Latest News
Next Games Corp. Half-year Review 2019 – Revenue grew 83%, profitability improved significantly
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Next Games Corp. Half-year Review 2019
Revenue grew 83%, profitability improved significantly
April-June 2019 in short
- Revenue was EUR 9.4 million, an increase of 65% compared to Q2 2018 (EUR 5.7 million)
- Gross profit % increased by 3 percentage points and was EUR 5.7 million, 60% of revenue (EUR 3.3 million, 58% of revenue)
- Adjusted operating profit improved 75% and was EUR -0.5 million (EUR -2.0 million)
- EBITDA improved 96% and was EUR -0.1 million (EUR -2.4 million)
- EBIT improved 55% and was EUR -1.1 million ( EUR -2.4 million)
- Product development costs were EUR 2.0 million euros (EUR 1.8 million).
- Number of employees was 108 at the end of the quarter (132)
- At the end of the review period, the company’s cash balance was EUR 4.7 million. The company’s longer term goal to consistently remain cash flow neutral has proceeded according to plan as the cash balance was EUR 4.8. million at the end of Q1
- The company successfully renewed its credit limit guarantee during the review period. As a part of the full assessment of additional financing, the company is negotiating with credit providers about new terms for the credit limit.
- The company announced a collaboration agreement with Netflix to develop a mobile game based on Stranger Things series for 2020
January-June 2019 in short
- Revenue was EUR 19.2 million, an increase of 83% compared to H1 2018 (EUR 10.5 million)
- Gross profit % increased by 1 percentage point and was EUR 11.2 million, 59% of revenue (EUR 6.0 million, 58% of revenue)
- Adjusted operating profit improved 56% and was EUR -1.8 million (EUR -4.1 million)
- EBITDA improved 69% and was EUR -1.5 million (EUR -4.8 million)
- EBIT improved 29% and was EUR -3.5 million (EUR -5.0 million)
- Product development costs were EUR 4.7 million (EUR 3.6M).
(Numbers in brackets refer to the corresponding year-on-year period unless otherwise mentioned)
Key Figures
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | |||||||
EUR thousand | 04-06/2019 | 04-06/2018 | Change | 01-06/2019 | 01-06/2018 | Change | Full year | ||||
Revenue | 9,395 | 5,689 | 65% | 19,224 | 10,477 | 83% | 35,245 | ||||
Gross Profit | 5,670 | 3,273 | 73% | 11,250 | 6,034 | 86% | 21,294 | ||||
Gross profit margin % | 60% | 58% | 3ppt | 59% | 58% | 1ppt | 60% | ||||
Operating Result (EBIT) | -1,100 | -2,448 | n/a | -3,495 | -4,954 | n/a | -16,915 | ||||
Operating result margin % | -12% | -43% | 31ppt | -18% | -47% | 29ppt | -48% | ||||
Adjusted Operating Result* | -497 | -2,007 | n/a | -1,809 | -4,072 | n/a | -13,777 | ||||
Adjusted operating result margin % | -5% | -35% | 30ppt | -9% | -39% | 29ppt | -39% | ||||
Depreciations and Amortizations total | 993 | 70 | 1,985 | 140 | 2,165 | ||||||
IFRS 16 | 256 | – | 512 | – | 512 | ||||||
Amortizations of R&D & Licenses | 579 | 30 | 1,157 | 60 | 1,248 | ||||||
Other | 159 | 40 | 316 | 80 | 405 | ||||||
Earnings per share, EUR | -0.08 | -0.12 | -0.22 | -0.30 | -0.99 | ||||||
Earnings per share, dilluted EUR | -0.08 | -0.12 | -0.22 | -0.30 | -0.99 | ||||||
Current Ratio | 1.15 | 3.92 | 1.15 | 3.92 | 1.53 | ||||||
Employees (end of period) | 108 | 132 | 108 | 132 | 143 |
*Adjusted operating result is an non-GAAP measure and differs from EBITDA as it excludes IFRS 16 depreciations and include IFRS 2 adjustments for share based payments. Management uses this Non-GAAP measure as an alternative to EBITDA to analyze the profitability of the business. Please see reconciliation of Non-GAAP measurements
Current ratio is an alternative measure which is calculated by dividing current assets such as cash and short-term receivables to current liabilities. Current ratio measures the liquidity of the company.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements
Adjusted Operating Result and EBITDA
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | ||||||
EUR thousand | 04-06/2019 | 04-06/2018 | 01-06/2019 | 01-06/2018 | Full year | |||||
Operating Result (EBIT) | -1,100 | -2,448 | -3,495 | -4,954 | -16,915 | |||||
Depreciations total | 993 | 70 | 1,985 | 140 | 2,165 | |||||
EBITDA | -107 | -2,378 | -1,510 | -4,814 | -14,749 | |||||
IFRS 16 | -256 | – | -512 | – | -512 | |||||
IFRS 2 share based payments | -134 | 371 | 213 | 742 | 1,483 | |||||
Adjusted Operating Result | -497 | -2,007 | -1,809 | -4,072 | -13,777 |
Current Ratio
EUR thousand | 30.6.2019 | 30.6.2018 | |
Current assets | 10,598 | 23,300 | |
Current liabilities | 9,247 | 5,937 | |
Current Ratio | 1.15 | 3.92 |
Chief Executive Officer Teemu Huuhtanen
Next Games continued to strongly focus on renewing its operations during the first half. We successfully completed the first step of the three-step turnaround project; balancing and stabilizing the company’s cost structure to a new level.
The company previously communicated that it aims to achieve a monthly fixed cost level of approximately 1.1 – 1.2 million euros. The cost savings program was successfully implemented and we achieved a 1.2 million euro fixed cost level during the second quarter. The company’s profitability continued to improve during the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was -0.5 million euros during Q2 2019, whereas it was still -1.3. million euros in Q1 2019. The company’s long term goal towards remaining consistently cash flow neutral has therefore proceeded as planned.
Next Games revenue grew 83% compared to January-June 2018 and 65% compared to April-June 2018 period. Our World achieved another record-breaking in-app purchase ARPDAU of 0.34 Euros in June. The game still experienced challenges with retention however, and thus the marketing investment level was on a higher level than the company’s objectives. The team now focuses on improving the game’s retention and further developing the product.
In order to achieve revenue growth, the company has actively developed it advertisement revenue model. The company implemented video ads, similar to No Man’s Land, to Our World mid-June 2019. Additionally, the company has piloted an innovative location-based ad solution for Our World with a significant global partner with promising preliminary results during the first half of 2019.
The second step of the turnaround plan, rebuilding the company’s product development pipeline according to its new focus, has started off well. Our new operating model focuses on reusing existing technology and code, which has the potential to significantly reduce product development times. The collaboration with Netflix on a mobile game based on the Stranger Things series, that received significant international media attention after its announcement in July, has been built utilizing the new practices. The company has continued active discussions over potential collaboration with other significant international license holders.
Thanks to the renewed game development process, the company has initiated multiple new projects in the prototyping and concepting phase. It’s important to have a robust early development pipeline, as it’s typical for the mobile games industry that only a portion of the games in development are published to the market. At the moment, 46% of the company’s personnel works on live games and 42% on new projects.
Third, and the final step of our turnaround project, is to secure additional funding for future investments such as new product development and marketing. Thanks to the stabilized business operations, the company is in a good place to continue assessing alternatives to strengthen its financial position.
I would like to warmly thank our staff and our board of directors for the extraordinary contribution to achieve the turnaround this far. I am especially pleased about the enthusiasm surrounding the building of our new product portfolio.
Business Outlook 2019
The company seeks moderate revenue growth during 2019 compared to 2018 and, as a result from the changes in its cost structure as a first step, strives towards remaining cash flow neutral in the longer term. As part of cost restructuring, the company estimates it will achieve monthly savings of approximately € 550 thousand in salaries, administrative costs and product development costs, totalling approximately € 6.5M on a yearly basis as compared to the second half of 2018.
Basis for Outlook 2019
The company’s estimates are based on the assumption that The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land and The Walking Dead: Our World maintain their current revenue levels. In addition, the outlook is based on game development staying on schedule and on target of launching one game per year.
January-June 2019 Audiocast
Next Games holds an English audiocast and phone conference on July 26 2019 at 10.30 EEST. You can join the audiocast by using the following link: https://nxtg.ms/2XVv9LU. More information about the audiocast and phone conference: https://nxtg.ms/2JFGXZU.
Next Games in Short
Next Games is the first publicly listed mobile game developer and publisher in Finland, specializing in games based on entertainment franchises, such as movies, TV series or books. The developers of the critically acclaimed The Walking Dead games redefines the way franchise entertainment transforms into highly engaging service-based mobile games. In summer 2018, Next Games launched The Walking Dead: Our World, which utilizes cutting edge AR technology and is powered by Google Maps. Currently Next Games is working on multiple new games based on popular entertainment franchises including, Blade Runner Nexus, for the popular Blade Runner franchise and a mobile game based on Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Additional information:
Saara Bergström
CMO
[email protected]
+358 (0)50 483 3896
Certified Adviser: Danske Bank A/S, Finland branch, tel. +358 10 546 7938
Attachment
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Next Games Corp. Half-year Review 2019 – Revenue grew 83%, profitability improved significantly

Latest News
Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market
Meridianbet, a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group, Inc., has officially launched its B2B operations in Nigeria, one of the largest and fastest-growing betting markets in Africa. The company’s entry into Nigeria further strengthens its 20-year presence in Africa, leveraging its proven track record in regulated markets to deliver world-class gaming products.
Through its newly licensed local entity, Masterlive Network Limited, Meridianbet has secured full regulatory approval from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), allowing it to operate in both sports betting and online casino verticals under License No: LSLGA/OP/OSB/MB041124.
The official launch of Meridianbet.ng marks a strategic expansion into a market worth over $2 billion, according to the research of Orange Business Intelligence Technology, with over 60 million Nigerians actively participate in betting, contributing to one of the fastest-growing industries on the continent.
Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, commented: “Our expansion into Nigeria marks a significant step in our long-term strategy to deepen our presence in Africa’s most dynamic gaming markets. With a highly engaged player base and strong industry growth, Nigeria presents a major opportunity for our B2B model. We are committed to bringing our cutting-edge technology, AI-powered betting solutions, and localized expertise to drive long-term success for our partners in the region.”
FY 2024 Revenue Growth & Investor Outlook
Golden Matrix Group has provided a preliminary full-year 2024 revenue estimate of $150 million, reflecting the company’s continued growth trajectory. The Group expects to release its audited FY 2024 financial results in the coming days, offering investors a comprehensive performance overview. The Nigerian market represents a strategic opportunity for future revenue expansion, aligning with GMGI’s global strategy to strengthen its presence in high-growth gaming markets.
Key Market Potential & Strategic Expansion
According to the Orange Business Intelligence Technology (ORBIT), Nigeria’s betting industry surpassed $2 billion back in 2020, with projections indicating up to $4.7 billion in annual revenue potential over the next decade. Football remains the primary driver of market growth, with a vast customer base engaging both online and offline. Meridianbet’s B2B model will provide advanced technology solutions, gaming content, and platform services to local operators, offering a scalable and highly adaptable system tailored to the Nigerian market.
A Strategic Milestone in Meridianbet’s African Growth
With operations in 18 markets across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, Meridianbet has built a reputation as a leading technology provider and betting operator. The company’s expansion into Nigeria follows its long-standing success in established African markets, where it has been a dominant player for over two decades.
The soft launch of Meridianbet.ng is already delivering positive early results, with strong partner satisfaction and excellent customer feedback.
AI-Powered Innovation & Market Expansion
As part of this rollout, Meridianbet is introducing its proprietary AI Sports Betting Recommender and AI Casino Recommender, delivering personalized betting experiences based on real-time data, player behavior, and predictive analytics. These innovations, already proving successful in multiple markets, will enhance customer engagement, retention, and overall user satisfaction in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving gaming landscape.
The post Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Week 11/2025 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
PG Soft has launched its swashbuckling new 3-reel, 3-row video slot, Mr Treasure’s Fortune. PG Soft’s perilous high-seas expedition blends the nostalgia of classic arcade machines with modern gameplay as players search for the legendary Black Fang Pirates’ hidden fortune.
ELA Games presents its newest development, Noble Crown. This title, with its high-quality graphics, enticing animations and contribution to a balanced portfolio, is a testament to the studio’s design and development philosophy. This 5×3 slot includes iconic symbols commonly seen in classic pub games, such as crowns, diamonds and lucky sevens.
Evoplay has launched Emerald Brewer, a festive slot that captures the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with vibrant visuals, rewarding features, and a taste of Irish luck. Played on a 5×4 reel layout, the game introduces Wild symbols, which substitute for all regular symbols except Green Pot, Coin, and Bonus symbols.
Swintt, is helping players satisfy their cravings for sugar, spice and all things nice in Candyman – a sweet new Premium release where tumbling reels and multiplier free spins pave the way to candy-coated wins of up to 5,000x. Played out across an expanded 6×5 reel matrix, Candyman does away with conventional lines in favour of a scatter mechanic were collecting eight or more matching symbols guarantees a prize regardless of where they land, with new icons falling from above to potentially create further wins.
Make Slots Great Again! Nolimit City breaks the norm once more in its latest release Home of the Brave. A slot that isn’t afraid to take a jab! No agendas here, just a whole lot of chaotic fun, spicy mechanics and unpredictable gameplay. Unlike typical slots, which are composed of a couple of rows and reels, Home of the Brave includes a Conveyor Belt positioned above the top row and 2 Hot Sauce Reels on either side of the reel area.
Thunderkick has released The Golden Pot & Pints, the latest introduction to its diverse festive-themed portfolio centred around the iconic Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Set in an Irish tavern, four lucky leprechauns reside on the reels of this 7×7 cluster pays slot, accompanied by tankards, top hats, and shamrocks.
Amusnet has unveiled the latest addition to its Live Casino portfolio, Extra Crown Deluxe Live. The company’s first-ever live slot game seamlessly blends tradition and innovation into an exciting mix of standard slot games and live-streamed action available 24/7.
Million Games is thrilled to announce the launch of Vault Rush, the latest high-volatility online slot developed in collaboration with YUGO Workshop under the Million Stars partner program. This 5×3 reel slot pays homage to the golden era of classic slots, featuring familiar symbols like 7s, Bars, bells, and fruits.
Play’n GO introduces Trinity Impact, a vibrant new slot that combines adventure, magic, and teamwork in a quest to save the mystical realm of Lumina. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Trinity Impact, where players join three friends on a heroic journey to protect Lumina, a land of magical wonders and ancient Crystal relics.
Push Gaming has launched the sequel to its 2024 Arctic-themed hit with the release of Big Bite Push Ways. The title will debut the provider’s new mechanic, Push Ways. This mechanic features nudging Hot Zones, which splits any symbol within the overlay into two. This increases the number of available ways to 262,144 and drives engagement.
Amusnet has released a new game for those who enjoy classic slot games with a dice twist. The latest addition to the company’s Online Casino, 100 Golden Coins Dice Edition, comes to life in March to provide a fun gaming experience to all dice lovers. This 5-reel, 100-fixed-payline game combines the classic slot game and dice symbols in entertaining gameplay.
Players can expect a fresh and juicy take on the classic slot experience in the latest title from ICONIC21. Iconic Fruits: Hold and Win sees classic appeal meet modern excitement across a three-by-three gameboard with five paylines active. A feeling of nostalgia will be felt as the reels spin and Fruit and Coin symbols land – this includes Cherries, Lemons, Pineapples, Strawberries and Watermelons.
Blueprint Gaming™ has upped the ante in its latest instalment to the iconic Cash Strike™ series. With the eye-catching win boost feature offering electric collect wins boosted by multipliers, Cash Strike Win Boost increases the player’s chances of returns up to a striking 50,000x. A familiar feast of classic fruit symbols adorns the 3×3, 125 ways to win slot alongside an array of blazing golden coins, heightening the excitement with enlarged opportunities for wins during base play.
Playson, the renowned digital entertainment supplier, is taking casino gameplay into an electric new dimension in its latest release, Charge the Clovers: Hit the Bonus™, as bonus play leads with unique Super Charge and Multi features. Golden clovers, making a welcome return to the 3×3 grid, take the form of bonus symbols alongside boost icons, featuring swirling blue tornados which radiate vibrant energy and boost the chance of eye-catching payouts for players.
Every fisherman has a story to tell. Booming Games brings these stories to life with the brand-new Fish Tales games series! The first game tells a story of a mythical bass, so large it can fit the entire reel! See if this is just a myth or indeed, there is such a creature roaming the deep and reel yourself in some monster wins! Fish Tales Monster Bass is a 5×3, 20-line slot with a boatload of features. Start to net wins with the Fishin’ Time cash collection.
The post Week 11/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
ELA Games Enters the Danish Market Through New Strategic Collaboration With RoyalCasino
ELA Games, a supplier of innovative games in the iGaming industry, has partnered with RoyalCasino to enter the Danish market.
Royal Casino is Denmark’s only land-based and online casino with over 33 years of experience in the gambling industry. The Danish RoyalCasino Group operates the land-based casino in their top-rated Hotel Royal, offering Danish players an elevated gaming experience.
ELA Games’ collaboration with the prestigious Danish brand marks a significant milestone for the development studio, as they are entering the Danish market. As a result, ELA Games’ innovative content, such as hallmark titles like Cash of Gods, It’s Shark Time and Lucky Dwarfs, will be hosted on the RoyalCasino.dk platform.
David Fall, ELA Games’ Business Development Manager, commented on the partnership, “RoyalCasino is an illustrious figure in the Danish gaming scene, and we’re excited to partner with them to provide our content on their platform. RoyalCasino.dk, despite its pedigree, is a rapidly growing brand. With the various promotions prepared in tandem with this announcement, ELA Games looks forward to expanding in Denmark.”
Jonas Madsen, RoyalCasino’s Director of Retention Marketing, added, “We’re very excited about the addition of ELA Games to our portfolio of games at RoyalCasino.dk. ELA Games is an up-and-coming game provider who, in just a few years, has managed to create captivating games with quality graphics, and we’re confident that their content will cater to the preferences of our growing database of players.”
The post ELA Games Enters the Danish Market Through New Strategic Collaboration With RoyalCasino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
-
Latest News3 months ago
Government support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024
-
Latest News3 months ago
Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024
-
Latest News3 months ago
India Levels Up: Emerging as a Global Gaming Powerhouse in 2024
-
Latest News3 months ago
Imagine Live Partners with King.rs
-
Latest News1 month ago
Sportradar’s Alpha Odds Receives Dual Honors at European iGaming Awards 2025
-
Latest News1 month ago
Fall in Love with Nature’s Greatest Romantics This Valentine’s Day at Springbok Casino and Claim 25 Free Spins
-
Latest News1 month ago
Swintt secured ISO 27001: 2022 certification
You must be logged in to post a comment Login