate resets through a modified Dutch auction at predetermined short-term intervals, typically every 7, 28, or 35 days. Interest paid during a given period is based upon the interest rate determined during the prior auction. Although the securities are issued and rated as long-term bonds, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the interest rate reset. We had $230.2 million and $280.1 million of investments in auction rate securities as of March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, respectively. These short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and changes in the fair value are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes, in the consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2007 and 2006, we did not have any short-term investments classified as held to maturity.

Financial Instruments.   The carrying value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments held to maturity, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties, approximate fair value based on their short-term nature. Short-term investments classified as available for sale are stated at fair value.

We account for our derivative and hedging activities under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended. The assets or liabilities associated with our derivative instruments and hedging activities are recorded at fair value in other current assets or liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets. As discussed below, gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

We utilize forward contracts in order to reduce financial market risks. These instruments are used to hedge foreign currency exposures of underlying assets, liabilities, or certain forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet the criteria for designation as hedging transactions. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges, are highly effective, and qualify as hedging instruments, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings within the financial statement line item consistent with the hedged item. Any ineffective portion of a derivative change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. During the periods presented we did not have any derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recorded in earnings. The fair value of foreign currency contracts is estimated based on the forward rate of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the period. As of March 31,

57




2007, 2006 and 2005, we had foreign exchange forward contracts in the notional amount of $47.0 million, $60.3 million and $35.1 million, respectively. The net loss recognized from foreign currency contracts in fiscal 2007 was $872,000, and the net gains recognized from foreign currency contracts in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 were $493,000 and $682,000, respectively, and are included in interest and other income in our consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts Receivable Allowances.   We derive revenues from sales of packaged software for video game systems and personal computers and sales of content and services for wireless devices. Product revenue is recognized net of allowances for price protection and returns and various customer discounts. We typically only allow returns for our personal computer products; however, we may decide to provide price protection or allow returns for our video game systems or personal computer products after we analyze: (1) inventory remaining in the retail channel, (2) the rate of inventory sell-through in the retail channel, and (3) our remaining inventory on hand. We maintain a policy of giving credits for price protection and returns, but do not give cash refunds. Management uses significant judgment and makes estimates in connection with establishing allowances for price protection, returns, and doubtful accounts in any accounting period. Included in our accounts receivable allowances is our allowance for co-operative advertising that we engage in with our retail channel partners. Our co-operative advertising allowance is based upon specific contractual commitments and does not involve estimates made by management.

Concentrations of Credit Risk.   Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and long-term marketable securities. We place cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with high credit-quality institutions and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. We believe this risk is immaterial due to the short-term nature of such investments. As of March 31, 2007 we did not have any long-term marketable securities. Most of our sales are made directly to mass merchandisers and national retailers. Due to the increased volume of sales to these channels, we have experienced an increased concentration of credit risk, and as a result, may maintain individually significant receivable balances with such mass merchandisers and national retailers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers, maintain an allowance for potential credit losses, and most of our foreign receivables are covered by credit insurance. As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, approximately 22% and 25%, respectively, of our gross accounts receivable outstanding was with one major customer. Our largest single customer accounted for 18% of our gross sales in fiscal 2007, 19% of our gross sales in fiscal 2006 and 14% of our gross sales in fiscal 2005.

Inventory.   Inventory, which consists principally of finished products, is stated at the lower of cost (moving weighted average) or market. We estimate the net realizable value of slow-moving inventory on a title by title basis, and charge the excess of cost over net realizable value to cost of sales—product costs.

Property and Equipment.   Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the remaining lease term.

Licenses.   Minimum guaranteed royalty payments for intellectual property licenses are initially recorded on our balance sheet as an asset (licenses) and as a liability (accrued royalties) at the contractual amount upon execution of the contract if no significant performance obligation remains with the licensor. When a significant performance obligation remains with the licensor, we record royalty payments as an asset (licenses) when payable rather than upon execution of the contract. Royalty payments for intellectual property licenses are classified as current assets and current liabilities to the extent such royalty payments relate to anticipated sales during the subsequent year and long-term assets and long-term liabilities if such royalty payments relate to anticipated sales after one year.

We evaluate the future recoverability of our capitalized licenses on a quarterly basis. The recoverability of capitalized license costs is evaluated based on the expected performance of the specific products in which

58




the licensed trademark or copyright is to be used. As many of our licenses extend for multiple products over multiple years, we also assess the recoverability of capitalized license costs based on certain qualitative factors such as the success of other products and/or entertainment vehicles utilizing the intellectual property, whether there are any future planned theatrical releases or television series based on the intellectual property and the rights holder’s continued promotion and exploitation of the intellectual property. Prior to the related product’s release, we expense, as part of cost of sales—license amortization and royalties, capitalized license costs when we believe such amounts are not recoverable.

Licenses are expensed to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties at the higher of (1) the contractual royalty rate based on actual net product sales related to such license or (2) an effective rate based upon total projected revenue related to such license. When, in management’s estimate, future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover previously capitalized costs, we expense these capitalized costs to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties. If actual revenues or revised forecasted revenues fall below the initial forecasted revenues for a particular license, the charge to cost of sales—license amortization and royalties expense may be larger than anticipated in any given quarter. As of March 31, 2007, the net carrying value of our licenses was $91.1 million. If we were required to write off licenses, due to changes in market conditions or product acceptance, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Software Development.   We utilize both internal development teams and third-party software developers to develop our software. We account for software development costs in accordance with SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.”  We capitalize software development costs once technological feasibility is established and we determine that such costs are recoverable against future revenues. For products where proven game engine technology exists, this may occur early in the development cycle. We capitalize the milestone payments made to third-party software developers and the direct payroll and overhead costs for our internal development teams. We evaluate technological feasibility on a product-by-product basis. Amounts related to software development for which technological feasibility is not yet met are charged as incurred to product development expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

On a quarterly basis, we compare our unamortized software development costs to net realizable value, on a product-by-product basis. The amount by which any unamortized software development costs exceed their net realizable value is charged to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties. The net realizable value is the estimated future gross revenues from the product, reduced by the estimated future costs of completing the product.

Commencing upon product release, capitalized software development costs are amortized to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties based on the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues. If actual revenues, or revised projected revenues, fall below the initial projections, the charge to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties may be larger than anticipated in any given quarter. As of March 31, 2007, the net carrying value of our software development was $164.3 million.

The milestone payments made to our third-party developers during their development of our games are typically considered non-refundable advances against the total compensation they can earn based upon the sales performance of the products. Any additional compensation earned beyond the milestone payments are expensed to cost of sales—software amortization and royalties as earned.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.   When we adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”) effective January 1, 2002, we elected to perform the annual review of goodwill impairment required by FAS 142 on June 30th of each calendar year which at that time corresponded to the second quarter of our fiscal year. In February 2003 we changed our fiscal year end from December 31st to March 31st. Since changing our fiscal year end to March 31st we continued to perform our annual review of goodwill impairment on June 30th, which also changed to be the end of our first fiscal quarter. In fiscal 2007, we changed the date of our annual review of goodwill for impairment to the first day of our fourth

59




fiscal quarter. Our first fiscal quarter is generally when we are required to adopt recently issued accounting pronouncements in addition to managing our annual financial reporting requirements, which can strain our personnel resources in that quarter. We changed the quarter in which we perform our annual review of goodwill impairment to better utilize these resources. Additionally, the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter’s proximity to our fiscal year end provides us with more comprehensive data to be included in our review. It was not intended to delay, accelerate or avoid any impairment charge. Accordingly, we believe that this change is preferable. Goodwill impairment tests performed as of January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 concluded that no impairment charges were required as of those dates. The change in accounting principle related to the annual testing does not result in adjustments to our financial statements when applied retrospectively. We will perform this annual review on the first day of our fourth fiscal quarter in future years or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist.

Our impairment review process is based on a discounted future cash flow approach that uses our estimates of revenue for the reporting units, driven by anticipated success of our products and product release schedules, and estimated costs as well as appropriate discount rates. These estimates are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage the underlying businesses. All identifiable intangible assets with finite lives will continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives and assessed for impairment under SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

Revenue Recognition.   Our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions,” which provide guidance on generally accepted accounting principles for recognizing revenue on software transactions, and Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” which outlines the basic criteria that must be met to recognize revenue and provides guidance for presentation of revenue and for disclosure related to revenue recognition policies in financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Product Sales:   We recognize revenue for packaged software when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, provided that no significant vendor support obligations remain outstanding and that collection of the resulting receivable is deemed probable by management. Although we generally sell our products on a no-return basis, in certain circumstances we may allow price protection, returns or other allowances on a negotiated basis. We estimate such price protection, returns or other allowances based upon management’s evaluation of our historical experience, retailer inventories, the nature of the titles and other factors. Such estimates are deducted from gross sales. See “Note 3—Accounts Receivable Allowances.” Software is sold under a limited 90-day warranty against defects in material and workmanship. To date, we have not experienced material warranty claims.

Software Licenses:   For those agreements that provide the customers the right to multiple copies in exchange for guaranteed minimum royalty amounts, revenue is recognized at delivery of the product master or the first copy. Per copy royalties on sales that exceed the guarantee are recognized as earned. Revenue from the licensing of software for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $8.6 million, $6.3 million and $8.1 million, respectively.

Wireless Revenue:   We recognize wireless revenues principally from the sale or subscription of our applications to wireless subscribers under distribution agreements with wireless carriers in the period in which the applications are purchased by the subscribers, assuming that: fees are fixed and determinable; we have no significant obligations remaining and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. In accordance with the distribution agreements, the wireless carriers are responsible for billing, collecting and remitting our fees to us. The wireless carriers generally report the final sales data to us within 10 to 45 days following the end of each month. When final sales data is not available in a timely manner for reporting purposes, we estimate our revenues based on available sales data and historical trends. We will record

60




differences between estimated revenues and actual revenues in the next reporting period once the actual amounts are determined.

Also, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent,” we recognize as revenues the net amount the wireless carrier pays to us upon the sale of our applications, net of any service or other fees earned and deducted by the wireless carrier.

Advertising.   Advertising and sales promotion costs are generally expensed as incurred, except for television airtime and print media costs associated with media campaigns, which are deferred and charged to expense in the period the airtime or advertising space is used for the first time. We engage in co-operative advertising with some of our retail channel partners. We accrue the associated costs when revenue is recognized and such amounts are included in selling and marketing expense if there is a separate identifiable benefit for which we can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit identified; otherwise, they are recognized as a reduction of net sales. Advertising costs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $61.2 million, $61.0 million and $57.0 million, respectively.

Stock-based compensation.   We adopted SFAS No. 123(R) Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123R”) in our first quarter of fiscal 2007 and accordingly, we now record stock-based compensation expense for all of our stock-based awards. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement had a material impact on our consolidated statement of operations and our cash flows from operating and financing activities for fiscal 2007. See “Note 14—Stock-based Compensation” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Under FAS 123R, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value for awards that are expected to vest is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term. The amount of expense recognized represents the expense associated with the stock options we expect to ultimately vest based upon an estimated rate of forfeitures; this rate of forfeitures is updated as necessary and any adjustments needed to recognize the fair value of options that actually vest or are forfeited are recorded. The Black-Scholes option pricing model, used to estimate the fair value of an award, requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected volatility of our common stock and an option’s expected life. As a result, the financial statements include amounts that are based upon our best estimates and judgments relating to the expenses recognized for stock-based compensation. We adopted FAS 123R under the modified prospective transition method wherein no prior period financial statement information was affected. All prior period financial statements include stock-based compensation accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended (“FAS 123”). The financial statements for fiscal 2007, include stock-based compensation accounted for under FAS 123R. There were no material differences in valuation methodologies or assumptions compared to those that were used in estimating the fair value of stock options under the disclosure only provisions of FAS 123.

Income Taxes.   Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of our assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share.   Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, increased by common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method and represent incremental shares issuable upon exercise of our outstanding options, warrants, the employee stock purchase plan, other stock unit awards and, if applicable in the period,

61




conversion of our convertible debt. However, potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive, such as in a period in which a net loss is recorded.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.   In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS 155”), an amendment of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities”, allowing companies to elect fair value measurement for instruments in their entirety in cases otherwise requiring a derivative to be bifurcated. FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006, which will be our fiscal year 2008. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 contains a two step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If a tax position is to be recognized after the first step, the second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, which will be the first quarter of our fiscal year 2008. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 states that both a balance sheet (iron curtain) approach and an income statement (rollover) approach should be used when quantifying and evaluating the materiality of a misstatement. SAB 108 contains guidance on correcting errors under the dual approach and provides transition guidance for correcting errors existing in prior years. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006, which will be our fiscal year 2008. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. FAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which will be our fiscal year 2009. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates. Subsequent unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which will be our fiscal year 2009. We are evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

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Fiscal Year.   Effective April 1, 2006, we began reporting our fiscal year on a 52/53-week period. Beginning with the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, our fiscal year ended on the Saturday nearest March 31. The results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 contain the following number of weeks:

Fiscal Period

 

 

 

Number of Weeks

 

Fiscal Period End Date

 

Year ended March 31, 2007

 

 

52 weeks

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

52 weeks

 

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

52 weeks

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

 

 

For simplicity, all fiscal periods in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are presented as ending on a calendar month end.

2.   Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Our investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. All of our short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains (losses) reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

174,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

174,748

 

Short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency securities

 

12,495

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

12,496

 

Municipal securities

 

245,761

 

 

 

 

 

(45

)

 

245,716

 

Corporate notes

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

24,998

 

Total short-term investments

 

283,256

 

 

3

 

 

 

(49

)

 

283,210

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

 

$

458,004

 

 

3

 

 

 

(49

)

 

$

457,958

 

 

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of our short-term investments, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

Unrealized Losses 
Less Than 12 Months

 

Unrealized Losses 
12 Months or Greater

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

 

U.S. agency securities

 

$

12,496

 

 

$

(2

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

12,496

 

 

$

(2

)

 

Municipal securities

 

245,716

 

 

(45

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

245,716

 

 

(45

)

 

Corporate notes

 

24,998

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,998

 

 

(2

)

 

Total

 

$

283,210

 

 

$

(49

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

283,210

 

 

$

(49

)

 

 

The gross unrealized losses in each of the securities in the above tables were primarily caused by a decrease in the fair value of the investments as a result of an increase in interest rates. The contractual terms of these securities do not permit the issuer to call, prepay or otherwise settle the securities at prices

63




less than the stated par value of the security. Accordingly, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2007.

During the year ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 there were no realized gains or (losses) from sales of available-for-sale securities. In addition to the net unrealized loss of approximately $46,000 from our short-term investments, we had an unrealized loss on our investment in Yuke’s Co., Ltd. (“Yuke’s”) which is classified as available-for-sale and is included in other long-term assets (see “Note 8—Other Long-Term Assets”).

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of our short-term investments, classified by stated maturity as of March 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

255,630

 

$

255,614

 

Due after one year through two years

 

27,626

 

27,596

 

Total

 

$

283,256

 

$

283,210

 

 

3.   Accounts Receivable Allowances

Accounts receivable allowances at March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

 

Provisions

 

Deductions

 

Balance at
End of
Period

 

Year ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for price protection and returns

 

 

$

48,223

 

 

$

128,454

 

$

(110,606

)

 

$

66,071

 

 

Allowance for co-op advertising

 

 

8,440

 

 

40,726

 

(35,554

)

 

13,612

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts and other

 

 

1,157

 

 

975

 

(1,266

)

 

866

 

 

Combined balance

 

 

$

57,820

 

 

$

170,155

 

$

(147,426

)

 

$

80,549

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for price protection and returns

 

 

$

46,909

 

 

$

133,756

 

$

(132,442

)

 

$

48,223

 

 

Allowance for co-op advertising

 

 

10,324

 

 

33,272

 

(35,156

)

 

8,440

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts and other

 

 

887

 

 

2,452

 

(2,182

)

 

1,157

 

 

Combined balance

 

 

$

58,120

 

 

$

169,480

 

$

(169,780

)

 

$

57,820

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for price protection and returns

 

 

$

43,608

 

 

$

74,102

 

$

(70,801

)

 

$

46,909

 

 

Allowance for co-op advertising

 

 

6,925

 

 

30,739

 

(27,340

)

 

10,324

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts and other

 

 

1,893

 

 

1,663

 

(2,669

)

 

887

 

 

Combined balance

 

 

$

52,426

 

 

$

106,504

 

$

(100,810

)

 

$

58,120

 

 

 

4.   Balance Sheet Details

Inventory.   Inventory at March 31, 2007 and 2006 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

Raw material

 

 

$

1,693

 

 

 

$

1,530

 

 

Finished goods

 

 

25,688

 

 

 

27,090

 

 

Inventory

 

 

$

27,381

 

 

 

$

28,620

 

 

 

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Property and Equipment.   Property and equipment at March 31, 2007 and 2006 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

Useful
Lives

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

Building

 

30 yrs

 

$

719

 

$

719

 

Land

 

 

401

 

401

 

Computer equipment and software

 

3-10 yrs

 

50,777

 

44,776

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

5 yrs

 

8,262

 

7,324

 

Leasehold improvements

 

3-6 yrs

 

12,694

 

7,847

 

Automobiles

 

2-5 yrs

 

92

 

128

 

 

 

 

 

72,945

 

61,195

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(27,850

)

(23,710

)

 

 

 

 

$

45,095

 

$

37,485

 

 

Depreciation expense associated with property and equipment amounted to $13.7 million, $11.7 million and $8.6 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities.   Accrued and other current liabilities at March 31, 2007 and 2006 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

Accrued liabilities

 

$

40,512

 

$

34,194

 

Accrued compensation

 

36,591

 

23,367

 

Accrued payment to venture partner

 

15,273

 

1,419

 

Accrued royalties

 

51,042

 

51,944

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

$

143,418

 

$

110,924

 

 

Other Long-Term Liabilities.   Other long-term liabilities at March 31, 2007 and 2006 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

Accrued royalties

 

 

$

43,966

 

 

 

$

58,025

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

3,328

 

 

 

2,298

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

$

47,294

 

 

 

$

60,323

 

 

 

5.   Business Combinations

In fiscal 2007, we acquired all of the assets and/or outstanding equity interests in the following two entities for a total cost of $5.2 million, of which $4.9 million was paid in cash and the remaining $0.3 million is to be paid in fiscal 2009:

·       Paradigm Entertainment, Inc., located outside of Dallas, Texas, a developer of interactive entertainment software for video game hardware devices;

·       Mass Media, Inc., located in Moorpark, California, a developer of interactive entertainment software for video game hardware devices.

Goodwill recognized in the above transactions amounted to $3.8 million, none of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The preliminary purchase price allocation, including the allocation of

65




goodwill, will be updated as additional information becomes available. We did not present pro forma information as these acquisitions were immaterial to our financial position and results of operations.

In fiscal 2007 we paid the former shareholders of ValuSoft additional consideration of $1.8 million for reaching certain pre-tax income targets pursuant to the purchase agreement. In 2002, we acquired ValuSoft, Inc. for a total cost of $14.2 million, which was paid primarily in cash. In addition, we have since paid the former shareholders of ValuSoft additional consideration in the amount of $9.2 million because ValuSoft reached certain pre-tax income targets in the four years subsequent to the acquisition. They are still eligible for additional consideration of up to $1.8 million, which may be paid by us in cash or stock, if they reach certain pre-tax income targets in the last annual period ending on June 30, 2007. Any additional consideration determined to be payable will increase goodwill in the period such pre-tax income targets are reached. Goodwill recognized in the original transaction and in the payments of the additional consideration has amounted to $21.2 million and is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

6.   Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in thousands):

Balance at March 31, 2005

 

$

83,440

 

Goodwill acquired

 

4,801

 

Additional consideration paid for ValuSoft

 

2,800

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates and other

 

(169

)

Balance at March 31, 2006

 

90,872

 

Sale of 50% interest in Minick Holdings AG (“Minick”)

 

(9,598

)

Goodwill acquired

 

3,753

 

Additional consideration paid for ValuSoft

 

1,800

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates and other

 

1,861

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

 

$

88,688

 

 

We performed an annual review of goodwill impairment in each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and found no impairment.

7.   Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include licenses, software development and other intangible assets. Intangible assets are included in other long-term assets, net, except licenses and software development, which are reported separately in the consolidated balance sheets. Other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Useful
Lives

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Amount

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Amount

 

Software technology

 

2-3 years

 

 

$

953

 

 

 

$

(715

)

 

 

$

238

 

 

$

3,055

 

 

$

(2,085

)

 

 

$

970

 

 

Trade secrets

 

5 years

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

(1,800

)

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

(1,530

)

 

 

270

 

 

Customer list

 

4-5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,414

 

 

(550

)

 

 

864

 

 

Trade names

 

3-10 years

 

 

2,100

 

 

 

(922

)

 

 

1,178

 

 

3,196

 

 

(739

)

 

 

2,457

 

 

Non-compete / Employment contracts

 

1-6.5 years

 

 

1,048

 

 

 

(828

)

 

 

220

 

 

1,055

 

 

(656

)

 

 

399

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

$

5,901

 

 

 

$

(4,265

)

 

 

$

1,636

 

 

$

10,520

 

 

$

(5,560

)

 

 

$

4,960

 

 

 

66




Amortization of other intangible assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $1.9 million, $2.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Finite-lived other intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the agreement terms, typically from two to ten years and are assessed for impairment under SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

In December 2006, we sold our 50% interest in Minick. See Note 20, “Discontinued Operations” for further discussion of the sale. As a result of the sale of Minick, gross and net intangible assets decreased in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 by $4.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the estimated amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter (in thousands):

Fiscal Years Ending March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

$

659

 

2009

 

327

 

2010

 

147

 

2011

 

102

 

2012

 

102

 

Thereafter

 

299

 

 

 

$

1,636

 

 

8.   Other Long-Term Assets

In addition to other intangible assets See “Note 7—Other Intangible Assets,” other long-term assets include our investment in Yuke’s, a Japanese developer. We own less than a 20% interest in Yuke’s which is publicly traded on the Nippon New Market in Japan. Accordingly, we account for this investment under SFAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” as available-for-sale. Unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from earnings and are included as a component of other comprehensive income until realized. In fiscal 2007 the pre-tax unrealized holding loss was approximately $3.5 million, and in fiscal 2006 the pre-tax unrealized holding gain was approximately $1.0 million. Due to the long-term nature of this relationship, this investment is included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Under separate development agreements, Yuke’s creates certain World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling games for us.

Other long-term assets as of March 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

March 31,
2007

 

March 31,
2006

 

Investment in Yuke’s

 

 

$

5,726

 

 

 

$

9,217

 

 

Other intangible assets (see Note 7)

 

 

1,636

 

 

 

4,960

 

 

Other

 

 

11,388

 

 

 

8,871

 

 

Total other long-term assets

 

 

$

18,750

 

 

 

$

23,048

 

 

 

9.   Capital Stock Transactions

On September 10, 2002, November 21, 2002, February 5, 2004, and May 16, 2007 we announced that our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $25.0 million of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in private transactions with a total authorized repurchase amount of $100.0 million. At March 31, 2006 there was $22.1 million available for future repurchases. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, we repurchased $13.6 million of our common stock. As of March 31, 2007, we have repurchased 4,064,500 shares of our common stock for approximately $66.5 million, leaving $33.5 million available for future repurchases. There is no expiration date for the authorized repurchases.

67




10.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Foreign
Currency
Translation
Gains (Losses)

 

Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Securities

 

Net Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Balance at March 31, 2004

 

 

$

6,927

 

 

 

$

1,375

 

 

 

$

8,302

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

2,802

 

 

 

1,747

 

 

 

4,549

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2005

 

 

9,729

 

 

 

3,122

 

 

 

12,851

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(3,085

)

 

 

601

 

 

 

(2,484

)

 

Balance at March 31, 2006

 

 

6,644

 

 

 

3,723

 

 

 

10,367

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

9,463

 

 

 

(2,227

)

 

 

7,236

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

 

 

$

16,107

 

 

 

$

1,496

 

 

 

$

17,603

 

 

 

11.   Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock-based compensation plans including stock options, stock-based awards and purchase opportunities under our ESPP. Effective April 1, 2006, we adopted FAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method (see “Note 14—Stock-based Compensation” for further disclosure of our stock-based compensation plans and our adoption of FAS 123R). In applying the treasury stock method in determining our dilutive potential common shares, assumed proceeds from dilutive weighted average outstanding options as of March 31, 2007 include the windfall tax benefits, net of shortfalls, calculated under the “as-if” method as prescribed by FAS 123R. The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted-average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$

68,038

 

$

32,106

 

$

61,397

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding—basic

 

65,039

 

62,615

 

58,545

 

Dilutive potential common shares

 

2,554

 

2,905

 

1,822

 

Number of shares used to compute earnings per share—diluted

 

67,593

 

65,520

 

60,367

 

 

The following amounts of potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share above because including them would be antidilutive for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Potential common shares

 

2,086

 

 

738

 

 

3,123

 

 

68




12.   Income Taxes

United States and foreign income before taxes and details of the provision for income tax are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

60,955

 

$

29,753

 

$

67,826

 

Foreign

 

30,073

 

10,037

 

9,067

 

 

 

$

91,028

 

$

39,790

 

$

76,893

 

Provision for income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(518

)

$

(9,877

)

$

323

 

State

 

(12

)

1,151

 

(3,695

)

Foreign

 

11,211

 

5,325

 

2,593

 

Total current

 

10,681

 

(3,401

)

(779

)

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

6,905

 

8,967

 

7,867

 

State

 

(1,036

)

(5,057

)

1,393

 

Foreign

 

(519

)

(1,679

)

1,754

 

Total deferred

 

5,350

 

2,231

 

11,014

 

Add back benefit (expense) recorded to stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit related to stock option exercises

 

8,866

 

9,162

 

6,940

 

Tax expense related to unrealized gain on investments

 

1,309

 

(371

)

(1,940

)

Provision for income tax

 

$

26,206

 

$

7,621

 

$

15,235

 

 

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory tax rate and our effective tax rate, expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes and minority interest, were as follows:

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

U.S. federal statutory tax rate

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

35.0

%

State taxes, net of federal benefit and research and development credits

 

0.2

 

(2.5

)

(2.3

)

Research and development credits

 

(4.3

)

(5.4

)

(7.9

)

Tax exempt interest income

 

(2.9

)

(5.1

)

(1.1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

2.0

 

 

 

Rate differences in foreign taxes and other

 

(1.2

)

(2.9

)

(3.9

)

Effective tax rate

 

28.8

%

19.1

%

19.8

%

 

69




Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for accounting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax asset and liability are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Deferred income tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Accruals, reserves and other expenses

 

$

29,080

 

$

27,816

 

Tax credit carryforwards

 

22,371

 

10,123

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

5,513

 

4,855

 

Other

 

2,859

 

 

Total

 

59,823

 

42,794

 

Valuation allowance

 

(7,126

)

(5,576

)

Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance

 

52,697

 

37,218

 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Software development costs

 

60,207

 

42,422

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,065

 

4,441

 

Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities

 

260

 

1,632

 

Other

 

 

1,982

 

Total

 

62,532

 

50,477

 

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

9,835

 

$

13,259

 

 

As of March 31, 2007, current net deferred tax liabilities were $25.6 million and long term net deferred tax assets were $15.8 million. As of March 31, 2006, net deferred tax liabilities of $3.6 million and $9.7 million were classified as current and long-term liabilities, respectively. The non-current portion of income tax receivable is recorded net of a $17.0 million contingent tax liability. The contingent tax liability relates to tax positions taken in previously filed tax returns and similar positions expected to be taken in our current year tax returns. Moreover, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has commenced a routine examination of our U.S. income tax returns for the calendar year 1999 through fiscal year 2004. A portion of the contingent tax liability relates to the fiscal years under examination. On May 24, 2007 we received notification from the IRS that the Joint Committee on Taxation had completed its review of our file and took no exception to the conclusions reached by the IRS. The conclusions reached by the IRS were not significantly different from the positions taken on our tax returns. We are evaluating the impact the conclusions of the IRS examination has on the measurement of our contingent tax liabilities and will make any necessary adjustments in the quarter ending June 30, 2007. The amount of tax benefit recognized may be impacted by our adoption of FIN 48, which is effective for us as of April 1, 2007.

The tax credit carryforwards as of March 31, 2007 includes research and development tax credit carryforwards of $11.4 million and $11.6 million for federal and state purposes, respectively. The federal tax credit carryforward expires in 2026, while the majority of the state credits are from California and can be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, we have foreign tax credit carryforwards of $2.0 million. These credits expire in 2017.

As of March 31, 2007, we have various state net operating loss carryforwards totaling $5.9 million that expire between 2008 and 2026 and foreign net operating loss carryforwards totaling $17.5 million that can be carried forward indefinitely. At March 31, 2007, our deferred income tax asset for net operating loss carryforwards was reduced by a valuation allowance of $5.2 million as compared to $3.9 million in the prior fiscal year. Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the continued generation of sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the net carrying value of the deferred tax asset will be realized.

70




The tax benefits associated with certain net operating loss carryforwards relate to employee stock options. Pursuant to SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS No. 109”), net operating losses have been reduced by $3.7 million relating to these items which will be credited to additional paid-in capital when we can reduce our income taxes payable.

At March 31, 2007 we had accumulated foreign earnings of $41.5 million. We do not plan to repatriate these earnings, therefore, no U.S. income tax has been provided on the foreign earnings. Additionally, we have not tax effected the cumulative translation adjustment as we have no intention of repatriating foreign earnings.

13.   Employee Defined Contribution Plan

For our United States employees we sponsor a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan allows employees the ability to defer up to 60% of their annual compensation (up to the annual maximum amount allowable by law). The plan also provides that we will make a matching contribution equal to each employee’s deferral, up to 4% of eligible compensation. We may also contribute funds to the plan in the form of a discretionary profit-sharing contribution. Employer contributions under the plan were $4.9 million, $3.5 million and $2.7 million in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

14.   Stock-based Compensation

Prior to July 20, 2006, we utilized two stock option plans:  the THQ Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”) and the THQ Inc. Third Amended and Restated Nonexecutive Employee Stock Option Plan (the “NEEP Plan”). The 1997 Plan provided for the issuance of up to 14,357,500 shares available for employees, consultants and non-employee directors, and the NEEP plan provided for the issuance of up to 2,142,000 shares available for nonexecutive employees of THQ of which no more than 20% was available for awards to our nonexecutive officers and no more than 15% was available for awards to the nonexecutive officers or general managers of our subsidiaries or divisions. The 1997 Plan and the NEEP Plan were cancelled on July 20, 2006, the same day THQ’s stockholders approved the THQ Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

Under the 1997 Plan, we granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, performance accelerated restricted stock (“PARS”) and performance accelerated restricted stock units (“PARSUs”). The NEEP Plan provided for the grant of only non-qualified stock options to non-executive officers of the Company. The LTIP provides for the grant of stock options (including incentive stock options), stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock awards, other stock unit awards, and performance awards (in the form of performance shares or performance units) to eligible directors and employees of, and consultants or advisors to, the Company. Subject to certain adjustments, the total number of shares of THQ common stock that may be issued under the LTIP shall not exceed 6,000,000 shares. Shares subject to awards of stock options or SARs will count as one share for every one share granted against the share limit, and all other awards will count as 1.6 shares for every one granted against the share limit. As of March 31, 2007, we had 5,692,908 shares under the LTIP available for grant.

The purchase price per share of common stock purchasable upon exercise of each option granted under the 1997 Plan, the NEEP Plan and the LTIP may not be less than the fair market value of such share of common stock on the date that such option is granted. Generally, options granted under our plans become exercisable over three years and expire on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. PARS and PARSUs that have been granted to our officers under the 1997 Plan and the LTIP vest with respect to 100% of the shares subject to the award on the fifth anniversary of the grant date; provided, however, 20% of the shares subject to each award will vest on each of the first through fourth anniversaries of the grant date if certain performance targets for the Company are attained each fiscal year. To date, no vesting of PARS or

71




PARSUs has been accelerated. PARSUs granted to our non-employee directors vest one year after their grant date. Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”) granted to our non-employee directors vest immediately, however, may not be paid to a director until thirteen (13) months after the date of grant. The fair value of our nonvested restricted stock is determined based on the closing trading price of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of PARS, PARSUs and DSUs granted is amortized over the vesting period.

In March 2007, we offered our employees the ability to participate in an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Pursuant to our ESPP, eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 15 percent of their base salary, subject to certain limitations, to purchase shares at 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of our common stock on the first day of the offering period or the last. Our first offering period began on March 1, 2007 and will end on August 31, 2007. The fair value of the stock purchased under the ESPP is amortized over the offering period. As of March 31, 2007, we had 500,000 shares available for issuance under the ESPP.

Any references we make to unspecified “stock-based compensation” and “stock-based awards” are intended to represent the collective group of all our awards and purchase opportunities:  stock options, PARS, PARSUs, DSUs and ESPP. Any references we make to “nonvested shares” and “vested shares” are intended to represent our PARS, PARSU and DSU awards.

Prior to April 1, 2006, we accounted for our stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25 and the disclosure-only provisions of FAS 123. Effective April 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, results for prior periods have not been restated as a result of adopting FAS 123R.

The compensation expense related to stock-based compensation was $19.0 million, $3.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The total income tax benefit recognized in the statement of operations for stock-based compensation expense was $5.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. Stock-based compensation cost capitalized during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 was $5.9 million, and is included in software development, net of associated amortization of $2.1 million, in the consolidated balance sheet. No amounts were capitalized in years prior to fiscal 2007.

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the statement of operations was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cost of sales—software amortization and royalties

 

$

2,087

 

$

 

$

 

Product development

 

3,364

 

926

 

475

 

Selling and marketing

 

2,817

 

981

 

132

 

General and administrative

 

10,704

 

1,515

 

199

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

18,972

 

$

3,422

 

$

806

 

 

FAS 123R requires that stock-based compensation expense be based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest and accordingly, stock-based compensation expense recognized in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 has been reduced by estimated forfeitures. Our estimate of forfeitures is based on historical forfeiture behavior as well as any expected trends in future forfeiture behavior.

72




The adoption of FAS 123R, using the fair value method, had the following effect on our income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest, income from continuing operations, gain on sale of discontinued operations, net income, and basic and diluted net income per share as compared to what would have been reported under APB 25 using the intrinsic value method, which was the method used prior to our adoption (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

Year Ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Fair Value
Method

 

Intrinsic Value
Method

 

Impact of 
Change

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

 

 

$

91,028

 

 

 

$

105,613

 

 

 

$

14,585

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

64,958

 

 

 

75,963

 

 

 

11,005

 

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

3,080

 

 

 

3,080

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

68,038

 

 

 

$

79,043

 

 

 

$

11,0051

 

 

Earnings per share—basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

$

1.00

 

 

 

$

1.17

 

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share—basic

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

 

$

1.22

 

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

Earnings per share—diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued operations

 

 

$

0.96

 

 

 

$

1.12

 

 

 

$

0.16

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share—diluted

 

 

$

1.01

 

 

 

$

1.17

 

 

 

$

0.16

 

 

 

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, we presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from our stock-based awards as operating cash flows in the statement of cash flows. FAS 123R requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits arising out of tax deductions in excess of the compensation recognized for the stock-based awards (“excess tax benefits”) to be classified as financing cash flows. Prior to our adoption of FAS 123R on April 1, 2006, the $4.0 million excess tax benefit classified as a financing cash inflow in the year ended March 31, 2007 would have been classified as an operating cash inflow.

The fair value of stock options and ESPP shares granted during the year ended March 31, 2007 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted-average assumptions noted in the table below. Anticipated volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on our stock and on our stock’s historical volatility. The expected term of our stock options granted is based on historical exercise data and represents the period of time that stock options granted are expected to be outstanding. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of our ESPP is the offering period. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected lives of options and ESPP are based on the US Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant.

 

 

Stock Option 
Grants

 

Employee Stock 
Purchase Plan

 

 

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

Year Ended
March 31, 2007

 

Dividend yield

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

Anticipated volatility

 

 

37

%

 

 

37

%

 

Weighted-average risk-free interest rate

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

5.1

%

 

Expected lives

 

 

3.2 years

 

 

 

0.5 year

 

 

 

73




A summary of our stock option activity for each of the three years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Price

 

Term

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

(in years)

 

Value

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2004

 

10,177

 

 

$

11.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

4,579

 

 

$

13.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(4,189

)

 

$

10.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/expired/cancelled

 

(687

)

 

$

13.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2005

 

9,880

 

 

$

13.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

3,276

 

 

$

20.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(3,187

)

 

$

12.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/expired/cancelled

 

(894

)

 

$

14.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

 

9,075

 

 

$

16.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

2,638

 

 

$

24.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(3,217

)

 

$

15.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/expired/cancelled

 

(932

)

 

$

18.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2007

 

7,564

 

 

$

19.15

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

113,791

 

Vested and expected to vest

 

6,706

 

 

$

18.81

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

103,106

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2007

 

2,723

 

 

$

14.48

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

$

53,673

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of a stock option and the quoted price of our common stock at March 31, 2007. It excludes stock options that have exercise prices in excess of the quoted price of our common stock at March 31, 2007. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $42.9 million, $32.9 million and $24.9 million, respectively.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of options granted during fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $7.81, $9.15 and $6.74.

As a result of the stock option grant practices inquiry, as discussed more fully in our March 31, 2006 Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A, certain of our stock options were found to have been granted with an exercise price below the fair market value of our common stock on the date determined to be the correct measurement date. Those that vested subsequent to December 2004 result in nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and holders are subject to an excise tax on the value of the options in the year in which the options vest. We have determined that options to purchase approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock held by current and former employees may be subject to adverse tax consequences under Section 409A. All of the affected shares pertained to grants made to non-executive employees.

In order to mitigate the unfavorable personal tax consequences under Section 409A, in December 2006 the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, pursuant to the terms and conditions of our compensatory stock plans under which our stock options had been granted, unilaterally corrected the exercise price of affected options that remained outstanding to increase the exercise price to the fair market value of our common stock on the revised measurement date. In January 2007, the Compensation Committee determined to give each affected option holder, subject to certain conditions, a cash payment equal to the aggregate difference between the initial exercise price and the increased exercise price of each holder’s affected options (“Cash Payment”). We estimate the total Cash Payment will be approximately $2.4 million and as of March 31, 2007, $2.3 million had been paid out to affected employees. We accounted

74




for the impact of the corrected options as a stock option modification under FAS 123R. As a result of this partial cash settlement of these options and the application of the modification accounting, we recognized $0.7 million in additional compensation cost due to the increase in the fair value of these options and $0.6 million in accelerated compensation cost.

We also plan to compensate individuals who had exercised affected options prior to December 2006 for excise tax liability and certain other adverse consequences under Section 409A. We incurred additional compensation expense of $0.9 million in the three months ended December 31, 2006 based upon our best estimate of this liability at that point in time. In the three months ended March 31, 2007 we increased our estimate of this liability by $1.2 million based upon our review of the IRS Compliance Resolution Program (the “Program”), announced in February 2007 (IRS Announcement 2007-18). It is our intent to participate in this Program, and we estimate our total liability under this Program will be approximately $2.1 million. This amount is included in accrued and other current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2007.

A summary of the status of our nonvested shares as of March 31, 2007 and changes during the year then ended, is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-date

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Nonvested shares at April 1, 2006

 

 

284

 

 

 

$

19.54

 

 

Granted

 

 

155

 

 

 

26.21

 

 

Vested

 

 

(42

)

 

 

25.66

 

 

Forfeited/cancelled

 

 

(58

)

 

 

19.63

 

 

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2007

 

 

339

 

 

 

$

21.81

 

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of nonvested shares granted in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 was $19.34. There were no grants of nonvested shares in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.

The unrecognized compensation cost, that we expect to vest, related to our nonvested stock-based awards at March 31, 2007, and the weighted-average period over which we expect to recognize that compensation, is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Unrecognized
Compensation Cost at
March 31, 2007

 

Weighted- 
Average Period
(in years)

 

Stock options

 

 

$

23,755

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

Nonvested shares

 

 

5,330

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

ESPP

 

 

777

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

$

29,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash received from exercises of stock options for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $50.6 million, $37.8 million and $42.8 million, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from exercises of all stock-based awards totaled $8.9 million, $9.2 million and $6.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The fair value of all our stock-based awards that vested during the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $19.9 million, $14.8 million and $17.6 million, respectively.

Non-Employee Warrants.   In prior years, we have granted stock warrants to third parties in connection with the acquisition of licensing rights for intellectual property. The warrants generally vest upon grant and

75




are exercisable over the term of the warrant. The exercise price of third-party warrants is equal to their fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant. No third-party warrants were granted or exercised during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.

In fiscal 2005 we granted 240,000 warrants to third parties to purchase up to 240,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $13.49 per share in connection with a license agreement that allows us to utilize intellectual property owned by such third parties. The warrants vested upon grant and have a six-year term. The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model, assuming a risk-free rate of 2.9%, a volatility factor of 67% and the six-year term as noted above. The fair value of these warrants was $2.0 million.

At March 31, 2007 and 2006, we had 390,000 warrants outstanding with weighted average exercise prices per share of $12.32. In fiscal 2006, 112,500 warrants expired unexercised.

In accordance with EITF No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Connection with Selling Goods or Services,” we measure the fair value of these warrants on the measurement date. The fair value of each warrant is capitalized and amortized to expense when the related product is released and the related revenue is recognized. Additionally, as more fully described in Note 1, the recoverability of intellectual property licenses is evaluated on a quarterly basis with amounts determined as not recoverable being charged to expense. In connection with the evaluation of capitalized intellectual property licenses, any capitalized amounts for related third-party warrants are additionally reviewed for recoverability with amounts determined as not recoverable being amortized to expense. For the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, $738,000, $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, was amortized and included in cost of sales—license amortization and royalties expense.

Proforma information for periods prior to the adoption of FAS 123R

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, we accounted for our stock-based compensation to employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25 and the disclosure-only provisions of FAS 123. Employee stock-based compensation expense recognized under FAS 123R was not reflected in our results of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Forfeitures of our stock-based awards were reflected in our disclosures as they occurred. Previously reported amounts have not been restated relative to our adoption of FAS 123R.

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for option grants made under our stock option plans during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Dividend yield

 

0

%

0

%

Anticipated volatility

 

51

%

57

%

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

 

4.11

%

3.48

%

Expected lives

 

3 years

 

4 years

 

 

76




The following table shows what our net income and income per share would have been for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, had compensation cost for our stock-based compensation been measured based on the estimated fair value at the grant dates in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income—as reported

 

$

32,106

 

$

61,397

 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax benefit

 

2,396

 

595

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax benefit

 

(13,131

)

(17,058

)

Net income—pro forma

 

$

21,371

 

$

44,934

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic—as reported

 

$

0.51

 

$

1.05

 

Basic—pro forma

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.77

 

Diluted—as reported

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.02

 

Diluted—pro forma

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.75

 

 

15.   Stockholders Rights Plan

THQ’s stockholders hold their stock subject to an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated August 22, 2001, as amended by the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2002 (collectively, the “Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, and as adjusted pursuant to Section 11(p) of the Rights Agreement as a result of the stock splits which occurred on April 9, 2002 and on September 1, 2005, each share of THQ common stock is accompanied by four-ninths (4/9) of a preferred stock purchase right (“Right”) which entitles the registered holder to purchase four nine-thousandths (4/9000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $44.44. The Rights become exercisable 10 days after any person or group acquires, or 10 business days after any person or group has announced its intention to commence a tender offer for, 15% or more of the outstanding common stock of THQ. In the event that any person or group acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, each holder of a Right (other than such person or group) will be entitled to purchase, at the exercise price, the number of shares of common stock having a current market value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. If we are acquired in a merger or other business combination, each registered holder of a Right will be entitled to purchase, at the exercise price, a number of shares of common stock of the acquirer having a current market value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.

The Board may redeem the Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right, subject to adjustment, at any time until 10 days after the acquisition of 15% or more of the common stock of THQ. At any time after a person or group has acquired 15% or more but less than 50% of the common stock, the Board may exchange all or part of the Rights for shares of common stock at an exchange ratio of 4/9 shares of common stock for each Right or four nine-thousandths (4/9000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) per Right. The Rights expire on June 21, 2010.

Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, as amended (the “Certificate of Designation”), establishing the Preferred Stock, effective as September 1, 2005:  (i) each share of Preferred Stock is entitled to quarterly dividends equal to 2,250 times the aggregate per share amount of all dividends declared on the common stock, (ii) each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to 2,250 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of

77




THQ’s stockholders, (iii) the “adjustment number” (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) used in Section 6 of the Certificate of Designation for calculating the liquidation amount for Preferred Stock is 2,250 and (iv) in the event of a consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction, each share of Preferred Stock will be exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to 2,250 times the amount of capital stock, securities, cash or other property for which each share of common stock is exchanged or changed. The description of the Rights contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement and the Certificate of Designation.

16.   Agreement with JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

In June 1999 we entered into an operating agreement with JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (“JAKKS”) that governs our relationship with respect to the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) license. This agreement was amended in January 2002. Our relationship with JAKKS was established to enable THQ to develop, manufacture, distribute, market and sell video games pursuant to the license from WWE. The principal terms of this operating agreement are as follows:

·       We are responsible for funding all operations of the venture, including all payments owed to WWE;

·       For the period commencing November 16, 1999 and ending June 30, 2006, JAKKS was entitled to receive a preferred payment equal to the greater of a fixed guarantee, payable quarterly, or specified percentages of the net sales from WWE-licensed games (as defined) in amounts that vary based on the platform. We were entitled to the profits and cash distributions remaining after the payment of these amounts;

·       For periods after June 30, 2006, the amount of the preferred payment is subject to renegotiation between the parties. The parties have not yet reached agreement as to the amount of the preferred payment. We have not paid JAKKS since June 30, 2006, but are accruing at the payment rate that expired June 30, 2006. This preferred payment is included in our consolidated statements of operations in the caption “Cost of sales—venture partner expense.”  An arbitration procedure is specified in the event the parties do not reach agreement; and

·       We are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the venture. We are responsible for development, sales and distribution of WWE-licensed games, and JAKKS is responsible for the approval process and other relationship matters with WWE.

For financial reporting purposes, we are deemed to control the venture; therefore, all venture operating results are consolidated with our results.

In November 2001, through the venture with JAKKS, we entered into an amendment to expand the WWE license to include exclusive rights to other wrestling content produced by the WWE through December 2014. In exchange for these rights we paid a minimum guarantee to WWE that has already been recouped.

We are currently involved in litigation with WWE and JAKKS with respect to the license and the preferred payment. See “Note 17—Commitments and Contingencies - Litigation.”

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17.   Commitments and Contingencies

A summary of annual minimum contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2007 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

 

 

License /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal

 

Software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years Ending

 

Development

 

 

 

 

 

Letters of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

Commitments(1)

 

Advertising(2)

 

Leases(3)

 

Credit(4)

 

Total

 

2008

 

 

$

95,642

 

 

 

$

14,078

 

 

 

$

14,206

 

 

 

$

22,699

 

 

$

146,625

 

2009

 

 

49,294

 

 

 

14,034

 

 

 

13,669

 

 

 

 

 

76,997

 

2010

 

 

43,115

 

 

 

14,815

 

 

 

13,151

 

 

 

 

 

71,081

 

2011

 

 

13,850

 

 

 

9,678

 

 

 

12,558

 

 

 

 

 

36,086

 

2012

 

 

850

 

 

 

1,461

 

 

 

10,637

 

 

 

 

 

12,948

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,100

 

 

 

2,557

 

 

 

23,044

 

 

 

 

 

26,701

 

 

 

 

$

203,851

 

 

 

$

56,623

 

 

 

$

87,265

 

 

 

$

22,699

 

 

$

370,438

 


(1)          Licenses and Software Development.   We enter into contractual agreements with third parties for the rights to intellectual property and for the development of products. Under these agreements, we commit to provide specified payments to an intellectual property holder or developer. Assuming all contractual provisions are met, the total future minimum contract commitments for contracts in place as of March 31, 2007 are approximately $203.9 million. License/software development commitments in the table above include $67.0 million of commitments to licensors that are included in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007 because the licensors do not have any significant performance obligations to us. These commitments are included in both current and long-term licenses and accrued royalties.

(2)          Advertising.   We have certain minimum advertising commitments under most of our major license agreements. These minimum commitments generally range from 2% to 12% of net sales related to the respective license. We estimate that our minimum commitment for advertising in fiscal 2008 will be $14.1 million.

(3)          Leases.   We are committed under operating leases with lease termination dates through 2015. Most of our leases contain rent escalations. Rent expense was $14.0 million, $10.6 million and $6.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(4)          Letters of Credit.   As of March 31, 2007, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $22.7 million. Our previous credit facility expired on November 29, 2006 and we did not renew it. On October 3, 2006, we entered into an agreement with a bank primarily to provide stand-by letters of credit to a platform manufacturer from whom we purchase products. We are required to pledge cash equivalents and investments to the bank as collateral in an amount equal to 110% of the amount of the outstanding stand-by letters of credit.

Other potential future expenditures relate to the following:

Manufacturer Indemnification.   We must indemnify the platform manufacturers (Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony) of our games with respect to all loss, liability and expenses resulting from any claim against such manufacturer involving the development, marketing, sale or use of our games, including any claims for copyright or trademark infringement brought against such manufacturer. As a result, we bear a risk that the properties upon which the titles of our games are based, or that the information and technology licensed from others and incorporated into the products, may infringe the rights of third parties. Our agreements with our third-party software developers and property licensors typically provide indemnification rights for us with respect to certain matters. However, if a manufacturer brings a claim

79




against us for indemnification, the developers or licensors may not have sufficient resources to, in turn, indemnify us.

Director Indemnity Agreements.   We have entered into indemnification agreements with the members of our Board of Directors to provide a contractual right of indemnification to our Directors to the extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities, costs, expenses, amounts paid in settlement and damages incurred by the Directors as a result of any lawsuit, or any judicial, administrative or investigative proceeding in which the Directors are sued as a result of their service as members of our Board of Directors. The indemnification agreements provide specific procedures and time frames with respect to requests for indemnification and clarify the benefits and remedies available to Directors in the event of an indemnification request.

Litigation.

WWE related Lawsuits

On October 19, 2004, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (“JAKKS”), THQ, THQ/JAKKS Pacific LLC (the “LLC”), and others, alleging, among other claims, improper conduct by JAKKS, certain executives of JAKKS, an employee of the WWE and an agent of the WWE in granting the WWE videogame license to the LLC. The complaint seeks various forms of relief, including monetary damages and a judicial determination that, among other things, the WWE videogame license is void. On March 30, 2005, WWE filed an amended complaint, adding both new claims and THQ’s president and chief executive officer, Brian Farrell, as a defendant. In August 2005, the Court directed the parties to file briefs on the three federal law claims alleged by the Plaintiffs (i.e., Robinson-Patman, and Sherman Act, and a threshold issue concerning the Plaintiff’s RICO claim). The motions to dismiss the amended complaint based on these issues were fully briefed and argued and, on March 31, 2006, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the Robinson-Patman Act and Sherman Act claims and denied the defendants’ motion seeking to dismiss the RICO claims on the basis of the threshold “enterprise” issue that was briefed (the “March 31 Order”).

On April 7, 2006, the Company and the other defendants sought certification to appeal from the portion of the March 31 Order denying the motion to dismiss the RICO claim on the one ground that was briefed. Shortly thereafter, WWE filed a motion for re-argument with respect to the portion of the March 31 Order that dismissed the Sherman Act claim and, alternatively, sought judgment with respect to the Sherman Act claim so that it could pursue an immediate appeal. At a court hearing on April 26, 2006, the Court deferred a ruling on the requests for partial judgment and for certification and set briefing schedules with respect to the remaining grounds for defendants’ motion to dismiss the RICO claim, currently the sole remaining basis for federal jurisdiction in this action, that were not the subject of the first round of briefing. The Court also established a briefing schedule for WWE’s motion for re-argument of the dismissal of the Sherman Act claim. The briefing was completed in August of 2006 and a hearing was held in September of 2006. The Court has not yet ruled on the pending motions. Discovery in this action remains stayed.

THQ believes that neither it, nor Brian Farrell, is primarily accused of any wrongdoing in the complaint or the amended complaint, and believes that either there is no basis for terminating the WWE videogame license, or that THQ will be made whole by those whose conduct is eventually found to be unlawful. We intend to vigorously protect our rights and, if necessary, pursue appropriate claims against third parties.

On October 12, 2006, WWE filed a separate lawsuit against the Company and the LLC in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut, alleging that the Company’s agreements with Yuke’s Co., Ltd. (“Yukes”), a developer and distributor in Japan, violated a provision of the WWE videogame license prohibiting sublicenses without WWE’s written consent. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, a

80




declaration that the WWE is entitled to terminate the video game license and seek monetary damages. On February 8, 2007, the Company and the LLC jointly moved to strike one of the claims, for violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trading Practices Act; on March 28, 2007, the Court denied that motion, without prejudice to the defendants’ ability to raise the same issue at a later date. On February 22, 2007, the Court established a schedule for this case, including discovery, and ordering that the case be “exposed for trial” as of October 14, 2008. However, on March 30, 2007, WWE moved for leave to amend its pleadings to add allegations and claims substantially similar to those already pending in WWE’s lawsuit in the Southern District of New York and to “cite in” the other defendants from that action. The defendants objected to this motion. At a hearing on May 8, 2007, the Court granted WWE’s request to amend the complaint and add defendants. The Court also suspended deadlines under its existing scheduling order and indicated it will re-examine the schedule after the new defendants have been served and have appeared. The amended complaint was served on the Company and Brian Farrell on or about May 10, 2007. The Company believes it and the LLC have several bases for defending any claim of breach of the WWE videogame license agreement resulting from the manner of distribution of WWE-licensed products in Japan and other Asian territories. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the claims raised in this action, including those raised in the amended complaint.

Due to the early status of this litigation with WWE we cannot estimate a possible loss, if any. Games we develop based upon our WWE videogame license have contributed to approximately 15% of our net sales during each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2007. The loss of the WWE license would have a negative impact on our future financial results.

Operating agreement with JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

In June 1999 we entered into an operating agreement with JAKKS that governs our relationship with respect to the WWE videogame license. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, JAKKS is entitled to a preferred payment from revenues derived from exploitation of the WWE videogame license. The amount of the preferred payment to JAKKS for the period beginning July 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2009 (the “First Subsequent Distribution Period”) is to be determined by agreement or, failing that, by arbitration.

The parties have not reached agreement on the preferred payment for the First Subsequent Distribution Period. Accordingly, as provided in the operating agreement, the parties are in the process of selecting an arbitrator to resolve this dispute. Although we believe continuation of the previous preferred payment would represent significantly excessive compensation to JAKKS for the First Subsequent Distribution Period, we are not able to predict the outcome of the arbitration or otherwise estimate the amount of the preferred payment for the First Subsequent Distribution Period. Accordingly, we are currently accruing for a preferred payment to JAKKS at the previous rate. However, we have advised JAKKS that we do not intend to make any payment until the amount of the preferred payment payable to JAKKS for the First Subsequent Distribution Period is agreed or otherwise determined as provided in the operating agreement. On April 30, 2007, we filed a petition to compel arbitration and appoint an arbitrator in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, West District. Our petition seeks a court order compelling JAKKS to comply with the arbitration provisions in the operating agreement and establishing a process and timeline for selecting an arbitrator. On or about May 22, 2007, JAKKS filed a response to our petition, as well as an application for provisional relief requesting that, pending conclusion of the arbitration, THQ either be enjoined from distributing to itself any proceeds from the joint venture since June 2006 or be compelled to resume payments to JAKKS at the same rate that was in effect prior to June 2006. A hearing on the petition is scheduled for June 19, 2007.

We do not expect the resolution of this dispute to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

81




SEC Informal Inquiry

On August 4, 2006, we received an informal inquiry from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requesting certain documents and information relating to our stock option grant practices from January 1, 1996 to the present. We publicly announced this inquiry on August 7, 2006. Prior to August 4, 2006, we were already conducting an internal review of our historical stock option grant practices with the assistance of outside counsel. We initiated the internal review following extensive news coverage and analyst reports about the option practices of numerous companies across several different industries. The Company has cooperated fully with the SEC’s inquiry.

Upon receipt of the notice of informal inquiry from the SEC, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) formed a special committee consisting of one outside director, Jeffrey Griffiths (the “Special Committee”), to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation of our stock option practices and to oversee our response to the SEC. The Special Committee retained independent outside legal counsel and forensic accountants (the “Investigative Team”) to aid in its investigation.

The Special Committee concluded its investigation and reported its findings to the full Board on December 2, 2006. The Special Committee found no evidence of fraud or misconduct by any person with respect to the company’s historical stock option grant practices. The Special Committee did identify instances where documentation of certain option grants was lacking. The Special Committee also determined that an incorrect measurement date for financial accounting purposes was used on a number of occasions. These errors resulted primarily from misapplication of accounting standards related to certain measurement date selection methods discussed in detail in Note 2 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A for the year ended March 31, 2006, which in a number of occasions resulted in employees receiving options with stated exercise prices lower than the market prices as measured based upon the measurement dates as determined by the applicable accounting standards. The Special Committee also recommended certain remedial measures with respect to the Company’s stock option granting practices, which were adopted by the Board. The Special Committee and the Investigative Team reported the Special Committee’s findings to the SEC on January 8, 2007.

Lawsuits related to our historical stock option granting practices

Kukor and Ramsey v. Haller, et. Al.   On August 25, 2006, following our announcement of the informal inquiry by the SEC, a purported shareholder derivative action captioned Ramsey v. Haller et Al. was filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. The complaint alleges, among other things, purported improprieties in our issuance of stock options, breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. Another lawsuit was subsequently filed by the same law firm on behalf of another purported shareholder, David Kukor, and the parties stipulated to consolidate the two actions. On or about April 19, 2007, a Consolidated Shareholder Derivative Complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) was filed, alleging the same types of claims and quoting from various public statements by THQ since the filing of the original complaint. THQ is also named as a nominal defendant. The Company intends to demur to the Consolidated Complaint. Pursuant to court order, the demurrer must be filed by May 28, 2007, and a hearing for the demurrer is currently scheduled for August 9, 2007. Discovery in this matter is currently stayed.

Hawaii Laborers Pension Fund v. THQ, et. Al.   In October 2006, a purported shareholder derivative action captioned Hawaii Laborers Pension Fund v. THQ, et. Al., was filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors in federal district court, alleging claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as well as various state law claims arising out of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty related to stock option practices. On or about April 20, 2007, the plaintiff filed an Amended and Verified Shareholder Derivative Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”) alleging that certain current and former officers and directors engaged in a conspiracy to manipulate grants dates associated with stock options and

82




then concealed the alleged backdating option scheme and filed false and misleading statements with the SEC. THQ is also named as a nominal defendant. The Company intends to file a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which pursuant to a stipulation between the parties, must be filed by June 1, 2007. No discovery has yet commenced in this action.

Although litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, we do not believe the results of these actions will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other

Additionally, we are involved in routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of our management, none of this pending routine litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

18. Segment and Geographic Information

We operate in one reportable segment in which we are a developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for home video game consoles, handheld platforms and personal computers. The following information sets forth geographic information on our sales and total assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

North
America

 

Europe

 

Asia
Pacific

 

Consolidated

 

Year ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers

 

$

600,159

 

$

365,406

 

$

61,291

 

 

$

1,026,856

 

 

Total assets

 

900,579

 

89,950

 

23,012

 

 

1,013,541

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers

 

$

489,945

 

$

269,928

 

$

46,687

 

 

$

806,560

 

 

Total assets

 

774,126

 

62,664

 

11,678

 

 

848,468

 

 

Year ended March 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers

 

$

470,619

 

$

245,083

 

$

41,029

 

 

$

756,731

 

 

Total assets

 

671,497

 

64,948

 

10,161

 

 

746,606

 

 

 

Our largest single customer accounted for 18% of our gross sales in fiscal 2007, 19% of our gross sales in fiscal 2006 and 14% of our gross sales in fiscal 2005.

83




Information about THQ’s net sales by platform for fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 is presented below (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

 

Platform

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

Consoles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Xbox 360

 

$

134,908

 

$

14,479

 

$

 

Microsoft Xbox

 

27,476

 

88,181

 

80,623

 

Nintendo Wii

 

30,025

 

 

 

Nintendo GameCube

 

52,338

 

59,255

 

73,157

 

Sony PlayStation 2

 

304,916

 

296,294

 

275,850

 

 

 

549,663

 

458,209

 

429,630

 

Handheld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nintendo Dual Screen

 

114,143

 

32,855

 

3,110

 

Nintendo Game Boy Advance

 

119,869

 

171,477

 

204,348

 

Sony PlayStation Portable

 

65,402

 

29,406

 

 

Wireless

 

26,467

 

36,112

 

24,613

 

 

 

325,881

 

269,850

 

232,071

 

PC

 

149,546

 

77,615

 

86,667

 

Other

 

1,766

 

886

 

8,363

 

Total Net Sales

 

$

1,026,856

 

$

806,560

 

$

756,731

 

 

19. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,
2006

 

Sept. 30,
2006

 

Dec. 31,
2006

 

March 31,
2007

 

Fiscal Year
Ended

 

Net sales

 

$

138,829

 

$

240,197

 

$

475,741

 

$

172,089

 

$

1,026,856

 

Expenses and other

 

157,037

 

222,796

 

391,419

 

164,576

 

935,828

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

 

(18,208

)

17,401

 

84,322

 

7,513

 

91,028

 

Income taxes

 

(6,009

)

5,857

 

24,367

 

1,991

 

26,206

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest

 

(12,199

)

11,544

 

59,955

 

5,522

 

64,822

 

Minority interest

 

98

 

45

 

(7

)

 

136

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(12,101

)

11,589

 

59,948

 

5,522

 

64,958

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

2,107

 

973

 

3,080

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(12,101

)

$

11,589

 

$

62,055

 

$

6,495

 

$

68,038

 

Earnings (loss) per share—basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.18

 

$

0.92

 

$

0.08

 

$

1.00

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.03

 

0.02

 

0.05

 

Earnings (loss) per share—basic

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.18

 

$

0.95

 

$

0.10

 

$

1.05

 

Earnings (loss) per share—diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.17

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.96

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.03

 

0.01

 

0.05

 

Earnings (loss) per share—diluted

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.17

 

$

0.91

 

$

0.09

 

$

1.01

 

 

84




Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,
2005

 

Sept. 30,
2005

 

Dec. 31,
2005

 

March 31,
2006

 

Fiscal Year
Ended

 

Net sales

 

$

157,967

 

$

142,692

 

$

357,848

 

$

148,053

 

 

$

806,560

 

 

Expenses and other

 

163,913

 

145,296

 

292,945

 

164,616

 

 

766,770

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest

 

(5,946

)

(2,604

)

64,903

 

(16,563

)

 

39,790

 

 

Income taxes

 

(1,772

)

(663

)

17,917

 

(7,861

)

 

7,621

 

 

Income (loss) before minority interest

 

(4,174

)

(1,941

)

46,986

 

(8,702

)

 

32,169

 

 

Minority interest

 

(57

)

3

 

(62

)

53

 

 

(63

)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(4,231

)

$

(1,938

)

$

46,924

 

$

(8,649

)

 

$

32,106

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.03

)

$

0.75

 

$

(0.14

)

 

$

0.51

 

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.03

)

$

0.71

 

$

(0.14

)

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

Due to rounding and reclassifications, some of the figures above may differ slightly from the 10-Q’s previously filed. See Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for description of certain reclassifications made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period consolidated financial statements.

20. Discontinued Operations

In December 2006, we sold our 50% interest in Minick. As of March 31, 2007 we have received approximately $17.1 million in cash and recognized a gain of approximately $3.1 million in discontinued operations due to the sale of Minick. Pursuant to the Minick sale agreement, we may receive additional consideration of approximately $2.7 million over the next 9 to 15 months. If such amounts are received, the additional gain recognized will be reported in discontinued operations in the period the proceeds are collected. The results of Minick’s operations were not material to any of the periods presented and have therefore not been reclassified as discontinued operations.

85




Item 9.                        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.                Controls and Procedures

(a) Definition and limitations of disclosure controls. Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluates these controls and procedures on an ongoing basis to determine if improvements or modifications are necessary.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures. These limitations include the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures and reasonable resource constraints. In addition, because we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, our system of controls may not achieve its desired purpose under all possible future conditions. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance, but not absolute assurance, of achieving their objectives.

(b) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, believe that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing the requisite reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(c) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

86




Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We, as management of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007 based on the control criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such assessment, we have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as of March 31, 2007.

The registered independent public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, as auditors of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ BRIAN J. FARRELL

 

/s/ EDWARD K. ZINSER

 

Brian J. Farrell

Edward K. Zinser

Chairman of the Board, President and

Executive Vice President,

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007

 

Item 9B.               Other Information

None.

87




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of THQ Inc.,

Agoura Hills, California

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. Our report dated May 30, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Los Angeles, California

May 30, 2007

88




PART III

Item 10.                 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The following information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed within 120 days after the close of our fiscal year (the “Proxy Statement”):

·       Information regarding directors who are nominated for election is included under the caption “Proposal Number 1—Election of Directors;”

·       Information regarding executive officers is included under the caption “Executive Officers;”

·       Information related to involvement in certain legal proceedings is included under the caption “Involvement in Certain Proceedings;”

·       Information regarding the audit committee and its financial expert is included under the caption “Committees of the Board of Directors;” and

·       Information regarding Section 16 compliance is included under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

Information regarding our code of ethics applicable to our directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and other senior financial officers appears under the caption “Charters, Code of Ethics, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.”

Item 11.                 Executive Compensation

The information required under this Item relating to executive compensation will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.                 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by Item 12 related to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is included in Item 5 herein. The information required by Item 12 related to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the information in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

Item 13.                 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

There were no reportable business relationships, transactions with management, or indebtedness of management during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Item 14.                 Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information regarding principal accounting fees and services and the Company’s pre-approval policies and procedures for audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent accountant is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the caption “Proposal Number 3—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

89




PART IV

Item 15.                 Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

The following financial statements of the Company are included in Part II Item 8:

 

Page

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

51

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated balance sheets—March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

 

52

 

 

Consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006
and 2005

 

 

53

 

 

Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005     

 

 

54

 

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2006
and 2005

 

 

55

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

56

 

 

 

(b) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the SEC. We will furnish copies of the exhibits for a reasonable fee (covering the expense of furnishing copies) upon request:

Exhibit
Number

 

Title

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 9, 1998 (File No. 333-32221) (the “S-3 Registration Statement”)).

3.2

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the S-3 Registration Statement).

3.3

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001).

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2000).

3.5

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of THQ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit 1 of Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 28, 2001 (File No. 001-15959) (the “August 2001 8-A”)).

3.6

 

Amendment to Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of THQ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001).

4.1

 

Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2001 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s August 2001 8-A).

 

90




 

Exhibit
Number

 

Title

4.2

 

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated April 9, 2002 between the Company and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 12, 2002 (file No. 000-18813)).

10.1 #

 

Stock Option Agreement dated as of December 23, 1998, between the Company and James Whims (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999).

10.2 #

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2006 between the Company and Brian J. Farrell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “September 2006 10-Q”)).

10.3 #

 

Ed Zinser Offer Letter dated March 24, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 (the “June 2004 10-Q”)).

10.4 #

 

Kelly Flock Offer Letter dated August 11, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (the “September 2005 10-Q”)).

10.5 #

 

Indemnification Agreements, dated as of November 30, 2004 between the Company and each director of the Company, being the following: Lawrence Burstein, Henry DeNero, Brian P. Dougherty, Brian J. Farrell, and James L. Whims (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2004 (the “December 2004 10-Q”)).

10.6 #

 

Indemnification Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2006 between the Company and Jeffrey W. Griffiths (the form of which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s December 2004 10-Q).

10.7 #

 

THQ Inc. 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed June 21, 2006).

10.8 #

 

THQ Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed June 21, 2006).

10.9 #

 

THQ Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended on August 18, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s September 2005 10-Q).

10.10 #

 

Third Amended and Restated Non-executive Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to Registrant’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed July 3, 2003).

10.11 #*

 

THQ Inc. Stock Unit Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of August 18, 2005.

10.12 #

 

Form of Severance Agreement with Executive Officers entered into June 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 (the “June 2006 10-Q”)).

10.13 #

 

Form of Severance Agreement with Senior Officers entered into June 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s June 2006 10-Q).

10.14 #

 

Form of Severance Agreement with Officers entered into June 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s June 2006 10-Q).

10.15 #

 

Form of Change-in-Control Agreement with Executive and Senior Officers entered into on June 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s June 2006 10-Q).

 

91




 

Exhibit
Number

 

Title

10.16 #

 

Form of Change-in-Control Agreement with Officers entered into on June 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s June 2006 10-Q).

10.17 #

 

THQ Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2004).

10.18 +

 

PlayStation® 2 CD-Rom / DVD-Rom Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2000 between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s September 2002 10-Q).

10.19 +

 

Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2002 by and between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s September 2002 10-Q).

10.20

 

PlayStation® 2 Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2003 between Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. and THQ Korea Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 (the “June 2003 10-Q”)).

10.21

 

PlayStation® 2 Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2003 between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and THQ International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s September 2003 10-Q).

10.22 +

 

PlayStation® Portable Licensed Publisher Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2004 between Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s December 2004 10-Q).

10.23 +

 

Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2005 by and between Microsoft Licensing, GP and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005).

10.24

 

Amendment to the Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, effective as of October 1, 2006, by and between Microsoft Licensing, GP and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006).

10.25 *

 

Amendment to the Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2007, by and between Microsoft Licensing, GP and the Company.

10.26 +

 

Microsoft Corporation Xbox™ Publisher License Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2001 between Microsoft Corporation and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s September 2002 10-Q).

10.27

 

Amendment to the Xbox™ Publisher Licensing Agreement (Tiered Royalty Rate Structure and Xbox Platinum Hits Program), dated as of January 31, 2003 between Microsoft Licensing, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s June 200310-Q).

10.28

 

Term Extension to Xbox™ Publisher License Agreement, dated October 13, 2004 between the Company and Microsoft Licensing, GP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 18, 2004).

10.29

 

Amendment to the Xbox™ Publisher Licensing Agreement (Platinum Hits Family Programs), dated as of March 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

10.30 +

 

Amendment to Xbox™ Publisher License Agreement, effective as of March 1, 2005 and dated March 9, 2005 by and between Microsoft Licensing, GP and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s March 2005 10-K).

 

92




 

Exhibit
Number

 

Title

10.31 +

 

Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance (Western Hemisphere), dated as of July 18, 2001 between Nintendo of America, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s September 2002 10-Q).

10.32

 

First Amendment to the Confidential License Agreement for Game Boy Advance, dated as of July 18, 2004 between Nintendo of America, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004).

10.33 +

 

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Western Hemisphere), dated as of April 5, 2002 between Nintendo of America, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s September 2002 10-Q).

10.34 +

 

First Amendment to Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube, dated as of April 5, 2005 between Nintendo of America, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).

10.35 +

 

Confidential License Agreement for Nintendo GameCube (Asia), dated as of November 17, 2003 between Nintendo Co., Ltd. and THQ Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s June 2004 10-Q).

10.36 +

 

Confidential License Agreement for the Nintendo DS handheld platform, dated as of January 25, 2005 between Nintendo of America, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Registrant’s March 2005 10-K).

10.37

 

Lease agreement dated December 22, 2004 between the Company, as Tenant, and FORCE-AGOURA ROAD, LLC and Dennis D. Jacobsen Family Holdings II, LLC, as Landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s December 2004 10-Q).

14

 

Code of Ethics for Executive Officers and Other Senior Financial Officers, as adopted May 27, 2004 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006).

18 *

 

Letter from Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Regarding Change in Accounting Principle dated May 30, 2007.

21 *

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1*

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

31.1*

 

Certification of Brian J. Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2*

 

Certification of Edward K. Zinser, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1*

 

Certification of Brian J. Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2*

 

Certification of Edward K. Zinser, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


*                    Filed herewith

#                 Management contract of compensatory plan or arrangement

+                Portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment in accordance with Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

93




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

Dated: May 30, 2007

THQ INC.

 

By:

/s/ Brian J. Farrell

 

 

Brian J. Farrell, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: May 30, 2007

THQ INC.

 

By:

/s/ Edward Zinser

 

 

Edward Zinser, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ BRIAN J. FARRELL

 

Director, Chairman of the Board, President and

 

May 30, 2007

Brian J. Farrell

 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

/s/ EDWARD ZINSER

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

May 30, 2007

Edward Zinser

 

and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

/s/ LAWRENCE BURSTEIN

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

Lawrence Burstein

 

 

 

 

/s/ HENRY DENERO

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

Henry DeNero

 

 

 

 

/s/ BRIAN DOUGHERTY

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

Brian Dougherty

 

 

 

 

/s/ JEFFREY W. GRIFFITHS

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

Jeffrey W. Griffiths

 

 

 

 

/s/ GARY REISCHEL

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

Gary Reischel

 

 

 

 

/s/ JAMES L. WHIMS

 

Director

 

May 30, 2007

James L. Whims

 

 

 

 

 

94