Q3 2023 revenue fell 5% year-over-year to $121 million, while Adjusted EBITDA dropped 35% to $29 million due to a doubling of marketing spend to $43 million for player acquisition.
Monthly Paying Users (MPUs) increased by 23% to 375,000, though Average Bookings Per Paying User (ABPPU) declined by 26% to $84.
The flagship Hero Wars franchise reached a lifetime booking milestone of $1.55 billion across mobile and PC platforms.
The new title Island Hoppers achieved a successful global launch, generating $30 million in bookings and 12 million downloads.
Mobile platforms remain the primary revenue driver, accounting for 63% of total quarterly bookings compared to 37% for PC.
The company is expanding its portfolio with the planned early 2024 Steam release of Pixel Gun 3D, which has already accumulated 260,000 wishlists.
Financial results for the third quarter of 2023 reveal a period of strategic reinvestment and portfolio expansion despite a year-over-year decline in top-line revenue. Total revenue for the quarter reached $121 million, a 5% decrease from the $128 million reported in the same period of 2022. This decline was mirrored in Adjusted EBITDA, which fell 35% to $29 million, and total comprehensive income, which dropped from $31 million to $24 million. These decreases are primarily attributed to a significant ramp-up in selling and marketing expenses, which more than doubled to $43 million as the company pivoted from the reduced marketing spend of 2022 toward aggressive new player acquisition.
Operational metrics show a shift in the user base composition. Monthly Paying Users (MPUs) grew by 23% year-over-year to 375,000, though Average Bookings Per Paying User (ABPPU) declined by 26% to $84. Total bookings for the quarter stood at $102 million, with the United States remaining the largest geographic market at 35%, followed by Europe at 26%. Mobile platforms continue to dominate the distribution mix, accounting for 63% of bookings compared to 37% for PC.
Product milestones highlight the continued performance of the flagship Hero Wars franchise, which has surpassed $1.55 billion in lifetime bookings across mobile and PC versions. The company also successfully transitioned Island Hoppers into global release, achieving over $30 million in bookings and 12 million downloads. Looking forward, the portfolio is set to diversify further with the planned Steam release of Pixel Gun 3D in early 2024, which has already secured approximately 260,000 wishlists. These results reflect a transition phase where increased operating expenses are being utilized to scale new titles and expand the paying user base for long-term growth.
