According to 2018 Figures, Yggdrasil Expansion is Going Well

Lee R. - March 3, 2019

Games Industry

New figures and developments make Yggdrasil one of the true movers in 2019.

Yggdrasil Gaming had a strong Q4, in terms of year-on-year progress.

Q4 Business Highlights

Q4 Business highlights for Yggdrasil include the signing of 11 new license agreements, including Svenska Spel, ATG and Veikkaus (from 6 in 2017); 7 new games launched (2); the launching of the first branded partnership game ever, Nitro Circus; an employee kickoff for the Krakow, Poland division; and a YGS Masters studio partnership with Fantasma Games.

Record Payouts

The quarter also saw a record number of jackpot payouts, including 80 MSEK to a Leo Vegas player and MSEK ~23 to a Bethard player; plus a huge hike in FTE's to 285, which was up from 191.

Rounds and Mobile Share

In Q4 player rounds increased 42% to 1,686 million, (1,184 in 2017); while mobile share jumped from 59% to 66%.

Q4 Highlights

Year-on-year highlights for the quarter Q4 2018 include the massive 53% increase in total operating revenues to MSEK 78.5 from 51.2); a 13% increase in EBIT to MSEK 19.8 from 17.5, and EBIT margin reaching 25%, from 34% in 2017.

2018 Highlights

Financial highlights for the full year 2018 include an increase in total operating revenues a full 62% to MSEK 274.2, up from 169.1; an EBIT increased of 18% to MSEK 69.5 (58.8); and EBIT margin totaling out at 25% (35%).

Entering Sweden

The notable event at Yggdrasil for Q4's end has to be the signing of ATG and Live to the newly regulated Swedish market in January 2019.

CEO Speaks

CEO Fredrik Elmqvist discussed 2018 organisational accomplishments:

"Yggdrasil...have more development projects in the pipeline than ever before. The total number of employees increased to 285, up by almost 100 from the prior year. Retaining world-class talent coupled with a focus on innovation, creativity and quality remain our top priorities to build our organisation and company for the long-term.”

Sustainability Outlook

The new GGA Global Game Availability software enabling Yggdrasil to launch subsequent new games across all regulated environments is the key technological development that should have Yggdrasil successfully expanding into 2019 and far beyond.