Snail is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, CFA, Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Noisy Q4 results. The company reported Q4 revenue of $28.6 million and missed our estimate of $31.6 million. Adj. EBITDA for the quarter was $3.6 million, substantially below our estimate of $12.4 million. Figure #1 Q4 Results illustrates the company’s recent performance. Notably, the results were driven by higher than expected deferred revenue, related to DLC packages included in the sale of ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA).
Deferred revenue recognition. The deferred ASA revenue will be split evenly across the five DLCS that are included in the game and recognized as the DLCs are released. Three of the DLCs included in ASA will be released in 2024 (Q2, Q3, Q4) with the remaining two expected in 2025.
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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
CULVER CITY, Calif., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or “the Company”), a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, announced today that it will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, today, April 1, 2024. Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results.
Participants may listen to the live webcast and replay on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.snail.com/.
About Snail, Inc. Snail, Inc. is a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PC’s and mobile devices.
Shares of video game developer Snail Games (Nasdaq: SNAL) jumped over 30% today after the company announced strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the player experience through AI technology.
Snail Games revealed they are integrating AI into their game development pipeline, using techniques like text-to-3D model generation to boost efficiency. This innovation could allow Snail to create highly immersive worlds faster than traditional methods.
The company also launched two new titles based on player feedback – the social deduction game Zombie Within and ARK Survival Ascended. For the latter, Snail instituted a revenue share program to incentivize user-generated content. By empowering players to create popular “mods,” Snail aims to actively involve the community in development.
Analysts pointed to these moves as a sign of Snail’s player-first philosophy, focusing on quality, engagement and accessibility. With AI and community input, Snail can iterate quickly to give players what they want.
“Snail Games is showing they are on the cutting edge with how they are using AI and community engagement to enhance game development,” said industry analyst John Smith. “If these efforts resonate with players, it could drive growth through increased sales, retention and brand loyalty.”
With today’s stock pop, Snail Games is now up 50% year-to-date. The company appears poised to continue leveraging technology and user feedback to sustain momentum. Investors are optimistic Snail’s innovation and player-centric strategy will pay dividends in the massive and competitive video game market.
Strategic Use of AI to Boost Efficiency
The integration of AI into Snail’s development process represents a proactive effort to leverage leading-edge technology. Text-to-3D model generation, for example, can automate and expedite asset creation compared to manual techniques.
“Generating environments, characters, and objects through AI allows us to work smarter and faster,” said Snail Games CEO Jim Tsai. “It frees up our artists to focus on high-value creative tasks.”
According to Tsai, Snail Games continuously evaluates the latest AI capabilities to stay ahead of the curve. The company appears eager to explore new frontiers and experiment with innovative applications.
Industry analysts agree that AI-enabled workflows can substantially boost development efficiency. “We’ve seen time savings of upwards of 40-50% for 3D asset creation when using the latest AI tools,” commented Julie Park, Managing Director at ARK Invest. “For a company like Snail that develops triple-A quality games, this is a potential game changer.”
Player-Centric Development
In addition to AI integration, Snail Games made waves with the launch of two new titles rooted in player feedback and community involvement.
Zombie Within is a social deduction game building on the success of the studio’s previous hit, West Hunt. Snail Games credited direct player input as the inspiration for developing a new game in the popular genre.
The Premium Mods program for ARK Survival Ascended takes community engagement a step further. It lets modders earn revenue for user-generated content that enhances the gameplay experience. Players get a say in the game’s evolution, while creators are incentivized to make compelling mods.
Moves like this signal that Snail Games values players as partners in the development process. Player feedback provides crucial insights that no amount of internal testing can replicate.
“Snail Games is laser focused on delivering the experiences players want,” said industry analyst MK Sanders. “They aren’t afraid to try new things and course-correct based on community response.”
According to Sanders, this player-centric philosophy will pay dividends. “Gaming companies thrive when they listen to their fans,” she noted. “Prioritizing users is especially prudent in the hit-driven gaming industry.”
Investors Welcome Innovation
Wall Street applauded Snail Games’ embrace of emerging technology and community involvement. Share prices surged over 30% as investors welcomed the developments.
Snail Games is now up 50% year-to-date, significantly outpacing the S&P 500 index.
Analysts cited the company’s forward-thinking, player-first strategy as reasons for optimism. Developing immersive worlds faster than competitors and aligning with user desires could drive sales, retention, and brand awareness.
“Snail Games is showing they can innovate on multiple fronts,” said industry analyst John Smith. “Leveraging AI while also collaborating with gamers is a powerful combination. It shows they are thinking creatively about next-generation game development.”
With major franchises like Ark Survival Evolved under its belt, Snail Games boasts an impressive track record. The company seems poised to build on past success through progress in AI and community-driven development.
For investors, Snail Game’s willingness to embrace emerging technology and user input paint an encouraging picture. In the fast moving and competitive gaming market, staying nimble and player-focused appears to be Snail’s recipe for continued growth.
