ACTIVISION INC /NY
10-Q, 1998-02-17
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
Previous: ACTIVISION INC /NY, S-3, 1998-02-17
Next: BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE CORP, SC 13G/A, 1998-02-17



<PAGE>
                                       
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)

 [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                       O R

 [ ] 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 0-12699


                                  ACTIVISION, INC.
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



               DELAWARE                                      94-2606438
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)


3100 OCEAN PARK BLVD., SANTA MONICA, CA                         90405
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


                                   (310) 255-2000
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and 
reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a 
plan confirmed by a court: Yes [ X ] No [  ] 

The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of 
February 12, 1998 was 18,894,489.


                                      1

<PAGE>


                                 ACTIVISION, INC.
                           1997 QUARTERLY REPORT ON 10Q

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PAGE NO.
<S>                                                                              <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
              December 31, 1997  (unaudited) and March 31, 1997                   3

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters
              and nine months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (unaudited)        4

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
              nine months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (unaudited)            5

           Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the
              quarter and nine months ended December 31, 1997 (unaudited)       6-8

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
              and Results of Operations                                        9-20



PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                                       21

Item 5.  Other Information                                                       21

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                        22


SIGNATURES                                                                       23
</TABLE>

                                      2

<PAGE>

                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                      (in thousands except per share data)

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         December 31,              March 31,
                                                                             1997                    1997
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
                                                                          (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                      <C>                       <C>
ASSETS
     Current Assets:
         Cash and cash equivalents                                       $       91,617            $    21,358
         Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $13,911
             and $7,674 respectively                                             99,431                 46,633
         Inventories, net                                                        17,588                  8,283
         Prepaid software and license royalties                                   8,281                  6,559
         Other current assets                                                     2,440                  1,222
         Deferred income taxes                                                    1,151                  1,493
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
              Total current assets                                              220,508                 85,548
         Property and equipment, net                                             10,916                  5,990
         Deferred income taxes                                                    4,665                  4,212
         Other assets                                                             2,426                    255
         Excess purchase price over identifiable assets                           
             acquired, net                                                       23,838                 23,749
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
              Total assets                                                 $    262,353             $  119,754
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------

LIABILITIES                                                         
     Current liabilities:        
         Notes payable to bank                                            $      1,812              $    1,600
         Current portion of subordinated loan stock debentures                       -                     683
         Accounts payable                                                       76,583                  19,291
         Accrued expenses                                                       25,278                  12,136
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
              Total current liabilities                                        103,673                  33,710
                                                                                               
     Note payable to bank                                                        1,157                      -
     Convertible subordinated notes                                             60,000                      -
     Subordinated loan stock debentures                                              -                  2,533
     Other liabilities                                                             135                     31
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
              Total liabilities                                                164,965                 36,274
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
     Commitments and contingencies                                                                        

     Redeemable preferred stock                                                      -                  1,286
     Convertible preferred stock                                                     -                    214
     Shareholders' equity:
         Common stock, $.000001 par value, 50,000,000 shares
             authorized, 19,322,443 and 17,113,007 shares issued
             and 18,822,443 and 16,613,077 outstanding, respectively                 -                      -
         Additional paid-in capital                                             89,143                 78,752
         Retained earnings                                                      13,544                  8,664
         Cumulative foreign currency translation                                   (21)                  (158)
         Less:  Treasury stock, cost of 500,000 shares                          (5,278)                (5,278)
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
              Total shareholders' equity                                        97,388                 81,980
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                       $    262,353              $ 119,754
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
                                                                       ----------------        ---------------
</TABLE>

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
         consolidated financial statements.


                                      3
<PAGE>



                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                   (Unaudited)
                   (in thousands except income per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Quarter ended             Nine months ended
                                                      December 31,                December 31,
                                                ------------------------     ----------------------
                                                   1997        1996             1997        1996
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>
Net revenues                                    $  122,141   $   60,480       $ 201,670  $   97,058
Cost of goods sold                                  77,078       36,185         127,089      51,562
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
     Gross profit                                   45,063       24,295          74,581      45,496
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Operating expenses:
     Product development                             8,045        4,707          21,963      13,861
     Sales and marketing                            16,400        8,344          31,960      18,276
     General and administrative                      3,586        2,563           8,416       6,056
     Amortization of intangible assets                 404          393           1,159       1,104
     Merger expenses                                 1,474            -           1,474           -
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

         Total operating expenses                   29,909       16,007          64,972      39,297
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Operating income                                    15,154        8,288           9,609       6,199

Other income (expense):
     Interest, net                                   (232)         (31)           (377)         284
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Income before income tax provision                  14,922        8,257           9,232       6,483

Income tax provision                                 5,644        2,937           3,531       2,373
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Net income                                      $    9,278  $     5,320      $    5,701   $   4,110
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Basic net income per share                      $    0.50   $     0.30       $     0.31   $    0.24
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Diluted net income per share                    $    0.47   $     0.29      $      0.30   $    0.23
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Number of shares used in computing
   basic net income per share                       18,581       17,781          18,296      16,908
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------

Numbers of shares used in computing
   diluted net income per share                     20,027       18,484          19,264      17,596
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
                                                ----------  -----------      ----------  ----------
</TABLE>

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
         consolidated financial statements.


                                      4

<PAGE>

                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                  (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  For the Nine Months Ended 
                                                                           December 31,
                                                                      1997             1996
                                                                  -----------      ----------
                                                                         (in thousands)
<S>                                                               <C>              <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                   $     5,701      $    4,110
                                                                            
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net 
       cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
         Deferred income taxes                                            410             995
         Depreciation and amortization                                  3,871           2,746
     Change in assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable                                          (52,934)        (15,377)
         Inventories                                                   (9,367)         (4,359)
         Prepaid software and license royalties                        (1,291)         (2,314)
         Other assets                                                  (3,389)           (377)
         Accounts payable                                              57,482          14,989
         Accrued liabilities                                           14,416          (1,605)
         Other liabilities                                                 (5)            (46)
                                                                  -----------      ----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                    14,894          (1,238)
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
         Cash paid by Combined Distribution (Holdings)
          Limited to acquire CentreSoft Limited (net of 
          cash acquired)                                               (1,043)         (3,878)
         Capital expenditures                                          (6,197)         (2,393)
         Cash used in purchase acquisition                               (246)              -
         Adjustment for effect of poolings on prior periods            (1,641)              -
         Other                                                              -            (250)
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Net cash used in investing activities                                  (9,127)         (6,521)
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
         Proceeds from issuance of common stock                             -           5,037
         Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock
           option plan                                                  3,961           1,067
         Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock
           purchase plan                                                  230               -
         Dividends paid                                                (1,258)            (66)
         Proceeds from note payable to bank (net of payments)           1,371             (58)
         Proceeds from borrowings on line-of-credit                     8,800               -
         Payments on line-of-credit                                    (8,800)              -
         Proceeds from issuance of subordinated convertible  
          notes                                                        60,000               -
         Other                                                             51             (30)
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Net cash provided by financing activities                              64,355           5,950
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                   137             457
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                   70,259          (1,352)
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                       21,358          25,288
                                                                  -----------      ----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                        $    91,617     $    23,936
                                                                  -----------      ----------
                                                                  -----------      ----------
Non Cash Investing Activities:
         Stock issued in exchange for licensing rights            $       431     $       822
         Tax benefit derived from stock option exercises                  521               -
         Stock issued in purchase acquisition                             136               -
         Preferred stock converted to common stock in pooling
           transaction                                                  1,286               -
         Redeemable preferred stock converted to common
           stock in pooling transaction                                   214               -
         Conversion of subordinated loan stock debentures to
           common stock in pooling transaction                          3,216               -

Supplemental flow information:
         Cash paid for income taxes                                $    2,607    $       831
         Cash paid for interest                                           696            203
</TABLE>

         The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
         consolidated financial statements.


                                      5

<PAGE>

                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the
     accounts of Activision, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Company"). The
     information furnished is unaudited and reflects all adjustments which, in
     the opinion of management, are necessary to provide a fair statement of the
     results for the interim periods presented. The financial statements should
     be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the
     CompanyOs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997, and
     the Company's restated supplemental consolidated financial statements for
     the year ended March 31, 1997 and for the quarter and six months ended
     September 30, 1997 filed in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K. These
     supplemental consolidated financial statements reflect the pooling of
     interests of the Company with Combined Distribution (Holdings) Limited
     ("CentreSoft") (see note 6 "Acquisitions"). Such supplemental consolidated
     financial statements did not, however, extend through the date of
     consummation of the CentreSoft acquisition or the pooling of interests of
     the Company with NBG Handels und Verlags GmbH ("NBG"), both of which
     occurred in November 1997. These supplemental statements have become the
     historical consolidated financial statements of the Company as financial
     statements covering the date of consummation of the business combination
     are being issued herein.

     Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements have
     been reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation. These
     reclassifications had no impact on previously reported working capital or
     results of operations.

     In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
     Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE. Statement 128
     replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per
     share with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings
     per share, basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of
     options, warrants, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share
     is very similar to the previously reported fully diluted earnings per
     share. All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented,
     and where necessary, restated to conform to the Statement 128 requirements.

2.   INVENTORIES

     Inventories, net (amounts in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    December 31,        March 31,
                                                       1997                1997
                                                    -----------         ---------
              <S>                                   <C>                 <C>
              Finished goods                        $   15,067          $   7,121
              Purchased parts and components             2,521              1,162
                                                    -----------         ---------
                                                    $   17,588          $   8,283
                                                    -----------         ---------
                                                    -----------         ---------
</TABLE>

3.   SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS

     Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 86, "Accounting for the
     Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed,"
     provides for the capitalization of certain software development costs once
     technological feasibility is established. The capitalized costs are then
     amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated product life, or on
     the ratio of current revenues to total projected revenues, whichever is
     greater. The software development costs that have been capitalized to date
     have been immaterial.


                                      6

<PAGE>

                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

4.   REVENUE RECOGNITION

     Product Sales: The Company recognizes revenues from the sale of its
     products upon shipment. Subject to certain limitations, the Company permits
     customers to obtain exchanges within certain specified periods and provides
     price protection on certain unsold merchandise. Revenues from product sales
     are reflected net of the allowance for returns and price protection.

     Software Licenses: For those license agreements which provide the customers
     the right to multiple copies in exchange for guaranteed amounts, revenues
     are recognized at delivery of the product master or the first copy. Per
     copy royalties on sales which exceed the guarantee are recognized as
     earned.

5.   COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE

     The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
     earnings per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   (in thousands)

                                                                       Quarter ended                Nine months ended
                                                                        December 31,                   December 31,
                                                                  ------------------------     -------------------------
                                                                     1997        1996              1997         1996
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
     <S>                                                         <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>
     NUMERATOR:
       Net income                                                 $    9,278   $    5,320        $    5,701   $    4,110
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Numerator for basic earnings per share-income
           available to common stockholders                            9,278        5,320             5,701        4,110

         Effect of dilutive securities
         Interest add-back on convertible debt                            70            -                70            -
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Numerator for diluted earnings per share-income
         available to common stockholders after assumed
         conversions                                              $    9,348    $   5,320         $   5,771    $   4,110
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

     DENOMINATOR:
         Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted
         average shares                                               18,581       17,781            18,296       16,908

         Effect of dilutive securities:
         Employee stock options                                        1,100          703               852          688
         Convertible debentures                                          346            -               116            -
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Dilutive potential common shares                              1,446          703               968          688
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted
         weighted average shares and assumed conversions              20,027       18,484            19,264       17,596
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Basic earnings per share                                 $     0.50    $    0.30       $      0.31   $     0.24
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------

         Diluted earnings per share                               $     0.47    $   0.29        $      0.30   $      .23
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
                                                                 -----------  -----------      ------------  -----------
</TABLE>


                                      7

<PAGE>

                        ACTIVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                      
     For the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 1997, options to
     purchase 793,000 and 1,397,000, respectively, shares of the Company's
     common stock were outstanding but were not included in the computation of
     diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater
     than the average market price of the common shares.

     For the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 1996, options to
     purchase 2,260,000 and 2,377,000 shares of the Company's common stock were
     outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings
     per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average
     market price of the common shares.

6.   ACQUISITIONS

     On November 26, 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of CentreSoft
     by the issuance of 2,787,043 shares of the Company's common stock in
     exchange for all the outstanding Ordinary Shares, "A" Ordinary Shares, "B"
     Ordinary Shares, redeemable preferred stock, convertible preferred stock
     and secured loan stock debentures of CentreSoft. In addition, the Company
     issued options to acquire 50,325 shares of the Company's common stock which
     were in exchange for outstanding CentreSoft stock options. The acquisition
     of CentreSoft was accounted for in accordance with the pooling of interests
     method of accounting and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated
     financial statements have been retroactively adjusted as if CentreSoft and
     the Company had operated as one since June 28, 1996 (inception of
     CentreSoft).

     Also on November 26, 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of NBG by
     the issuance of 281,206 shares of the Company's common stock in exchange
     for all outstanding common stock of NBG. In addition, as part of the
     transaction, the Company acquired the real property (including land and
     buildings) used by NBG that was owned by the two equity owners of NBG, in
     exchange for assumption of certain debt secured by a mortgage on the
     property. The transaction was accounted for as an immaterial pooling;
     accordingly, the Company's operating results were not restated for periods
     prior to October 1, 1997. However, weighted average shares outstanding and
     earnings per share data were retroactively restated for the effect of the
     NBG acquisition for all periods presented.

7.   PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

     In December 1997, the Company completed the private placement of $60.0
     million principal amount of 6 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005
     (the "Notes"). The Notes are convertible, in whole or in part, at the
     option of the holder at any time after December 22, 1997 (the date of
     original issuance) and prior to the close of business on the business day
     immediately preceding the maturity date, unless previously redeemed or
     repurchased, into common stock, $.000001 par value, of the Company, at a
     conversion price of $18.875 per share, (equivalent to a conversion rate of
     52.9801 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes), subject to adjustment
     in certain circumstances. The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at
     the option of the Company at any time on or after January 10, 2001, subject
     to premiums through December 31, 2003.

      
                                      8

<PAGE>

                                                         1
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

         THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, INCLUDING ITEM 2 ("MANAGEMENT'S 
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS"), 
CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS REGARDING FUTURE EVENTS OR THE FUTURE 
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY THAT INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES DISCUSSED IN THE COMPANY'S RESTATED SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED ON FORM 8-K UNDER "CERTAIN CAUTIONARY 
INFORMATION". ACTUAL EVENTS OR THE ACTUAL FUTURE RESULTS OF THE COMPANY MAY 
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ANY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DUE TO SUCH RISKS AND 
UNCERTAINTIES.

                               OVERVIEW

         The Company is a leading international publisher, developer and 
distributor of interactive entertainment software. The Company currently 
focuses its publishing and development efforts on products designed for PCs 
and the Sony PlayStation console system. In selecting titles for acquisition 
or development, the Company currently pursues a balance between internally 
and externally developed titles, products based on proven technology and 
those based on newer technology, and PC and console products.

         The Company distributes its products worldwide through its direct 
sales force and through third party distributors and licensees. In addition, 
in November 1997 the Company acquired CentreSoft and NBG and significantly 
increased its worldwide distribution capabilities. Financial information as 
of and for the year ended March 31, 1997 has been restated to reflect the 
CentreSoft acquisition as a pooling of interests.

         The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products upon 
shipment. Subject to certain limitations, the Company permits customers to 
obtain exchanges within certain specified periods and provides price 
protection on certain unsold merchandise. Revenue from product sales is 
reflected after deducting the allowance for returns and price protection. 
With respect to license agreements which provide customers the right to 
multiple copies in exchange for guaranteed amounts, revenue is recognized 
upon delivery of the product master or the first copy. Per copy royalties on 
sales which exceed the guarantee are recognized as earned.

         Cost of goods sold related to console, PC and OEM net revenues 
represents the manufacturing and related costs of computer software and 
console games. Manufacturers of the Company's computer software are located 
worldwide and are readily available. Console CDs and cartridges are 
manufactured by the respective video game console manufacturers, Sony, Sega 
and Nintendo, who often require significant lead time to fulfill the 
Company's orders. Also included in cost of goods sold is the royalty expense 
related to amounts due developers, product owners and other royalty 
participants as a result of product sales. Various contracts are maintained 
with developers, product owners or other royalty participants which state a 
royalty rate, territory and term of agreement, among other items. Royalties 
and license fees prepaid in advance of a product's release are capitalized. 
Upon a product's release, prepaid royalties and license fees are charged to 
cost of goods sold based on the contractual royalty rate. Management 
evaluates the future realization of prepaid royalties quarterly and charges 
to cost of goods sold any amounts that management deems unlikely to be 
amortized at the contract royalty rate through product sales.

         Product development costs are accounted for in accordance with 
accounting standards which provide for the capitalization of certain software 
development costs once technological feasibility is established. The 
capitalized costs are then amortized on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated product life or on the ratio of current revenues to total projected 
revenues, whichever is greater. The software development costs that have been 
capitalized to date have been immaterial.


                                      9

<PAGE>

         As a result of the CentreSoft Management Buyout occurring in June 
1996 and the commencement therefrom of CentreSoft's operations (See note 3 to 
the Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statements filed on form 8-K), 
results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 and the 
quarter ended June 30, 1997 versus the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 and 
the quarter ended June 30, 1996, respectively, are not indicative of 
comparative combined results for the Company combined with CentreSoft for the 
two periods.

         The following tables set forth certain consolidated statements of 
operations data for the periods indicated as a percentage of total net 
revenues and also breaks down net revenues by territory, platform and channel:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Quarter Ended December 31,          Nine Months Ended December 31,
                                                   1997             1996              1997                1996
                                          -------------------  ----------------  -----------------  ----------------
                                                     % of Net          % of Net           % of Net           % of Net
                                             Amount  Revenues  Amount  Revenues  Amount   Revenues   Amount  Revenues
                                          ---------- --------  ------  --------  ------   --------   ------  --------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
     Net revenues                           $122,141  100.0%  $60,480   100.0%  $201,670   100.0%  $ 97,058   100.0%
     Cost of goods sold                       77,078   63.1%   36,185    59.8%   127,089    63.0%    51,562    53.1%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
         Gross profit                         45,063   36.9%   24,295    40.2%    74,581    37.0%    45,496    46.9%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------

     Operating expenses:
         Product development              $    8,045    6.6%  $ 4,707    7.8%   $ 21,963    10.9%  $ 13,861    14.3%
         Sales and marketing                  16,400   13.4%    8,344    13.8%    31,960    15.8%    18,276    18.8%
         General and administrative            3,586    2.9%    2,563     4.2%     8,416     4.2%     6,056     6.2%
         Amortization of intangible          
           assets                                404    0.4%      393     0.6%     1,159     0.6%     1,104     1.1%
         Merger expenses                       1,474    1.2%        -        -     1,474     0.7%         -        -
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
              Total operating expenses        29,909   24.5%   16,007    26.4%    64,972    32.2%    39,297    40.4%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------

         Operating income                     15,154   12.4%    8,288    13.7%     9,609     4.8%     6,199     6.5%
     Other income (expense)                    (232)  (0.2%)     (31)        -     (377)   (0.2%)       284     0.2%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------

     Income before income tax provision       14,922   12.2%    8,257    13.7%     9,232     4.6%     6,483     6.7%
     Income tax provision                      5,644    4.6%    2,937     4.9%     3,531     1.8%     2,373     2.4%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
         Net income (loss)                $    9,278    7.6%  $ 5,320     8.8%  $  5,701     2.8%  $  4,110     4.3%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
NET REVENUES BY TERRITORY:
         North America                    $  42,329    34.6%  $ 24,295   40.2%  $  67,468   33.5%  $ 44,456    45.8%
         Europe                              73,811    60.4%    33,005   54.6%    123,048   61.0%    46,126    47.5%
         Japan                                2,505     2.1%     1,014    1.7%      3,100    1.5%     2,265     2.3%
         Australia and Pacific Rim            2,589     2.1%     1,813    3.0%      5,988    3.0%     3,550     3.7%
         Latin America                          907     0.8%       353    0.5%      2,066    1.0%       661     0.7%
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
                                          $ 122,141   100.0%  $ 60,480  100.0%   $201,670  100.0% $  97,058   100.0%
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
                                          ---------- -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  --------  -------
NET REVENUES BY PLATFORM:
         Console                          $  49,040    40.2%  $ 20,514   33.9%  $  75,780   37.6% $  22,837    23.5%
                                             
         PC                                  73,101    59.8%    39,966   66.1%    125,890   62.4%    74,221    76.5%
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
                                          $ 122,141   100.0%  $ 60,480  100.0%   $201,670  100.0% $  97,058   100.0%
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
NET REVENUES BY CHANNEL:
         Retailer/Reseller                $ 114,321    93.6%  $ 53,659   88.7%   $181,568   90.0% $  82,502    85.0%
         OEM                                  3,540     2.9%     4,849    8.0%     10,890    5.4%    11,184    11.5%
         Licensing, on-line and other         4,280     3.5%     1,972    3.3%      9,212    4.6%     3,372     3.5%
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
                                          $ 122,141   100.0%  $ 60,480  100.0%   $201,670  100.0% $  97,058   100.0%
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
                                          --------- -------- --------- ------- ---------- ------- --------- --------
</TABLE>

                                      10

<PAGE>

                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET REVENUES

         Net revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 1997 increased 
102.0% from the same period last year, from $60.5 million to $122.1 million. 
This increase was primarily attributable to a 74.2% increase in net revenues 
in North America from $24.3 million to $42.3 million, a 123.6% increase in 
net revenues in Europe from $33.0 million to $73.8 million, and a 42.8% 
increase in net revenues in the Australia and Pacific Rim territories from 
$1.8 million to $2.6 million.

         Net revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 1997 increased 
107.8% from the same period last year, from $97.1 million to $201.7 million. 
This increase was attributable to 51.8% increase in net revenues in North 
America from $44.4 million to $67.4 million, a 166.8% increase in net 
revenues in Europe from $46.1 million to $123.0 million, and a 68.7% increase 
in net revenues in the Australia and Pacific Rim territories from $3.6 
million to $6.0 million.

         The overall increase in net revenues and the increases in net 
revenues in the specific territories for the quarter and nine months ended 
December 31, 1997 were due to the initial releases during such periods of 
QUAKE II (Windows 95), NIGHTMARE CREATURES (PlayStation), ZORK GRAND 
INQUISITOR (Windows 95), HEAVY GEAR (Windows 95), SHANGHAI DYNASTY (Windows 
95), HEXEN II (Windows 95), DARK REIGN: THE FUTURE OF WAR (Windows 95), CAR & 
DRIVER'S GRAND TOUR RACING 1998 (PlayStation) and TWINSEN'S ODYSSEY (Windows 
95). Net revenues also increased during such nine months period due to the 
fact that CentreSoft, which began operations in June 1996, contributed only 
seven months of revenue for the periods ended December 31, 1996, as opposed 
to nine months of revenue for the periods ended December 31, 1997. In 
addition, revenues attributable to NBG, which was acquired in November 1997, 
were only included in the Company's net revenues for the quarter ended 
December 31, 1997.

COST OF GOODS SOLD; GROSS PROFIT

         Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 36.9% for 
the quarter ended December 31, 1997, from 40.2% for the same period last 
year. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 46.9% to 
37.0% for the nine months ended December 31, 1997. The decrease in gross 
profit as a percentage of net revenues is due to the increase in the sales 
mix of console net revenues versus PC net revenues and the increase in net 
revenues derived from distribution arrangements as opposed to publishing 
arrangements. Future determination of gross profit as a percentage of net 
revenues will be driven primarily by the mix of new PC and console products 
released by the Company during the applicable period, the mix of revenues 
related to publishing arrangements versus distribution arrangements during 
the applicable period, as well as the mix of internal versus external product 
development, the latter in each case resulting in lower gross profit margins.

OPERATING EXPENSES

         Product development expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 1997 
increased 70.9% from the same period last year, from $4.7 million to $8.0 
million. As a percentage of net revenues, product development expenses 
decreased from 7.8% to 6.6%. Product development expenses for the nine months 
ended December 31, 1997 increased 58.4% from the same period last year, from 
$13.9 million to $22.0 million. As a percentage of net revenues, product 
development expense decreased slightly from 14.3% to 10.9%. The increases in 
the amount of product development expenses for the quarter and nine month 
periods were due to an increase in the number of products in development, the 
acquisition of Raven Software Corporation, and the increase in costs 
associated with enhanced content and new technologies incorporated into the 
Company's recent products. In addition, the increase was partly attributable 
to an increase in the number of products being localized for international 
territories.

         Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 1997 
increased 96.5% from the same period last year, from $8.3 million to $16.4 
million. As a percentage of net revenues, sales and marketing expenses 
decreased from 13.8% to 13.4%. Sales and marketing expenses for the nine 
months ended December 31, 1997 increased 74.9% from the same period last 
year, from $18.2 million to $32.0 

                                      11

<PAGE>

million. As a percentage of net revenues, sales and marketing expenses 
decreased from 18.8% to 15.8%. The increases in the amount of sales and 
marketing expenses for the quarter and nine month periods were due to the 
partial variable nature of sales and marketing expenses, the effect of the 
increase in net revenues, and an increase in the number of products released 
and to be released during the current fiscal year.

         General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 
31, 1997 increased 39.9% from the same period last year, from $2.6 million to 
$3.6 million, but decreased as a percentage of net revenues from 4.2% to 
2.9%. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended December 
31, 1997 increased 39.0% from the same period last year, from $6.1 million to 
$8.4 million, but decreased as a percentage of net revenues from 6.2% to 
4.2%. The period over period increase in the amount of general and 
administrative expenses for both the quarter and nine month periods was due 
to an increase in head count related expenses, the expansion of facilities 
both in North America and internationally, and the implementation of new 
management information systems. The decrease for the quarter and nine month 
periods in sales and marketing as a percentage of revenues, however, is due 
to the operating expense leverage gained as a result of an increased revenue 
base.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

         Net interest expense increased from $31,000 for the quarter ended 
December 31, 1996 to $232,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 1997. Net 
interest income of $284,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 1996 
decreased to net interest expense of $377,000 for the nine months ended 
December 31, 1997. Interest expense increased due to lower average cash and 
cash equivalent balances, an increase in average outstanding borrowings on 
the Company's lines of credit and the issuance of the subordinated 
convertible notes in December 1997.

INCOME TAX PROVISION

         The income tax provision of approximately $5,644,000 and $3,531,000 
for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 1997, respectively, 
reflects the Company's expected effective income tax rate for the fiscal year 
ending March 31, 1998.

NET INCOME

         For the reasons noted above, net income increased to $9.3 million 
for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, from a net income of $5.3 million 
for the same period in the prior fiscal year. For the nine months ended 
December 31, 1997, net income increased to $5.7 million, from a net income of 
$4.1 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.

                         LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company's cash and cash equivalents increased $70.2 million, 
from $21.4 million at March 31, 1997 to $91.6 million at December 31, 1997. 
Approximately $14.9 million in cash and cash equivalents were provided by 
operating activities during the nine month period ended December 31, 1997. 
This increase in cash and cash equivalents from operating activities was 
primarily the result of an increase in net income from operations after 
adding back depreciation and amortization, and increases in accounts payable 
and accrued liabilities offset partially by increases in accounts receivables 
and inventory.

         In addition, approximately $9.1 million in cash and cash equivalents 
were used in investing activities. Capital expenditures totaled approximately 
$6.2 million, which were primarily composed of expenditures related to the 
Company moving its Los Angeles office to a new facility in Santa Monica, 
California.


                                      12

<PAGE>

         Sources of cash provided by financing activities totaled 
approximately $64.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 1997, 
which included $60.0 million in proceeds from the private placement of 
convertible subordinated notes completed in December 1997, as described 
below, and approximately $4.0 million in proceeds from the exercise of 
employee stock options.

         In October 1997, the Company increased its revolving credit and 
letter of credit facility (the "Facility") with its bank (the "Bank") from 
$5.0 million to $12.5 million. The Facility provides the Company the ability 
to borrow funds and issue letters of credit against eligible domestic 
accounts receivable up to $12.5 million. The Facility expires in September 
1998. The Company had no borrowings outstanding against the Facility as of 
December 31, 1997. In addition, in September 1997, the Company entered into a 
$2.0 million line of credit agreement (the "Asset Line") with the Bank; 
drawings under the Asset Line are structured with 36 month repayment terms 
and the Asset Line expires in September 1998. Borrowings under the Asset Line 
totaled $1.3 million as of December 31, 1997, with an effective borrowing 
rate of 8.3%. In June 1996, CentreSoft entered into a revolving credit 
facility (the "CentreSoft Facility") with its bank for approximately $8.5 
million. The CentreSoft Facility can be used for CentreSoft's working capital 
requirements. The CentreSoft Facility expires in June 2000. The Company had 
no borrowings outstanding against the CentreSoft facility as of December 31, 
1997.

         In December 1997, the Company completed the private placement of 
$60.0 million principal amount of 6 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 
2005 (the "Notes"). The Notes are convertible, in whole or in part, at the 
option of the holder at any time after December 22, 1997 (the date of 
original issuance) and prior to the close of business on the business day 
immediately preceding the maturity date, unless previously redeemed or 
repurchased, into common stock, $.000001 par value, of the Company, at a 
conversion price of $18.875 per share, (equivalent to a conversion rate of 
52.9801 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes), subject to adjustment 
in certain circumstances. The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 
the option of the Company at any time on or after January 10, 2001, subject 
to premiums through December 31, 2003.

         The Company's current principal source of liquidity is $91.6 million 
in cash and cash equivalents. The Company uses its working capital to finance 
ongoing operations, including acquisitions of inventory and equipment, to 
fund the development, production, marketing and selling of new products, and 
to obtain intellectual property rights for future products from third 
parties. Management believes that the CompanyOs existing cash, together with 
the capital available from the Facility, Asset Line and the CentreSoft 
Facility, will be sufficient to meet the Company's operational requirements 
for at least the next twelve months.

         The Company's management currently believes that inflation has not 
had a material impact on continuing operations.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, 
"Earnings per Share," is effective for financial statements issued for 
periods ending after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 128 replaces Accounting 
Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 15 and simplifies the computation of 
earnings per share ("EPS") by replacing the presentation of primary EPS with 
a presentation of basic EPS. Basic EPS includes no dilution and is computed 
by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average 
number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the 
potential dilution from securities that could share in the earnings of the 
Company, similar to fully diluted EPS under APB No. 15. The Statement 
requires dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS by entities with complex 
capital structures. The Company adopted SFAS No. 128 for the financial 
statements for the three and nine months ended December 31, 1997.


                                      13

<PAGE>

         SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" is effective for 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 130 established 
standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its 
components (revenues, expenses, gains and losses) in a full set of 
general-purpose financial statements. The Statement requires that all items 
that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components 
of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is 
displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. The Company 
will adopt SFAS No. 130 effective April 1, 1998.

         SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and 
Related Information" is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 
15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way that public business 
enterprises report financial and descriptive information about reportable 
operating segments in annual financial statements and interim financial 
reports issued to stockholders. SFAS No. 131 supersedes SFAS No. 14, 
"Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise," but retains the 
requirement to report information about major customers. The Company will 
adopt SFAS No. 131 effective April 1, 1998.

         The AICPA recently issued Statement of Position 97-2, "Software 
Revenue Recognition," (SOP 97-2) effective for transactions entered into in 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company will adopt SOP 
97-2 for transactions occurring on or after April 1, 1998. The Company is 
currently in substantial compliance with the provisions thereof.

                     FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE PERFORMANCE

         In connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995 (the "Litigation Reform Act"), the Company is hereby disclosing certain 
cautionary information to be used in connection with written materials 
(including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) and oral statements made by or 
on behalf of its employees and representatives that may contain 
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Litigation Reform Act. 
Such statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of 
historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking 
terminology such as "may," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" 
or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable 
terminology. The listener or reader is cautioned that all forward-looking 
statements are necessarily speculative and there are numerous risks and 
uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially 
from those referred to in such forward-looking statements. The discussion 
below highlights some of the more important risks identified by management, 
but should not be assumed to be the only factors that could affect future 
performance. The reader or listener is cautioned that the Company does not 
have a policy of updating or revising forward-looking statements and thus he 
or she should not assume that silence by management over time means that 
actual events are bearing out as estimated in such forward-looking statements.

         FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS; FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS 
UNCERTAIN; SEASONALITY. The Company's quarterly operating results have varied 
significantly in the past and will likely vary significantly in the future 
depending on numerous factors, several of which are not under the Company's 
control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, demand for the 
Company's products and those of its competitors, the size and rate of growth 
of the interactive entertainment software market, development and promotional 
expenses relating to the introduction of new products, changes in computing 
platforms, product returns, the timing of orders from major customers, delays 
in shipment, the level of price competition, the timing of product 
introduction by the Company and its competitors, product life cycles, 
software defects and other product quality problems, the level of the 
Company's international revenues, and personnel changes. In particular, 
during the past few fiscal years the Company's operating results for the 
quarters ended June 30 have been less favorable than in other quarters as a 
result of the release of fewer new products during the June 30 quarters in 
accordance with the Company's product release schedules. Products are 
generally shipped as orders are received, and consequently, the Company 


                                      14

<PAGE>

operates with little or no backlog. Net revenues in any quarter are, 
therefore, substantially dependent on orders booked and shipped in that 
quarter.

     The Company's expenses are based in part on the Company's product 
development and marketing budgets. Product development and marketing costs 
generally are expensed as incurred, which is often long before a product is 
released. In addition, a large portion of the Company's expenses are fixed. 
As the Company increases its development and marketing activities, current 
expenses will increase and, if sales from previously released products are 
below expectations, net income is likely to be disproportionately affected.

     Due to all of the foregoing, revenues and operating results for any 
future quarter are not predictable with any significant degree of accuracy. 
Accordingly, the Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its 
operating results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied 
upon as indications of future performance.

     The Company's business has experienced and is expected to continue to 
experience significant seasonality, in part due to consumer buying patterns. 
Net revenues and net income typically are significantly higher during the 
fourth calendar quarter, due primarily to the increased demand for consumer 
software during the year-end holiday buying season. Net revenues and net 
income in other quarters are generally lower and vary significantly as a 
result of new product introductions and other factors. For example, the 
Company's net revenues in its last seven quarters were $122.1 million for the 
quarter ended December 31, 1997, $53.0 million for the quarter ended 
September 30, 1997, $26.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, $57.6 
million for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, $60.5 million for the quarter 
ended December 31, 1996, $29.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 
1996 and $7.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 1996. The Company's net 
income (loss) for the last seven quarters were $9.3 million for the quarter 
ended December 31, 1997, $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 
1997, $(5.4 million) for the quarter ended June 30, 1997, $5.1 million for 
the quarter ended March 31, 1997, $5.3 million for the quarter ended December 
31, 1996, $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 1996, and $(2.6 
million) for the quarter ended June 30, 1996. The Company expects its net 
revenue and operating results to continue to reflect significant seasonality.

     DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT; PRODUCT DELAYS. The Company's 
future success depends on the timely introduction of successful new products 
to replace declining revenues from older products. If, for any reason, 
revenues from new products were to fail to replace declining revenues from 
older products, the Company's business, operating results and financial 
condition would be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the 
Company believes that the competitive factors in the interactive 
entertainment software marketplace create the need for higher quality, 
distinctive products that incorporate increasingly sophisticated effects and 
the need to support product releases with increased marketing, resulting in 
higher development, acquisition and marketing costs. The lack of market 
acceptance or significant delay in the introduction of, or the presence of a 
defect in, one or more products could have a material adverse effect on the 
Company's business, operating results and financial condition, particularly 
in view of the seasonality of the Company's business. Further, because a 
large portion of a product's revenue generally is associated with initial 
shipments, the delay of a product introduction expected near the end of a 
fiscal quarter may have a material adverse effect on operating results for 
that quarter.

     The Company has, in the past, experienced significant delays in the 
introduction of certain new products. The timing and success of interactive 
entertainment products remain unpredictable due to the complexity of product 
development, including the uncertainty associated with technological 
developments. Although the Company has implemented substantial development 
controls, there likely will be delays in developing and introducing new 
products in the future. There can be no assurance that 


                                      15

<PAGE>

new products will be introduced on schedule, or at all, or that they will 
achieve market acceptance or generate significant revenues.

     RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTY DEVELOPERS AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. The 
percentage of products published by the Company that are developed by 
independent third party developers has increased over the last several fiscal 
years. From time to time, the Company also utilizes independent contractors 
for certain aspects of internal product development and production. The 
Company has less control over the scheduling and the quality of work by third 
party developers and independent contractors than that of its own employees. 
A delay in the work performed by third party developers and independent 
contractors or poor quality of such work may result in product delays. 
Although the Company intends to continue to rely in part on products that are 
developed primarily by its own employees, the Company's ability to grow its 
business and its future operating results will depend, in significant part, 
on the Company's continued ability to maintain relationships with skilled 
third party developers and independent contractors. There can be no assurance 
that the Company will be able to maintain such relationships.

     UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE; SHORT PRODUCT LIFE CYCLES. The market 
for entertainment systems and software has been characterized by shifts in 
consumer preferences and short product life cycles. Consumer preferences for 
entertainment software products are difficult to predict and few 
entertainment software products achieve sustained market acceptance. There 
can be no assurance that new products introduced by the Company will achieve 
any significant degree of market acceptance, that such acceptance will be 
sustained for any significant period, or that product life cycles will be 
sufficient to permit the Company to recoup development, marketing and other 
associated costs. In addition, if market acceptance is not achieved, the 
Company could be forced to accept substantial product returns to maintain its 
relationships with retailers and its access to distribution channels. Failure 
of new products to achieve or sustain market acceptance or product returns in 
excess of the Company's expectations would have a material adverse effect on 
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

     PRODUCT CONCENTRATION; DEPENDENCE ON HIT PRODUCTS. A key aspect of the 
Company's strategy is to focus its development and acquisition efforts on 
selected, high quality entertainment software products. The Company derives a 
significant portion of its revenues from a relatively small number of high 
quality entertainment software products released each year, and many of these 
products have substantial production or acquisition costs and marketing 
budgets. During fiscal 1996 and 1997, one title accounted for approximately 
49% and 26%, respectively, of the Company's consolidated net revenues. In 
addition, during fiscal 1997, one other title accounted for approximately 13% 
of the Company's consolidated net revenues. The Company anticipates that a 
limited number of products will continue to produce a disproportionate amount 
of revenues. Due to this dependence on a limited number of products, the 
failure of one or more of the Company's principal new releases to achieve 
anticipated results may have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business, operating results and financial condition.

     The Company's strategy also includes as a key component developing and 
releasing products that have franchise value, such that sequels, enhancements 
and add-on products can be released over time, thereby extending the life of 
the property in the market. While the focus on franchise properties, if 
successful, results in extending product life cycles, it also results in the 
Company depending on a limited number of titles for its revenues. There can 
be no assurance that the Company's existing franchise titles can continue to 
be exploited as successfully as in the past. In addition, new products that 
the Company believes will have potential value as franchise properties may 
not achieve market acceptance and therefore may not be a basis for future 
releases.

     INDUSTRY COMPETITION; COMPETITION FOR SHELF SPACE. The interactive 
entertainment software industry is intensely competitive. Competition in the 
industry is principally based on product quality and features, the 
compatibility of products with popular platforms, company or product line 
brand name recognition, 


                                      16

<PAGE>

access to distribution channels, marketing effectiveness, reliability and 
ease of use, price and technical support. Significant financial resources 
also have become a competitive factor in the entertainment software industry, 
principally due to the substantial cost of product development and marketing 
that is required to support best-selling titles. In addition, competitors 
with broad product lines and popular titles typically have greater leverage 
with distributors and other customers who may be willing to promote titles 
with less consumer appeal in return for access to such competitor's most 
popular titles.

     The Company's competitors range from small companies with limited 
resources to large companies with substantially greater financial, technical 
and marketing resources than those of the Company. The Company's competitors 
currently include Electronic Arts, Lucas Arts, Microsoft, Sega, Nintendo, 
Sony, Cendant, GT Interactive, Broderbund, Midway, Interplay, Virgin and 
Eidos, among many others.

     As competition increases, significant price competition, increased 
production costs and reduced profit margins may result. Prolonged price 
competition or reduced demand would have a material adverse effect on the 
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. There can be 
no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against 
current or future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the 
Company will not have a material adverse effect on its business, operating 
results and financial condition.

     Retailers typically have a limited amount of shelf space, and there is 
intense competition among entertainment software producers for adequate 
levels of shelf space and promotional support from retailers. As the number 
of entertainment software products increase, the competition for shelf space 
has intensified, resulting in greater leverage for retailers and distributors 
in negotiating terms of sale, including price discounts and product return 
policies. The Company's products constitute a relatively small percentage of 
a retailer's sales volume, and there can be no assurance that retailers will 
continue to purchase the Company's products or promote the Company's products 
with adequate levels of shelf space and promotional support.

     DEPENDENCE ON DISTRIBUTORS; RISK OF CUSTOMER BUSINESS FAILURE; PRODUCT 
RETURNS. Certain mass market retailers have established exclusive buying 
relationships under which such retailers will buy consumer software only from 
one intermediary. In such instances, the price or other terms on which the 
Company sells to such retailers may be adversely affected by the terms 
imposed by such intermediary, or the Company may be unable to sell to such 
retailers on terms which the Company deems acceptable. The loss of, or 
significant reduction in sales attributable to, any of the Company's 
principal distributors or retailers could materially adversely affect the 
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

     Distributors and retailers in the computer industry have from time to 
time experienced significant fluctuations in their businesses and there have 
been a number of business failures among these entities. The insolvency or 
business failure of any significant distributor or retailer of the Company's 
products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, 
operating results and financial condition. Sales are typically made on 
credit, with terms that vary depending upon the customer and the nature of 
the product. The Company does not hold collateral to secure payment. Although 
the Company has obtained insolvency risk insurance to protect against any 
bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation that occur to its customers, such 
insurance contains a significant deductible as well as a co-payment 
obligation, and the policy does not cover all instances of non-payment. In 
addition, the Company maintains a reserve for uncollectible receivables that 
it believes to be adequate, but the actual reserve that is maintained may not 
be sufficient in every circumstance. As a result of the foregoing, a payment 
default by a significant customer could have a material adverse effect on the 
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.


                                      17

<PAGE>

     The Company also is exposed to the risk of product returns from 
distributors and retailers. Although the Company provides reserves for 
returns that it believes are adequate, and although the Company's agreements 
with certain of its customers place certain limits on product returns, the 
Company could be forced to accept substantial product returns to maintain its 
relationships with retailers and its access to distribution channels. Product 
returns that exceed the Company's reserves could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

     CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. The consumer software 
industry is undergoing rapid changes, including evolving industry standards, 
frequent new platform introductions and changes in consumer requirements and 
preferences. The introduction of new technologies, including operating 
systems such as Microsoft's Windows 95, technologies that support 
multi-player games, and new media formats such as on-line delivery and 
digital video disks ("DVD"), could render the Company's previously released 
products obsolete or unmarketable. The development cycle for products 
utilizing new operating systems, microprocessors or formats may be 
significantly longer than the Company's current development cycle for 
products on existing operating systems, microprocessors and formats and may 
require the Company to invest resources in products that may not become 
profitable. There can be no assurance that the mix of the Company's future 
product offerings will keep pace with technological changes or satisfy 
evolving consumer preferences, or that the Company will be successful in 
developing and marketing products for any future operating system or format. 
Failure to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements in a 
timely fashion could result in significant product returns and inventory 
obsolescence and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business, operating results and financial condition.

     LIMITED PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS; RISK 
OF LITIGATION. The Company holds copyrights on its products, manuals, 
advertising and other materials and maintains trademark rights in the Company 
name, the ACTIVISION logo, and the names of products owned by the Company. 
The Company regards its software as proprietary and relies primarily on a 
combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, employee and 
third-party nondisclosure agreements, and other methods to protect its 
proprietary rights. Unauthorized copying is common within the software 
industry, and if a significant amount of unauthorized copying of the 
Company's products were to occur, the Company's business, operating results 
and financial condition could be adversely affected. There can be no 
assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against the 
Company in the future with respect to current or future products. As is 
common in the industry, from time to time the Company receives notices from 
third parties claiming infringement of intellectual property rights of such 
parties. The Company investigates these claims and responds as it deems 
appropriate. Any claims or litigation, with or without merit, could be costly 
and could result in a diversion of management's attention, which could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and 
financial condition. Adverse determinations in such claims or litigation 
could also have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, 
operating results and financial condition.

     Policing unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult, and 
while the Company is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its 
software products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent 
problem. In selling its products, the Company relies primarily on "shrink 
wrap" licenses that are not signed by licensees and, therefore, may be 
unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions. Further, the Company 
enters into transactions in countries where intellectual property laws are 
not well developed or are poorly enforced. Legal protections of the Company's 
rights may be ineffective in such countries.

     DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company's success depends to a 
significant extent on the performance and continued service of its senior 
management and certain key employees. Competition for highly skilled 
employees with technical, management, marketing, sales, product development 
and other specialized training is intense, and there can be no assurance that 
the Company will be successful in 


                                      18

<PAGE>

attracting and retaining such personnel. Specifically, the Company may 
experience increased costs in order to attract and retain skilled employees. 
Although the Company generally enters into term employment agreements with 
its skilled employees and other key personnel, there can be no assurance that 
such employees will not leave the Company or compete against the Company. The 
Company's failure to attract or retain qualified employees could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and 
financial condition.

     RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. International sales and 
licensing accounted for 28%, 23% and 58% of the Company's total revenues in 
the fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The Company intends to 
continue to expand its direct and indirect sales, marketing and localization 
activities worldwide. Such expansion will require significant management time 
and attention and financial resources in order to develop adequate 
international sales and support channels. There can be no assurance, however, 
that the Company will be able to maintain or increase international market 
demand for its products. International sales are subject to inherent risks, 
including the impact of possible recessionary environments in economies 
outside the United States, the costs of transferring and localizing products 
for foreign markets, longer receivable collection periods and greater 
difficulty in accounts receivable collection, unexpected changes in 
regulatory requirements, difficulties and costs of staffing and managing 
foreign operations, and political and economic instability. There can be no 
assurance that the Company will be able to sustain or increase international 
revenues or that the foregoing factors will not have a material adverse 
effect on the Company's future international revenues and, consequently, on 
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The 
Company currently does not engage in currency hedging activities. Although 
exposure to currency fluctuations to date has been insignificant, there can 
be no assurance that fluctuations in currency exchange rates in the future 
will not have a material adverse impact on revenues from international sales 
and licensing and thus the Company's business, operating results and 
financial condition.

     RISK OF SOFTWARE DEFECTS. Software products such as those offered by the 
Company frequently contain errors or defects. Despite extensive product 
testing, in the past the Company has released products with defects and has 
discovered software errors in certain of its product offerings after their 
introduction. In particular, the PC hardware environment is characterized by 
a wide variety of non-standard peripherals (such as sound cards and graphics 
cards) and configurations that make pre-release testing for programming or 
compatibility errors very difficult and time-consuming. There can be no 
assurance that, despite testing by the Company, errors will not be found in 
new products or releases after commencement of commercial shipments, 
resulting in a loss of or delay in market acceptance, which could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and 
financial condition.

     RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS. The Company intends to integrate the 
operations of its recently acquired CentreSoft and NBG subsidiaries with its 
previously existing European operations. This process, as well as the process 
of managing two significant new operations, will require substantial 
management time and effort and could divert the attention of management from 
other matters. In addition, there is a risk of loss of key employees, 
customers and vendors of the newly acquired operations as well as existing 
operations as this process is implemented. There is no assurance that the 
Company will be successful in integrating these operations or that, if the 
operations are combined, that there will not be adverse effects on its 
business.

     Consistent with its strategy to enhance distribution and product 
development capabilities, the Company intends to continue to pursue 
acquisitions of companies and intellectual property rights and other assets 
that can be acquired on acceptable terms and which the Company believes can 
be operated or exploited profitably. Some of these acquisitions could be 
material in size and scope. While the Company will continually be searching 
for appropriate acquisition opportunities, there can be no assurance that the 
Company will be successful in identifying suitable acquisitions. If any 
potential acquisition opportunities are identified, there can be no assurance 
that the Company will consummate such acquisitions or if any


                                      19

<PAGE>

such acquisition does occur, that it will be successful in enhancing the 
Company's business or be accretive to the Company's earnings. As the 
entertainment software business continues to consolidate, the Company faces 
significant competition in seeking acquisitions and may in the future face 
increased competition for acquisition opportunities, which may inhibit its 
ability to complete suitable transactions. Future acquisitions could also 
divert substantial management time, could result in short term reductions in 
earnings or special transaction or other charges and may be difficult to 
integrate with existing operations or assets.

     The Company may, in the future, issue additional shares of Common Stock 
in connection with one or more acquisitions, which may dilute its 
shareholders, including investors in the offering. Additionally, with respect 
to most of its future acquisitions, the Company's shareholders may not have 
an opportunity to review the financial statements of the entity being 
acquired or to vote on such acquisitions.

     RISK OF CENTRESOFT VENDOR DEFECTIONS; VENDOR CONCENTRATION.

     The Company's recently acquired CentreSoft subsidiary performs software 
distribution services in the United Kingdom and, via export, in other 
European territories for a variety of entertainment software publishers many 
of which are competitors of the Company. These services are generally 
performed under limited term contracts some of which provide for cancellation 
in the event of a change of control. While the Company expects to use 
reasonable efforts to retain these clients, there can be no assurance that 
the Company will be successful in this regard. The cancellation or 
non-renewal of one or more of these contracts could have a material adverse 
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. 
Two of CentreSoft's vendors accounted for 37%, 14% and 10%, respectively, of 
CentreSoft's net revenues in fiscal year 1997.


                                      20

<PAGE>

PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is party to routine claims and suits brought against it in
         the ordinary course of business, including disputes arising over the
         ownership of intellectual property rights and collection matters. In
         the opinion of management, the outcome of such routine claims will not
         have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
         condition or results of operations.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

         The following table presents the previous five fiscal years ended March
         31, 1997 earnings per share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997          1996          1995          1994          1993
                                               -------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
         Basic earnings per share                       0.52          0.36        (0.10)        (0.78)        (0.73)
         Basic earnings per
         share-dissolution of                              -             -             -             -        (0.06)
             discontinued operations
         Basic earnings per
         share-discontinued                                -             -             -             -        (0.17)
             operations
         Diluted earnings per share                     0.50          0.34        (0.10)        (0.78)        (0.73)
         Diluted earnings per
         share-dissolution                                 -             -             -             -        (0.06)
             of discontinued operations
         Diluted earnings per share
             discontinued operations                       -             -             -             -        (0.17)
</TABLE>

         The following table presents the reconciliation of earnings per share
         calculations restated in accordance with Statement of Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share (SFAS No. 128), for
         each of the years in the three year period ended March 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       For the Year Ended
                                                        March 31, 1997       March 31, 1996        March 31, 1995
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------
                                                                       (amounts in thousands)
 <S>                                                           <C>                  <C>                  <C>
 NUMERATOR:
     Net income (loss) from continuing operations              $    9,226           $    5,530           $   (1,520)
         Less:  Preferred stock dividends                           (151)                    -                     -
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------

     Numerator for basic and diluted net income
         (loss) per share-income available to
         common stockholders                                   $    9,075           $    5,530           $   (1,520)
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------

DENOMINATOR:
     Denominator for basic net income (loss) per
         share-weighted average shares                             17,362               15,332                15,265

     Effect of dilutive securities:
         Employee stock options and warrants                          689                  939                     -
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------

     Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per
         share-adjusted weighted average shares and
         assumed conversions                                       18,051               16,271                15,265
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------
                                                      -------------------  -------------------  --------------------
</TABLE>

     Weighted average options to purchase 4,599,000, 2,786,000 and 1,190,000
     shares of common stock were outstanding for the years ended March 31, 1997,
     1996 and 1995, respectively, these options were not included in the
     calculations of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be
     antidilutive.


                                      21

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (a)  EXHIBITS

              None.

         (b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

              On December 5, 1997, the Company filed a Current Report on Form
              8-K reporting the completion of the acquisitions of CentreSoft and
              NBG on November 26, 1997. The transactions were accounted for as
              "pooling of interests."

              On December 12, 1997, the Company filed a Form 8-K/A containing
              the audited consolidated financial statements of Combined
              Distribution (Holdings) Limited as of and for the ten months ended
              April 30, 1997.

              On December 23, 1997, the Company filed a Current Report on Form
              8-K reporting the Company's private placement of $60,000,000
              principal amount of 6 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
              2005.

              On January 9, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
              reporting information under Item 5, Other Events, and under Item
              7, Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
              Exhibits. In the report, the Company restated financial statements
              and supplemental data as a result of the acquisition of CentreSoft
              in November 1997. All balances were restated as if the acquisition
              had occurred June 28, 1996, the inception of CentreSoft.


                                      22

<PAGE>

                                   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.

Date:  February 13, 1998

ACTIVISION, INC.



/s/ BARRY J. PLAGA          Senior Vice President and        February 14, 1998
- -----------------------     Chief Financial Officer
   (Barry J. Plaga)         (Duly Authorized Officer)


                                      23


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          91,617
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  113,342
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,911
<INVENTORY>                                     17,588
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               220,508
<PP&E>                                          21,013
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,097)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 262,353
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          103,673
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      97,388
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   262,353
<SALES>                                        201,670
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               201,670
<CGS>                                          127,089
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,089
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                64,972
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 377
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,232
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,531
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,701
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,701
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission