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Gravity Reports FIRST Quarter of 2017 Results and Business Update

GRVY

Seoul, Korea, April 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

    

GRAVITY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER OF 2017 RESULTS AND BUSINESS UPDATES

Seoul, South Korea – April 28, 2017 – GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqCM: GRVY)  (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games based in South Korea, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

FINAICIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2017

Revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 was KRW 23,352 million (US$ 20,897 thousand), representing a 33.4% increase from KRW 17,500 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016 (“QoQ”) and a 156.8% increase from KRW 9,094 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (“YoY”).

Review of Financial Results

Revenues

Subscription revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were KRW 9,855 million (US$ 8,819 thousand), representing a 2.5% decrease QoQ from KRW 10,107 million and a 361.2% increase YoY from KRW 2,137 million. The decrease QoQ was mainly attributable to decreased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Taiwan and Korea, which was partially offset by increased revenue from Ragnarok Prequel in Taiwan. The increase YoY was largely due to increased revenues from Ragnarok Online and Ragnarok Prequel in Taiwan. We began to directly offer Ragnarok Online and Ragnarok Prequel in Taiwan since June 2016 and July 2016, respectively.

Royalty and license fee revenues for the first quarter of 2017 were KRW 4,475 million (US$ 4,005 thousand), representing a 49.9% increase QoQ from KRW 2,985 million and a 32.9% increase YoY from KRW 3,368 million. The increase QoQ was primarily due to increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Japan and Indonesia. The increase YoY resulted mainly from increased revenues from Ragnarok Online in Japan, Thailand and Indonesia, which was partially offset by decreased revenue from Ragnarok Online in Taiwan

Mobile game and application revenues were KRW 8,063 million (US$ 7,215 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017, representing a 148.6% increase QoQ from KRW 3,243 million and a 184.9% increase YoY from KRW 2,830 million. The increase QoQ and YoY resulted primarily from increased royalty revenues from Ragnarok Online IP-based mobile games in China and increased revenues from Ragnarok R (locally titled as RO Xianjing Chuanshuo: Fuxinging) in Taiwan. Ragnarok R was launched in Taiwan on December 1, 2016.

Character merchandising and other revenues were KRW 959 million (US$ 858 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017, representing 17.7% decrease from KRW 1,165 million and a 26.5 % increase YoY from KRW 759 million.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue was KRW 13,969 million (US$ 12,500 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017, representing a 42.6% increase QoQ from KRW 9,797 million and a 111.0% increase YoY from KRW 6,619 million. The increase QoQ was mainly due to increased commission paid for mobile game service in Taiwan and Thailand, which was partially offset by decreased outsourcing fees. The increase YoY was mostly from increased commission paid related to mobile game and web game service in Taiwan and Thailand, which was partially offset by decreased salaries.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were KRW 6,085 million (US$ 5,445 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017, representing a 5.7% increase QoQ from KRW 5,759 million and a 100.4% increase YoY from KRW 3,036 million. The increase QoQ was mainly attributable to increased advertising expenses related to pre-launch marketing for Ragnarok R, which was officially launched in Korea on April 13, 2017. Such increase was partially offset by decreased commission paid. The increase YoY was mostly resulted from increased advertising expenses for Ragnarok R and Ragnarok Online and commission paid for payment gateway fees.

Income before income tax expenses

Income before income tax expenses was KRW 3,382 million (US$ 3,027 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with income before income tax expense of KRW 2,394 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and loss before income tax expenses of KRW 1,287 million for the first quarter of 2016.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing factors, Gravity recorded a net income attributable to parent company of KRW 2,170 million (US$ 1,942 thousand) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with net income attributable to parent company of KRW 470 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and a net loss attributable to parent company of KRW 1,701 million for the first quarter of 2016.

Liquidity

The balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial instruments was KRW 42,196 million (US$ 37,760 thousand) as of March 31, 2017.

Note: For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts have been expressed in U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of KRW 1,117.48 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2017 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

GRAVITY BUSINESS UPDATE

  • Ragnarok R, a card RPG mobile game*1

On April 13, 2017, Ragnarok R was commercially launched in Korea. Based on mobile game sales ranking in Korea, such game was ranked fourth in both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store, at its peak.

Ragnarok R was developed by Shanghai The Dream Network Technology Co., Ltd.(“Dream Square”) based on contents Ragnarok Online and Gravity is a publisher of such game in Taiwan, Thailand and Korea. Gravity and Dream Square plan to launch Ragnarok R in more markets.

  • Other Ragnarok Online IP-based games

On March 27, 2017, Ragnarok Prequel, a web browser-based MMORPG, was launched in United States and Canada. Such game is locally named as Ragnarok Journey and currently being offered through WarpPortal, Gravity’s online game service platform. Gravity and Dream Square plan to launch Ragnarok Prequel in more markets.

Gravity is currently developing two more mobile games in-house. One of such mobile games is planned to be launched during 2017 and the other is planned to be launched during 2018.

  • Ragnarok Online

Our local licensee, Electronics Extreme Ltd., plans to re-launch Ragnarok Online in Philippine during third quarter of 2017. Electronics Extreme Ltd. successfully re-launched Ragnarok Online in Thailand on July 13, 2016 and Ragnarok Online won best MMORPG award in 2016 Thailand Games Show Big Festival.

*1 Descriptions about rankings of the games are based on various statistical data available from public sources and such rankings do not necessarily reflect actual profits from such games.

About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------

Based in Korea, Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity's principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 78 markets and countries. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release may include, in addition to historical information, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe", "project," or "continue" or the negative thereof or other similar words, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Investors should consider the information contained in our submissions and filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 on Form 20-F, together with such other documents that we may submit to or file with the SEC from time to time, on Form 6-K. The forward-looking statements speak only as of this press release and we assume no duty to update them to reflect new, changing or unanticipated events or circumstances.

Contact:

Mr. Heung Gon Kim
Chief Financial Officer
Gravity Co., Ltd.
Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

Ms. Ji Hee Kim
IR Manager
Gravity Co., Ltd.
Email: ircommunication@gravity.co.kr
Telephone: +82-2-2132-7800

#     #     #

GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In millions of KRW and thousands of US$)

      As of
      31-Dec-16   31-Mar-17
      KRW   US$   KRW   US$
Assets (audited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents 16,720     14,962      19,696     17,625  
  Short-term financial instruments 22,000     19,687      22,500     20,135  
  Accounts receivable, net 11,819     10,576      15,180     13,584  
  Other current assets 2,852     2,552      3,139     2,809  
    Total current assets 53,391     47,777     60,515     54,153  
                   
Property and equipment, net 593     531      753     674  
Leasehold and other deposits 962     861      947     847  
Intangible assets 91     81      89     80  
Other non-current assets 153     137      105     94  
    Total assets 55,190     49,387     62,409     55,848  
                   
Liabilities and Equity              
Current liabilities:              
  Accounts payable 10,033     8,978      13,056     11,683  
  Deferred revenue 9,689     8,670      10,930     9,781  
  Other current liabilities 964     863      1,660     1,485  
    Total current liabilities 20,686     18,511     25,646     22,949  
Long-term deferred revenue 4,096     3,665      3,818     3,417  
Accrued severance benefits 104     93      135     121  
Other non-current liabilities 210     188      312     280  
    Total liabilities 25,096     22,457     29,911     26,767  
Common shares 3,474     3,109     3,474     3,109  
Additional paid-in capital 75,076     67,183     75,076     67,183  
Accumulated deficit (48,511 )   (43,411 )   (46,341 )   (41,469 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 617     552     867     776  
    Total parent company shareholders' equity 30,656     27,433     33,076     29,599  
Non-controlling interest (562 )   (503 )   (578 )   (518 )
    Total equity 30,094     26,930     32,498     29,081  
    Total liabilities and equity 55,190     49,387     62,409     55,848  

* For convenience purposes only, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,117.48 to US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2017 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.


GRAVITY Co., Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In millions of KRW and thousands of US$ except for share and ADS data)

      Three months ended
      31-Dec-16   31-Mar-16   31-Mar-17
      (KRW)   (US$)   (KRW)   (US$)   (KRW)   (US$)
      (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Revenues:                      
  Online games-subscription revenue 10,107     9,044     2,137     1,912     9,855     8,819  
  Online games-royalties and license fees 2,985     2,671     3,368     3,014     4,475     4,005  
  Mobile games and applications 3,243     2,902     2,830     2,533     8,063     7,215  
  Character merchandising and other revenue(1) 1,165     1,043     759     679     959     858  
    Total net revenue 17,500     15,660     9,094     8,138     23,352     20,897  
                           
Cost of revenue 9,797     8,767     6,619     5,923     13,969     12,500  
                           
Gross profit 7,703     6,893     2,475     2,215     9,383     8,397  
                           
Operating expenses:                      
  Selling, general and administrative 5,125     4,586     2,688     2,405     5,516     4,936  
  Research and development 634     567     343     307     569     509  
  Impairment losses on intangible assets     5     4      
    Total operating expenses 5,759     5,153     3,036     2,716     6,085     5,445  
                           
Operating income (loss) 1,944     1,740     (561 )   (501 )   3,298     2,952  
                           
Other income (expenses):                      
  Interest income 130     116     132     118     133     119  
  Interest expense 0     0     0     0     (3 )   (3 )
  Foreign currency income (loss), net 320     286     (858 )   (768 )   (46 )   (41 )
  Others, net 0     0     0     0     0     0  
                           
Income(loss) before income tax expenses 2,394     2,142     (1,287 )   (1,151 )   3,382     3,027  
                           
Income tax expenses 1,932     1,729     433     387     1,228     1,099  
                           
  Net income(loss) 462     413     (1,720 )   (1,538 )   2,154     1,928  
Net income (loss) attributable to:                      
  Non-controlling interest (8 )   (7 )   (19 )   (17 )   (16 )   (14 )
  Parent company 470     420     (1,701 )   (1,521 )   2,170     1,942  
Income(loss) per share
- Basic and diluted
67     0.06     (245 )   (0.22 )   312     0.28  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
- Basic and diluted
6,948,900     6,948,900     6,948,900     6,948,900     6,948,900     6,948,900  
Income(loss) per ADS(2)
- Basic and diluted
134     0.12     (490 )   (0.44 )   624     0.56  

* For convenience, the KRW amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of KRW 1,117.48 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2017 as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

(1) The Company reclassified certain revenue within Character merchandising and other revenue as Mobile games and applications revenue in 2016 as this better represents the nature of the revenue, and the effect of such reclassification was reflected in each quarter of 2016. The reclassification has no effect on the Company’s previously reported total net revenue and other line items on the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Each ADS represents two common shares.



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