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Infinium Targets Gamers For Stock Purchase After Split
Thanks to HeraldTribune.com for its article discussing the continuing fortunes of PC 'game console' manufacturer Infinium, following much controversy over their forthcoming Phantom console in recent weeks. Infinium CEO Timothy Roberts is quoted as saying, following a "four-for-one stock split", the second of the year, that "...part of Infinium's stock marketing effort will be aimed at video game aficionados, people who have contacted the company via e-mail because they are interested in using the product when it is rolled out and who may also have expressed interest in making a stock investment." With regard to this, it seems that, judging by current prices, "...even before it has a product to sell, Infinium has a market capitalization of $133 million ($5.80 times 23 million shares)."
The shares in small companies like these are mostly or all held by directors and venture capitalists. So liquidity (i.e. volume of trading) tends to be really small, making the quoted market cap is fairly meaningless.
1) Sell shares to suckers (er, sorry, I meant gamers).
2) Release some random computers cleverly disguised as mock-ups of a 'gaming console'.
3) Sue Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony for stealing their core operating system design (and later expand into suing big users who are using these consoles - maybe check out some Eastern countries to see if they are using clusters of Playstations as weapon guidance systems).
4) Profit.
After the way Infinium Labs has treated [H]ardOCP, I have to suggest to the stock analysts never, under any circumstances, to give this stock a 'Sell' recommendation, lest Infinium's legal department threaten suit for defamation. ... Ooh, I just heard the doorbell; I think I'm being served!
Actually I think that loosely translates to "We at Infinium believe that our company stock will sell best to those people who have no knowledge of investment, corporate economics, or business management. We anticipate our sales to these boobs to comprise 99% of our total market cap."
Dear Sir:
I have been requested by Infinium Labs to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. Infinium has recently concluded a large number of contracts to supply video game machines to end users. The contracts have immediately produced moneys equalling US$133,000,000. Infinium is desirous of selling their machines in other parts of the world, however, because of certain regulations of the Nigerian Government, it is unable to move these funds to another region.
You assistance is requested as a non-Nigerian citizen to assist Infinium in moving these funds out of Nigeria. If the funds can be transferred to your name, in your United States account, then you can forward the funds as directed by Infinium. In exchange for your accomodating services, Infinium would agree to allow you to retain 10%, or US$13.3 million of this amount.
However, to be a legitimate transferee of these moneys according to Nigerian law, you must presently be a purchaser of at least US$100,000 of Infinium stock.
If it will be possible for you to assist us, we would be most grateful. We suggest that you meet with us in person in Lagos, and that during your visit I introduce you to the representatives of Infinium which produce the good Phantom product, as well as with the creators of Duke Nukem Forever, a partner company.
Please call me at your earliest convenience. Time is of the essence in this matter; very quickly the Nigerian Government will realize that Infinium is maintaining this amount on deposit, and attempt to levy certain depository taxes on it.
Yours truly, etc.
Timothy Roberts
CEO, Infinium Labs
I remember standing outside my old office having a friend explain to me how I, little old me, could become a multi-millionaire. Stocks, splits, shares, options, blah blah blah.
Now, a year or so later, the only multi-millionaires are the brainiacs who ran the business into the ground but did it so convincingly that they walked off with the only value the company had left. It almost seemed a distinct negative correlation between the how hard someone worked and how talented you were to how well the company would treat you in the end.
The guy spending 70+ hours a week writing OO code? Fired without notice, 3 month serverence.
The "turn around genius" office manager who spent an entire year flying first class and never managed to land a single client? His $300,000+ salary was paid to him for a year after the office folded.
And the top execs all pulled their golden chords, made millions, and bought fast food chains or notwhat.
Hey Infinium. Bite me. I've heard this nonsense before.