RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below,
together with all of the other information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplements, as the same may be updated from time to time by our future filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act), before deciding to invest in our securities. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are
material that may harm our business and financial performance. Because of the risks and uncertainties discussed below, as well as other variables affecting our operating results, past financial performance should not be considered as a reliable
indicator of future performance and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of the following risks occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects
could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the market price of our common stock and the value of our other securities could decline and you could lose part or even all of your investment.
Risks Relating To Our Business
We
have a history of net losses, may incur substantial net losses in the future and may not achieve profitability.
We have incurred significant losses since inception, including a net loss of $20.5 million in 2012 and a net loss of $19.9 million in
2013. We achieved net income of $133,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, though we do not expect to be profitable in the second quarter of 2014. As of March 31, 2014, we had an accumulated deficit of $252.1 million. We expect our
costs in 2014 to increase in absolute dollars over 2013 levels as we implement additional initiatives designed to increase revenues, such as developing games with greater complexity and higher production values, making investments related to our
continued transition to becoming a games-as-a-service (GaaS) company, increasing the amount we spend in acquiring new players and otherwise marketing our new titles (which costs are expected to increase over last year, particularly since
advertising costs in our industry have generally been rising), and paying upfront license fees or minimum guarantees to secure licenses to third party intellectual property, including in connection with our Glu Publishing business. If our revenues
do not increase to offset these additional expenses, if we experience unexpected increases in operating expenses or if we are required to take additional charges related to impairments or restructurings, we will continue to incur losses and will not
become profitable on a sustained basis. If we are unable to significantly increase our revenues or reduce our expenses, it will continue to negatively affect our operating results and our ability to achieve and sustain profitability.
We have a relatively new and evolving business model.
In early 2010, we changed our business model to focus on becoming a leading developer and publisher of free-to-play games for smartphones, tablets and other next-generation platforms.
Free-to-play games are games that a player can download and play for free, but which allow players to access a variety of additional content and features for a fee and to engage with various advertisements and offers that generate revenues for us.
We launched our first free-to-play titles in the fourth quarter of 2010, so we have a relatively short history operating under this business model. This limits the experience upon which we can draw when making operating decisions. In addition, part
of our strategy is to continue transitioning towards becoming a GaaS company in which the majority of our future free-to-play games will be playable online, and we may not successfully execute this transition. Our efforts to develop free-to-play
games and transition towards becoming a GaaS company may prove unsuccessful or, even if successful, it may take more time than we anticipate to achieve significant revenues because, among other reasons:
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we may have difficulty optimizing the monetization of our games due to our relatively limited experience creating games that include micro-transaction
capabilities, advertising and offers, as well as our limited experience in offering the features that are often associated with free-to-play games published by GaaS companies, such as tournaments, live events and more frequent content updates;
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we intend to continue to develop the majority of our games based upon our own intellectual property, rather than well-known licensed brands, and we may
encounter difficulties in generating sufficient consumer interest in and downloads of our games, particularly since we have had relatively limited success generating significant revenues from games based on our own intellectual property;
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many well-funded public and private companies have released, or plan to release, free-to-play games, including those provided under the GaaS model, and
this competition will make it more difficult for us to differentiate our games and derive significant revenues from them;
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free-to-play games, including those delivered as a service, have a relatively limited history, and it is unclear how popular this style of game will
become or remain or its revenue potential;
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3
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our free-to-play strategy assumes that a large number of players will download our games because they are free and that we will then be able to
effectively monetize the games; however, players may not widely download our games for a variety of reasons, including poor consumer reviews or other negative publicity, ineffective or insufficient marketing efforts, lack of sufficient community
features, lack of prominent storefront featuring and the relatively large file size of some of our gamesour thick-client games often utilize a significant amount of the available memory on a users device, and due to the inherent
limitations of the smartphone platforms and telecommunications networks, which at best only allow applications that are less than 100 megabytes to be downloaded over a carriers wireless network, players must download one of our thick-client
games either via a wireless Internet (wifi) connection or initially to their computer and then side-loaded to their device;
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even if our games are widely downloaded, we may fail to retain users or optimize the monetization of these games for a variety of reasons, including
poor game design or quality, lack of community features, gameplay issues such as game unavailability, long load times or an unexpected termination of the game due to data server or other technical issues, or our failure to effectively respond and
adapt to changing user preferences through game updates;
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we may have difficulty hiring the additional monetization, live operations, server technology, user experience and product management personnel that we
require to support our continued transition to becoming a GaaS company, or may face difficulties in developing our GaaS technology platform and incorporating it into our products;
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we will depend on the proper and continued functioning of our own servers and third-party infrastructure to operate our connected games that are
delivered as a service;
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the billing and provisioning capabilities of some smartphones and tablets are currently not optimized to enable users to purchase games or make in-app
purchases, which make it difficult for users of these devices to purchase our games or make in-app purchases and could reduce our addressable market, at least in the short term; and
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the Federal Trade Commission has indicated that it intends to review issues related to in-app purchases, particularly with respect to games that are
marketed primarily to minors (for example, the FTC reached a settlement with Apple in January 2014 on this issue), and the commission might issue rules significantly restricting or even prohibiting in-app purchases or name us as a defendant in a
future class-action lawsuit.
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If we do not achieve a sufficient return on our investment with respect to our
free-to-play business model, it will negatively affect our operating results and may require us to formulate a new business strategy.
We rely on a very small portion of our total players for nearly all of our revenues that we derive from in-app purchases.
Since our free-to-play games can be downloaded and played for free, we have succeeded in generating a significant number of game
installations and significant user-base growth. However, we rely on a very small portion of our total players for nearly all of our revenues derived from in-app purchases (as opposed to advertisements and incentivized offers). Since the launch of
our first free-to-play titles in the fourth quarter of 2010, the percentage of unique paying players for our largest revenue-generating free-to-play games has been less than 1%. To significantly increase our revenues, we must increase the number of
players who convert into a paying player by making in-app purchases, increase the amount that our paying players spend in our games and/or increase the length of time our players generally play our games. We have to date encountered difficulties
with game monetization (for example, developing a sufficient quantity and variety of virtual goods to enable a relatively large scale of in-app purchases by an individual user). We might not succeed in our efforts to increase the monetization rates
of our players, particularly if we do not succeed in our transition to becoming a GaaS company. If we are unable to convert non-paying players into paying players or if the average amount of revenues that we generate from our players does not
increase or declines, our business may not grow, our financial results will suffer, and our stock price may decline.
4
We derive the majority of our revenues from Apples App Store and the Google Play Store, and if
we are unable to maintain a good relationship with each of Apple and Google or if either of these storefronts were unavailable for any prolonged period of time, our business will suffer.
The majority of our smartphone revenues have historically been derived from Apples iOS platform, which accounted for 61.0% of our
total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with 57.0% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013. We generated the majority of these iOS-related revenues from the Apple App Store, which represented 50.6%
and 47.6% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, with the significant majority of such revenues derived from in-app purchases. We generated the balance of our iOS-related revenues from offers and
advertisements in games distributed on the Apple App Store and, to a far lesser extent, sales of premium games. In addition, we derived approximately 36.0% and 29.4% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013,
respectively, from the Android platform. We generated the majority of our Android-related revenues from the Google Play Store, which represented 23.3% and 19.5% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively,
with the significant majority of such revenues derived from in-app purchases. We believe that we have good relationships with each of Apple and Google, which has contributed to the majority of our games released in 2013 being featured on their
storefronts when they were commercially released. If we do not continue to receive prominent featuring, users may find it more difficult to discover our games and we may not generate significant revenues from them. We may also be required to spend
significantly more on marketing campaigns to generate substantial revenues on these platforms. In addition, currently neither Apple nor Google charges a publisher when it features one of their apps. If either Apple or Google were to charge
publishers to feature an app, it could cause our marketing expenses to increase considerably. Accordingly, any change or deterioration in our relationship with Apple or Google could materially harm our business and likely cause our stock price to
decline.
We also rely on the continued functioning of the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. In the past these
digital storefronts have been unavailable for short periods of time or experienced issues with their in-app purchasing functionality. If either of these events recurs on a prolonged basis or other similar issues arise that impact our ability to
generate revenues from these storefronts, it would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results. In addition, if these storefront operators fail to provide high levels of service, our players ability to access our games
may be interrupted or players may not receive the virtual currency or goods for which they have paid, which may adversely affect our brand.
The operators of digital storefronts on which we publish our free-to-play games and the advertising channels through which we acquire some of our
players in many cases have the unilateral ability to change and interpret the terms of our and others contracts with them.
We distribute our free-to-play games through direct-to-consumer digital storefronts, for which the distribution terms and conditions are often click through agreements that we are not able to
negotiate with the storefront operator. For example, we are subject to each of Apples and Googles standard click-through terms and conditions for application developers, which govern the promotion, distribution and operation of apps,
including our games, on their storefronts. Each of Apple and Google can unilaterally change its standard terms and conditions with no prior notice to us. In addition, the agreement terms can be vague and subject to changing interpretations by the
storefront operator. Further, these storefront operators typically have the right to prohibit a developer from distributing its applications on its storefront if the developer violates its standard terms and conditions. For example, in the second
quarter of 2011, Apple began prohibiting certain types of virtual currency-incented advertising offers in games sold on the Apple App Store. These offers accounted for approximately one-third of our smartphone revenues during the three months ended
June 30, 2011, and our inability to subsequently use such offers negatively impacted our smartphone revenues thereafter. In addition, Apple informed us early in the fourth quarter of 2012 that we could no longer include links to Tapjoys
HTML5 website in our games, which has since negatively impacted our ability to generate revenue through incented offers and will likely continue to negatively impact our revenues in future periods. Most recently, in the second quarter of 2014, Apple
changed its game rating methodology which has resulted in all of our games that include gun violence receiving a 17+ rating, which could potentially negatively impact the number of people playing these shooter games and the revenues we
generate from these games. If Apple or Google, or any other key storefront operator, determines that we or one of our key vendors are violating its standard terms and conditions, by a new interpretation or otherwise or prohibits us from distributing
our games on its storefront, it would materially harm our business and likely cause our stock price to significantly decline.
In addition, in the first quarter of 2014, Facebook prohibited HasOffers, whose software development kit we had incorporated into our
games to track advertising metrics, from participating in Facebooks mobile measurement program because Facebook asserted that HasOffers had violated its agreement with Facebook. As a result, we removed HasOffers software development kit
from our games and replaced them with a new vendor. While this change did not adversely impact our revenues or operations, any similar changes or prohibitions in the future could negatively impact our revenues or otherwise materially harm our
business, and we may not receive significant or any advance warning of such change.
5
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and many of our competitors have significantly
greater resources than we do.
Developing, distributing and selling mobile games is a highly competitive business,
characterized by frequent product introductions and rapidly emerging new platforms, technologies and storefronts. For players, we compete primarily on the basis of game quality, brand and customer reviews. We compete for promotional and storefront
placement based on these factors, as well as our relationship with the digital storefront owner, historical performance, perception of sales potential and relationships with licensors of brands and other intellectual property. For content and brand
licensors, we compete based on royalty and other economic terms, perceptions of development quality, porting abilities, speed of execution, distribution breadth and relationships with storefront owners or carriers. We also compete for experienced
and talented employees.
We compete with a continually increasing number of companies, including DeNA, Gameloft, GREE, GungHo
Online Entertainment, King Digital Entertainment, Nexon and Zynga and many well-funded private companies, including Kabam, Rovio, Storm 8/Team Lava and Supercell. We also compete for consumer spending with large companies, such as Activision,
Disney, Electronic Arts (EA Mobile), Take-Two Interactive and Warner Brothers, whose games for smartphones and tablets are primarily premium rather than free-to-play. In addition, given the open nature of the development and distribution for
smartphones and tablets, we also compete or will compete with a vast number of small companies and individuals who are able to create and launch games and other content for these devices using relatively limited resources and with relatively limited
start-up time or expertise. As an example of the competition that we face, it has been estimated that more than one million applications, including more than 200,000 active games, were available on Apples U.S. App Store as of April 30, 2014.
The proliferation of titles in these open developer channels makes it difficult for us to differentiate ourselves from other developers and to compete for players without substantially increasing our marketing expenses and development costs.
Some of our competitors and our potential competitors have one or more advantages over us, either globally or in particular
geographic markets, which include:
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significantly greater financial resources;
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greater experience with the free-to-play games and GaaS business models and more effective game monetization;
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stronger brand and consumer recognition regionally or worldwide;
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greater experience and effectiveness integrating community features into their games, operating as a GaaS company and increasing the revenues derived
from their users;
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the capacity to leverage their marketing expenditures across a broader portfolio of mobile and non-mobile products;
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larger installed user bases from their existing mobile games;
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larger installed user bases from related platforms, such as console gaming or social networking websites, to which they can market and sell mobile
games;
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more substantial intellectual property of their own from which they can develop games without having to pay royalties;
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lower labor and development costs and better overall economies of scale;
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greater platform-specific focus, experience and expertise; and
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broader global distribution and presence.
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If we are unable to compete effectively or we are not as successful as our competitors in our target markets, our sales could decline, our margins could decline and we could lose market share, any of
which would materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our financial results could vary significantly
from quarter to quarter and are difficult to predict, which in turn could cause volatility in our stock price.
Our
revenues and operating results could vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. In
addition, we may not be able to accurately predict our future revenues or results of operations. We base our current and future expense levels on our internal operating plans and sales forecasts, and our operating costs are to a large extent fixed.
As a result, we may not be able to reduce our costs sufficiently to compensate for an unexpected shortfall in revenues, and even a small shortfall could disproportionately and adversely affect financial results for that quarter.
6
In addition to other risk factors discussed in this section, factors that may contribute to
the variability of our quarterly results include:
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our ability to increase the number of our paying players and the amount that each paying player spends in our games;
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the popularity and monetization rates of our new games released during the quarter and the ability of games released in prior periods to sustain their
popularity and monetization rates;
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the number and timing of new games released by us and our competitors, particularly those games that may represent a significant portion of revenues in
a quarter, which timing can be impacted by internal development delays, shifts in product strategy and how quickly digital storefront operators review and approve our games for commercial release;
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changes in the prominence of storefront featuring for our games and those of our competitors;
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fluctuations in the size and rate of growth of overall consumer demand for smartphones, tablets, games and related content;
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changes in the mix of revenues derived from first party titles versus third party titles;
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changes in the amount of money we spend marketing our titles in a particular quarter, including the average amount we pay to acquire each new user, as
well as changes in the timing of these marketing expenses within the quarter;
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decisions by us to incur additional expenses, such as increases in research and development, or unanticipated increases in vendor-related costs, such
as hosting fees;
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the timing of successful mobile device launches;
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the seasonality of our industry;
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changes in accounting rules, such as those governing recognition of revenue, including the period of time over which we recognize revenue for in-app
purchases of virtual currency and goods within our games;
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fluctuations in the fair market value of the contingent consideration issued to the Blammo non-employee shareholders, as the fair value of the
contingent consideration will be measured during each reporting period until the end of the earn-out period in March 2015;
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the amount and timing of charges related to any future impairments of goodwill, intangible assets, prepaid royalties and guarantees; for example, in
2012 we impaired $3.6 million of our goodwill related to our APAC reporting unit, and in 2013 we impaired $435,000 related to contractual minimum guarantee commitments in our Glu Publishing business; and
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macro-economic fluctuations in the United States and global economies, including those that impact discretionary consumer spending.
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Consumer tastes are continually changing and are often unpredictable, and we compete for consumer discretionary
spending against other forms of entertainment; if we fail to develop and publish new mobile games that achieve market acceptance, our revenues would suffer.
Our business depends on developing and publishing mobile games that consumers will download and spend time and money playing. We must continue to invest significant resources in research and development,
analytics and marketing to introduce new games and continue to update our successful free-to-play games, and we often must make decisions about these matters well in advance of product release to timely implement them. Our success depends, in part,
on unpredictable and volatile factors beyond our control, including consumer preferences, competing games, new mobile platforms and the availability of other entertainment activities. If our games do not meet consumer expectations, or they are not
brought to market in a timely and effective manner, our business, operating results and financial condition would be harmed. Even if our games are successfully introduced and initially adopted, a failure to continue to update them with compelling
content or a subsequent shift in the entertainment preferences of consumers could cause a decline in our games popularity that could materially reduce our revenues and harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore,
we compete for the discretionary spending of consumers, who face a vast array of entertainment choices, including games played on personal computers and consoles, television, movies, sports and the Internet. If we are unable to sustain sufficient
interest in our games compared to other forms of entertainment, our business and financial results would be seriously harmed.
7
If we do not successfully establish and maintain awareness of our brand and games, if we incur
excessive expenses promoting and maintaining our brand or our games or if our games contains defects or objectionable content, our operating results and financial condition could be harmed.
We believe that establishing and maintaining our brand is critical to establishing a direct relationship with end users who purchase our
products from direct-to-consumer channels and to maintaining our existing relationships with distributors and content licensors, as well as potentially developing new such relationships. Increasing awareness of our brand and recognition of our games
is particularly important in connection with our strategic focus of developing games based on our own intellectual property. Our ability to promote the Glu brand and increase recognition of our games depends on our ability to develop high-quality,
engaging games. If consumers, digital storefront owners and branded content owners do not perceive our existing games as high-quality or if we introduce new games that are not favorably received by them, then we may not succeed in building brand
recognition and brand loyalty in the marketplace. In addition, globalizing and extending our brand and recognition of our games is costly and involves extensive management time to execute successfully, particularly as we expand our efforts to
increase awareness of our brand and games among international consumers. Although we make significant sales and marketing expenditures in connection with the launch of our games, these efforts may not succeed in increasing awareness of our brand or
the new games. If we fail to increase and maintain brand awareness and consumer recognition of our games, our potential revenues could be limited, our costs could increase and our business, operating results and financial condition could suffer.
In addition, if a game contains objectionable content, we could experience damage to our reputation and brand. The majority
of our successful free-to-play games are in the action/adventure genre, and we expect that the majority of the games that we will release in 2014 will be in that category. Some of these games contain violence or other content that certain consumers
may find objectionable. For example, Apple has assigned several of our
shooter games, including our recently released
Frontline Commando 2
game, a 17-and-older rating due to its violence. In addition, Google required us to submit two
versions of our
Blood & Glory
and
Contract Killer: Zombies
games, one of which did not depict blood. Despite these ratings and precautions, consumers may be offended by certain of our game content games and children to whom
these games are not targeted may choose to play them without parental permission nonetheless. In addition, one of our employees or an employee of an outside developer could include hidden features in one of our games without our knowledge, which
might contain profanity, graphic violence, sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable material. If consumers believe that a game we published contains objectionable content, it could harm our brand, consumers could refuse to buy it or demand a
refund, and could pressure the digital storefront operators to no longer allow us to publish the game on their platforms. Similarly, if one of our games is introduced with defects or has playability issues, it could results in negative user reviews
and damage our brand. These issues could be exacerbated if our customer service department does not timely and adequately address issues that our players have encountered with our games.
We have depended on a small number of games for a significant portion of our revenues in recent fiscal periods. If these games do not continue to succeed or we do not release highly successful new
games, our revenues would decline.
In the mobile gaming industry, new games are frequently introduced, but a
relatively small number of games account for a significant portion of industry sales. Similarly, a significant portion of our revenues comes from a limited number of games, although the games in that group have shifted over time. Our growth depends
on our ability to consistently launch new games that generate significant revenues. For example, in the third quarter of 2012, we launched 11 new games, only two of which generated significant revenues, which, in part, contributed to our revenues
declining from the second quarter of 2012. We have since that time failed to consistently release titles that generate significant revenues, which has resulted in our inability to grow our revenues on a quarterly basis. However, our
Deer Hunter
2014
title that we released late in the third quarter of 2013 accounted for a significant portion of our revenues in the first quarter of 2014, and we expect this title to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenues in the second
quarter of 2014. We expect revenues from
Deer Hunter 2014
to gradually decline over time in a manner similar manner to our other titles, and we must continue to launch new games that generate significant revenues to continue to grow revenues
in the future. Developing and launching our games and providing future content updates requires us to invest significant time and resources with no guarantee that our efforts will result in significant revenues. If our new games are not successful
or if we are not able to cost-effectively extend the lives of our successful games, our revenues could be limited and our business and operating results would suffer.
8
We rely on a combination of our own servers and technology and third party infrastructure to operate
our games. If we experience any system or network failures, cyber attacks or any other interruption to our games, it could reduce our sales, increase costs or result in a loss of revenues or end users of our games.
We rely on digital storefronts and other third-party networks to deliver games to our players and on their or other third parties
billing systems to track and account for our game downloads. We also rely on our own servers and third-party infrastructure to operate our connected games, and our reliance on such third-party infrastructure and our GaaS technology platform will
increase as we continue transitioning to becoming a GaaS company. In particular, a significant portion of our game traffic is hosted by Amazon Web Services, which service provides server redundancy and uses multiple locations on various distinct
power grids. Amazon may terminate its agreement with us upon 30 days notice. Amazon experienced a power outage during the second quarter of 2012, which affected the playability of our games for approximately one day. While this particular
event did not adversely impact our business, a similar outage of a longer duration could. In addition, the operation of our online-only games that we began releasing in the fourth quarter of 2013 will depend on the continued functionality of our
GaaS technology platform. As a result, we could experience unexpected technical problems with regard to the operation of our online-only games, particularly if the number of concurrent users playing our games is significantly more than we
anticipate. Any technical problem with, cyber attack on, or loss of access to these third parties or our systems, servers or other technologies, including the GaaS technology platform, could result in the inability of end users to download or
play our games, cause interruption to gameplay, prevent the completion of billing for a game or result in the loss of users virtual currency or other in-app purchases, interfere with access to some aspects of our games or result in the theft
of end-user personal information. For example, some users of our Android-based games have experienced issues receiving the virtual currency that they purchased and paid for. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2013, our
Eternity Warriors 3
title was inoperable for approximately eight consecutive hours due to technical issues with our GaaS platform. Further, if virtual assets are lost, or if users do not receive their purchased virtual currency, we may be required to issue refunds,
we may receive negative publicity and game ratings, we may lose players of our games, and we may become subject to regulatory investigation or class action litigation, any of which would negatively affect our business. Any of these problems could
harm our reputation or cause us to lose players or revenues or incur substantial repair costs and distract management from operating our business.
If we fail to maintain and enhance our capabilities for porting games to a broad array of mobile devices, particularly those running the Android operating system, our revenues and financial results
could suffer.
We derive the majority of our revenues from the sale of virtual goods within our games for smartphones
and tablets that run Apples iOS or Googles Android operating system. Unlike the Apple ecosystem in which Apple controls both the device (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and the storefront (Apples App Store), the Android ecosystem is
highly fragmented since a large number of OEMs manufacture and sell Android-based devices that run a variety of versions of the Android operating system, and there are many Android-based storefronts in addition to the Google Play Store. For us to
sell our games to the widest possible audience of Android users, we must port our games to a significant portion of the more than 1,000 Android-based devices that are commercially available, many of which have different technical requirements. Since
the number of Android-based smartphones and tablets shipped worldwide is growing significantly, it is important that we maintain and enhance our porting capabilities, which could require us to invest considerable resources in this area. These
additional costs could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, we must continue to increase the efficiency of our porting processes or it may take us longer to port games to an equivalent number of devices, which
would negatively impact our margins. If we fail to maintain or enhance our porting capabilities, our revenues and financial results could suffer.
We use a game development engine licensed from Unity Technologies to create many of our games. If we experience any prolonged technical issues with this engine or if we lose access to this engine
for any reason, it could delay our game development efforts and cause us our financial results to fall below expectations for a quarterly or annual period, which would likely cause our stock price to decline.
We use a game development engine licensed from Unity Technologies to create many of our games, and we expect to continue to use this
engine for the foreseeable future. Because we do not own this engine, we do not control its operation or maintenance. As a result, any prolonged technical issues with this engine might not be resolved quickly, despite the fact that we have
contractual service level commitments from Unity. In addition, although Unity cannot terminate our agreement absent an uncured material breach of the agreement by us, we could lose access to this engine under certain circumstances, such as a natural
disaster that impacts Unity or a bankruptcy event. If we experience any prolonged issues with the operation of the Unity game development engine or if we lose access to this engine for any reason, it could delay our game development efforts and
cause us to not meet revenue expectations for a quarterly or annual period, which would likely cause our stock price to decline. Further, if one of our competitors acquired Unity, the acquiring company would be less likely to renew our agreement,
which could impact our game development efforts in the future, particularly with respect to sequels to games that were created on the Unity engine.
9
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from advertisements and offers that are incorporated
into our free-to-play games through relationships with third parties. If we lose the ability to provide these advertisements and offers for any reason, or if any events occur that negatively impact the revenues we receive from these sources, it
would negatively impact our operating results.
We derive revenues from our free-to-play games though in-app
purchases, advertisements and offers. We incorporate advertisements and offers into our games by implementing third parties software development kits. We rely on these third parties to provide us with a sufficient inventory of
advertisements and offers to meet the demand of our user base. If we exhaust the available inventory of these third parties, it will negatively impact our revenues. If our relationship with any of these third parties terminates for any
reason, or if the commercial terms of our relationships do not continue to be renewed on favorable terms, we would need to locate and implement other third party solutions, which could negatively impact our revenues, at least in the short term.
Furthermore, the revenues that we derive from advertisements and offers is subject to seasonality, as companies advertising budgets are generally highest during the fourth quarter and decline significantly in the first quarter of the following
year, which negatively impacts our revenues in the first quarter (and conversely significantly increases our marketing expenses in the fourth quarter).
In addition, the actions of the storefront operators can also negatively impact the revenues that we generate from advertisements and offers. For example, in the second quarter of 2011, Apple began
prohibiting certain types of virtual currency-incented advertising offers in games sold on the Apple App Store. These offers accounted for approximately one-third of our revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2011, and our
inability to use such offers has negatively impacted our revenues. Any similar changes in the future that impact our revenues that we generate from advertisements and offers could materially harm our business
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We have begun publishing, and intend to continue to publish games developed by third parties which will expose us to a number of potential
operational and legal risks.
We have recently formed Glu Publishing, which is focused on entering into relationships
with developers of games, primarily in Asian and Eastern European markets, where Glu will localize and globally publish those games. Our Glu Publishing business will expose us to a number of potential operational and legal risks. For example, we may
be required to provide third party developers with upfront license fees or non-recoupable minimum guarantees in order to obtain the rights to publish their games, and we may need to spend significant money marketing these games after they have been
commercially launched. If the games are not commercially successful because they do not appeal to a Western audience, because of our limited experience in publishing other developers games or for any other reason, it will negatively impact our
operating results. Further, in the third quarter of 2013, we were required to take an impairment charge of $435,000 related to certain minimum guarantee commitments. In addition, if any of the third party developers with which we work have created
their games by infringing another partys intellectual property or otherwise violating their rights, or if these games violate applicable laws and regulations, such as with respect to data collection and privacy, we would be exposed to
potential legal risks by publishing these games.
Our business and growth may suffer if we are unable to hire and retain key personnel.
Our future success will depend, to a significant extent, on our ability to retain and motivate our key personnel,
namely our management team, particularly Niccolo de Masi, our President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as experienced game development personnel. In addition, to grow our business, execute on our business strategy and replace departing
employees, we must identify, hire and retain qualified personnel, particularly additional monetization, live operations, server technology, user experience and product management personnel to support our continued transition to becoming a GaaS
company. Competition for qualified management, game development and other staff is intense. Attracting and retaining qualified personnel may be particularly difficult for us if our stock price remains relatively depressed, since individuals may
elect to seek employment with other companies that they believe have better long-term prospects. Competitors have in the past and may in the future attempt to recruit our employees, and our management and key employees are not bound by agreements
that could prevent them from terminating their employment at any time. As we continue to develop expertise in free-to-play mobile gaming, operating a GaaS company and monetization in particular, our competitors may increasingly seek to recruit our
employees, particularly from our development studios. In addition, we do not maintain a key-person life insurance policy on any of our officers. Our business and growth may suffer if we are unable to hire and retain key personnel.
10
We may need to raise additional capital or borrow funds to grow our business, and we may not be able
to raise capital or borrow funds on terms acceptable to us or at all.
As of March 31, 2014, we had $37.0
million of cash and cash equivalents. If our cash and cash equivalents and cash inflows are insufficient to meet our cash requirements or if we wish to strengthen our balance sheet, we will need to seek additional capital, potentially pursuant to
our recently filed universal shelf registration statement, and we may be unable to do so on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. Equity financings would dilute our existing stockholders, particularly given our current stock price, and the
holders of new securities may receive rights, preferences or privileges that are senior to those of existing stockholders. Alternatively, we may wish to enter into a credit facility or other debt arrangement, and we may be unable to procure one on
terms that are acceptable to us, particularly in light of the current credit market conditions. If we require new sources of financing but they are insufficient or unavailable, we would be required to modify our operating plans to align them with
available resources, which would harm our ability to grow our business.
Our reported financial results could be adversely affected
by changes in financial accounting standards or by the application of existing or future accounting standards to our business as it evolves.
Our reported financial results are impacted by the accounting policies promulgated by the SEC and accounting standards bodies and the methods, estimates and judgments that we use in applying our
accounting policies. Due to recent economic events, the frequency of accounting policy changes may accelerate, including conversion to unified international accounting standards. Policies affecting revenue recognition have affected, and could
further significantly affect, the way we account for revenue. For example, the accounting for revenue derived from smartphone platforms and
free-to-play
games,
particularly with regard to revenues generated from online digital storefronts, is still evolving and, in some cases, uncertain. In particular, we were required to file an amendment to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2012 and our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 to restate or revise the
financial statements contained in those reports (including for the year ended December 31, 2011) because we did not correctly apply the applicable revenue recognition accounting guidance relating to our smartphone revenues. While we believe
that we are now correctly accounting for our smartphone revenues, this is an area that continues to involve significant discussion among accounting professionals and which is not completely settled. It is possible that the relative application,
interpretation and weighting of the factors that relate to whether we should be considered the principal in the sales transaction of games sold through digital storefronts may evolve, and we may in the future conclude that our new accounting policy
for smartphone revenue, as reflected in the restated financial statements, is incorrect, which could result in another restatement of affected financial statements. In addition, we currently defer revenues related to virtual goods and currency over
the average playing period of paying users, which approximates the estimated weighted average useful life of the transaction. While we believe our estimates are reasonable based on available game player information, we may revise such estimates in
the future as our games operation periods change. Any adjustments arising from changes in the estimates of the lives of these virtual items would be applied prospectively on the basis that such changes are caused by new information indicating
a change in the game player behavior patterns of our paying users. Any changes in our estimates of useful lives of these virtual items may result in our revenues being recognized on a basis different from prior periods and may cause our
operating results to fluctuate. As we enhance, expand and diversify our business and product offerings, the application of existing or future financial accounting standards, particularly those relating to the way we account for our smartphone
revenues, could have a significant adverse effect on our reported results although not necessarily on our cash flows.
If we are unable
to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reporting may be adversely affected.
Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements. In connection with the restatement of our financial statements in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2012 and our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reassessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. Based on this reassessment using the guidelines established in
Internal
Control Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 1992, management had concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2012 because of a material weakness related to the application of revenue accounting guidance to our revenues for sales through digital storefronts. This control deficiency resulted in the misstatement of our revenues and cost of
revenues, including gross margin percentages, and the related balance sheet accounts and financial disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 (and the restatement of unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements
for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30 for such years). Although we have remediated this material weakness, if we are otherwise unable to maintain adequate internal controls for financial reporting, or if our
independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal controls as required pursuant to the
Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, it could result in another
material misstatement of our financial statements that would require a restatement, investor confidence in the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reports may be impacted or the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted.
11
Our acquisition activities may disrupt our ongoing business, may involve increased expenses and may
present risks not contemplated at the time of the transactions.
We have acquired, and may continue to acquire,
companies, products and technologies that complement our strategic direction, including our recently announced agreement to acquire PlayFirst, Inc. Acquisitions involve significant risks and uncertainties, including:
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diversion of management time and a shift of focus from operating the businesses to issues related to integration and administration;
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inability to successfully integrate the acquired technology and operations into our business and maintain uniform standards, controls, policies and
procedures;
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challenges retaining the key employees, customers and other business partners of the acquired business;
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inability to realize synergies expected to result from an acquisition;
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an impairment of acquired goodwill and other intangible assets in future periods would result in a charge to earnings in the period in which the
write-down occurs;
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the internal control environment of an acquired entity may not be consistent with our standards and may require significant time and resources to
improve;
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in the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic,
currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries; and
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liability for activities of the acquired companies before the acquisition, including violations of laws, rules and regulations, commercial disputes,
tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities.
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In addition, if we propose to issue equity
securities as consideration in an acquisition, as we did for our acquisitions of Griptonite, Inc., Blammo Games Inc. and GameSpy Industries, Inc., our current stockholders percentage ownership and earnings per share would be diluted. For
example, under our Blammo acquisition agreement, the former Blammo shareholders earned 742,036 shares of a possible 909,091 shares for the year ended March 31, 2013 and 434,865 of a possible 1,250,000 shares for the year ended March 31,
2014. The former Blammo shareholders may earn up to a total of 1,153,846 shares of our common stock if Blammo achieves certain net revenue targets during the years ending March 31, 2015. Because acquisitions are inherently risky, our
transactions may not be successful and may, in some cases, harm our operating results or financial condition.
Changes in foreign
exchange rates and limitations on the convertibility of foreign currencies could adversely affect our business and operating results.
We currently transact business in more than 90 countries in more than 28 different currencies, with Pounds Sterling, Euros and Chinese Renminbi being the primary international currencies in which we
transact business. Conducting business in currencies other than U.S. Dollars subjects us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could have a negative impact on our reported operating results. We experienced significant fluctuations in
currency exchange rates in 2013 and the first three months of 2014, and expect to experience continued significant fluctuations in the future. We incur expenses for employee compensation and other operating expenses at our non-U.S. locations in the
local currency, and an increasing percentage of our international revenue is from customers who pay us in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and those other currencies could result in
the dollar equivalent of these expenses being higher and/or the dollar equivalent of the foreign-denominated revenue being lower than would be the case if exchange rates were stable. This could negatively impact our operating results. To date, we
have not engaged in exchange rate hedging activities, and we do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
We face
additional risk if a currency is not freely or actively traded. Some currencies, such as the Chinese Renminbi in which our Chinese operations principally transact business, are subject to limitations on conversion into other currencies, which can
limit our ability to react to rapid foreign currency devaluations and to repatriate funds to the United States should we require additional working capital.
12
We face added business, political, regulatory, operational, financial and economic risks as a result
of our international operations and distribution, any of which could increase our costs and adversely affect our operating results.
International sales represented approximately 53.9% and 46.6% of our revenues in 2013 and 2012, respectively. To target international markets, we develop games that are customized for consumers in those
markets. We have international offices located in a number of foreign countries including Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea and Russia. We expect to maintain our international presence, and we expect international sales will continue to be an
important component of our revenues, particularly in APAC markets. Risks affecting our international operations include:
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our ability to develop games that appeal to the tastes and preferences of consumers in international markets;
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difficulties developing, staffing, and simultaneously managing a large number of varying foreign operations as a result of distance, language, and
cultural differences;
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multiple and conflicting laws and regulations, including complications due to unexpected changes in these laws and regulations;
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our ability to develop, customize and localize games that appeal to the tastes and preferences of consumers in international markets;
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competition from local game developers that have significant market share in certain foreign markets and a better understanding of local consumer
preferences;
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potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local laws prohibiting improper payments to government officials or representatives of
commercial partners;
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regulations that could potentially affect the content of our products and their distribution, particularly in China;
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foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating income earned in countries outside the United States, particularly China;
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potential adverse foreign tax consequences, since due to our international operations, we must pay income tax in numerous foreign jurisdictions with
complex and evolving tax laws;
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political, economic and social instability, including the current hostilities in the Ukraine that could potentially negatively impact us given that we
have a development studio in Moscow;
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restrictions on the export or import of technology;
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trade and tariff restrictions and variations in tariffs, quotas, taxes and other market barriers; and
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difficulties in enforcing intellectual property rights in certain countries.
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These risks could harm our international operations, which, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our business, operating
results and financial condition.
If we fail to deliver our games at the same time as new mobile devices are commercially introduced,
our revenues may suffer.
Our business depends, in part, on the commercial introduction of new mobile devices with
enhanced features, including larger, higher resolution color screens, improved audio quality, and greater processing power, memory, battery life and storage. For example, the introduction of new and more powerful versions of Apples iPhone and
iPad and devices based on Googles Android operating system, have helped drive the growth of the mobile games market. In addition, consumers generally purchase the majority of content, such as our games, for a new device within a few months of
purchasing it. We do not control the timing of these device launches. Some manufacturers give us access to their mobile devices prior to commercial release. If one or more major manufacturers were to stop providing us access to new device models
prior to commercial release, we might be unable to introduce games that are compatible with the new device when the device is first commercially released, and we might be unable to make compatible games for a substantial period following the device
release. If we do not adequately build into our title plan the demand for games for a particular mobile device or experience game launch delays, we miss the opportunity to sell games when new mobile devices are shipped or our end users upgrade to a
new mobile device, our revenues would likely decline and our business, operating results and financial condition would likely suffer.
13
Our business is subject to increasing governmental regulation. If we do not successfully respond to
these regulations, our business may suffer.
We are subject to a number of domestic and foreign laws and regulations
that affect our business. Not only are these laws constantly evolving, which could result in their being interpreted in ways that could harm our business, but legislation is also continually being introduced that may affect both the content of our
products and their distribution. In the United States, for example, numerous federal and state laws have been introduced which attempt to restrict the content or distribution of games. Legislation has been adopted in several states, and proposed at
the federal level, that prohibits the sale of certain games to minors. If such legislation is adopted, it could harm our business by limiting the games we are able to offer to our customers or by limiting the size of the potential market for our
games. We may also be required to modify certain games or alter our marketing strategies to comply with new and possibly inconsistent regulations, which could be costly or delay the release of our games. For example, the United Kingdoms Office
of Fair Trading issued new principles in January 2014 relating to in-app purchases in free-to-play games that are directed towards children 16 and under, which principles became effective in April 2014. The Federal Trade Commission has also
indicated that it intends to review issues related to in-app purchases, particularly with respect to games that are marketed primarily to minors; the Federal Trade Commission recently reached a settlement agreement with Apple on this subject. If the
Federal Trade Commission issues rules significantly restricting or even prohibiting in-app purchases, it would significantly impact our business strategy. In addition, two self-regulatory bodies in the United States (the Entertainment Software
Rating Board) and the European Union (Pan European Game Information) provide consumers with rating information on various products such as entertainment software similar to our products based on the content (for example, violence, sexually explicit
content, language). Furthermore, the Chinese government has adopted measures designed to eliminate violent or obscene content in games. In response to these measures, some Chinese telecommunications operators have suspended billing their customers
for certain mobile gaming platform services, including those services that do not contain offensive or unauthorized content, which could negatively impact our revenues in China. Any one or more of these factors could harm our business by limiting
the products we are able to offer to our customers, by limiting the size of the potential market for our products, or by requiring costly additional differentiation between products for different territories to address varying regulations.
Furthermore, the growth and development of free-to-play gaming and the sale of virtual goods may prompt calls for more
stringent consumer protection laws that may impose additional burdens on companies such as ours. We anticipate that scrutiny and regulation of our industry will increase and that we will be required to devote legal and other resources to addressing
such regulation. For example, existing laws or new laws regarding the regulation of currency and banking institutions may be interpreted to cover virtual currency or goods. If that were to occur we may be required to seek licenses, authorizations or
approvals from relevant regulators, the granting of which may depend on us meeting certain capital and other requirements and we may be subject to additional regulation and oversight, all of which could significantly increase our operating costs.
Changes in current laws or regulations or the imposition of new laws and regulations in the United States or elsewhere regarding these activities may dampen the growth of free-to-play gaming and impair our business.
We sometimes offer our players various types of sweepstakes, giveaways and promotional opportunities, and in October 2012, we entered
into a strategic relationship with Probability PLC to offer a suite of Glu-branded mobile slot games in the United Kingdom and Italy, two of which are currently offered in the United Kingdom. We might continue to explore opportunities with respect
to real money gambling. We are subject to laws in a number of jurisdictions concerning the operation and offering of such activities and games, many of which are still evolving and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. Any court
ruling or other governmental action that imposes liability on providers of online services could result in criminal or civil liability and could harm our business.
In addition, because our services are available worldwide, certain foreign jurisdictions and others may claim that we are required to comply with their laws, including in jurisdictions where we have no
local entity, employees or infrastructure.
14
The laws and regulations concerning data privacy and data security are continually evolving, and our
actual or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could harm our business.
We are subject to
federal, state and foreign laws regarding privacy and the protection of the information that we collect regarding our users, which laws are currently in a state of flux and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. The U.S. government,
including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, is continuing to review the need for greater regulation over collecting information concerning consumer behavior on the Internet and on mobile devices. For example, in December
2012, the Federal Trade Commission adopted amendments to the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy protections for children under age 13, which amendments became effective in July 2013. In addition, the European Union
has proposed reforms to its existing data protection legal framework. Various government and consumer agencies have also called for new regulation and changes in industry practices. For example, in February 2012, the California Attorney General
announced a deal with Amazon, Apple, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Research in Motion to strengthen privacy protection for users that download third-party apps to smartphones and tablet devices. Additionally, in January 2014, the Federal
Trade Commission announced a settlement with Apple related to in-app purchases made by minors. In response to developments in the interpretation and understanding of regulations such as these and guidance and inquiries from the California Attorney
General, we released updates to our
My Dragon
and
Deer Hunter Reloaded
games and made changes to our games in development to make our privacy policy readily accessible to players of these games as required by the California Online
Privacy Protection Act. If we do not follow existing laws and regulations, as well as the rules of the smartphone platform operators, with respect to privacy-related matters, or if consumers raise any concerns about our privacy practices, even if
unfounded, it could damage our reputation and operating results.
All of our games are subject to our privacy policy and our
terms of service located on our corporate website. If we fail to comply with our posted privacy policy, terms of service or privacy-related laws and regulations, including with respect to the information we collect from users of our games, it could
result in proceedings against us by governmental authorities or others, which could harm our business. In addition, interpreting and applying data protection laws to the mobile gaming industry is often unclear. These laws may be interpreted and
applied in conflicting ways from state to state, country to country, or region to region, and in a manner that is not consistent with our current data protection practices. Complying with these varying requirements could cause us to incur additional
costs and change our business practices. Further, if we fail to adequately protect our users privacy and data, it could result in a loss of player confidence in our services and ultimately in a loss of users, which could adversely affect our
business.
In the area of information security and data protection, many states have passed laws requiring notification to
users when there is a security breach for personal data, such as the 2002 amendment to Californias Information Practices Act, or requiring the adoption of minimum information security standards that are often vaguely defined and difficult to
implement. Costs to comply with these laws may increase as a result of changes in interpretation. Furthermore, any failure on our part to comply with these laws may subject us to significant liabilities. The security measures we have in place to
protect our data and the personal information of our employees, customers and partners could be breached due to cyber-attacks initiated by third party hackers, employee error or malfeasance, or otherwise. Because the techniques used to obtain
unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any
breach or unauthorized access could materially interfere with our operations or our ability to offer our services or result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in the security of our data,
which could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.
If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property
rights, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and improperly use our intellectual property and our business and operating results may be harmed.
Our intellectual property is essential to our business. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws and contractual restrictions on
disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. To date, we have filed only two patent applications, so we will not be able to protect the vast majority of our technologies from independent invention by third parties. Despite our efforts to
protect our intellectual property rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise to obtain and use our technology and games, and some parties have distributed jail broken versions of our games where all of the content has
been unlocked and made available for free. Further, some of our competitors have released games that are nearly identical to successful games released by their competitors in an effort to confuse the market and divert users from the
competitors game to the copycat game. To the extent that these tactics are employed with respect to any of our games, it could reduce our revenues that we generate from these games. Monitoring unauthorized use of our games is difficult and
costly, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent piracy and other unauthorized distribution and use of our technology and games, particularly in certain international jurisdictions, such as China, where the laws may not
protect our intellectual property rights as fully as in the United States. In the future, we may have to litigate to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and divert our managements attention and our
resources.
15
In addition, although we require our third-party developers to sign agreements not to
disclose or improperly use our trade secrets and acknowledging that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship, developments and other processes generated by them on our behalf are our property and to assign to us any ownership they may have
in those works, it may still be possible for third parties to obtain and improperly use our intellectual properties without our consent. This could harm our brand, business, operating results and financial condition.
We may become involved in intellectual property disputes, which may disrupt our business and require us to pay significant damage awards.
Third parties may sue us for intellectual property infringement, or initiate proceedings to invalidate our
intellectual property, which, if successful, could disrupt our business, cause us to pay significant damage awards or require us to pay licensing fees. For example, on April 16, 2013, Lodsys Group, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
(Lodsys), filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that we were infringing two of Lodsys patents, and seeking unspecified damages, including treble damages for willful infringement,
interest, attorneys fees and such other costs as the Court may deem just and proper; we settled this matter in December 2013. If there is a successful claim against us in the future, we might be enjoined from using our intellectual property or
licensed intellectual property that we use in our business, we might incur significant licensing fees and we might be forced to develop alternative technologies. If we fail or are unable to develop non-infringing technology or games or to license
the infringed or similar technology or games on a timely basis, we may be forced to withdraw games from the market or prevented from introducing new games. We might also incur substantial expenses in defending against third-party claims, regardless
of their merit.
In addition, we use open source software in some of our games and expect to continue to use open source
software in the future. We may face claims from companies that incorporate open source software into their products, claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the source code, the open source software and/or derivative works that were
developed using such software, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could also result in litigation, require us to purchase a costly license or require us to devote additional research and
development resources to change our games, any of which would have a negative effect on our business and operating results.
We may
become a party to litigation and regulatory inquiries, which could result in an unfavorable outcome and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.
We may become subject to various legal proceedings, claims and regulatory inquiries that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our
business and are not yet resolved and additional claims and inquiries may arise in the future. In addition, events may give occur that give rise to a potential risk of litigation. The number and significance of regulatory inquiries have increased as
our business has evolved. Any proceedings, claims or inquiries initiated by or against us, whether successful or not, may be time consuming; result in costly litigation, damage awards, consent decrees, injunctive relief or increased costs of
business, require us to change our business practices or products, require significant amounts of management time, result in diversion of significant operations resources or otherwise harm of business and future financial results.
Unanticipated changes in our income tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities may affect our future financial results.
Our future effective income tax rates may be favorably or unfavorably affected by unanticipated changes in the
valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws or their interpretation. Determining our worldwide provision for income taxes requires significant judgments. The estimation process and applicable laws are inherently
uncertain, and our estimates are not binding on tax authorities. Our effective tax rate could also be adversely affected by a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Recent and contemplated changes to U.S. tax laws, including
limitations on a taxpayers ability to claim and utilize foreign tax credits and defer certain tax deductions until earnings outside of the U.S. are repatriated to the U.S., could impact the tax treatment of our foreign earnings. Further, the
taxing authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate may challenge our methodologies for valuing developed technology or intercompany arrangements, including our transfer pricing, or determine that the manner in which we operate our business
is not consistent with the manner in which we report our income to the jurisdictions, which could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position and results of operations. In addition, we are subject to the continuous
examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine if our provision for income taxes is adequate.
These continuous examinations may result in unforeseen tax-related liabilities, which may harm our future financial results.
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We must charge, collect and/or pay taxes other than income taxes, such as payroll,
value-added, sales and use, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdiction. If tax authorities assert that we have taxable nexus in a jurisdiction, they may seek to impose past as well as future tax
liability and/or penalties. Any such impositions could also cause significant administrative burdens and decrease our future sales. Moreover, state and federal legislatures have been considering various initiatives that could change our tax position
regarding sales and use taxes.
Finally, as we change our international operations, adopt new products and new distribution
models, implement changes to our operating structure or undertake intercompany transactions in light of changing tax laws, our tax expense could increase.
Our facilities are located near known earthquake fault zones, and the occurrence of an earthquake or other natural disaster could damage our facilities and equipment, which could require us to
curtail or cease operations.
Our principal offices are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, an area known for
earthquakes. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of disasters, including power loss, fires, explosions, floods, communications failures, terrorist attacks and similar events. If any natural or other disaster were to occur, our ability
to operate our business could be impaired.
17
Risks Relating To Our Common Stock
Our stock price has fluctuated and declined significantly since our initial public offering in March 2007, and may continue to fluctuate, may not rise and may decline further.
The trading price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past and is expected to continue to fluctuate in the
future, as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, such as changes in the operating performance and stock market valuations of other technology companies generally, or those in our industry in particular, such as
Electronic Arts, King Digital Entertainment and Zynga.
In addition, The NASDAQ Global Market on which our common stock is
listed has recently and in the past experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of many companies, some of which appear to be unrelated or disproportionate to their operating performance. These broad market
fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a particular companys securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against
that company. Securities class action litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our managements attention and resources.
We have a large number of authorized but unissued shares of stock, which could negatively impact a potential investor if they purchased our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides for 250,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, approximately
171,500,000 of which were available for future issuance as of December 31, 2013, and 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, all of which are available for future issuance. The issuance of additional shares
of common stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and relative voting power. We could use the shares of common stock that are available for future issuance in dilutive equity financing transactions, or to oppose a hostile takeover
attempt or delay or prevent changes in control or changes in or removal of management, including transactions that are favored by a majority of the stockholders or in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over
then-current market prices or benefit in some other manner.
Our board of directors will be authorized, without further
stockholder approval, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such rights, preferences and privileges as our board may determine. These rights, preferences and privileges may include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights
and liquidation rights that may be greater than the rights of our common stock. As a result, the rights of holders of our common stock will be subject to, and could be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may be
issued in the future.
If securities or industry analysts publish research or reports about our business, or if they change their
recommendations regarding our stock, the price of our stock and trading volume could decline.
Currently, the trading
market for our common stock is not widely covered by research reports and opinions that securities or industry analysts publish. However, if more analysts begin to cover us, the trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research
reports and opinions that are published about our business. Investors have numerous investment opportunities and may limit their investments to publicly traded companies that receive thorough research coverage. If more analysts begin to cover us and
fail to publish reports in a regular manner, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause a significant and prolonged decline in our stock price due to lack of investor awareness. Furthermore, if one or more analysts
downgrade our stock or comment negatively about our prospects or the prospects of other companies operating in our industry, our stock price could decline significantly.
Management might apply the net proceeds from an offering of our securities to uses that do not improve our operating results or increase the value of your investment.
Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds from offerings made pursuant to this prospectus,
and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess how the proceeds will be used. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our operating results or market value and you will not have
the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial, or other information on which we base our decisions on how to use the proceeds. Pending application of the proceeds, they might be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose
value.
18
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could affect our stock price.
The shares held by our existing stockholders may be sold in the public market at any time and from time to time subject, in certain
cases, to volume limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. If our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock could decline. In addition, shares subject to
outstanding warrants, options and restricted stock units and shares reserved for future issuance under our equity and purchase plans will continue to become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the securities rules and
regulations applicable to these shares.
We do not expect to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future. Our stockholders may never
obtain a return on their investment.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock, and we do not
expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Instead, we anticipate that all of our earnings, if any, in the foreseeable future will be used to finance the operation and growth of our business. Any future determination
to pay dividends on our common stock is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including, without limitation, our results of operations and financial condition.
Some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter third parties from seeking to acquire us.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make the acquisition of our company more difficult without the
approval of our board of directors, including the following:
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our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors with staggered three-year terms;
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only our chairman of the board, our lead independent director, our chief executive officer, our president or a majority of our board of directors is
authorized to call a special meeting of stockholders;
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our stockholders are able to take action only at a meeting of stockholders and not by written consent;
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only our board of directors and not our stockholders is able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
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our certificate of incorporation authorizes undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and shares of which may be issued
without stockholder approval; and
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advance notice procedures apply for stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring matters before a meeting of stockholders.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities under this
prospectus for general corporate purposes including, without limitation, additions to our working capital, capital expenditures and potential acquisitions of, or investments in, companies and technologies that complement our business. Pending such
uses, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The financial information provided in the table below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges. As our earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for each of the periods presented except
for the three months ended March 31, 2014, we have provided the deficiency amounts for the periods in which we reported a loss. For purposes of calculating this deficiency, earnings consist of income/(loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs, and the portion of rental expense which we believe is representative of the interest component of rental expense. Interest expenses accrued on
uncertain tax positions have been excluded from the calculation of earnings consistent with our accounting policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
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Year Ended December 31,
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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2013
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2012
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2014
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2013
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Pre-tax income/(loss)
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$
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(22,752
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)
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$
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(22,453
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)
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$
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(20,487
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)
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$
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(12,714
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)
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$
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(16,034
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)
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$
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577
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$
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(5,362
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Fixed charges
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338
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281
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297
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867
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1,557
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90
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68
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Earnings
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$
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(22,414
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)
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$
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(22,172
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)
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$
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(20,190
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)
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$
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(11,847
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)
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$
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(14,477
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)
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$
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667
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$
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(5,294
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Fixed charges
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$
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338
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$
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281
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$
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297
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$
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867
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$
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1,557
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$
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90
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$
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68
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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(1)
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(1)
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(1)
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(1)
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(1)
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7.40
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(1)
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(1)
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Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $5,362 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, $22,752 in 2013, $22,453 in 2012, $20,487 in 2011, $12,714 in 2010
and $16,034 in 2009.
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20
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consisted of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per
share, and 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. The following description summarizes the most important terms of the securities we may offer. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the
information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws and to the
applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Types of Securities We May Offer
Common Stock
As of April 15, 2014, we had 81,308,069 shares of common stock outstanding.
Dividend Rights.
Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of our preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive
dividends out of funds legally available at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine.
Voting
Rights.
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation eliminates the right of stockholders to cumulate
votes for the election of directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation establishes a classified board of directors, divided into three classes with staggered
three-year
terms. Only one class of
directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective
three-year
terms.
No Preemptive or Similar Rights.
Our common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and is not subject to conversion,
redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions.
Upon our liquidation,
dissolution or
winding-up,
the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders will be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding
debt and liabilities and the preferential rights and payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Limitations on Common Stock Rights Created by the Rights of Another Authorized Class of Securities
. As further described below, our board of directors is authorized, subject to the limits
imposed by Delaware law, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Although no shares of preferred stock are outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, our board may authorize the issuance of such preferred stock with voting or
conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock.
Our common
stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol GLUU. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Co.
Preferred Stock
As of the date of this prospectus, no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding. Subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, our board of directors is authorized to issue preferred stock in
one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions, in
each case without further action by our stockholders. Our board of directors can also increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of our preferred stock, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, unless approved
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our capital stock entitled to vote, or such other vote as may be required by the certificate of designation establishing the series. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of
preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions
and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control of Glu and might adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the
holders of our common stock. We have no current plan to issue any shares of our preferred stock.
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Our board of directors will fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series that we sell under this prospectus, applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectus in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will
incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of the related
series of preferred stock. This description of the preferred stock in the certificate of designation, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will include:
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the number of shares in any series;
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the designation for any series by number, letter or title that shall distinguish the series from any other series of preferred stock;
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the dividend rate and whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;
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the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any;
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the conversion provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock, if any;
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the redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock, if any;
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the liquidation preference per share of that series of preferred stock, if any;
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the rank of that series of preferred stock relative to other series of preferred stock; and
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the terms of any other preferences or rights, if any, applicable to that series of preferred stock.
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The description of preferred stock set forth above and in any description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the
related prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus will not be complete. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designation for such series of preferred stock for complete information with respect to such preferred
stock. The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to that series of preferred stock.
Debt Securities
The following description summarizes some general
terms that will apply to the debt securities. The description is not complete, and we refer you to the forms of indentures that we filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities or our subordinated debt securities. We will issue the debt securities under
one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. A copy of the
form of each type of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures may be supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures. We refer to the senior indenture and the
subordinated indenture, together with any supplemental indentures, as the indentures throughout the remainder of this prospectus.
The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The indentures provide that debt securities may be issued up to the principal amount that we authorize from time to time. The
senior debt securities will be secured or unsecured and will have the same rank as all of our other indebtedness that is not subordinated. The subordinated debt securities will be secured or unsecured and will be subordinated and junior to all
senior indebtedness. The terms of the indentures do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us, but
those provisions may be included in the documents that include the specific terms of the debt securities.
22
We may issue the debt securities in one or more separate series of senior debt securities
and subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:
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the title of the debt securities;
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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
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if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies, including the euro and other composite currencies, in which payments on the debt
securities will be payable and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different currency;
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the date or dates when payments on the principal must be made or the method of determining that date or dates;
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interest rates, and the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, and the dates when interest is payable and the
maturity;
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the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;
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the places where payments may be made and the manner of payments;
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any mandatory or optional redemption provisions;
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any subordination provisions;
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the denominations in which debt securities will be issued;
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the terms applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount from their stated principal amount;
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the currency or currencies of payment of principal or interest; and the period, if any, during which a holder may elect to pay in a currency other than
the currency in which the debt securities are denominated;
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if the amount of payments of principal or interest is to be determined by reference to an index or formula, or based on a coin or currency other than
that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which these amounts are determined and the calculation agent, if any;
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whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;
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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of one or more global securities in temporary or definitive form;
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whether and on what terms we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt securities that are not United States persons in respect of any tax,
assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts;
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the certificates or forms required for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form;
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the trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars of the debt securities;
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any deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or covenants;
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conversion or exchange provisions, if any, including conversion or exchange prices or rates and adjustments to those prices and rates;
and
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any other specific terms of the debt securities.
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23
If any debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit or if any payments
on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to the debt securities and the
foreign currency or currency unit.
Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities.
Original issue discount securities may bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates and will be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount and may bear no or below market interest. The applicable prospectus supplement will
also contain any special tax, accounting or other information relating to original issue discount securities other kinds of debt securities that may be offered, including debt securities linked to an index or payable in currencies other than United
States dollars.
Senior Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on senior debt securities will rank on a parity with all of our other indebtedness that is not subordinated.
Subordinated Debt Securities
Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated debt, including
senior debt securities. We will state in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any subordinated debt securities the subordination terms of the securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent
practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the subordinated debt securities. We will also state in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt. In addition, the subordinated debt securities will
be effectively subordinated to creditors and preferred stockholders of our subsidiaries.
Registrar and Paying Agent
The debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange at the corporate trust office of the
security registrar or at any other office or agency that we maintain for those purposes. In addition, the debt securities may be presented for payment of principal, interest and any premium at the office of the paying agent or at any office or
agency that we maintain for those purposes. The trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement will be designated security registrar and paying agent for the debt securities.
Global Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or
in part in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with a depositary we will identify in a prospectus supplement. We may issue global debt securities in either temporary or definitive form. We will describe the specific
terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.
Conversion
or Exchange Rights
Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock. The terms and
conditions of conversion or exchange will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:
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the conversion or exchange price;
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the conversion or exchange period;
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provisions regarding the convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities, including who may convert or exchange;
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events requiring adjustment to the conversion or exchange price;
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provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of our redemption of the debt securities; and
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any anti-dilution provisions, if applicable.
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24
Registered Global Securities
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may
not be transferred except as a whole:
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by the depositary for that registered global security to its nominee;
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by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or
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by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
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The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement involving any portion of
the series represented by a registered global security.
We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements
for debt securities:
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ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for that registered
global security, these persons being referred to as participants, or persons that may hold interests through participants;
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upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the participants accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;
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any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited;
and
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ownership of beneficial interest in that registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only
through, records maintained by the depositary for that registered global security for interests of participants and on the records of participants for interests of persons holding through participants.
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The laws of some states may require that specified purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form.
These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.
So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that registered global security, the depositary or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or
holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as stated below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:
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will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form; and
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will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture.
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25
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must
rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the
indenture.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a
beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the
relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding
through them.
We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by
a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of us, the trustee or any other of our agents or agents of the
trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
the beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global
security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name. We also expect that any of these payments
will be the responsibility of the participants.
If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global
security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or stops being a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within
90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by
one or more registered global securities. In that event, we will issue debt securities of the series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt
securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in the name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, will instruct the trustee.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Under the terms of the indentures, we may consolidate or merge with another company, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all our assets to another company, if:
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Glu is the continuing entity; or
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(i) Glu is not the continuing entity, (ii) the successor entity is organized under the laws of the United States of America and expressly assumes
all payments on all of the debt securities and the performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of the applicable indenture, and (iii) the merger, sale of assets or other transaction must not cause a default on the debt
securities and we must not already be in default.
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Events of Default
Unless otherwise provided for in the prospectus supplement, the term event of default, when used in the indentures means any
of the following:
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failure to pay interest for 30 days after the date payment is due and payable; however, if we extend an interest payment period under the terms of
the debt securities, the extension will not be a failure to pay interest;
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26
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failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or
otherwise;
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failure to perform other covenants for 60 days after notice that performance was required;
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certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company; or
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any other event of default provided in the applicable resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue a series
of debt securities.
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An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily
constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. If an event of default relating to the payment of interest, principal or any sinking fund installment involving any series of debt securities has
occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately.
If an event of default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of
60 days after notice of that event of default, or if any other event of default occurs and is continuing involving all of the series of senior debt securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount
of all of the series of senior debt securities may declare the entire principal amount of all of the series of senior debt securities due and payable immediately.
Similarly, if an event of default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of 60 days after notice, or if any other event of default occurs and is
continuing involving all of the series of subordinated debt securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of subordinated debt securities may declare the entire principal amount
of all of the series of subordinated debt securities due and payable immediately.
If, however, the event of default relating
to the performance of other covenants or any other event of default that has occurred and is continuing is for less than all of the series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, then, the trustee or the holders of not less than
25% in aggregate principal amount of each affected series of the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities, as the case may be, may declare the entire principal amount of all debt securities of that affected series due and payable
immediately. The holders of not less than a majority, or any applicable supermajority, in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and
consequences involving the series.
If an event of default relating to events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the debt securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.
Each indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except for actions for payment
of overdue principal or interest, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under each indenture unless:
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the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of default and continuance of that default;
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the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series have requested that the trustee institute the
action;
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the requesting holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity for expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by bringing the
action;
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the trustee has not instituted the action within 60 days of the request; and
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the trustee has not received inconsistent direction by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series.
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We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by an officer of our company,
stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of an indenture.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We can discharge or defease
our obligations under the indentures as stated below or as provided in the prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may discharge obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms
to become due and payable, or are scheduled for redemption, within one year. We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or United States government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to
pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any
series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as defeasance. We may also be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indentures, and we may omit
to comply with those covenants without creating an event of default under the trust declaration, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. We may effect defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:
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we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or United States government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be enough to pay at
maturity, or upon redemption, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series;
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we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel from a nationally recognized law firm to the effect that (i) in the case of covenant defeasance,
the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance, and will be subject to tax in the same manner and at the same times as if no covenant
defeasance had occurred and (ii) in the case of defeasance, either we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or there has been a change in applicable United States federal income tax law, and
based on that ruling or change, the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to tax in the same manner as if no
defeasance had occurred; and
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in the case of subordinated debt securities, no event or condition will exist that, based on the subordination provisions applicable to the series,
would prevent us from making payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the applicable subordinated debt securities at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above or at any time during the period ending on the
91st day after the deposit date.
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Although we may discharge or decrease our obligations under the indentures as
described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities
or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.
Modification of the Indenture
Except as provided in the prospectus supplement, each indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into
supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:
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secure any debt securities;
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evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the terms of such indenture;
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add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities;
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cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the indenture;
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establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series; and
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evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee.
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Each indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of debt securities of all series of senior debt securities or of subordinated debt securities then outstanding and affected, voting as one class, add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the
provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected:
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change the stated maturity of any debt security;
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reduce the principal amount or premium, if any;
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reduce the rate or change the time of payment of interest;
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reduce any amount payable on redemption;
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change the currency in which the principal, unless otherwise provided for a series, premium, if any, or interest is
payable;
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reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security issued with an original issue discount that is payable upon acceleration or provable in
bankruptcy;
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due; or
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reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities of any series whose consent is required for any modification or waiver of the indenture for any
such series.
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Concerning the Trustee
Each indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each for one or more series of debt securities. If
there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indentures separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise
indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by that trustee only on the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee
under the indentures may resign or be removed from one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery of, the debt securities
of a series may be effected by the trustee for that series at an office or agency designated by the trustee of that series.
If the trustee becomes a creditor of our company, each indenture places limitations on the right of the trustee to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim
as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties concerning the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee concerning the applicable series of debt securities, so long as the direction:
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would not conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable indenture;
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would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of the debt securities; and
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would not involve any trustee in personal liability.
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Each indenture provides that if an event of default occurs, is not cured and is known to any trustee, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would use in the conduct of his or
her own affairs in the exercise of the trusts power. The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they have offered to
the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.
No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders,
Officers or Directors
Each indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or
director of our company or any successor corporation in those capacities will have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or such indenture.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Warrants
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock,
preferred stock or debt securities, or a combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any offered securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a
separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the purchasers of the warrants or between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant
agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
For the complete terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement, any related free writing
prospectus and the warrant agreement for that particular series of warrants. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt
securities will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the offering price for the warrants, if any;
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the aggregate number of the warrants;
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the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;
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if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;
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the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for
the warrants, and any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price;
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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire;
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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
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the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
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if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;
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the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
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the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;
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in the case of warrants for debt securities:
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the number of, and any date on and after which, debt warrants and debt securities that will be separately transferable;
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the title, total principal amount, ranking and terms, including subordination and conversion provisions, of the underlying debt securities that may be
purchased upon exercise of the debt warrants;
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the time or period when the debt warrants are exercisable, the minimum or maximum amount of debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time and the
final date on which the debt warrants may be exercised;
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the principal amount of underlying debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price, or the manner of determining
the price, at which the principal amount may be purchased upon exercise;
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whether the debt securities are secured or unsecured; and
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any
book-entry
procedure information;
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any provisions with respect to holders right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control; and
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any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise and settlement of the warrants.
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Holders of warrants will not be entitled to:
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vote, consent or receive dividends;
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receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or
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exercise any rights as stockholders of Glu.
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As set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities purchasable
upon exercise of the warrant will be subject to adjustment in certain events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to any holders of common stock, a stock split, reverse stock split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of common
stock, and such other events, if any, specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus.
Subscription Rights
We may issue subscription rights to purchase
our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. These subscription rights may be offered independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights
in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase
any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights
we offer, if any, will, to the extent applicable, include specific terms relating to the offering, including some or all of the following:
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the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
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the exercise price payable for our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;
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the number of subscription rights to be issued to each stockholder;
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the number and terms of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities which may be purchased per each subscription right;
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the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
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any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription
rights;
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the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;
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the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an
over-allotment
privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement which may be entered into by Glu in connection with the offering
of subscription rights.
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The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights
we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. We urge you to read the applicable
subscription rights certificate and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.
Units
We may issue units to purchase one or more of the securities referenced herein. The terms of such units will be set forth in a prospectus
supplement and any related free writing prospectus. The form of units and the applicable unit agreement will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an
exhibit to a Current Report on
Form 8-K.
For the complete terms of the units, you should refer to the prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the form of units and the applicable
unit agreement. We encourage you to read the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus and the form of units and the applicable unit agreement before you purchase any of our units.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
Provisions of Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws could make the acquisition of Glu and the removal of incumbent directors more difficult. These provisions are
expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to negotiate with us first.
Delaware Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from
engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that the person became an interested stockholder, subject to exceptions, unless the business combination or the
transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved by our board of directors in a prescribed manner. Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a
financial benefit to the stockholder. Generally, an interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of the corporations voting stock. These
provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the stockholders.
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Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw Provisions
Our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws include a number of provisions that may have the
effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of Glu, including the following:
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Board of Directors Vacancies.
Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws authorize only our board of directors to fill vacant
directorships. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors may be set only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board of directors. These provisions prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our
board of directors and gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees.
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Classified Board.
Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws provide that our board of directors is classified into three
classes of directors. The existence of a classified board of directors could delay a successful tender offeror from obtaining majority control of our board of directors, and the prospect of such delay may deter a potential offeror.
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Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders.
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders may not take
action by written consent, but may take action only at annual or special meetings of our stockholders. Stockholders will not be permitted to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. Our restated bylaws further provide that special
meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, our president, a majority of our board of directors or our lead independent director, if any.
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Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.
Our restated bylaws provide advance notice procedures for
stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our restated bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and
content of a stockholders notice. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
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Issuance of Undesignated Preferred Stock.
As described above, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the
stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, including voting rights, designated from time to time by the board of directors. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred
stock enables our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise.
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