<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 0-24936
7TH LEVEL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 75-2480669
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1110 EAST COLLINS BOULEVARD
SUITE 122
RICHARDSON, TEXAS 75081
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (972) 498-8100
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(D) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained here, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of February 28, 1997 was approximately $31,147,599. As of
February 28, 1997, there were 13,594,522 outstanding shares of the registrant's
common stock.
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement to be furnished to stockholders in
connection with its 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
PART I
<S> <C> <C>
Item 1. Business 3
Item 2. Properties 10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders 10
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
Related Stockholder Matters 11
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 12
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 19
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 37
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
Registrant 37
Item 11. Executive Compensation 37
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management 37
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions 37
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
Reports on Form 8-K 37
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
7/th/ Level, Inc. ("the Company") is a technology company specializing in
creating multimedia production technologies and producing interactive multimedia
entertainment products. Founded in 1993, the Company has assembled and
integrated the creative and technical talents of individuals with extensive
experience in both the software and entertainment industries. The Company has
integrated its proprietary computer-based production techniques with the
creativity, acting talent and storytelling skills of Hollywood in the
development of high quality interactive software products. This integrated
production process is used to produce feature-film quality animation and video
and audio content for various media platforms on a cost-effective and timely
basis.
During the past three years, the Company has developed unique, efficient
multimedia production tools and technologies. The Company's computer technology,
Studio 7(TM), includes TopGun, a Windows-based next-generation authoring and
playback engine, and Annie(R), a Windows-based digital inking and painting
software system customized for automatic script generation. Compatible with
Windows 95, Windows NT and Power PC-based Macintosh computers, Studio 7 enables
fast, flexible multi-platform development of multimedia content. The ability to
develop a broad spectrum of products based on a common technology results in
reduced costs, reduced time to market, and reduced testing requirements and
technical support.
The Company's award-winning titles center around product families such as
the Monty Python Series, Lil' Howie's Great Adventure Series(TM) for early
education markets and the Game Series featuring action and graphic adventure
games. The Company has produced titles in concert with widely recognized
entertainment producers such as Disney Interactive Inc. ("Disney") and Morgan
Creek Interactive, Inc. ("Morgan Creek") (Ace Ventura). In addition, the Company
has a number of hard-core 3D action, strategy and role-playing game titles
currently in development.
The Company maintains product and technology development centers in Los
Angeles, Dallas, Cincinnati, San Francisco and Munich, each contributing to
critical sectors of the business. The Los Angeles studio is an automated,
scaleable facility that specializes in the creation and development of state-of-
the-art 2D animated interactive products. The Dallas studio is the center of the
3D game development and employs world-class artists and engineers to design
these products. The Company's Cincinnati-based subsidiary, PyroTechnix Inc.
("PyroTechnix"), is responsible for the ongoing development and refinement of
its True 3D(TM) real-time 3D engine, under which all 7/th/ Level 3D games will
be based. In addition, European localization and distribution is managed in the
Munich, Germany facilities and Asian localizations and distribution are managed
through 7/th/ Level Asia Pacific Inc., a subsidiary based in San Francisco.
THE MARKET AND STRATEGIC FOCUS
As a technology company, 7/th/ Level is focused on leveraging its tools and
established development processes to create rich content for the game market,
formulating strategic partnerships with current market leaders and expanding its
reach into new industries. The Company has focused its resources where it
expects to achieve the highest returns in the near future.
The Company has identified the segments of the market that typically
produce the best-selling titles and is investing heavily in the development of
traditional hard-core games. After surveying the competition, the products
available in the marketplace and the Company's assets and capabilities, the
Company is creating titles in the action, strategy and role-playing categories.
It is believed that the market
3
<PAGE>
for these products is large and growing, and the Company has made the completion
of its game titles a high priority.
7/th/ Level completed its first edutainment series (Lil' Howie's Great
Adventure Series) in December 1996 and has various marketing efforts in place to
support the product line. The market for edutainment products, such as the
Company's, has become saturated with strong brands and characters from industry
leaders including Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"), The Walt Disney Co.,
Mattel, and Fischer Price. As a result, the Company plans to reduce its
investment in developing new educational products in 1997.(1)
The Company recognizes the value its technology, processes and existing
product assets can bring to third party relationships. The current relationship
with Microsoft, for the development of its Barney titles, and the highly-
acclaimed products developed in conjunction with Disney and Morgan Creek are
examples of how the Company's process and production capabilities can be
leveraged in partnerships. The Company is actively seeking additional strategic
opportunities. See Strategic Alliances.
Studio 7 is proven to be a robust, flexible development tool in creating
computer-based entertainment products. The Company believes it has applications
in industries beyond the conventional software industry and is actively
researching that potential.
THE PRODUCTS
In the past three years, the Company has developed and released 14 products
that have earned more than 100 awards for their quality, content and educational
value. These titles incorporate high production and technical quality and have
been developed for the games/entertainment and education categories.
GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT - The Monty Python Series has been the Company's best
selling products to date. Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time, the first in
the series, is an evergreen product that has sold in excess of 200,000 copies
since its introduction in 1994. The second title in the series, Monty Python
and the Quest for the Holy Grail, was released in June 1996 and had sold more
than 190,000 copies as of December 31, 1996. The third title in the series, The
Meaning of Life, is planned for release in late 1997.(1)
Released in February 1997 as the Company's entry into the 3D hard-core game
market, G-Nome is a real-time rendered 3D futuristic action adventure game with
fully texture-mapped graphics and fluidly animated vehicles, creatures and
characters and introduces game play elements not available in competing titles.
G-Nome is categorized in the action adventure game segment with other popular
titles such as Mech-Warrior II from Activision.
1997 works in progress include Dominion(TM) and Return to Krondor. Dominion is a
3D real-time strategy game combining the latest in strategic gaming
functionality and the smoothest animation (with resolutions up to 1280 x 1024)
of any action strategy game currently available. This next generation of action
strategy is designed to offer high-speed combat and gameplay in the style of
Warcraft II from Blizzard/Davidson and Command & Conquer from Westwood
Studios/Virgin Interactive. Real-time strategy games are currently in the best
selling category of games, according to PC Data. Return to Krondor is a 3D role-
playing game based on Raymond Feist's science fiction epic, "Riftwar Saga".
Return to Krondor is the sequel to Betrayal at Krondor which has sold over
400,000 units since 1993.
EDUCATION - In 1996 the Company created Kids' World, Inc. ("Kids' World") to
provide a separate brand and identity for its educational product line. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company had completed six educational titles, with three
of them released in the fourth quarter of 1996. The Company plans to
concentrate educational activities on gaining market penetration with the
existing series and the Company plans to pursue partners for Kids' World.(1)
4
<PAGE>
Great Adventure Series - The Great Adventure Series covers the core curriculum
of kindergarten through 3/rd/ grade. Designed by educators from around the
country, this curriculum-based series is targeted at children ages 6-9. The
series features Howie Mandel as the voice and character of Lil' Howie. Mr.
Mandel is a national spokesperson for Reading is Fundamental(R) and is the voice
of Bobby in the hit TV series, "Bobby's World". The base series was completed
in 1996 with The Great Math Adventure(TM) and The Great Reading Adventure(TM)
added to two earlier titles, The Great Word Adventure and Tuneland(TM).
Virgil Reality Series - The initial title, The Universe According to Virgil
Reality(TM), was released in late 1996. It is targeted for children ages 8 and
up and concentrates on early science curriculum. This series features the voice
of Charles Fleischer, whose credits include being the voice of Roger Rabbit and
current shows on the Discovery Channel and Saturday morning television. The
Company believes the assets created in the development and production of the
Virgil Reality Series and The Great Adventure Series may have economic value
when presented in mediums other than CD-ROM. The Company is reviewing with
outside parties the commercial potential from reuse of these assets.
1997 works in progress include four Barney titles being completed for Microsoft
as part of a preschool series which features an animated, computer-controllable,
talking dinosaur.
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESSES
The Company has developed automated, scaleable multimedia studios with
proprietary technology and production processes that enable cost effective
development of feature-film quality products for the PC, Macintosh and Internet
platforms. Additionally, PyroTechnix provides a complete development API for
real-time, interactive 3D games. At the core of the production process is Studio
7, a proprietary next generation authoring and high speed playback engine that
the Company believes to be a state-of-the-art multimedia development tool.
Studio 7 is a powerful programmer's development environment designed to
optimize the development and production of multimedia products. It is a
flexible multi-platform interactive authoring tool which the Company believes is
several years ahead of other multimedia development tools. Common authoring
issues such as animation, audio, Internet access, multiplayer conventions and
support for Direct X, Active X, MMX and Klamoth are addressed by Studio 7,
saving the developer time and effort. Studio 7 includes a powerful programming
language with an API for C-based plug-ins, a source code editor and compiler, an
image editor, a midi editor and an audio wave editor that supports automatic lip
synching for both 2D and 3D characters. Through the use of plug-ins, entirely
new architectures can be added to the base functionality of Studio 7. Some
current plug-ins include reusable game engines for (i) 3D real time rendering,
(ii) tiling for the rapid development of strategy games and (iii) full Internet
mail and file transfer support. Studio 7's objective is to allow code to be
written once and subsequently reused multiple times on a variety of products,
resulting in cost effective, high quality new products with few operating
problems.
A key aspect of the Company's production process is its reusable digital
animation library. The Company translates traditional hand-drawn animation into
the digital database using its proprietary Annie digital inking and painting
production system and its patented electronic exposure sheet technology.
Exposure sheets are the method used in the traditional animation process for
animators to convey the choreography of scenes to the production people who are
responsible for composing them. The Company's patented system allows it to
store this information in a database as opposed to the classic method of hand
preparation. As a result, code can be generated for the electronic exposure
sheet directly into Studio 7, bypassing the laborious process of hand coding the
animation into playable sequences. In conjunction with its pre-authoring
process, this allows for the rapid re-choreographing of the Company's reusable
animation database, allowing it to produce animated titles incorporating
thousands of frames of animation at low cost in only several months.
PyroTechnix' True3D is based on a multi-threaded, 32-bit engine, providing
a sophisticated development technology for both PC and console games. 7/th/
Level's 3D PC titles currently in development are based on the True3D
technology. True3D includes advanced features, such as full-featured texture
mapping with six-degrees of freedom of movement, advanced collision detection,
MIDI and real-time audio effects and mixing. True3D offers support for
Microsoft's DirectX(TM) APIs including multi-player
5
<PAGE>
networking, content conversion utilities including an open API to the True3D
conversion libraries and 3D StudioMAX. The technology also includes support for
Intel's current MMX(TM) technology and future processors and it supports the
Glide interface for 3DFX hardware acceleration available from Diamond, Orchid
and others.
Sony Interactive Studios America ("Sony") has recognized the potential of
True3D and has contracted with PyroTechnix to license this technology for
upcoming PC games. Additionally, PyroTechnix is developing games for Sony, on
both the PC and Playstation which will also run on True 3D.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company regards certain of its software and production techniques as
proprietary and attempts to protect such software and techniques under patent,
copyright, trademark and trade secret laws as well as through contractual
restrictions on disclosure, copying and distribution. The Company has filed
patent applications for inventions relating to its animation development process
and other aspects of its proprietary software and methods. While the Company
considers it to be in its best interest to continue to vigorously pursue patents
and other protections of its intellectual property rights, it does not consider
any patent or group of patents to be material to the business of creating either
entertainment or technology products. However, any intellectual property rights
and protections obtained in the future will strengthen the company's brands and
may provide an important advantage over competitors.
The Company currently distributes most of its software products on CD-ROM
disks. It is possible for unauthorized third parties to copy or to reverse
engineer the Company's product to obtain and use some programming or production
techniques that the Company regards as proprietary. The Company has experienced
only limited unauthorized copying of its products in the past, but if a
significant amount of unauthorized copying of the Company's products were to
occur, the Company's business, financial condition and operating results could
be adversely affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that the
Company's competitors will not independently develop technologies that are
substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technologies. As the
number of interactive software products in the market increases and the
functionality of the products overlaps, the Company believes that interactive
software will increasingly become the subject of claims that such software
infringes the copyrights or patents of others. Any such claims, with or without
merit, can be time consuming and difficult to defend.
COMPETITION
The consumer entertainment software, educational software and multimedia
development tools industries are highly competitive. The Company's competitors
range from small companies with limited resources to large companies with much
greater financial, technical and marketing resources than those of the Company.
In the interactive software markets, the Company competes with Broderbund
Software, Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., LucasArts Entertainment Company, Westwood
Studios/Virgin Interactive Entertainment Inc., Edmark Corporation (IBM),
Activision, Disney, i.d. software, GT Interactive and Microsoft, among others.
With the markets for interactive software products still emerging and
consolidation occurring at a greater rate than ever, the Company expects the
number of competitors and their resource capabilities to change dramatically.
In addition, the Company believes that new competitors, including large software
companies, media companies and film studios, are increasing their focus and
investment levels in the interactive entertainment and educational software
markets.
Competition for the Company's Products is also influenced by the timing of
competitive product releases and the similarity of these products to those of
the Company. This may result in significant price competition, reduced profit
margins, loss of shelf space and a lack of availability of the Company's
products in retail stores. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully with current or future competitors or that
competitive pressures faced by the Company will not materially and adversely
affect its business operating results and financial conditions.
6
<PAGE>
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
The Company has developed software games for a number of highly regarded
companies. The Company believes it was selected for these development projects
based on its leading edge multimedia technology, its high quality products, its
low costs, its ability to maintain tight production schedules and its ability to
work well in different cultures and with different creative teams. While the
Company believes these alliances are beneficial to both parties, there can be no
assurances that these alliances will be maintained in the future or that if any
alliances are maintained, that they will result in commercially successful
products.
Microsoft - In cooperation and coordination with Microsoft and The Lyons
Group, an entertainment unit of Lyrick Studios, the Company was selected to
develop and produce four interactive titles featuring Barney, the purple
dinosaur. Barney is an interactive toy designed for preschoolers that can be
controlled by the PC CD-ROM. This project, combining Microsoft's Realmation(TM)
technology with the Company's animation, software and production expertise, was
started by the Company at the end of September 1996. The full capability
product was first demonstrated at a consumer toy trade show in early February
1997, and the games are scheduled for completion in the second half of 1997.
The toy and the CD-ROM games will be marketed by Microsoft and the Company will
earn a royalty based on sales. Additionally the Company has rights to sell
three of the titles in the OEM channel.
Disney - The Company and Disney worked together in 1995 to develop the
first product of Disney's Gamebreak! Series, Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games, a
computer software title based on Disney characters from the animated feature
film, The Lion King. In 1996 the Company again worked with Disney to develop
Topsy-Turvy Games, a title based on Disney's feature film, The Hunchback of
Notre Dame. Disney owns all distribution rights to these titles and, while the
contract arrangements are different for each title, the Company earns ongoing
income from both.
Morgan Creek - During 1996 the Company, in collaboration with Morgan Creek,
developed a graphic adventure game, ACE VENTURA: The CD-ROM Game, based on
Morgan Creek's character, Ace Ventura. The title was released in September 1996.
The Company funded the development of the title and is funding its marketing and
distribution. Morgan Creek will share in the profits of the venture after the
Company recovers its costs. In addition, Morgan Creek was granted warrants to
purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock at $20 per share and warrants to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock at $24 per share. All warrants expire in 1998.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company's sales and marketing efforts are designed to broaden product
distribution, to increase the number of purchasers, to promote brand name
recognition, to assist retailers and to properly position, package and
merchandise the Company's products. To achieve these goals the Company employs
marketing techniques such as advertising, in-store promotions, direct funding to
resellers for specific marketing plans, Internet product demonstrations and
samples, direct mail campaigns and attendance at consumer trade shows. The
Company also maintains an international sales and marketing presence. In 1996
the European operations were consolidated and the European headquarters was
moved from the United Kingdom to Munich, Germany, where the Company also
maintains a small production and localization studio. The Company is using the
knowledge gained from its consulting and localization business to help establish
strategic partnerships in the Asia Pacific market.
In addition, in 1996 the Company invested in a new marketing approach,
which included hosting an interactive Internet Web site, PythOnline.
PythOnline is an Internet-based entertainment site with several Studio 7 enabled
games which the Company created as a marketing vehicle for its Monty Python
Series. This site also provides catalog shopping for the Company's titles and
for other Python licensed
7
<PAGE>
merchandise. To promote the Company's educational products, the Company also
created a Kids' World interactive Web site featuring the Company's educational
characters.
DISTRIBUTION
The Company sells products primarily to distributors and to retailers. The
Company maintains direct contacts with all major retailers and primarily relies
on distributors to provide shipping and credit services. The Company's products
are currently sold in computer superstores, consumer electronics stores and in
mall-based stores, including Babbages, Best Buy, Computer City, CompUSA, Egghead
Software, Electronics Boutique and Software Etc., and at certain mass
merchandise stores such as Sam's Club. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
sales to customers outside the United States comprised approximately 23% of net
revenues.
In a typical purchase agreement with the Company's distributors or
retailers, the purchaser has no minimum purchase obligations but normally does
have price protection rights in the event of a decrease in the suggested retail
price by the Company. In addition, the Company accepts product returns for
stock balancing and for defective products. The Company's stock balancing
policy generally allows a purchaser to make returns up to a limit of 20% of
product sold to the purchaser during the previous month or quarter. At the time
of product shipment, the Company establishes an allowance for future returns of
products based on its policies and its experience.
The distribution channels through which the Company sells its software
products have been characterized by rapid change, including consolidations,
financial difficulties of certain distributors, and the emergence of new
channels for distribution of consumer software products such as mass
merchandisers. There are an increased number of companies competing for access
to these channels and distributors and retailers are narrowing their focus on
profitability and product turnover. The Company believes the market acceptance
of any single product is difficult to predict and an increase in return rates
for current or future products could materially and adversely affect the
Company's operating results.
The Company has also entered into agreements for the bundling of OEM
(Original Equipment Manufacturer) versions of its products with multimedia PCs.
The Company considers the OEM channel an important part of the distribution
strategy which places 7/th/ Level titles in the homes of millions of consumers
thereby demonstrating high quality production values, and seeding the market.
This strategy also builds strong partnerships and positions the Company to be a
leader of new technology as titles are bundled to highlight new hardware
technologies being introduced to the market.
BACKLOG
The Company generally ships product promptly upon receipt of orders and
therefore, operates with little backlog.
MANUFACTURING
The production of the Company's software includes CD-ROM pressing, the
assembly of purchased product components, the printing of product packaging and
user manuals and the shipping of finished goods, all of which are performed by
third party vendors. While the Company generally uses only a few vendors for
each of the services, the Company believes there are alternate sources available
for each service. To date, the Company has not experienced any material
difficulties or delays in the production of its products, nor any significant
returns due to product defects, but there can be no assurance that an
interruption in the manufacture of the Company's products could be remedied
without undue delay.
8
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES
7/th/ Level values its employees and uses a team approach to finding new
and better ways to create products that have market demand. While any of the
Company's employees, including key employees, may voluntarily terminate their
employment at any time, the Company believes morale is good and the employees
are focused on the goals that will make the Company successful.
The Company's permanent work force is supplemented by freelance talent and
temporary employees from time to time. None of the company's employees is
represented by a labor union. The Company has not experienced any work
stoppages and considers relations with its employees to be good.
At December 31, 1995 the Company had a total of 203 permanent employees and
was experiencing rapid growth. The number of employees increased to
approximately 350, including contract workers, in mid-1996, when the Company
halted the growth due to changes in the Company's product and market
expectations. In September and October, 1996, the Company took actions to
reduce the work force to approximately 250 by year-end. The Company plans to
continue to shift and align staff resources to support its 1997 and 1998
priorities.
STOCK PRICE VOLATILITY
The trading price of the common stock has been and may continue to be
subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in
operating results, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, announcements
concerning new products, strategic relationships or technological innovations by
the Company or its competitors, general conditions in the software, computer and
entertainment industries and other events or facts. In recent years the stock
market in general, and the shares of multimedia technology companies in
particular, have experienced extreme price fluctuations. These broad market
fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the common stock.
QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS; SEASONALITY
The Company anticipates that its quarterly operating results will
fluctuate as a result of the number and timing of new product introductions,
product shipments, product returns, marketing expenditures, research and
development expenditures and promotional programs. In addition, the Company
expects its business to be seasonal in that net revenues and operating income in
the consumer software industry are typically highest in the fourth quarter as a
result of the increased demand for products during the year-end holiday selling
season. If product introductions planned for the peak holiday season are
delayed beyond such season, the Company's operating results could be materially
adversely affected.
- -----------------
(1) This statement is a forward looking statement that involves risks and
uncertainties. Accordingly no assurances can be given that the actual events and
results will not be materially different than the anticipated results described
in the forward looking statement. The introduction of new products is subject to
the inherent risks of development delays. The Company has in the past and may in
the future experience delays in introducing its products. Although such delays
have not had a material adverse effect on the Company, any future delays could
cause the Company to miss an important selling season or other opportunities
with a corresponding negative impact on revenues and operations.
9
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's headquarters are based in Richardson, Texas. It currently
leases an approximately 23,500 square foot office facility pursuant to a lease
expiring in July 31, 1997, with a Company option to renew for an additional
seven month term. The Company also leases a 38,000 square foot production
facility and studio in Glendale, California under a seven year lease, expiring
in 2002. The Company also leases facilities for offices in San Francisco,
Cincinnati, the United Kingdom and Germany.
As a result of revised growth plans, a new office building in Richardson,
under construction since early 1996, has been marketed for sale. The Company
expects to complete the sale in the second quarter of 1997.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of fiscal 1996.
10
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System
under the symbol "SEVL". At March 20, 1997, the number of record holders of the
Company's common stock exceeded 600. The following table sets forth the range
of high and low bid quotations for the Company's common stock as reported by the
NASDAQ National Market System during the periods as indicated.
QUARTER ENDED HIGH LOW
------------- ------- ------
December 31, 1994 $11.00 $ 4.75
March 31, 1995 9.00 5.00
June 30, 1995 15.00 7.38
September 30, 1995 22.63 11.88
December 31, 1995 21.25 13.50
March 31, 1996 15.00 9.25
June 30, 1996 14.25 8.25
September 30, 1996 13.00 5.88
December 31, 1996 6.50 3.38
The Company has not paid cash dividends on its common stock and presently
intends to continue a policy of retaining any earnings for reinvestment in its
business.
11
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company as
of the dates and for the periods indicated. The data should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and related notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
7TH LEVEL
SOLE
PROPRIETORSHIP 7TH LEVEL, INC.
--------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
JAN. 1. 1993 APR. 28, 1993
(INCEPTION) (INCEPTION)
THROUGH THROUGH YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DEC. 31, DEC. 31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1993 1993 DECEMBER 31, 1994 1995 1996
------------- ------------- ------------------------------ ------------ ------------
ACTUAL ACTUAL ACTUAL COMBINED(1) ACTUAL ACTUAL
------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net Revenues(2) $ - $ - $ 4,103 $ 4,708 $ 12,161 $ 20,549
Cost of revenues - - 911 1,019 2,251 8,299
------- --- ------- ------- -------- --------
Gross profit - - 3,192 3,689 9,910 12,250
Operating expenes:
Research and product development 990 - 4,136 4,281 11,225 21,402
Purchased in-process research
and development(3) - - - - 2,282 -
Sales and marketing 337 - 1,708 1,782 6,698 11,409
General and administrative 822 - 1,877 1,959 3,024 4,828
Amortization of intangible
assets(4) - - 1,731 1,731 2,262 119
------- --- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses 2,149 - 9,452 9,753 25,491 37,758
------- --- ------- ------- -------- --------
Operating loss (2,149) - (6,260) (6,064) (15,581) (25,508)
Interest and other income
(expense), net (2) 20 (193) (237) 978 1,256
------- --- ------- ------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes (2,151) 20 (6,453) (6,301) (14,603) (24,253)
Income tax expense - 5 - - - -
------- --- ------- ------- -------- --------
Net Income (loss) $(2,151) $15 $(6,453) $(6,301) $(14,603) $(24,253)
======= === ======= ======= ======== ========
Net loss per common share $ (0.85) $ (1.33) $ (1.80)
======= ======== ========
Weighted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding 7,888 10,961 13,442
======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
7TH LEVEL
SOLE
PROPRIETORSHIP 7TH LEVEL,INC.
-------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1993 1993 1994 1995 1996
-------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital (deficit) $(1,537) $ 25 $19,269 $42,821 $15,751
Total assets 2,374 30 26,403 54,562 38,933
Long-term debt -
(including current portion) 60 5,695 700 6,309
Capital/Stockholders' equity 660 25 19,184 48,265 24,652
</TABLE>
___________________________
(1) Gives effect to the results from 7/th/ Level, Inc. and the 7/th/ Level Sole
Proprietorship on a combined basis.
(2) Net of allowance for product returns.
(3) In February 1995, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of
Distant Thunder and in December 1995 the Company acquired all of the
outstanding stock of Lanpro Corporation and Lanpro Localization Center, Inc.
Both acquisitions resulted in one time charges to the Company's results of
operations totaling $2,282,497. See note 3 of notes to consolidated
financial statements.
(4) In March 1994, the Company acquired certain intangible assets in connection
with the acquisition of certain assets of MetroCel. Amortization associated
with these intangible assets was $1,729,607 during 1994, and $2,255,197
during 1995.
13
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and the notes thereto. This analysis is provided pursuant to
applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and is not intended to
serve as a basis for projections of future events.
OVERVIEW
The Company's business activities include the development and acquisition
of technological and production processes to create interactive software titles
for use on Multimedia PCs. The Company's efforts to date have resulted in the
development and production of fourteen titles which include both educational
and entertainment content. The Company's 1996 product releases include Monty
Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, ACE VENTURA, Gamebreak! Topsy Turvey
Games, developed with Disney, as well as three educational titles, The Universe
According to Virgil Reality, and The Great Math Adventure and The Great Reading
Adventure, two titles in the Great Adventure series starring Howie Mandel.
While the Company has made substantial expenditures to develop its business
in 1996, it also enacted a number of cost saving measures in the second half of
the year. The Company reduced production staffing but has maintained capacity
through the implementation of optimized production processes and technologies.
The Company expects that its operating results will fluctuate as a result of a
variety of factors, including changes in the composition of the Company's
revenues, the timing and categories of new titles released by the Company and
its competitors, and the seasonal nature of the market for consumer software
with the peak demand in the fourth calendar quarter or holiday selling season.
On March 10, 1997, Donald Schupak was named the Chairman of 7/th/ Level
Board of Directors and Robert A. Ezrin, the Company's cofounder and president,
assumed the duties of Chief Executive Officer. These management changes follow
the resignations from the Board and all officer positions of George D. Grayson,
formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and David R. Henkel, formerly a
Director and Chief Operating Officer.
The new management's intention is to focus on the marketing and development
of games and to craft and market products from the Company's core technology and
consummate relationships with other companies i) to enable the Company to
benefit from the educational and entertainment assets it has developed, and ii)
to benefit from the utilization of its technology and integrated studio capacity
in conjunction with other content owners, developers and marketers.(2)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995
In 1996, 7/th/ Level continued its growth in revenues with the introduction
of new titles combined with development and licensing projects with third
parties and sales of existing titles. Net revenues increased 69% to $20,548,725
for the year ended December 31, 1996 compared to $12,161,205 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. In 1996, approximately 50% of revenues came from product
sales and the remaining 50% was from licensing, OEM and development contracts.
In contrast, product sales in 1995 constituted 74% of revenues and the remaining
26% was from licensing and OEM agreements. The Company's most popular products
include the two Monty Python titles and the Disney GameBreak! titles. During
1995, the Company had only one educational title. The various educational
titles did not contribute significantly to revenue in 1996 as the new titles
rounding out the series were introduced late in the year and competing products
were well established in the market. Sales to customers outside of the United
States in 1996 increased from 18% to approximately 23% of net revenue.
14
<PAGE>
Cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $8,298,647 or 40%
of net revenue, including product development, manufacturing, and royalty and
licensing costs of $2,672,528, $2,503,460 and $3,122,659, respectively. For the
year ended December 31, 1995, cost of revenues was $2,250,673 or 19% of net
revenues. The significant increase in cost of revenues in 1996 as a percentage
of net revenues is due to several factors, including the lower margins
associated with development revenue and higher royalty rates. The Company's
royalty agreements generally provide for stepped increases in royalty rates
based on quantities sold and, accordingly, such rates have reached higher
royalty tiers on certain of the more popular releases such as the Python titles.
Additionally, ACE VENTURA, which is a product of a joint venture between the
Company and Morgan Creek has a low gross margin as the Company pays a high
effective royalty rate to Morgan Creek. During 1995 cost of revenues was lower
because relatively more revenues were generated from non-royalty bearing titles
featuring internally-created characters. The Company expects fluctuations in
gross margin in the future as changes occur in the composition of the revenues
and the associated cost of revenues.(2)
Research and product development expenses were $21,402,287 and $13,507,478
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Research and
product development costs increased significantly during 1996 as the Company
more than doubled its capacity from 1995, which involved internal expansion as
well as growth from acquisitions. Results from 1995 included a $2,282,497
write off of in-process research and development expenses from the acquisitions
of Distant Thunder and the Lanpro entities. Research and product development
expenses for 1996 included $11,049,053 of production expenses, $6,118,089 for
software research and development and $4,235,145 for expenses of the companies
acquired in 1995 and 1996 (as described in Note 3) to provide expertise in the
development of 3D technology and graphics design and to provide the capabilities
needed to expand into the Asia Pacific market. Although the Company
significantly reduced head count in production during the second half of 1996,
such staff reductions followed a heavy production mode in various studio
departments such as animation. The staffing cuts were effected in the latter
months of the year and severance related amounts were included as expenses;
therefore, the impact of these changes is expected to benefit future periods.
The Company is focused on optimization of its production processes and
technology and anticipates these measures will allow more efficient title
development even with reduced staff resources.(2)
Sales and marketing expenses were $11,409,102 and $6,697,846 for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Sales and marketing expenses
for 1996 included $6,327,266 of expenses for advertising, marketing and public
relations and $5,081,836 of expenses related to internal staffing. For 1995,
expenses of $3,961,969 for advertising, marketing and public relations and
$2,735,877 related to internal staffing were incurred. As a percentage of net
revenues, sales and marketing expenses related to internal staffing increased to
25% in 1996 from 22% in 1995. However, the advertising, marketing and public
relations expenses decreased slightly to 31% from 33% as a percentage of net
revenues in 1996 compared to 1995. The Company has focused its efforts to
review and implement only marketing activities with the highest returns.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996
were $4,827,618 compared with $3,024,232 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The increase of $1,803,386 is associated with the expansion of the Company's
operational and administrative support infrastructure. As a percentage of net
revenues, general and administrative expenses have decreased slightly in 1996 to
23% from 25% in 1995.
Amortization of intangible assets was $119,428 for the year ended December
31, 1996, and primarily represents amortization of intangible assets acquired in
the Lanpro Acquisition. These assets were acquired on December 29, 1995 and are
being amortized over periods up to seven years. Amortization of intangible
assets for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $2,261,507 and primarily related
to intangible assets acquired in the MetroCel asset acquisition in March of 1994
which were fully amortized by December 31, 1995.
15
<PAGE>
Net interest income was $1,255,622 for the year ended December 31, 1996
compared with $977,891 in the year ended December 31, 1995. This change was due
to higher average cash balances which were generated by a public stock offering
in late 1995. Also, approximately $188,000 of interest expense was capitalized
as a cost of financing the acquisition of a tract of land and office building
construction during 1996.
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994
During 1995 the Company grew by expanding its product base from two to six
internally published titles, releasing titles for the Macintosh operating
environment and completing two titles with strategic partners which began
generating revenues in 1995. Net revenues for 1995 were $12,161,205 and were
primarily from sales of Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time, Battle Beast and
Gamebreak! Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games, a title produced in conjunction with
Disney, compared to 1994 combined revenues of $4,708,070 primarily from sales of
two titles, TuneLand and Monty Python's Complete Waste of Time. During 1995,
approximately $3 million of licensing revenues were recognized, which primarily
includes revenues generated from original equipment manufacturers ("OEM's"), in
connection with titles developed by the Company during 1995 and 1994. There were
no material OEM revenues during 1994. During 1994, $325,000 of revenues were
recognized in connection with a development contract for a title owned by IBM.
Sales to customers outside of the United States accounted for 18% of net
revenues in 1995 and 8% of combined net revenues in 1994.
Cost of revenues was $2,250,673 and included manufacturing costs, and
royalty and licensing costs of $1,268,250 and $982,423, respectively, in 1995.
In 1994, manufacturing costs were $537,230 and royalty and licensing costs were
$481,661 with a total cost of revenue for the year of $1,018,891. As a
percentage of net sales, cost of revenues decreased 4% in 1995 as compared to
the same period in 1994. This is primarily due to non-royalty bearing titles
such as Battle Beast, Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games, and Arcade America.
Research and product development expenses were $13,507,478 in 1995 compared
to $4,281,189 in 1994 as combined. Research and product development expenses for
1995 included $3,402,326 of software research and development expenses,
$6,321,807 of internal production expenses, and $1,500,848 of outside production
expenses, some of which relates to the development of future titles. In
comparison, 1994 had software research and development expenses of $848,167,
internal production expenses of $2,447,042 and outside production expenses of
$985,980. These increases are due to the increase in the number of titles under
production in 1995 as compared to 1994. Excluding the $2,282,497 write off of
in-process research and development expenses from the acquisitions of Distant
Thunder and the Lanpro entities in 1995, research and production development
expenses as a percentage of net sales were comparable in 1995 and 1994. During
the year ended December 31, 1995 the Company incurred approximately $750,000 of
expenses related to development of 3D technology and graphics design for future
3D strategy and role-playing games.
Sales and marketing expenses were $6,697,846 in 1995, and included
$3,961,969 of expenses for advertising, marketing and public relations and
$2,735,877 of expenses related to internal staffing of the Company's sales and
marketing organization. In 1994, sales and marketing expenses were $1,781,611
and were made up of $1,052,143 related to advertising, marketing and public
relations and $729,468 related to internal staff of the sales and marketing
departments. Sales and marketing increased as a percentage of net sales from
38% in 1994 to 55% in 1995. This increase is primarily due to spending
associated with more comprehensive marketing campaigns and an expanded product
offering in 1995, and increases in staffing in the US, Germany and the United
Kingdom.
General and administrative expenses were $3,024,232 in 1995 and $1,958,953
in 1994 as combined. The increase of 55% is attributable to the expansion of the
Company's operational and administrative support infrastructure, including the
costs associated with being a public company. The Company's general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased from 42% in 1994
to 25% in 1995 which is
16
<PAGE>
due to the increase in net sales. Amortization of intangibles was $2,261,507 and
$1,731,001 in 1995 and 1994, respectively, and primarily represents the
amortization of intangible assets acquired in the MetroCel Asset Acquisition.
The increase of amortization is because the MetroCel assets were acquired during
1994 and a full year of amortization was not recognized during 1994, as was the
case in 1995. As of December 31, 1995 these intangible assets have been fully
amortized. Net interest income during 1995 was $977,891 compared to a net
interest expense of $237,427 in 1994. The Company's proceeds from both the
initial public offering in October 1994 and the secondary offering in October
1995 allowed it to repay certain outstanding debt resulting in lower interest
expense and an increase in interest income during 1995.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and short term investments decreased $24,362,6445 to $15,283,842 at
December 31, 1996. The decrease is primarily the result of the net loss of
$24,252,735 sustained during 1996. The Company's cash position was also reduced
by $5,117,222 expended for land and construction-in-progress of an office
building and $4,525,833 to cover asset additions for expanded computer and
network capacity. This decrease in cash was offset in part by $5,625,000 in net
proceeds generated from borrowings under a bank line of credit for equipment-
based financing. Monthly interest payments under the $6 million term loan are
tied to the bank's prime rate and quarterly repayments of principal of $375,000
commenced December 6, 1996. Essentially all of the Company's assets except for
the land and building under construction are pledged in conjunction with this
debt. At December 31, 1996, the Company was not in compliance with financial
covenants arising under the credit agreement and has entered into negotiations
with the bank to restructure the Company's borrowing arrangement and therefore,
the total outstanding balance of $5,625,000 was classified as a current
liability at year end. The bank granted a waiver until April 21, 1997 predicated
upon the Company's pledge of $4,000,000 cash at the bank to collateralize the
credit facility. Additionally, upon the sale of 7/th/ Level's office building,
but no later than April 21, 1997, the Company shall either payoff the loan or
provide for cash collateral of the entire balance outstanding. Pending an
agreement for restructuring this debt, the Company is also in negotiations with
asset based lenders to replace the equipment-based financing. A new
headquarters office building in Richardson, Texas, under construction since
1996, has been marketed for sale. The Company completed a sales contract in
early 1997 and expects to finalize the sale in the second quarter of 1997/2/.
Accordingly, the office building was classified as a current asset at year end.
The Company expects to continue to fund the development of new titles and
technologies and sales and marketing activities to launch new products/2/. The
Company also anticipates making additional capital expenditures for expansion of
its computer network to include connectivity between all offices, however 1997
requirements are expected to be significantly below the $4.5 million spent in
1996/2/.
The Company anticipates that its capital resources, including the
anticipated borrowings and cash from the sale of the Dallas building will be
sufficient to satisfy its capital requirements for the foreseeable future/2/.
However, there can be no assurance that negotiations with asset based lenders
will be successful. To date, however, the Company continues to use cash and
operate at a loss. The Company's ability to achieve positive cash flow depends
upon a variety of factors, including the timely introduction and market success
of its products, the costs of developing, producing and marketing such products
and various other factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. If
the Company requires additional capital, it would seek such funding through
additional public or private financing, although there can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to obtain such financing/2/.
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP STATUS
In September 1996, the Company was selected by Microsoft to develop and
produce four interactive titles featuring Barney, a property licensed from the
Lyons Group combining Microsoft's Realmation technology. Under the agreement,
Microsoft provides funding for the development expenses for the four titles.
The games are scheduled for completion in mid-1997 and will be marketed by
Microsoft. The Company will receive a royalty on three of the titles based on
sales.
17
<PAGE>
In June 1996, the Company signed an agreement with Future Endeavors
Incorporated ("Future Endeavors") to publish on a worldwide basis all
entertainment products that are developed by the Canadian company for an initial
three-year period. The Company made a $400,000 investment in Future Endeavors
and intends to make an additional equity investment of approximately $250,000 in
1997. The Company has made and expects to continue making royalty advances from
time to time to fund title development/1/. At December 31, 1996, approximately
$340,000 of advance royalty payments had been funded for a 3D game which is
scheduled for release in late 1997 or early 1998. Additionally, the Company
has provided its development tools to Future Endeavors for use in producing
titles. Future Endeavors will receive royalty payments on revenues of each
title published by 7/th/ Level.
In April 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Disney to co-
develop a PC game featuring the characters from Disney's animated film The
Hunchback of Notre Dame. Disney funded the development expenses for the
Hunchback title and the Company will receive royalties based on revenues
generated by the game. The Hunchback title includes five single and multiplayer
games. In July 1996, the Company's development work was completed as scheduled
and the title was released to Disney for publishing. Disney began shipping this
title in August 1996. This is the second in Disney's GameBreak! series and the
second collaboration between Disney and the Company.
In August 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with Morgan Creek for
formation of a joint venture to develop at least two computer software titles
based on Morgan Creek's character, "Ace Ventura." The first title, a graphic
adventure game was competed and released in September 1996. The Company made
capital contributions to the venture to fund the costs of development and is
funding all marketing expenses and duplication costs for the titles. All
revenues of the venture are to be shared equally by the parties after repayment
of the Company's capital contributions to fund development expenses,
reimbursement of all amounts advanced by the Company to fund marketing expenses
and duplication costs and payment to the Company of a distribution fee. Morgan
Creek has been granted warrants to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at $20 per share and 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock
at $24 per share, which warrants expire in 1998.
The Company had been in discussions to form a joint venture (the "QD7 Joint
Venture") for the development, production and distribution of multimedia
products with Quincy Jones--David Salzman Entertainment ("QDE") pursuant to the
terms of a letter agreement/2/. The Company invested in planning activities for
the initial product but has subsequently stopped production on the title and is
currently seeking a purchaser for the rights to produce this title. No asset
values have been created on the Company's balance sheet.
In the normal course of business, the Company evaluates potential
acquisitions and joint ventures that may complement the Company's business.
The Company may in the future consummate acquisitions or enter into joint
ventures which may require the Company to make additional capital expenditures,
and such expenditures may be significant/2/.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 125, "Transfers of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities" ("SFAS No. 125"). SFAS No. 125 provides
accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial
assets and extinguishments of liabilities. The provisions of SFAS No. 125 are
generally effective for transactions occurring after December 31, 1996, however,
the adoption of SFAS No. 125 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company's financial statements.
- -------------------
/(2)/ This statement is a forward looking statement that involves risks and
uncertainties. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that the actual events
and results will not be materially different than the anticipated results
described in the forward looking statement. See the discussion of the Company's
business and a description of the various factors that could materially affect
the ability of the Company to achieve the anticipated results described in the
forward looking statement which is included in Item 1, of this report.
18
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule
Financial Statements:
20 Independent Auditors' Report
21 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
22 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
23 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
24 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
25 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedule:
S-1 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the
required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
19
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
7/th/ Level, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 7/th/ Level,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three year period ended December 31, 1996. In connection with our audits of the
consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement
schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 7/th/ Level, Inc. as
of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1996, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion,
the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects the information set forth therein.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 7, 1997, except
for the second paragraph
of note 5 which is as of
March 14, 1997
20
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $10,798,372 $29,940,217
Short-term investments 4,485,470 9,706,270
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,565,291
and $1,209,886 6,130,903 6,917,280
Inventories 571,545 385,470
Building for sale 5,117,222 -
Other current assets 1,776,446 1,210,085
----------- -----------
Total current assets 28,879,958 48,159,322
Fixed assets, net 7,839,278 5,156,058
Intangible assets, net 1,130,095 1,100,492
Other assets 1,083,603 145,808
----------- -----------
Total assets $38,932,934 $54,561,680
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable $ 2,190,290 $ 1,263,392
Accrued expenses 4,594,153 2,414,809
Current portion of notes payable 5,633,675 -
Other current liabilities 710,442 1,660,125
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 13,128,560 5,338,326
Notes payable 94,626 118,902
Notes payable to related parties 581,098 581,098
Other 476,263 257,883
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 14,280,547 6,296,209
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000
shares authorized; none issued or outstanding - -
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
20,000,000 shares authorized; 13,579,522 and
13,078,464 shares issued and outstanding 135,795 130,785
Additional capital 70,347,110 69,168,061
Accumulated deficit (45,875,900) (21,040,243)
Cumulative translation adjustment 51,193 (14,923)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (5,811) 21,791
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 24,652,387 48,265,471
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $38,932,934 $54,561,680
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
21
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995 December 31, 1994
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues $ 20,548,725 $ 12,161,205 $ 4,103,046
Cost of revenues 8,298,647 2,250,673 910,642
------------- ------------- ------------
Gross profit 12,250,078 9,910,532 3,192,404
------------- ------------- ------------
Operating expenses:
Research and product development 21,402,287 11,224,981 4,135,975
Purchased in-process research and
development - 2,282,497 -
Sales and marketing 11,409,102 6,697,846 1,707,821
General and administrative 4,827,618 3,024,232 1,877,685
Amortization of intangible assets 119,428 2,261,507 1,731,001
------------- ------------- ------------
Total operating expenses 37,758,435 25,491,063 9,452,482
------------- ------------- ------------
Operating loss (25,508,357) (15,580,531) (6,260,078)
Interest expense and other (76,956) (300,084) (434,198)
Interest income 1,332,578 1,277,975 241,273
------------- ------------- ------------
Net loss $ (24,252,735) $ (14,602,640) $ (6,453,003)
============= ============= ============
Loss per common share $ (1.80) $ (1.33) $ (0.85)
============= ============= ============
Weighted average common and
common equivalent shares 13,442,101 10,961,306 7,887,797
============= ============= ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
22
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Consideration
Retained to Initial
Common Stock Earnings Cumulative Unrealized Investor in Total
---------------- Additional (Accumulated Translation Gain (loss) on Excess of Stockholders'
Shares Amount Capital Deficit) Adjustment Investments Basis Equity
------ ------ ---------- ------------ ----------- -------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993 3,000,000 $ 10,000 $ - $ 15,400 $ - $ - $ - $ 25,400
Private placement and
acquisition 3,767,511 57,675 288,392 - - - (1,979,345) (1,633,278)
Common stock issued for
acquisition 354,312 3,543 496,457 - - - - 500,000
Issuance of common stock 17,856 179 249,821 - - - - 250,000
Redeemable preferred stock
dividends - - (247,670) - - - - (247,670)
Initial public offering 3,000,000 30,000 26,664,766 - - - - 26,694,766
Reclassification of
consideration to initial
investor in excess of basis - - (1,979,345) - - - 1,979,345 -
Common stock issued under
stock option plan and stock
purchase plan 12,576 126 47,165 - - - - 47,291
Net loss - - - (6,453,003) - - - (6,453,003)
---------- -------- ----------- ----------- -------- -------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994 10,152,255 101,523 25,519,586 (6,437,603) - - - 19,183,506
Proceeds from secondary
offering 2,500,000 25,000 40,714,639 - - - - 40,739,639
Common stock issued under
stock option plan and stock
purchase plan 149,542 1,495 397,649 - - - - 399,144
Common stock issued for
acquisitions 276,667 2,767 2,536,188 - - - - 2,538,955
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - - (14,923) - - (14,923)
Unrealized gain on investments - - - - - 21,791 - 21,791
Net loss - - - (14,602,640) - - - (14,602,640)
---------- -------- ----------- ----------- -------- -------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995 13,078,464 130,785 69,168,061 (21,040,243) (14,923) 21,791 - 48,265,471
Common stock issued under
stock option plan and
stock purchase plan 184,719 1,847 764,989 766,836
Common stock issued for
acquisitions 280,732 2,807 331,318 (582,922) (248,797)
Common stock issued for
conversion of debt 22,607 226 79,497 79,723
Common stock issued on
exercise of warrants 13,000 130 3,245 3,375
Foreign currency translation
adjustment 66,116 66,116
Unrealized loss on investments (27,602) (27,602)
Net loss (24,252,735) (24,252,735)
---------- -------- ----------- ------------ -------- -------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1996 13,579,522 $135,795 $70,347,110 $(45,875,900) $ 51,193 $ (5,811) $ - $24,652,387
========== ======== =========== ============ ======== ======== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
23
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995 December 31, 1994
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(24,252,735) $(14,602,641) $(6,453,003)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,564,609 2,982,360 1,921,492
Purchased in-process research and development - 2,282,497 -
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable 650,585 (4,709,370) (1,244,397)
Inventories (181,297) (317,808) (28,535)
Other current assets (592,837) (903,213) (195,263)
Other assets (366,529) (130,012) 11,233
Receivable from affiliate - - 20,000
Accounts payable 883,866 885,240 77,028
Other current liabilities 1,554,554 1,790,124 1,037,526
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash used in operating activities (19,739,784) (12,722,823) (4,853,919)
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments (7,965,007) (9,657,445) (1,062,276)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments 13,158,205 1,057,155 -
Equity investment (400,000) - -
Acquisitions, net of cash aquired (paid) (771,966) 248,856 (65,098)
Capital expenditures (9,643,055) (4,722,581) (365,546)
Purchase of intangible assets - (531,965) -
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (5,621,823) (13,605,980) (1,492,920)
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from public offerings - 40,739,639 26,694,766
Net proceeds from issuances of common stock - - 644,289
Proceeds from issuances of notes payable and
redeemable preferred stock - - 6,556,020
Proceeds from line of credit at bank 6,000,000 - 500,000
Repayment of line of credit at bank (375,000) - (500,000)
Payment of preferred dividends - - (247,670)
Repayment of notes payable to related parties - (4,146,500) (6,528,918)
Repayment of notes payable to third parties - (848,500) (453,546)
Principal payments under capital lease obligations (163,365) (71,311) (373,781)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and
stock purchase plan 766,836 399,144 47,291
Other 3,375 198,000 -
------------ ------------ -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 6,231,846 36,270,472 26,338,451
------------ ------------ -----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (12,084) (3,064) -
------------ ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash (19,141,845) 9,938,605 19,991,612
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 29,940,217 20,001,612 10,000
------------ ------------ -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 10,798,372 $ 29,940,217 $20,001,612
============ ============ ===========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information--cash
paid for interest $ 225,002 $ 352,562 $ 248,700
============ ============ ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
24
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Incorporation and Nature of Business
7/th/ Level, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware on April 28, 1993. In 1993, the Company acted as a paying
agent for a sole proprietorship (the "Proprietorship"), an entity owned by
George D. Grayson, an affiliate. The Company emerged from the development stage
during the year ended December 31, 1994, and began planned principal operations
of developing entertainment and educational software.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions and accounts have been eliminated. At December 31, 1996, the
Company's wholly owned subsidiaries included Distant Thunder Entertainment, Inc.
("Distant Thunder"), 7/th/ Level Ltd., 7/th/ Level Deutschland GmbH, 7/th/ Level
Asia Pacific, Inc., PyroTechnix, Inc. and Kids' World, Inc.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue primarily from interactive software product
sales, licensing agreements and product development agreements. Software
product sales are recognized as revenue upon shipment of the products to
customers, provided that there are no significant vendor obligations and
collection of the related receivable is probable. The Company accounts for
insignificant vendor obligations and post-contract support at the time of
product delivery by accruing such estimated costs or recognizing them ratably as
the obligations are fulfilled. Provision for estimated returns including
distributors' stock balancing rights and allowances is recorded at the time of
sale.
Revenues from development contracts are recognized as the services are
performed and are invoiced under the terms of the respective contracts. The
Company had deferred revenues of approximately $200,000 and $675,000 included in
other current liabilities associated with development contracts at December 31,
1996 and 1995, respectively.
Revenues from products licensed to original equipment manufacturers
("OEMs") consisting of one-time license fees and contracts for minimum advances
against future unit licenses are recognized when the criteria for revenue
recognition under Statement of Position 91-1 "Software Revenue Recognition" are
satisfied. These criteria include, but are not limited to, delivery of the
software master, the Company's lack of other significant obligations to the
customer and a determination that collectibility of the amount due is probable.
Additional royalty use or unit copy royalty fees are recognized when they are
earned pursuant to the license agreements and upon notification of shipment from
the OEMs.
25
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Research and Product Development Expenditures
Financial accounting standards provide for the capitalization of certain
software development costs once technological feasibility has been established.
In addition, the Company evaluates the recoverability of any capitalized costs
as provided by generally accepted accounting principles. No such costs have
been capitalized to date as the impact on the consolidated financial statements
for all periods presented would be immaterial.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and
accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. See note
5 for fair value of 7% Convertible Note Payable.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs, included in sales and marketing expenses are expensed
the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising costs were $4,816,231,
$2,745,349 and $693,261 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities
of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents
consist of money market funds, commercial paper, US Treasury securities and
other debt securities.
Short-term Investments
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," the
appropriate classification of securities is determined at the time of purchase
and reevaluated as of each balance sheet date. The Company has classified
certain debt securities as available-for-sale and such balances are reported at
fair market value of $4,485,470 at December 31, 1996, with unrealized gains
reported as a net amount in a separate component of shareholders' equity until
realized.
Other Current Assets
Other current assets includes prepaid royalties related to products under
development, interest receivable, prepaid insurance, advances to employees, and
other miscellaneous prepaid expenses.
Building for Sale
A new headquarters office building in Richardson, Texas, under construction
since 1996, has been marketed for sale. Accordingly, the office building has
been classified as a current asset in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 1996. The Company executed a sales contract in early
1997 and expects to complete the sale in the second quarter of 1997.
Inventories
Inventories, which are comprised of software product components and
finished goods, are carried at the lower of cost, determined on a FIFO basis, or
market.
26
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated over three to five
years depending upon the estimated useful life of the asset. Leasehold
improvements and assets under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of
the estimated useful life or the term of the lease.
Intangible Assets
At December 31, 1996 intangible assets consisted of technological know-how,
assembled workforce and goodwill associated with the Lanpro acquisition,
acquired product rights associated with titles under development by Distant
Thunder and technology related to a personal computer-based digital inking and
painting system, which is fully amortized as of December 31, 1995. Accumulated
amortization of intangible assets was $4,101,147 and $3,992,510 at December 31,
1996 and 1995, respectively. The goodwill is being amortized over seven years
and the acquired product rights will be amortized over the estimated useful life
of the titles. The Company assesses the recoverability of intangible assets and
goodwill by determining whether the amortization of the intangible assets and
goodwill balances over their remaining lives can be recovered through projected
undiscounted future results.
Other Assets
At December 31, 1996 other assets consisted of an investment in a joint
venture with Morgan Creek (see note 9 for details), an equity investment in
Future Endeavors and other miscellaneous balances.
Foreign Currency Translation
For the Company's subsidiaries outside of the United States, the functional
currency is the local currency of the country in which the subsidiary is
domiciled. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries outside of
the United States are translated into US dollars at year end exchange rates.
Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing
during the year. The adjustments resulting from translating the financial
statements of these subsidiaries are reflected as cumulative translation
adjustments and included in stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction
gains and losses are recognized when they occur and result from the effects of
exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the
functional currency. Such amounts are not material in any of the periods
presented.
Royalties
Royalties are accrued based on net revenues, pursuant to contractual
agreements with talent for various products published by the Company. Royalty
expense is included in the cost of revenues.
Loss per Share
Primary loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss,
adjusted for dividends on preferred stock, by the weighted average common stock
and common stock equivalents outstanding. Warrants and options to purchase
common stock for periods subsequent to the initial public offering have been
excluded from the loss per share computation because the effect would be anti-
dilutive. Fully diluted loss per share has not been presented because the
result of the computation would be anti-dilutive. For 1994, pursuant to
Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 83, shares of
common stock and options to purchase common stock (excluding options covered
under an option share repurchase agreement among the Company and certain of its
existing stockholders (the "Option Share Repurchase Agreement"--note 6)) issued
within one year of the initial public offering's effective date have been
treated as outstanding for the periods prior to the initial public offering with
the weighted average of
27
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
such securities computed using the treasury stock method assuming market price
is equal to the initial public offering price of $10 per share. The number of
shares of common stock and equivalents outstanding in the remainder of the
periods presented was computed on a basis consistent with APB Opinion No. 15.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS No.
109"). SFAS No. 109 requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities
for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.
The Company had operating losses for financial statement and income tax
purposes in 1996, 1995 and 1994. Deferred tax assets relating to the operating
loss have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Accordingly, no income
tax benefit has been recorded. As of December 31, 1996, the Company has net
operating loss carryforwards of approximately $39,400,000 which expire in 2009,
2010 and 2011.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the
current year presentation.
3. Business Combinations and Private Placement
PyroTechnix Acquisition
On March 1, 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of PyroTechnix, Inc. ("PyroTechnix") for 300,000 shares of the Company's common
stock including 280,732 shares exchanged at the time of the acquisition and
19,268 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. The acquisition
was accounted for as a pooling of interests. The related acquisition costs were
charged to expense during the quarter ended March 31, 1996. PyroTechnix is a
software development company which specializes in realtime 3D rendering
technology. The operating results for PyroTechnix were not material to the
combined results of the two companies for all periods prior to the acquisition
and therefore results for those periods have not been restated. The operating
results of PyroTechnix have been included in the consolidated financial
statements from the date of the acquisition.
Lanpro Acquisition
On December 29, 1995, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital
stock of two affiliated companies, Lanpro Corporation and Lanpro Localization
Center, Inc. (collectively, the "Lanpro entities") in exchange for short-term
payables and 90,000 shares of common stock valued at $15 per share. The short-
term payables amounted to $778,289 and are included in other current liabilities
at December 31, 1995. The Lanpro entities are in the business of software
localization and technology transfers focusing on the Asia Pacific market. The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price was allocated
based on estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition and included
intangible assets of approximately $450,000. The intangible assets relate to
technological know-how, assembled work force and goodwill. A portion of the
purchase price was allocated to in-process research and development, the
technological feasibility of which had not yet been established at the time of
the acquisition and such costs had no separate future economic value; therefore,
this amount was written off at the date of the acquisition and is included as a
one-time charge in the Company's 1995 results of operations. In connection with
the
28
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
acquisition, assets were acquired and liabilities were assumed as follows:
Fair value of assets acquired $ 1,377,414
Purchased in-process research
and development 782,497
Issuance of common stock (1,260,000)
Issuance of short term payable (778,289)
-----------
Liabilities assumed $ 121,622
===========
Distant Thunder Acquisition
On February 23, 1995, the Company acquired all of the outstanding
stock of Distant Thunder in exchange for $100,000 in cash and 186,667 shares of
the Company's common stock, valued at the closing price on the date of the
acquisition of $7 per share. Distant Thunder is a game developer specializing
in 3D games. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and resulted in a
one-time charge to the Company's operations of $1,500,000, as the purchase price
associated with in-process research and development of Distant Thunder was
written off at the date of the acquisition. The results of operations of
Distant Thunder have been included in the consolidated financial statements from
the date of acquisition. In connection with the acquisition, assets were
acquired and liabilities were assumed as follows:
Purchased in-process research and
development $ 1,500,000
Fair value of assets acquired 108,424
Issuance of common stock (1,306,669)
Cash paid (100,000)
-----------
Liabilities assumed $ 201,755
===========
On March 17, 1995 the Company paid Merit Studios, Inc. $500,000 for
the distribution rights to G-NOME and The Walled City, two CD-ROM titles being
developed by Distant Thunder.
MetroCel Acquisition
On March 24, 1994, the Company acquired certain assets of MetroCel
Animation Studios (a division of MetroLight) (the "MetroCel Acquisition") from
MetroLight in exchange for forgiveness of $2,200,000 in previous advances, an
agreement to pay approximately $1,118,000, plus interest and penalties, on
behalf of MetroLight and 354,312 shares of common stock valued at $500,000. In
connection with the acquisition, assets were acquired and liabilities were
assumed as follows:
Fair value of assets acquired $ 4,433,799
Issuance of common stock (500,000)
Forgiveness of advances (2,200,000)
Cash paid (65,098)
-----------
Liabilities assumed $ 1,668,701
===========
In July 1994, the Company borrowed approximately $943,000 from George
D. Grayson and repaid the obligations assumed in the MetroCel Acquisition. Mr.
Grayson was repaid in October 1994 from the proceeds of the initial public
offering. Interest paid to Mr. Grayson was $58,411 related to the $943,000
borrowing and the $2,122,166 note issued in conjunction with the acquisition of
the Proprietorship.
29
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Private Placement
On February 11, 1994 the Company entered into a stock purchase
agreement with existing and new investors pursuant to which the Company issued a
total of 3,731,955 shares of common stock, 49,950 shares of Series A 7%
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("7% Redeemable Preferred Stock"),
$1,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7% Convertible Notes and a note
payable to a related party of approximately $2,122,000 ("the Private
Placement"). In connection with the Private Placement, a financial advisor
received a total of 308,556 shares of common stock. Of those shares, 273,000
were contributed by three stockholders of the Company. Accordingly, there was a
total of 3,767,511 shares of common stock issued by the Company in connection
with the Private Placement. The consideration received by the Company in
connection with the Private Placement consisted of the transfer of assets and
assumption of approximately $421,000 of liabilities from the Proprietorship,
forgiveness of $1,400,000 in previous advances made by two outside investors,
and cash in the amount of approximately $4,114,000 (after deducting
approximately $109,000 of closing costs paid in conjunction with the Private
Placement).
The Proprietorship was acquired from a principal stockholder of the
Company. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the Proprietorship acquired
by the Company have been recorded at historical cost (predecessor basis). The
difference between the net assets acquired and the value of the consideration,
which amounted to $1,979,345, has been presented in stockholders' equity as
"consideration to initial investor in excess of basis." The accompanying
financial statements include the accounts of the Proprietorship beginning
February 11, 1994. In connection with the acquisition, assets were acquired and
liabilities were assumed as follows:
Historical cost of assets acquired $ 3,303,532
Issuance of 7% Redeemable Preferred
and common stock (1,056,916)
Issuance of 7% Convertible Notes (270,284)
Issuance of note payable to related (2,122,166)
parties
Consideration to initial investor in
excess of basis 1,979,345
-----------
Liabilities assumed $ 1,833,511
===========
As part of the Private Placement, the Company issued an additional
17,856 shares of common stock in May 1994 for $250,000.
The following unaudited summary of the Company's results of
operations, prepared on a pro forma basis, assumes that the transactions
described above were consummated on January 1, 1995 and 1994:
1995 1994
Net revenues $ 14,731,450 $ 8,148,178
Net loss (15,043,444) (6,365,231)
Net loss per common share (1.36) (0.84)
Pro forma results of operations for 1996 would not differ significantly
from historical results. The pro forma results do not purport to present either
the results of operations that would have occurred had the transactions been
consummated on the dates indicated or the Company's results of operations for
any future period.
30
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. Fixed Assets
Fixed assets, at cost, as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 consisted of the
following:
1996 1995
Equipment $ 7,854,063 $4,069,005
Leasehold improvements 2,952,676 1,727,807
Furniture and fixtures 499,821 325,084
----------- ----------
11,306,560 6,121,896
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization 3,467,282 965,838
----------- ----------
$ 7,839,278 $5,156,058
=========== ==========
The Company leases certain office equipment under capital lease agreements.
At December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, the carrying value of capital
assets was $492,956 and $188,437, net of accumulated amortization of $186,696
and $71,052.
5. Debt
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995 the Company's debt was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
7% Convertible Note Payable, dated
February 11, 1994; annual interest
payments; notes are convertible, in
whole but not in part, at the option
of the holder at approximately 283
shares of common stock for each $1,000
principal amount outstanding.
Remaining principal balance due
February 11, 1999. Related parties
balance is $581,098. $ 620,277 $700,000
Bank line of credit for equipment-based
financing; monthly interest payments
at the bank's prime rate plus 3/4%,
9% at December 31, 1996, and quarterly
principal payments of $375,000
commenced on December 6, 1996.
Essentially all of the Company's
assets except for the office building
are pledged as collateral. 5,625,000 -
Other debt 64,122 -
---------- --------
Total $6,309,399 $700,000
Less current portion 5,633,675 -
---------- --------
Notes payable $ 675,724 $700,000
========== ========
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1996, the Company was not in compliance with financial
covenants arising under the credit agreement and entered into negotiations with
the bank to restructure the Company's borrowing arrangement and, on March 14,
1997, the bank granted a waiver until April 21, 1997 predicated
31
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
upon the Company's pledge of $4,000,000 cash at the bank to collateralize the
credit facility. Additionally, upon the sale of 7/th/ Level's office building,
but no later than April 21, 1997, the Company shall either payoff the loan or
provide for cash collateral of the entire balance outstanding. Accordingly, the
total outstanding balance of $5,625,000 was classified as a current liability at
year end.
The fair value of the 7% Convertible Note Payable, based on a discounted
cash flow analysis and the current discounted conversion price, is approximately
$774,000. This estimate is subjective in nature and involves uncertainties and
matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with
precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect this estimate.
Interest expense to related parties on the above debt was $40,677 and $283,283
for years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 respectively.
The Company capitalized interest costs of $187,751 in 1996 as part of the
cost of the office building construction project.
6. Stockholders' Equity
7% Redeemable Preferred Stock
On February 11, 1994, the Company issued 49,950 shares of 7% Redeemable
Preferred Stock; 40,307 shares were issued for $100 per share and 9,643 shares
were issued as part of the consideration for the Proprietorship, valued at $100
per share. During May, 1994, the Company and the preferred shareholders entered
into the Exchange Agreement to exchange $4,995,000 original principal amount of
7% Subordinated Notes Due 1996 for all 49,950 outstanding shares of 7%
Redeemable Preferred Stock. This exchange was completed immediately following
the closing of the initial public offering. On October 26, 1994, the Company
paid accumulated preferred dividends of $247,670 in accordance with the terms of
the Exchange Agreement.
Common Stock
In 1994, the stockholders approved an increase in the number of authorized
shares of common stock to 20,000,000 shares and a three-for-one split of the
common stock, in the form of a dividend of two additional shares of common stock
for each share owned. Par value remained at $0.01 per share. All references to
numbers of shares and to per share information have been adjusted in the
consolidated financial statements to reflect the stock split on a retroactive
basis.
On October 26, 1994, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of common stock at
$10 per share in the initial public offering. The net proceeds to the Company,
after deducting underwriters' discounts and commissions and expenses of the
offering, were approximately $26.7 million.
On October 12, 1995 the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock at
$17.50 per share in a secondary public offering. The net proceeds to the
Company, after deducting underwriters' discounts and commissions and expenses of
the offering, were approximately $40.73 million.
Stock Compensation Plans
The Company has granted options to certain employees to purchase common
stock under an incentive stock option plan. Non-incentive stock option grants
were made to employees outside of the plan. The option price represents
estimated fair value at the date of grant. Under the 7/th/ Level, Inc. Amended
and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Company may grant options to its
employees for up to 3,200,000 shares of common stock.
32
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Pursuant to the Option Share Repurchase Agreement, the Company had the
right to purchase up to 948,000 shares of common stock from certain existing
stockholders at $0.003 per share in the event certain outstanding options
(exercisable for an identical number of shares) are exercised, and the Company
intends to satisfy its obligations to issue shares of common stock upon any
exercise of such associated options by delivering to the exercising optionee(s)
shares of treasury stock acquired from the existing stockholders, thereby
resulting in no change in the number of outstanding shares of common stock due
to the exercise of such options. At December 31, 1996, 434,750 options
associated with the Option Share Repurchase Agreement had been exercised at a
weighted average exercise price of $0.131 per share (and an identical number of
shares of common stock had been purchased by the Company pursuant to the Option
Share Repurchase Agreement).
At December 31, 1996, 435,000 options subject to the Option Share
Repurchase Agreement with an exercise price of $0.003 per share were canceled.
Notwithstanding the cancellation of such options, the stockholders party to the
Option Share Repurchase Agreement agreed that 112,500 shares of common stock
underlying such canceled options would remain subject to the agreement.
Accordingly, of the 625,500 shares available under the Option Share Repurchase
Agreement, 556,500 shares have corresponding options granted, of which 434,750
have been exercised.
Transactions in stock options are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Option Share Weighted Weighted
Repurchase Average Average
Agreement Exercise Price Stock Options Exercise Price
------------ -------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Granted from April 28, 1993
(inception) 948,000 $0.016 - $ -
-------- ------ ---------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1993 948,000 $0.016 - -
Granted 43,500 3.75 751,500 2.42
Exercised (209,250) 0.018 (9,100) 2.04
Canceled (345,000) 0.003 (45,000) 2.08
-------- ------ ---------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1994 437,250 $0.397 697,400 $ 2.45
Granted - - 1,095,000 11.14
Exercised (140,250) 0.105 (120,150) 1.37
Canceled (75,000) 0.003 (187,000) 5.08
-------- ------ ---------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1995 222,000 $0.715 1,485,250 $ 8.61
Granted - - 2,662,750 7.27
Exercised (85,250) 0.450 (102,800) 2.14
Canceled (15,000) 0.003 (1,832,374) 11.08
-------- ------ ---------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1996 121,750 $0.990 2,212,826 $ 5.26
======== ====== ========== ========
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total options outstanding Total options exercisable
--------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Weighted average Weighted Weighted
remaining average average
Range of exercise prices Number outstanding contractual life exercise price Number exercisable exercise price
- ------------------------ ------------------ ------------------ -------------- ------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ .003 - 2.08 242,325 6.90 years $0.82 58,701 $0.92
3.75 - 5.50 1,791,084 9.24 years 5.37 125,003 4.89
6.00 - 16.75 326,167 8.88 years 7.09 121,751 7.64
--------- -------
2,359,576 305,455
</TABLE>
33
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
With the exception of 90,000 options granted at an exercise price of $0.14
per share which vest over three years, all options vest over four years. During
1996 1,217,250 outstanding options were repriced at current market value and
such options are included in both the granted and canceled options reported in
the above schedule.
Additionally, the Company has granted to directors options to purchase
common stock under a non-employee directors' stock option plan with vesting over
four years. Under the 7/th/ Level Inc. Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee
Directors' Stock Option Plan, the Company may grant options to its non-employee
directors for up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock. At December 31, 1996,
options to purchase 25,000 shares, at a weighted average exercise price of
approximately $10.08 per share, were outstanding, 15,000 of which are
exercisable at December 31, 1996. The option price represents estimated fair
value at the date of grant.
The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows eligible employees to
authorize the Company to withhold from 1% to 10% of gross earnings to purchase
shares of the Company's common stock. Shares are purchased by participants at
the lower of 85% of the fair market value per share at either the beginning or
purchase date of each 24 month offering period. Purchase dates are every six
months. As of December 31, 1996, 320,000 shares were authorized for purchase
pursuant to the plan and 114,787 shares had been issued.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in
accounting for its stock based compensation plans described above. Accordingly,
no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option and stock purchase
plans. Had compensation costs for the Company's stock-based compensation plans
been determined consistent with FASB Statement No. 123, the Company's net loss
and net loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts
indicated below:
1996 1995
-------------- --------------
Net loss As Reported $(24,252,735) $(14,602,640)
Pro forma (29,004,105) (15,892,221)
Loss per common share As Reported $ (1.80) $ (1.33)
Pro forma $ (2.16) $ (1.45)
The fair value of each option grant and employee purchase rights are
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with
the following weighted-average assumptions: no dividend yield; expected
volatility of 67 to 75 percent; risk free interest rates of 6 to 6 and one-half
percent; and variable expected lives of zero, two and one-half and five years,
depending on the characteristics of the individual grants. The pro forma
amounts are based upon assumptions that the Company's management believes are
reasonable, however, the Company has a relatively short history on which to base
these estimates. The assumptions used in option pricing models significantly
affect the estimated value of stock benefits and, accordingly, the pro forma
amounts do not purport to represent the Company's results of operations for any
future period.
Warrants
In connection with a $2,000,000 bridge loan agreement entered into between
the Company and certain existing stockholders prior to the initial public
offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase
34
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
350,000 shares of common stock at $7.50 per share. The warrants expire October
11, 1999. All 350,000 warrants were outstanding at December 31, 1996.
Morgan Creek has been granted warrants to purchase 75,000 shares of common
stock at $20 per share and 100,000 shares of common stock at $24 per share.
These warrants are currently exercisable and expire in 1998.
In connection with the acquisition of PyroTechnix, the Company assumed the
liability for outstanding warrants of PyroTechnix. There were warrants for
5,000 shares of PyroTechnix common stock which was converted at a rate of
3.85356 shares of 7/th/ Level common stock for one share of PyroTechnix common
stock. The warrants carry an exercise price of $0.26 per share. As of December
31, 1996, 13,000 shares of 7/th/ Level common stock had been issued to cover the
exercise of these warrants.
7. Leases
The Company leases office facilities in California, Texas, Ohio, the United
Kingdom and Germany and certain office equipment under operating leases which
expire at various dates through 2002. Rental expense for operating leases
amounted to $904,948, $531,551 and $157,969 for 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
Minimum payments under leases expiring subsequent to December 31, 1996 are
as follows:
Capital Operating
Year Leases Leases
- ---- ---------- ----------
1997 $232,898 $ 589,911
1998 165,399 391,431
1999 113,657 385,782
2000 39,938 357,819
2001 3,328 246,072
Thereafter - 184,551
-------- ----------
Total 555,220 $2,155,526
==========
Less amount representing interest (75,077)
--------
Present value of minimum
lease payments $480,143
========
8. Major Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of short-term investments and
accounts receivable. The Company has investment policies that limit investment
to short term investment grade securities. Accounts receivable are principally
from distributors and retailers of the Company's products as well as the
Company's development and licensing customers. The Company performs ongoing
credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and maintains reserves
for potential credit losses.
Transactions with one significant customer accounted for 14% of net
revenues for 1996 and 29% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 1996. The
Company had three significant customers which accounted for 21%, 14%, and 10% of
net revenues for 1995, and 18%, 14%, and 21% of accounts receivable,
respectively, at December 31, 1995. Sales to customers located outside the
United States represent approximately 23% and 18% of the Company's total sales
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
35
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. Strategic Alliances
In September 1996, the Company was selected by Microsoft to develop and
produce four interactive titles based on the popular children's character
"Barney" a property licensed from the Lyons Group. The titles, which Microsoft
will market and distribute, incorporate Microsoft's Realmation technology.
Under the agreement, Microsoft provides funding for the development expenses for
the four titles which are planned for release in the second half of 1997. The
Company will receive a royalty on three of the titles based on sales.
In June 1995, Disney and the Company co-developed a computer software title
based upon the characters "Pumbaa" and "Timon" from the animated feature film
The Lion King. Disney is responsible for manufacturing, marketing and
distribution of the title. Net receipts derived by Disney from domestic
distribution of the title are divided equally between the Company and Disney.
In addition, the Company receives a per unit fee on product sold by or on behalf
of Disney outside of the United States. Disney owns the copyright and all other
rights, title and interest in the title. During 1996, the Company developed a
second title for Disney based on the characters from the animated movie The
Hunchback of Notre Dame. Disney paid the Company to develop the title and will
pay royalties to the Company on net receipts of units sold.
In August 1995, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Morgan
Creek for the formation of a joint venture and the development by the venture of
two computer software titles based on Morgan Creek's character, "Ace Ventura."
The first title, a graphic adventure, was completed and released in September
1996. The Company made capital contributions to the venture to fund the costs
of development and is funding all marketing expenses and duplication costs for
the title. All revenues of the venture will be shared equally by the parties
after repayment of the Company's capital contributions to fund development
expenses, reimbursement of all amounts advanced by the Company to fund marketing
expenses and duplication costs and payment to the Company of a distribution fee.
36
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information set forth under the heading "Directors and Executive Officers"
contained in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A in connection with the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information set forth under the headings "Management Compensation",
"Performance Graph" and "Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation" contained in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information set forth under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" contained in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the
Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information set forth under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" contained in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)(1)-- The financial statements filed as part of this Report at Item
8 are listed in the Index to Financial Statements and
Financial Statement Schedule on page 19 of this Report.
(a)(2)-- The financial statement schedule filed as part of this Report
at Item 8 is listed in the Index to Financial Statements and
Financial Statement Schedule on page 19 of this Report.
(a)(3)-- The following documents are filed or incorporated by
reference as exhibits to this Report:
**3(i)-- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of 7th Level, Inc. (the
"Company").
*3(ii)-- Bylaws of the Company as adopted by the Board of Directors of
the Company as of May 14,
37
<PAGE>
1993; as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated February
11, 1994.
**4.1-- Form of Bridge Loan Warrant.
*10.1-- Stock Purchase Agreement entered into as of the 11th day of
February, 1994 by and among the Company and the Purchasers
listed on Exhibit A thereto.
*10.2-- Stockholders' Agreement entered into as of the 11th day of
February, 1994 by and among the Company and George D.
Grayson, Robert A. Ezrin, the George D. and Kathy Grayson
Irrevocable Trust, David R. Henkel, Onyx Partners, Inc., W.
Scott Page, James E. Shepherd, Robert A. Tercek, Entec
Associates, Mezzonen S.A., Merv Adelson, Andrew Adelson,
Tarragona Fund, Inc., and Zenga Investments, Ltd. (the
"Investors").
*10.3-- Letter Agreement dated May 28, 1993 from Onyx Partners, Inc.
("Onyx") to the Company.
*10.4-- Option Share Repurchase Agreement entered into as of the 11th
day of February, 1994, by and among the Company, George D.
Grayson, Robert A. Ezrin and W. Scott Page.
**10.5-- Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan of 7th
Level, Inc.
**10.6-- Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 7th Level, Inc.
*10.7-- Assignment and Assumption Agreement entered into as of the
11th day of February, 1994 by and among the Company and 7th
Level, a sole proprietorship.
*10.8-- Employment Agreement entered into as of April 28, 1993 by and
among the Company and George D. Grayson.
*10.9-- Letter Agreement dated as of January 20, 1994 from the
Company to David R. Henkel.
*10.10-- Asset Purchase Agreement entered into as of the 24th day of
March, 1994, by and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.11-- Software License Agreement entered into as of the 24th day of
March, 1994, by and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.12-- Assumption Agreement entered into as of the 24th day of
March, 1994, by and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.13-- Registration Rights Agreement entered into as of the 24th day
of March, 1994, by and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.14-- Letter Agreement dated as of November 11, 1993 from Python
(Monty) Pictures, Ltd. to the Company.
*10.15-- Letter Agreement dated as of June 8, 1993 relating to the
services of Howie Mandel and accepted and agreed to on
September 2, 1993 by the Company and Alevy Productions, Inc.
**10.16-- Distribution Agreement entered into as of January 11, 1994 by
and between the Company and Ingram Micro Inc. (Portions have
been omitted and filed separately with the Commission in
accordance with Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Registrant's request for confidential
treatment.)
*10.17-- Letter Agreement dated May 3, 1994 from the Company to
Charles Fleischer.
**10.18-- Form of Exchange Agreement dated September __, 1994 among the
Company and the Investors.
**10.19-- Letter Agreement dated August 30, 1994 from Python (Monty)
Pictures Ltd. to the Company.
***10.20-- Letter Agreement dated September 16, 1994 from International
Business Machines Corporation to the Company.
**10.21-- Letter Agreement dated May 25, 1994 from the Company to Bill
Plympton.
38
<PAGE>
**10.22-- Letter Agreement dated August 15, 1994 from Quincy Jones--
David Salzman Entertainment to the Company.
**10.23-- Letter Agreement dated July 29, 1994 from Imperial Bank to
the Company.
**10.24-- Letter Agreement dated September 6, 1994 from the Company to
Imperial Bank.
**10.25-- Form of Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of July 13, 1994 among
the Company and each Lender which is a signatory thereto.
****10.26-- Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan of the Company.
***10.27-- Form of 7% Convertible Note Due February 11, 1999.
***10.28-- Loan Modification Agreement effective the 21st day of July,
1994 between the Company and George D. Grayson.
*****10.29-- Agreement made as of the 28th day of September, 1994, by and
between Entec Associates ("Entec") and the Company, including
exhibits thereto.
*****10.30-- Lock-Up Agreement made and entered into the 26th day of
September, 1994 by and among Entec and the Company.
*******10.31-- Registration Rights Agreement entered into as of the 23rd day
of February, 1995 by and among the Company and Todd Porter,
Jeremiah O'Flaherty, Gregory Harvey, Stephen Kennedy, Harry
Wenzel and Robert Legg.
******10.32-- 7th Level, Inc. 7% Subordinated Notes Due 1996.
********10.33-- Letter Agreement dated June 27, 1995 from Disney Interactive,
Inc. ("Disney") to the Company.
*********10.34-- Letter agreement dated August 31, 1995 by and between Morgan
Creek Interactive, Inc. and the Company (portions of which
have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission in
accordance with Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Company's request for confidential
treatment.
**********10.35-- Imperial Bank - Credit Terms and Conditions; $6,000,000 Note;
$5,000,000 Note; General Security Agreement; Mortgage,
Assignment and Grant of Security Interest with Respect to
Trademarks; and Mortgage, Assignment and Grant of Security
Interest with Respect to Copyrights and Other Collateral, all
dated September 6, 1996.
23.1-- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
(b)-- No reports on form 8-K were filed by the Company during the
last quarter of fiscal 1996.
- -------------------
* Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on May 18, 1994,
and incorporated by reference herein.
** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission
on September 19, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
*** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission
on September 28, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
**** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission
on October 14, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
***** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission
on October 19, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
****** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1994.
******* Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994.
******** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.
39
<PAGE>
********* Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-96522) filed with the Commission
on September 12, 1995 and incorporated by reference herein.
********** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1996
40
<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, in the City of Richardson
and State of Texas, on March 31, 1997.
7TH LEVEL, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID W. CRAIG
--------------------------------
David W. Craig
Chief Financial Officer,
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title
/s/ MERV ADELSON Director March 31, 1997
- ---------------------------
(Merv Adelson)
/s/ JAMES A. CANNAVINO Director March 31, 1997
- ---------------------------
(James A. Cannavino)
/s/ ROBERT ALAN EZRIN
- --------------------------- Chief Executive Officer, and March 31, 1997
(Robert Alan Ezrin) Director
/s/ W. SCOTT PAGE Executive Vice President of March 31, 1997
- --------------------------- Production and Director
(W. Scott Page)
/s/ DONALD SCHUPAK Chairman of the Board and March 31, 1997
- --------------------------- Director
(Donald Schupak)
41
<PAGE>
7TH LEVEL, INC.
SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance at Balance at
Beginning End of
Description of Period Additions Deductions Period
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for sales returns, doubtful
accounts and price concessions
Year ended December 31, 1996: $1,209,866 $5,194,196 $4,830,716 $1,565,291
Year ended December 31, 1995: 616,629 1,604,804 1,011,547 1,209,866
Reserve for Inventory Obsolescence
Year ended December 31, 1996: $ 102,000 $ 295,821 $ 94,870 $ 302,951
Year ended December 31, 1995: 0 102,000 0 102,000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
SEQUENTIAL
EXHIBIT PAGE
NUMBER DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION NUMBER
- ------- ---------------------- ----------
**3(i)-- Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of 7th Level, Inc. (the "Company").
*3(ii)-- Bylaws of the Company as adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company as of
May 14, 1993; as amended by Amendment
No. 1 thereto dated February 11, 1994.
**4.1-- Form of Bridge Loan Warrant.
*10.1-- Stock Purchase Agreement entered into
as of the 11th day of February, 1994 by
and among the Company and the
Purchasers listed on Exhibit A thereto.
*10.2-- Stockholders' Agreement entered into as
of the 11th day of February, 1994 by
and among the Company and George D.
Grayson, Robert A. Ezrin, the George D.
and Kathy Grayson Irrevocable Trust,
David R. Henkel, Onyx Partners, Inc.,
W. Scott Page, James E. Shepherd,
Robert A. Tercek, Entec Associates,
Mezzonen S.A., Merv Adelson, Andrew
Adelson, Tarragona Fund, Inc., and
Zenga Investments, Ltd. (the
"Investors").
*10.3-- Letter Agreement dated May 28, 1993
from Onyx Partners, Inc. ("Onyx") to
the Company.
*10.4-- Option Share Repurchase Agreement
entered into as of the 11th day of
February, 1994, by and among the
Company, George D. Grayson, Robert A.
Ezrin and W. Scott Page.
**10.5-- Amended and Restated Incentive Stock
Option Plan of 7th Level, Inc.
**10.6-- Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 7th
Level, Inc.
*10.7-- Assignment and Assumption Agreement
entered into as of the 11th day of
February, 1994 by and among the Company
and 7th Level, a sole proprietorship.
*10.8-- Employment Agreement entered into as of
April 28, 1993 by and among the Company
and George D. Grayson.
*10.9-- Letter Agreement dated as of January
20, 1994 from the Company to David R.
Henkel.
*10.10-- Asset Purchase Agreement entered into
as of the 24th day of March, 1994, by
and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.11-- Software License Agreement entered into
as of the 24th day of March, 1994, by
and among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.12-- Assumption Agreement entered into as of
the 24th day of March, 1994, by and
among the Company and MetroLight.
*10.13-- Registration Rights Agreement entered
into as of the 24th day of March, 1994,
by and among the Company and MetroLight.
<PAGE>
SEQUENTIAL
EXHIBIT PAGE
NUMBER DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION NUMBER
- ------- ---------------------- ----------
*10.14-- Letter Agreement dated as of November
11, 1993 from Python (Monty) Pictures,
Ltd. to the Company.
*10.15-- Letter Agreement dated as of June 8,
1993 relating to the services of Howie
Mandel and accepted and agreed to on
September 2, 1993 by the Company and
Alevy Productions, Inc.
**10.16-- Distribution Agreement entered into as
of January 11, 1994 by and between the
Company and Ingram Micro, Inc.
(Portions have been omitted and filed
separately with the Commission in
accordance with Rule 406 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the Registrant's request for
confidential treatment.)
*10.17-- Letter Agreement dated May 3, 1994 from
the Company to Charles Fleischer.
**10.18-- Form of Exchange Agreement dated
September __, 1994 among the Company
and the Investors.
**10.19-- Letter Agreement dated August 30, 1994
from Python (Monty) Pictures Ltd. to
the Company.
***10.20-- Letter Agreement dated September 16,
1994 from International Business
Machines Corporation to the Company.
**10.21-- Letter Agreement dated May 25, 1994
from the Company to Bill Plympton.
**10.22-- Letter Agreement dated August 15, 1994
from Quincy Jones--David Salzman
Entertainment to the Company.
**10.23-- Letter Agreement dated July 29, 1994
from Imperial Bank to the Company.
**10.24-- Letter Agreement dated September 6,
1994 from the Company to Imperial Bank.
**10.25-- Form of Bridge Loan Agreement dated as
of July 13, 1994 among the Company and
each Lender which is a signatory
thereto.
****10.26-- Amended and Restated 1994 Non-Employee
Directors' Stock Option Plan of the
Company.
***10.27-- Form of 7% Convertible Note Due
February 11, 1999.
***10.28-- Loan Modification Agreement effective
the 21st day of July, 1994 between the
Company and George D. Grayson.
*****10.29-- Agreement made as of the 28th day of
September, 1994, by and between Entec
Associates ("Entec") and the Company,
including exhibits thereto.
*****10.30-- Lock-Up Agreement made and entered into
the 26th day of September, 1994 by and
among Entec and the Company.
<PAGE>
SEQUENTIAL
EXHIBIT PAGE
NUMBER DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION NUMBER
- ------- ---------------------- ----------
*******10.31-- Registration Rights Agreement entered
into as of the 23rd day of February,
1995 by and among the Company and Todd
Porter, Jeremiah O'Flaherty, Gregory
Harvey, Stephen Kennedy, Harry Wenzel
and Robert Legg.
******10.32-- 7th Level, Inc. 7% Subordinated Notes
Due 1996.
********10.33-- Letter Agreement dated June 27, 1995
from Disney Interactive, Inc.
("Disney") to the Company.
*********10.34-- Letter agreement dated August 31, 1995
by and between Morgan Creek
Interactive, Inc. and the Company
(portions of which have been omitted
and filed separately with the
Commission in accordance with Rule 406
of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Company's request for
confidential treatment.
**********10.35-- Imperial Bank - Credit Terms and
Conditions; $6,000,000 Note; $5,000,000
Note; General Security Agreement;
Mortgage, Assignment and Grant of
Security Interest with Respect to
Trademarks; and Mortgage, Assignment
and Grant of Security Interest with
Respect to Copyrights and Other
Collateral, all dated September 6, 1996.
23.1-- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
- -----------------
* Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on May 18, 1994, and
incorporated by reference herein.
** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on
September 19, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
*** Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on
September 28, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
**** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on
October 14, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
***** Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-79092) filed with the Commission on
October 19, 1994, and incorporated by reference herein.
****** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 1994.
<PAGE>
******* Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1994.
******** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.
********* Filed as an Exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-96522) filed with the Commission
on September 12, 1995 and incorporated by reference herein.
********** Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
7/th/ Level, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Nos. 333-10335, 333-10339 and 333-10341) on Form S-8 of 7/th/ Level, Inc. of
our report dated February 7, 1997, except for the second paragraph of note 5,
which is as of March 14, 1997, related to the consolidated balance sheets of
7/th/ Level, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows and related
schedule for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1996,
which report appears in the December 31, 1996 annual report on Form 10-K of
7/th/ Level, Inc.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Dallas, Texas
March 27, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 10,798,372
<SECURITIES> 4,485,470
<RECEIVABLES> 7,696,134
<ALLOWANCES> 1,565,291
<INVENTORY> 571,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 28,879,958
<PP&E> 11,306,560
<DEPRECIATION> 3,467,282
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 38,932,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,128,560
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 135,795
<OTHER-SE> 24,516,592
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 38,932,934
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,548,725
<CGS> 8,298,647
<TOTAL-COSTS> 37,758,435
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,255,622)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (24,252,735)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (24,252,735)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (1.80)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
