Are they actually filing? I thought that was just speculation or at most, informal discussions. If they are actually making an offering...I shudder to think.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

You are right, but the general consensus is best described by "their mentality is all 1999 tech bubble again", something like that, I mean it appear that they are listing to cash out. But of course I wouldn't be shorting like on the day of trading, like you said I have nothing to support that decision just yet, who knows if they are actually listing for some ambitious causes? By the way man, I love options too, its pretty much the only thing I've traded thus far.

 

You replied to me although I said nothing about shorting but I was thinking it. So...I guess if you want an argument for that position, all you have to do is look at the cycle of popularity with games like this. Almost all of King's revenue comes from Candy Crush. If Candy Crush becomes uncool all of a sudden...

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

Net income is only relevant to the extent that it gives you an idea of earnings potential when the company is firing on all cylinders... 75% of active users are Candy Crush players, and 78% of bookings (proxy for revenue) come from Candy Crush. That means that as Candy Crush continues to decline in popularity (not because it sucks, but because its continuing along the natural life cycle of a game, which at this point is past the peak), it has to be replaced with newer games. If they report a growth in bookings next quarter, the stock should trade back near the IPO price, and if they couple with new game announcements, the stock will shoot through that easily. Conversely if there is a decline in bookings sequentially coupled with a lack of new content announced, stock could trade in the low-mid teens. I am predisposed to the first scenario.

 

The business model of mobile gaming is very different than that of an EA. The cost structure is much, much lower for a KING because you benefit from tremendous economies of scale. Your fixed cost base in minimal. You have 100 engineers housed in one office, and nothing more. In 2013, EA had 6% margins, vs. near 40% for King. If you can sustain your user base for a period of time and create a loyal user base, then you are gold. Every time King or Zynga (a couple years ago) created a new game, or a new iteration of an existing game, it shoots to the Top 10 most downloaded apps within days because they are very well recognized franchises at this point. I don't disagree, it's just another perspective.

 

I agree with your analysis, but this is a shit business imo because I don't really see any signs of longer term customer captivity. the userbase is loyal to a game/franchise, not to the company behind it. the economies of scale are there, but it's local, I think. They are only are applicable to each game, and, without customer captivity, you're a sitting duck in a business model that's hits driven.

 

All in. You guys have it wrong- going to put my kids through college on this investment............ Just kidding

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold. I'll be fine once I get it
 

as many of you already highlighted, basically it's a double bet: keep the user base of candy crush saga (but trust me if they don't change the level structure of the game it is unlikely to happen) and the ability to bake new games at least as successful as their crown jewel. and by looking at the numbers it will be hard to pull off, especially the second. even if they manage to do so, the risk is quite high and in my opinion it not factored in in the actual price. nonetheless, web 2.0 tales have great success and it never fails to amaze the grasp they have on many investors so catching a falling knife with a short is indeed just as troublesome. i would simply stay out of it. but then again i am not a professional!

 
technobanker:

Apparently candy crush just copied another game:
http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/13/candy-crush-saga-mak...

These games have been around longer than I can remember. They make the 1990s Mario for Game Boy look high tech.

[quote=Matrick][in reply to Tony Snark"]Why aren't you blogging for WSO and become the date doctor for WSO? There seems to be demand. [/quote] [quote=BatMasterson][in reply to Tony Snark's dating tip] Sensible advice.[/quote]
 

7 New IPOs this week, and a lot of earnings announcements

‘The critical investment factor is determining the intrinsic value of a business and paying a fair or bargain price." W.B." we venture the motto, Margin of Safety.” Ben Graham
 

This shows how important it is to have a brand name, although they begun advertising for their new games on the TV here where I live, is that a sign of a good thing to come ?.

"Their advertising goes from the hit makers of candy crush comes a new game...."

‘The critical investment factor is determining the intrinsic value of a business and paying a fair or bargain price." W.B." we venture the motto, Margin of Safety.” Ben Graham
 

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