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Sony, Warner announce major deal for online gaming
MUMBAI: Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) and the largest English language publisher of comic books worldwide DC Comics have announced plans to collaborate with comic book illustrator Jim Lee.
The parties will work on a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO) based on the DC Comics universe. DC Comics is home to Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman among other characters.
SOE will be developing and publishing a game based on the DC Comics universe for next generation gaming platforms and the PC. It is expected that Lee will serve as executive creative director on the game, bringing his artistic flair and talents to the world of online gaming for the first time.
Lee says, “My position at DC has afforded me the amazing opportunity to dive into projects I am most passionate about. The DC MMO is no exception and joins my current commitments to All-Star Batman and Robin with writer Frank Miller and the upcoming WildCats series with visionary Grant Morrison as dream projects. The truth is that I love gaming as much as I love drawing and telling stories and look forward to bringing the DC Universe to life for players and comic book fans all around the world.”
DC Comics president and publisher Paul Levitz says, “As a passionate online gamer and one of the most creative talents ever to work with the DC heroes, Jim is the perfect person to help build an online DC universe that our fans can become part of on a daily basis. The SOE team, working with Jim’s creative guidance, are building a new way for gamers and comic fans to unite and enjoy our legendary characters and their complex universe.”
SOE president John Smedley says, “We couldn’t be happier to have an icon like Jim Lee involved with this project. SOE, WBIE and DC will be working together closely on this project and Jim’s contributions will be key to bringing the amazing world of DC Comics to life online.”
Lee adds, “What intrigues me most about the DC MMO is how we can continue to tell the great stories DC is known for in this new medium and look forward in particular to the challenge of perhaps one day, simultaneously bringing stories to life in both print and pixel form. True to their moniker, MMOs are massive undertakings and I look forward to working on the game and continuing to draw comics for many, many years to come at DC.”
MUMBAI: When margins wobble, liquidity talks and in Q3 FY25-26, cash did most of the talking. Den Networks Limited closed the December quarter with consolidated revenue of Rs.251 crore, marginally higher than the previous quarter but down 4 per cent year-on-year, even as profitability stayed resilient on the back of strong cash reserves and disciplined cost control.
Subscription income softened to Rs.98 crore, slipping 3 per cent sequentially and 14 per cent from last year, while placement and marketing income offered some cheer, rising 15 per cent quarter-on-quarter to Rs.148 crore. Total costs climbed faster than revenue, up 7 per cent QoQ to Rs.238 crore, driven largely by higher content costs and operating expenses. As a result, EBITDA dropped sharply to Rs.13 crore from Rs.19 crore in Q2 and Rs.28 crore a year ago, pulling margins down to 5 per cent.
Yet, the bottom line refused to blink. Profit after tax stood at Rs.40 crore, up 15 per cent sequentially and only marginally lower than last year’s Rs.42 crore. A healthy Rs.57 crore in other income helped cushion operating pressure, keeping profit before tax at Rs.48 crore, broadly stable quarter-on-quarter despite the tougher cost environment.
The real headline-grabber, however, sits on the balance sheet. The company remains debt-free, with cash and cash equivalents swelling to Rs.3,279 crore as of December 31, 2025. Net worth rose to Rs.3,748 crore, while online collections accounted for 97 per cent of total receipts, underscoring strong cash discipline across operations, including subsidiaries.
In short, while Q3 showed signs of operating strain, the financial backbone remains solid. With zero gross debt, steady profits and a formidable cash war chest, the company enters the next quarter with flexibility firmly on its side proving that in uncertain markets, balance sheet strength can be the best growth strategy.
