Creepy Jar S.A. in 2023 generated PLN 37.5 million in sales revenue and PLN 18.3 million in net profit – according to preliminary financial data. The studio is focused on the new production StarRupture and further development of its flagship title, Green Hell. The Company’s Management Board also announced its intention to pay a dividend for 2023 at the level of approximately 50% of net profit.
Green Hell’s gross sales by volume in 2023 for PC/Steam, PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store platforms (versions of the game for which the Company owns publishing rights) amounted to 1.09 million copies, of which 248,000 were on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Cumulatively from the beginning of 2024 to 15 February 2024, Green Hell’s total gross sales on all the aforementioned platforms amounted to 145,000 copies, including 30,000 copies for PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
The 32% year-on-year decline in sales revenue is due to declining sales of the Green Hell game on key platforms. This is due to the natural aging cycle of the product, which was released in early access in 2018. The game is now available on all major platforms: PC/Steam, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch consoles, and Green Hell VR on virtual reality platforms (including Oculus Quest 2, Oculus Rift, Steam, PlayStation VR2).
The indicated decline in sales revenues, rising production costs and the expansion of the team resulted in a reduction in the profitability of the Company's net profit to the level of 49%. In addition, in Q4 2023, the company recognized for the first time a non-cash expense for the 2023-2025 Incentive Program of more than PLN 4.5 million, which was a one-time charge for the entire year of 2023.
Since its release, Green Hell has been regularly supported with free updates containing improvements and new content that expand the game’s gameplay content and provide players with more hours of entertainment. The Building Update for PC premiered in January 2023, significantly expanding the ability to construct and build a base with, among other things, the ability to cut larger trees and remove obstacles such as logs and trunks. In August 2023, the PC/Steam version of the Storage and Transportation expansion pack debuted, which introduced new ways to transport goods by hoist and sturdy sleds, among others, and provided new storage options for collected resources. In early December 2023, the PC/Steam version released the "Fortifications"
update, which introduced new structures to ensure the security of the base: fences, palisades, gates and observation platforms. In turn, in January 2024, the studio released the Flamekeeper expansion pack, which focuses on enemy combat.
Console players received the Animal Husbandry expansion pack in April 2023 and the Building Update for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles last November. Currently, the studio is working on preparing Green Hell for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X consoles and continuing to support and develop the game on these platforms. All owners of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Green Hell will receive a free upgrade with the game’s release later this year. The version for current-generation consoles will include all previous updates, including Flamekeeper.
The studio continues work on another original production called StarRupture, which is being developed on Unreal Engine 5. It will be an advanced base development simulator with survivalist elements, set in a science fiction setting. The new title consists of several base mechanics: base building, exploration, a combat system and resource management on an alien planet plagued by disasters. The game will be available in singleplayer mode or in co-op mode for up to four players.
The Company’s Management Board also announced its intention to pay a dividend for 2023 at the level of approximately 50% of net profit.