Latest news with #onlinegames
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
The shocking games your KIDS are playing - as an urgent warning is issued to every parent
Australian parents are being warned that children have access to hundreds of online games that simulate and encourage horrifying scenarios including rape, incest and child sex abuse. When searching the word 'rape' on popular gaming platform Steam, at least 232 results matched the search, campaign group Collective Shout revealed. On the same day, a search for 'incest' turned up 149 results. The game titles are the stuff of parents' nightmares, from 'Incest DEMO' and 'Incest Twins', to virtual reality 'Reincarnation in another world going to rape'. The latter allowed players to explore a virtual 'town' raping all the women who are non–player characters (NPCs) – avatars who are not controlled by a player. Another game allowed players to 'set up' hidden surveillance at a female neighbour's home to secretly record her sexual acts. Graphic imagery, which has been seen by Daily Mail but is too disturbing to publish, included violent sexual torture of women and children, including incest-related abuse. Kelly Humphries, who lives in central Queensland, is a survivor of familial child sexual abuse and has shared her horror at the games. 'There's not a lot that surprises me anymore but this was shocking,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I look at that research and I'm just so ashamed, angry and frustrated because I don't understand why this behaviour is acceptable for big companies.' Ms Humphries has worked in law enforcement and is an activist raising awareness about abuse, including as an ambassador for Collective Shout. 'To see this violence depicted in such a horrific, brazen and humiliating way pushes survivors back into themselves,' she said. 'It completely undermines their experiences by gamifying and almost making fun of their true experience.' Ms Humphries said the games will take a psychological toll on players, particularly on young people who interact online more often than older generations. '(The games) are normalising this behaviour,' she said. '(Young people) are either going to act out that behaviour or they're going to be a victim and suffer silently.' This was echoed by University of New South Wales' Professor Michael Salter, who said the games are 'part of subcultures online that normalise sexual abuse'. Professor Salter, who is also director of the East Asia and Pacific branch of Childlight, said the content will reinforce the acceptability of violence for children or people with problematic behaviour if they play the games. He said that, while the games breach national laws, platforms like Steam and operate internationally and as such, do not follow Australian standards. Both Ms Humphries and Professor Salter signed an open letter to companies including PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, and Paysafe Limited, to request they cease processing payments for gaming platforms which host rape, incest and child sexual abuse–themed games. Professor Salter said there are no rules in international law to manage the issue so 'payment services effectively become a de facto regulator'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Valve Corporation, which operates Steam, and the platform which is also named in the open letter, regarding the claims. Valve is understood to have changed its rules earlier this week, adding a clause prohibiting content that broke rules set out by payment processors including 'adult content'. There were initially 14 clauses which banned content including hate speech, malware, sexual content of real people or exploitation of children, Automaton Media reported. But a new 15th clause has outlawed 'content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam's payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult-only content.' The database Steam DB also noted on Tuesday a 'large number of games have been removed from the platform in the past 16 hours'. 'Judging from the list, it appears "sex simulator" type games with keywords such as "incest" and "slavery" make up the majority,' it said. Daily Mail Australia has also contacted the payment services named in the open letter for comment. Spokespeople for PayPal and Mastercard both emphasised their companies have a 'zero tolerance' policy for illegal activity on their networks. Mastercard and the provider Paysafe have said they are investigating concerns that have been raised. Visa reponded with directions to a page on its website about protecting those who use its network. Professor Salter has also raised concerns about discoveries by his team which noticed people breaching others' boundaries on new technology platforms. 'Gaming services often forge ahead with designs without building in safety,' he said. '(On virtual reality platforms), we see kids adopt avatars that are highly sexualised adult avatars and then interact with actual adults.' He said the issue comes down to regulation and the need for clear, enforceable content rules to protect children, adding that parents can take action at home too. 'It's important to have discussions with kids about the gaming services they are on and the content they are seeing,' he said. 'It's not as easy as monitoring games so parents should set clear rules about types of games they are permitted to play and the types they are not allowed to play.' Another suggestion was that parents explain to children that their behaviour online matters and speaks to their character. 'There is a pervasive view that online behaviour is not real, that it is not serious,' he said. 'So it licenses a range of behaviours that are antisocial and transgressive.'
Digital Trends
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
The Stop Killing Games movement hits a major milestone for game preservation
The consumer initiative Stop Killing Games has gotten one step closer towards its goal of preventing game publishers from effectively deleting online games after discontinuing their service. The European Citizens' Initiative just passed the required 1 million signatures needed to appear before the European Commission, where it could then lead to legislation being put in place. For those unaware, the Stop Killing Games movement was started by content creator Ross Scott after Ubisoft's The Crew was taken offline in 2024. Without any official servers, this always-online game that people purchased was rendered useless. This prompted Scott to begin a campaign that seeks to require publishers to transition their games into a playable state after ending support. Ways this could be done include adding an offline mode and giving players the ability to host private servers. The main goal of this initiative is to remove the ability for publishers to remotely disable games, thus making preservation impossible. The initiative also calls out the misleading nature of purchasing a good when, in reality, it is just a license with a hidden expiration date. Recommended Videos The petition, which just crossed the minimum 1 million signature threshold, will now be presented to the European Commission with the hopes of bringing enough attention to the matter to put new laws into place that will require publishers to offer some way to continue playing their games after ending official support. This comes just days before the July 31 deadline, but that still doesn't guarantee it will be effective. For one, the petition will be vetted to ensure there are no invalid signatures so more signatures are still being collected to hopefully account for that. Second, appearing before the European Commission doesn't necessarily mean any legislative action will be taken. Sadly, this movement is only possible in the EU right now, so those of us in America are unable to sign to show our support. However, this initiative's passing would still likely benefit us as well. The rationale here is that if publishers are required to offer an offline mode or private servers in the EU, there's no reason not to apply it worldwide. Considering how many games — even single-player ones — require an online connection today, this issue will only grow as time goes on. If you're curious about this initiative, there's an extensive FAQ page that gives detailed answers to all the major questions you might have.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Real Money Online Casinos Canada 2025: Frumzi Expands Live Games Category
Frumzi Casino Has Recently Expanded Its Catalogue of Live Dealer Games, In Order to Become One of the Top Choice Amongst Real Money Online Casinos in Canada for Game Variety Vancouver, June 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Frumzi Casino, a rapid-growing real money online casino in Canada, has announced the expansion of its catalogue of live dealer and live shows games, in order to bring new and exciting a renovated live gambling experience. According to Frumzi, after online slots, the live casino section is the most popular choice on their platform, and therefore, the brand has decided to make strategic partnerships with live casino providers to add dozens of new games to this important section inside their catalogue of real money games. In addition, Frumzi has released new bonuses and promotions specifically designed for players who prefer live dealer and live shows games, such as a 100% extra first deposit bonus + $300 CAD surprise bonus + 200 Free Spins to play online slots, just to add more diversity and fun to players' online gaming sessions. Other promotions include live casino cashback, weekly reload bonuses and weekend reload bonuses, as well as free cash rewards, which according to Frumzi, is going to equip players with all the necessary features and tools to take the quality of their live gambling sessions to the next has announced all the new live casino games and bonuses are available from today, giving new and registered players the opportunity to try out the new live gambling experience offered by this real money online to Frumzi, their goal is to stand out in key aspects in comparison to the rest of real money casino sites currently operating in Canada, and one of the most important areas is game variety, especially as Canadian players learn more about the different types of games and experiences available at global online casinos. Therefore, Frumzi believes it is key to import such experiences into Canada, in order to make the national online gambling industry grow and thrive responsibly, which is why the brand has decided to renovate its selection of live casino games, now offering players over 18 years old access to dozens of new titles from the best providers in the industry. Recently, Frumzi also expanded its catalogue of online slots and instant games, and to continue their trend of growing in game variety, they decided to invest into one of their most popular sections, which is live casino. All new and registered players who visit Frumzi Canada today and explore the live casino section, are going to find new games such as Gravity Roulette, Gravity Blackjack, Balloon Race Live, Gonzo's Treasure Map Live, Video Poker First Person, Super Color Game Live, Immersive Roulette Live, Crazy Balls Live, Caribbean Stud Poker Live, Three Card Poker Live, Lil Devil, Blackjack Party, amongst others. Frumzi has taken care of adding live dealer games in different sub-categories such as roulette, poker, video poker, shows and blackjack, in order to offer players the type of game variety they are looking for. After the recent expansion of its catalogue of live dealer games, Frumzi Casino now offers over 200 different titles in this category, sourced by the best providers in the industry such as Playtech, Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Live. Along with the introduction of new live casino games, Frumzi has also released new bonuses and promotions specifically designed for this section such as a live casino cashback, weekly cashback, weekly reload and weekend reload bonuses. Frumzi believes that offering generous bonuses is as important as offering outstanding game variety, and this is why they have decided to reward new and registered customers accordingly, and in addition, the brand has also announced the reduction of the rollover requirement, making it even easier for players to wager the bonuses through live casino games and cash out the winnings. Furthermore, the brand has revealed plans on adding more bonuses specifically designed for live casino, such as a bigger cashback bonus, free chip bonuses and access to exclusive free-to-play tournaments with real money rewards. All the new promotions and bonuses are available starting today, which players can claim by visiting the official Frumzi the goal of offering live casino players an outstanding gambling experience on mobile – without interruptions and at a seamless pace – Frumzi has invested into improving their mobile website, to make it faster and offer improved support across all iOS and Android mobile devices. Frumzi reports that 60% of its users access the platform via mobile devices. In response, the brand has prioritized improvements to its mobile website, particularly ahead of the rollout of new live casino games. With an expected increase in traffic, enhancing mobile performance has become essential to ensure a smooth and reliable user experience. Therefore, all new and registered customers who visit the official Frumzi website to play the new live dealer games are going to find a faster and more reliable mobile website, which has been renovated to offer a better mobile gambling experience. Frumzi recently expanded its online slots and instant games offerings as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the platform. In parallel, the brand has introduced new bonuses and promotions aimed at providing both new and returning players with compelling reasons to engage regularly. These updates support Frumzi's broader goal of increasing new customer conversions while strengthening retention among existing users. The introduction of new live dealer games, alongside the recent additions to the online slots and instant games categories, is part of a coordinated upgrade at Frumzi. Combined with renovated promotions, bonuses, and rewards, these enhancements are designed to attract more website visitors and convert them into active, registered players. Frumzi recognizes the growing level of competition amongst real money casino sites in Canada, and therefore, it is increasing its budget for marketing, product development and bonuses, as the brand believes those are the three pillars which are going to propel the brand's visibility and presence in the country. Therefore, Frumzi offers a new online gambling experience starting today, thanks to its catalogue of 8,000+ real money games, generous bonuses, total mobile support and on-going is aiming at welcoming more players, especially the users who want to try online gambling but they are put off by the high minimum deposit requirements of most real money casinos in Canada. Therefore, the brand has decided to lower their minimum deposit requirement, now welcoming deposits in the range of $1 to $5, bringing players the opportunity to play real money games and earn real cash rewards with small deposits. Furthermore, Frumzi has confirmed that all players can claim the new bonuses and promotions for live casino games with small deposits, hence, players can take advantage of deposit bonuses, cashback and extra rewards even if they only deposit $1 CAD. Therefore, all players who visit Frumzi and create an account can make a small deposit to start playing all the new games available on the dealer games bring a different kind of energy because they feature fast rounds, real-time interaction, and an immersive atmosphere that makes it easy to lose track of time. Therefore, Furmzi has implemented key responsible gambling solutions and measures to prevent problem gambling. The platform now offers players more intuitive tools to stay in control, from adjustable deposit limits and session timers to wager caps and optional time-outs. These features aren't tucked away because they're introduced from the start, so players know exactly where to find them when they need them. Behind the scenes, the platform has improved how it tracks gameplay patterns, especially during live sessions. If someone starts playing longer than usual or wagering beyond their typical range, the system responds quietly, offering a friendly check-in or a nudge to take a short break. The goal isn't to block enjoyment, but to support it in a way that feels fair, personal, and non-intrusive, because Frumzi believes this is the unique way by which the online gambling industry can thrive in Frumzi Frumzi is a Canadian real money online casino owned by one of the most prestigious online casino platforms in the world, Soft2Bet. Licensed by the Curacao Gaming Control Board and audited by third-party independent firms, Frumzi is synonymous to fair, responsible and legal online gambling. Offering over 8,000 real money games, big bonuses, total mobile support and fast same-day withdrawals, it is one of the top choices in the Canadian online gambling industry nowadays. Email: support@ Phone: +35627780669 Live Chat: Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure The information presented in this article is intended for general informational and promotional purposes only. All content, including but not limited to game listings, bonus offers, product details, statistics, and platform features, has been sourced from publicly available materials or official brand communications believed to be accurate at the time of publication. However, no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, accuracy, or currency of the information provided. Errors, outdated promotions, or misstatements may occur unintentionally. Neither the publisher of this release, its authors, nor any affiliated syndication partners shall be held liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from reliance on the information contained herein. Users are strongly encouraged to visit the official Frumzi website to verify all offers, terms, conditions, and game availability before engaging in any gambling activities. This article may contain affiliate links, and the publisher may receive financial compensation if visitors click on these links and subsequently make a deposit or purchase. This compensation does not influence the editorial integrity or independence of the content. The content does not constitute legal, financial, or gambling advice. Online gambling carries financial risk and is not suitable for all individuals. Participation is restricted to those 18 years of age or older (or the legal age in their jurisdiction). All users are responsible for ensuring that any activity they undertake is legal in their region and that they comply with applicable laws and regulations. Frumzi Casino is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Control Board and operates under the regulations of that jurisdiction. Gambling can be addictive; please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of problem gambling, seek support from a certified organization. By reading this article, you acknowledge and accept that the publisher and all affiliated parties—including distributors, content platforms, and syndication networks—are indemnified from any legal claims, disputes, or liability arising from the use, misuse, or interpretation of the content provided. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official Frumzi Casino website. CONTACT: Email: support@ Phone: +35627780669 Live Chat:
Geek Vibes Nation
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Last War Survival Guide To Radar Missions
Radar Missions are daily tasks available in Last War Survival to speed up progression in-game. You can get various rewards for completing these missions like food, coins, iron (used to upgrade the base), hero experience (to level up the characters, making them more capable of taking on higher level battles), in-game currency, event points or rare items like drone parts or recruit tickets (used to recruit locked characters). You can make your journey smoother by doing Last War top up to get in-game currency and different kinds of packs. The best platform to do the top up is, LootBar, the most reputed and trusted in-game currency seller on the web. How to access Radar Missions? When you enter Last War Survival and have cleared a few levels, you will have the opportunity to build the radar vehicle. Look for the vehicle below. It is responsible for transporting you to the world where Radar Missions are completed and/or completed. Another way to switch to the world to complete Radar missions is this small icon, always available on the bottom left margin of the screen. This icon is more helpful as it also has an additional feature, the red dot indicating the availability of new tasks. Radar missions refresh after the timer refreshes, which is 8 hours. Until the timer is up, the tasks will not be accumulated or stacked. After the tasks have been completed, you have 8 hours to collect the rewards or the rewards expire. To find stacked or accumulated tasks, click the blue icon with the question mark, situated in the top left corner of the screen, to the left of the timer. Stacking tasks is useful in strategically collecting regards when most needed. The icon on the top right corner, with the lightning bolt, helps speed up or quick completion of missions. Tapping it lets you instantly complete a mission. This is a crucial feature since it is very helpful during time-sensitive events. The icon that resembles a satellite is the level of the Radar. As the radar levels up, the task and reward quality increases, making speed-ups more impactful. Types of Radar Missions Lost supplies radar mission: A collection of resources using troops. These missions don't consume stamina making them very efficient for stockpiling. Rescue the rebellions radar mission: use the radar vehicle to detect enemies, and boost tactical intelligence. Zombie sampling radar mission: use the troops to sample zombies and learn more about them, fight neutral NPCs to earn hero XP etc. Save citizens radar mission: use the radar vehicle to locate survivors and bring them back to the base, boost tactical intelligence and army size. Why are Radar Missions important? Resource Acquisition: Radar missions provide resources quickly, important to boost and upgrade the base, troops and heroes. Event points and Progression: Radar missions contribute major points to event progressions which maximize point gains and rankings. You can also take help of the Last War Store to make faster progress. Hero and Troop Development: Completing missions helps gain XP to upgrade both the heroes and troops, to enhance combat performance while protecting the base from zombies. Strategic Importance: The radar vehicle is useful in detecting and scouting enemies' positions,and traps. It is important in enhancing battlefield awareness, important for large-scale conflicts. Efficiency and Flexibility: The missions vary in stamina, giving the player the freedom to complete tasks based on their resource availability and playstyle. 'GTA VI' Delayed: Fans Furious As Rockstar Pushes Release To 2026! How do I make the best of these missions? Smart tacking: Stacking missions strategically to align with event schedules to maximize rewards. Prioritize: Make sure to prioritize high-value missions such as missions that yield rare items or event points. Regular radar upgrades: Ensure that you regularly upgrade the radar vehicle to attract higher value missions that yield better quality rewards. Pair it with the tech centre to access advanced tech trees. Hero use: Use heroes like Monica to boost gains up to 39% during gathering missions. (Monica's plans radar missions). Alliance coordination: Coordinate with alliances and join rallies to conserve stamina while earning rewards. Conclusion Gaining tactical superiority, effective resource management, and long-term expansion all depend on mastering radar missions in Last War. These missions, which reward proactive planning and strategic execution, are essential parts of daily gaming and are not merely optional side activities. You can use Radar Missions to strengthen every part of your base and army if you know how they work, from their periodic refresh cycles to the stacking and job prioritization rules. You will be able to access more worthwhile missions with more significant rewards if your radar vehicle levels up and your heroes, like Monica, are used strategically. Radar Missions are a reliable and adaptable path to advancement, whether you're accumulating iron for upgrades, searching for uncommon goods like drone parts, or gaining hero experience to bolster your core lineup. They are particularly effective in situations with a tight timeline where efficiency and speed are critical. Additionally, you can increase your efficiency while saving valuable stamina by taking part in alliance activities and strategically utilizing quick-complete alternatives. To put it briefly, radar missions are strategic tools for obtaining a competitive edge rather than merely being a way to cross things off a list. Let your radar lead you to supremacy in the Last War universe as you continue to optimize and upgrade.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SOHU.COM REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2025 UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS
BEIJING, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) ("Sohu" or the "Company"), a leading Chinese online media platform and game business group, today reported unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. First Quarter Highlights Total revenues were US$136 million, down 3% year-over-year and up 1% quarter-over-quarter. Marketing services[1] revenues were US$14 million, down 15% year-over-year and 27% quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$117 million, flat year-over-year and up 7% quarter-over-quarter. GAAP net income[2] attributable to Limited was US$182 million, compared with a net loss of US$25 million in the first quarter of 2024 and a net loss of US$21 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP[3] net loss attributable to Limited was US$16 million, compared with a net loss of US$22 million in the first quarter of 2024 and a net loss of US$15 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Dr. Charles Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Limited, commented, "In the first quarter of 2025, both our marketing services revenues and non-GAAP bottom line performance reached the high end of our previous guidance, while our online game revenues were well above our expectations. For the Sohu media platform, in addition to devoting efforts in product refinements and technology improvements, we continued to concentrate on strengthening the distinctive social features of our platform. Through various unique events, we were able to engage with more users, while promoting vigorous social interactions and distributions on our platform and generating massive premium content at the same time. Leveraging our competitive advantage as a mainstream media platform and our unique IPs, we proactively explored greater monetization opportunities. Our online games business also achieved a satisfactory performance, thanks to the high-quality content updates and continual improvements to our games." [1] Starting in the first quarter of 2025, the Company has changed the name of its "brand advertising business," as described in its previous annual and other reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), to the "marketing services business." This change is intended to more accurately reflect the nature of the business, which consists primarily of advertising and other marketing-related services. The Company will also update the names of related financial measures and disclosures to align with this updated terminology. [2] In the first quarter of 2025, due to the expiration during the quarter of the statutory period for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to conduct an examination of the Company's filing in connection with a one-time transition tax (the "Toll Charge") imposed by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Company fully reversed a tax expense that it had recognized as an uncertain tax position in the fourth quarter of 2018 upon the Company's re-evaluation and adjustment of a tax expense initially recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017 with respect to the Toll Charge. This reversal resulted in recognition during the first quarter of 2025 of a previously unrecognized income tax benefit and reversal of related accrued interest in a total amount of approximately $199 million. [3] Non-GAAP results exclude share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; and the income tax benefit in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense. Explanation of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures and related reconciliations to GAAP financial measures are included in the accompanying "Non-GAAP Disclosure" and "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Results of Operation Measures to the Nearest Comparable GAAP Measures." First Quarter Financial Results Revenues Total revenues were US$136 million, down 3% year-over-year and up 1% quarter-over-quarter. Marketing services revenues were US$14 million, down 15% year-over-year and 27% quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$117 million, flat year-over-year and up 7% quarter-over-quarter. Gross Margin Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin were 76%, compared with 77% in the first quarter of 2024 and 73% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for the marketing services business were 10%, compared with 1% in the first quarter of 2024 and 6% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin for online games were 85%, compared with 88% in the first quarter of 2024 and 83% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Operating Expenses GAAP operating expenses were US$122 million, down 9% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$121 million, down 9% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter. Operating Loss Both GAAP and non-GAAP operating loss were US$19 million, compared with an operating loss of US$27 million in the first quarter of 2024 and an operating loss of US$25 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Income Tax Expense/(Benefit) GAAP income tax benefit was US$189 million, compared with income tax expense of US$14 million in the first quarter of 2024 and income tax expense of US$14 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, the Company reversed a tax expense that had been recognized as an uncertain tax position in previous years, and related accrued interest expense, in a total amount of approximately $199 million. Non-GAAP income tax expense was US$10 million, compared with income tax expense of US$10 million in the first quarter of 2024 and income tax expense of US$10 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Net Income/(Loss) GAAP net income attributable to Limited was US$182 million, or net income of US$6.07 per fully-diluted American depositary share ("ADS," each ADS representing one Sohu ordinary share), compared with a net loss of US$25 million in the first quarter of 2024 and a net loss of US$21 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Limited was US$16 million, or a net loss of US$0.55 per fully-diluted ADS, compared with a net loss of US$22 million in the first quarter of 2024 and a net loss of US$15 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term time deposits totaled approximately US$1.2 billion. Supplementary Information for Changyou Results[4] First Quarter 2025 Operating Results For PC games, total average monthly active user accounts[5] (MAU) were 2.3 million, an increase of 3% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter. Total quarterly aggregate active paying accounts[6] (APA) were 1.0 million, an increase of 2% year-over-year and a decrease of 3% quarter-over-quarter. For mobile games, total average MAU were 2.1 million, a decrease of 22% year-over-year and 17% quarter-over-quarter. Total quarterly APA were 0.4 million, an increase of 6% year-over-year and a decrease of 16% quarter-over-quarter. The year-over-year decrease in MAU was mainly due to the natural decline of Haikyu!!FLY HIGH, which was launched in Japan and South Korea during the first quarter of 2024. The year-over-year increase in APA was mainly from New Westward Journey and its international version Journey Renewed: Fate Fantasy, which were launched during recent quarters. The quarter-over-quarter decreases in MAU and APA were mainly due to the natural decline of Journey Renewed: Fate Fantasy. [4] "Changyou Results" consist of the results of Changyou's online games business and its Website. [5] Monthly active user accounts refers to the number of registered accounts that are logged in to these games at least once during the month. [6] Quarterly aggregate active paying accounts refers to the number of accounts from which game points are utilized at least once during the quarter. First Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results Total revenues were US$118 million, a decrease of 1% year-over-year and an increase of 7% quarter-over-quarter. Online game revenues were US$117 million, flat year-over-year and an increase of 7% quarter-over-quarter. Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit were US$99 million, compared with US$104 million for the first quarter of 2024 and US$92 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. GAAP operating expenses were US$45 million, a decrease of 8% year-over-year and an increase of 1% quarter-over-quarter. Non-GAAP operating expenses were US$45 million, a decrease of 9% year-over-year and an increase of 1% quarter-over-quarter. GAAP operating profit was US$54 million, compared with US$55 million for the first quarter of 2024 and US$48 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP operating profit was US$55 million, compared with US$55 million for the first quarter of 2024 and US$48 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Recent Development Under the previously-announced share repurchase program of up to US$150 million of the outstanding ADSs, Sohu had repurchased 5,484,160 ADSs for an aggregate cost of approximately US$67 million as of May 15, 2025. Business Outlook For the second quarter of 2025, Sohu estimates: Marketing services revenues to be between US$16 million and US$17 million; this implies an annual decrease of 14% to 19%, and a sequential increase of 17% to 24%. Online game revenues to be between US$96 million and US$106 million; this implies an annual decrease of 28% to 35%, and a sequential decrease of 10% to 18%. Both non-GAAP and GAAP net loss attributable to Limited to be between US$20 million and US$30 million. For the second quarter 2025 guidance, the Company has adopted a presumed exchange rate of RMB7.20=US$1.00, as compared with the actual exchange rate of approximately RMB7.11=US$1.00 for the second quarter of 2024, and RMB7.18=US$1.00 for the first quarter of 2025. This forecast reflects Sohu's management's current and preliminary view, which is subject to substantial uncertainty. Non-GAAP Disclosure To supplement the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Sohu's management uses non-GAAP measures of gross profit, operating profit/(loss), net income/(loss), net income/(loss) attributable to Limited and diluted net income/(loss) attributable to Limited per ADS, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; and the income tax benefit in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Sohu's management believes excluding share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; and the income tax benefit in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense from the Company's non-GAAP financial measures is useful for itself and investors. Further, the impact of share-based compensation expense; changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments; and the income tax benefit in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense could not be anticipated by management and business line leaders and these expenses were not built into the annual budgets and quarterly forecasts that have been the basis for information Sohu provides to analysts and investors as guidance for future operating performance. As share-based compensation expense, and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments do not involve subsequent cash outflow or are reflected in the cash flows at the equity transaction level, Sohu does not factor in their impact when evaluating and approving expenditures or when determining the allocation of its resources to its business segments. As a result, in general, the monthly financial results for internal reporting and any performance measures for commissions and bonuses are based on non-GAAP financial measures that exclude share-based compensation expense and changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments, and also exclude the income tax benefit in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense. The non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of Sohu's current financial performance and prospects for the future. A limitation of using non-GAAP gross profit, operating profit/(loss), net income/(loss), net income/(loss) attributable to Limited, and diluted net income/(loss) attributable to Limited per ADS excluding share-based compensation expense is that this expense has been and can be expected to continue to recur in Sohu's business. It is also possible that changes in fair value recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations with respect to the Company's investments, will recur in the future. In order to mitigate these limitations Sohu has provided specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables include details on the reconciliation between the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to the non-GAAP financial measures that have been presented. Notes to Financial Information Financial information in this press release other than the information indicated as being non-GAAP is derived from Sohu's unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. It is currently expected that the Business Outlook will not be updated until release of Sohu's next quarterly earnings announcement; however, Sohu reserves right to update its Business Outlook at any time for any reason. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sohu's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, instability in global financial and credit markets and its potential impact on the Chinese economy; exchange rate fluctuations, including their potential impact on the Chinese economy and on Sohu's reported U.S. dollar results; fluctuations in Sohu's quarterly operating results; the possibilities that Sohu will be unable to recoup its investment in content and will be unable to develop a series of successful games for mobile platforms or successfully monetize mobile games it develops or acquires; and Sohu's reliance on marketing services and online games for its revenues. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Sohu's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other filings with and information furnished to the SEC. Conference Call and Webcast Sohu's management team will host a conference call at 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, May 19, 2025 (7:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time, May 19, 2025) following the quarterly results announcement. Participants can register for the conference call by clicking here, which will lead them to the conference registration website. Upon registration, participants will receive details for the conference call, including the dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. The live Webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sohu's website at About Sohu Limited (NASDAQ: SOHU) was established by Dr. Charles Zhang, one of China's internet pioneers, in the 1990s. Sohu operates one of the leading Chinese online media platforms and also engages in the online games business in the Chinese mainland. Sohu has built one of the most comprehensive matrices of Chinese language web properties, consisting of Sohu News App, Sohu Video App, the mobile portal the PC portal and the online games platform As a mainstream media platform with social features, Sohu is indispensable to the daily life of millions of Chinese, providing to a vast number of users a network of web properties and community based products, which offer a broad array of content such as news, information, text, picture, video, and live broadcasting. Sohu also attracts users to be highly engaged in content generation and distribution, and actively interact with each other on the platform. Sohu's online games business is conducted by its subsidiary Changyou which develops and operates a diverse portfolio of PC and mobile games, such as the well-known Tian Long Ba Bu ("TLBB") PC and Legacy TLBB Mobile. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Ms. Pu LimitedTel: +86 (10) 6272-6645E-mail: ir@ In the United States: Ms. Linda BergkampChristensenTel: +1 (480) 614-3004E-mail: LIMITEDCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2025 Dec. 31, 2024 Mar. 31, 2024 Revenues: Marketing services[7] $ 13,725 $ 18,865 $ 16,070 Online games117,347109,859117,812 Others4,5735,9605,508Total revenues135,645134,684139,390Cost of revenues:Marketing services12,34117,78715,848Online games18,13618,13314,482Others 2,6691,1132,389Total cost of revenues33,14637,03332,719Gross profit102,49997,651106,671Operating expenses:Product development (includes share-based compensation expense of nil, nil, and $3, respectively) 62,97261,58466,209Sales and marketing (includes share-based compensation expense of $1, $-1, and $4, respectively) 45,58648,58854,806General and administrative (includes share-based compensation expense of $391, $243, and $77, respectively)12,96912,67212,534Total operating expenses121,527122,844133,549Operating loss(19,028)(25,193)(26,878)Other income, net4,1998,4484,489Interest income7,7088,63211,358Exchange difference(119)1,240(19)Loss before income tax expense(7,240)(6,873)(11,050)Income tax expense/(benefit)[8](189,391)14,38713,924Net income/(loss)182,151(21,260)(24,974)Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders(9)31-Net income/(loss) attributable to Limited182,160(21,291)(24,974)Basic net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited $ 6.07 $ (0.69) $ (0.76)Shares/ADSs used in computing basic net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited[9]30,00830,79933,033Diluted net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited $ 6.07 $ (0.69) $ (0.76)Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net income/(loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited30,00830,79933,033[7] See footnote 1.[8] See footnote 2.[9] Each ADS represents one ordinary share. LIMITEDCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS) As of Mar. 31, 2025 As of Dec. 31, 2024 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 130,026 $ 159,927 Restricted cash79- Short-term investments745,696744,498 Accounts receivable, net49,40253,762 Prepaid and other current assets 87,25883,575 Total current assets1,012,4611,041,762 Fixed assets, net250,148252,860 Goodwill 46,96546,944 Long-term investments, net43,10543,120 Intangible assets, net6,4727,695 Long-term time deposits333,836331,290 Other assets10,49410,995 Total assets $ 1,703,481 $ 1,734,666 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 37,678 $ 36,043 Accrued liabilities94,83897,138 Receipts in advance and deferred revenue50,11151,007 Accrued salary and benefits35,62747,232 Taxes payables17,18914,225 Other short-term liabilities79,00976,322 Total current liabilities $ 314,452 $ 321,967Long-term other payables2,8632,807 Long-term tax liabilities290,707485,545 Other long-term liabilities1,2891,659 Total long-term liabilities $ 294,859 $ 490,011 Total liabilities $ 609,311 $ 811,978 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Limited shareholders' equity1,093,826922,335 Noncontrolling interest344353 Total shareholders' equity $ 1,094,170 $ 922,688Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,703,481 $ 1,734,666 LIMITEDRECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MEASURES TO THE NEAREST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2025Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2024Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2024 GAAPNon-GAAP AdjustmentNon-GAAPGAAPNon-GAAP AdjustmentNon-GAAPGAAPNon-GAAP AdjustmentNon-GAAP- (a) - (a) 0 (a)Marketing services gross profit $ 1,384 $ - $ 1,384 $ 1,078 $ - $ 1,078 $ 222 $ 0 $ 222 Marketing services gross margin10 %10 %6 %6 %1 %1 %- (a) - (a) 0 (a)Online games gross profit $ 99,211 $ - $ 99,211 $ 91,726 $ - $ 91,726 $ 103,330 $ 0 $ 103,330 Online games gross margin85 %85 %83 %83 %88 %88 %- (a) - (a) - (a)Others gross profit $ 1,904 $ - $ 1,904 $ 4,847 $ - $ 4,847 $ 3,119 $ - $ 3,119 Others gross margin42 %42 %81 %81 %57 %57 %- (a) - (a) 0 (a)Gross profit $ 102,499 $ - $ 102,499 $ 97,651 $ - $ 97,651 $ 106,671 $ 0 $ 106,671 Gross margin76 %76 %73 %73 %77 %77 % Operating expenses $ 121,527 $ (392) (a) $ 121,135 $ 122,844 $ (242) (a) $ 122,602 $ 133,549 $ (84) (a) $ 133,465392 (a) 242 (a) 84 (a)Operating loss $ (19,028) $ 392 $ (18,636) $ (25,193) $ 242 $ (24,951) $ (26,878) $ 84 $ (26,794) Operating margin-14 %-14 %-19 %-19 %-19 %-19 %Income tax expense/(benefit) $ (189,391) $ 199,018 (c)$ 9,627 $ 14,387 $ (3,961) (c)$ 10,426 $ 13,924 $ (3,691) (c)$ 10,233392 (a) 242 (a) 84 (a)-2,087 (b) (398) (b)(199,018) (c) 3,961 (c) 3,691 (c)Net income/(loss) before non-controlling interest $ 182,151 $ (198,626) $ (16,475) $ (21,260) $ 6,290 $ (14,970) $ (24,974) $ 3,377 $ (21,597)392 (a) 242 (a) 84 (a)-2,087 (b) (398) (b)(199,018) (c) 3,961 (c) 3,691 (c)Net income/( loss) attributable Limited for diluted net loss per share/ADS $ 182,160 $ (198,626) $ (16,466) $ (21,291)6,290(15,001) $ (24,974)3,377(21,597) Diluted net income/( loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited $ 6.07(0.55) $ (0.69)(0.49) $ (0.76)(0.65) Shares/ADSs used in computing diluted net income/( loss) per share/ADS attributable to Limited30,00830,00830,79930,79933,03333,033Note:(a) Share-based compensation expense(b) Change in the fair value of the Company's investments(c) Reversal of the tax expense in connection with the Toll Charge and related accrued interest expense View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Limited Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
