Japanese mobile game developer Aiming Inc. reported a narrower annual loss for 2023 as its key titles maintained steady user engagement despite an increasingly competitive market.
The Tokyo-based company posted a net loss of ¥341 million ($2.3 million) for the year ended December, improving from a ¥2.23 billion loss in 2022. Revenue declined 6.1% to ¥17.09 billion. While sales and operating results missed estimates, bottom-line figures exceeded forecasts.
Aiming’s partnership with Square Enix on “Dragon Quest Tact” contributed to earnings through seasonal events and new character releases. The company’s “The Eminence in Shadow: Master of Garden” title marked its second anniversary, boosting revenue through commemorative campaigns.
Looking ahead, Aiming expects to return to profitability in the first quarter of 2024, projecting net income of ¥110 million on sales of ¥5.13 billion. The forecast represents an 11.3% revenue increase from the year-earlier period.
The developer released two new games in the second half of 2023 – “2.5D Seduction (Lisa) Angels Stage” globally in September and “Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue Saga” in October. It plans to launch “WIND BREAKER” in March 2024.
To compete in the challenging mobile gaming market, Aiming said it’s focusing on securing popular intellectual property rights and establishing strategic partnerships. The company’s older titles, including “Log Horizon: Ancient Goddess,” saw declining key performance indicators despite maintaining user bases through anniversary events.
