DarkIris Inc. Updates Strategic and Operational Progress on AI Initiatives and Gaming Business

DarkIris (Nasdaq: DKI) reported strategic and operational progress across its AI and gaming businesses for the first half of fiscal 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

DarkIris (Nasdaq: DKI) reported strategic and operational progress across its AI and gaming businesses for the first half of fiscal 2026. Its Singapore subsidiary Aether Intelligence was added to the qualified vendor directory of a leading global social media and technology company, opening opportunities in technical testing and multimodal AI development.

The company detailed a full-stack AI platform suite spanning text-to-video generation, drama and film workflows, AIGC marketing, enterprise APIs, and a game animation frame extraction platform that achieved a paid conversion rate above 15% in its first month. Core gaming revenue rose 13.9% year over year to $5.93 million, with 79,608 monthly paying gamers and ARPPU of $22.38. DarkIris is also progressing its first independently produced AI-powered premium film, targeted for release later in 2026.

Positive

• Gaming revenue up 13.9% YoY to $5.93 million in H1 2026
• Monthly paying gamers reached 79,608; ARPPU was $22.38
• Game animation frame platform reported >15% paid conversion in first month
• Aether Intelligence added to qualified vendor directory of a leading global tech company
• First AI-powered premium original film targeted for release later in 2026

Negative

• None.

Argus Aug 17 session 6 alerts

-1.46% close to close 11.5x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – DKI

+8.5% Peak in 2 hr 23 min

$8.96M Market Cap

On Aug 17, the first trading day after this news, DKI closed 1.46% below the previous close. Argus tracked a peak move of +8.5% during that session. Our momentum scanner recorded 6 alerts for this stock that day. Relative volume reached 11.5x the daily average during tracking.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Aug 17 session.

Key Figures

Paid conversion rate: >15% Gaming revenue growth: 13.9% Gaming revenue: $5.93 million +2 more

Paid conversion rate

>15%

First month following platform launch

Gaming revenue growth

13.9%

First half of fiscal year 2026, year over year

Gaming revenue

$5.93 million

First half of fiscal year 2026

Monthly paying gamers

79,608

First half of fiscal year 2026

ARPPU

$22.38

First half of fiscal year 2026

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 13

5 events

1. Aug 13

   Revenue update

   24h Move

   +1.0%

   Revenue growth accompanied by a net loss and weakened liquidity

2. May 29

   AI platform launch

   24h Move

   -7.1%

   Commercial AIGC video platform launch was followed by a decline

3. May 07

   Share consolidation

   24h Move

   -14.3%

   Announced 1-for-16 share consolidation preceded a decline

4. Apr 24

   PIPE financing

   24h Move

   +12.5%

   Closed financing and content acquisition preceded a gain

5. Apr 09

   R&D expansion

   24h Move

   +142.7%

   Established Singapore R&D headquarters and announced private placement

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

aigc, arppu, api

3 terms

aigc technical

"Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (“AIGC”) Marketing Suite"

AIGC is content produced by artificial intelligence tools—text, images, audio, video, or software—generated with little or no human writing or creative input. For investors, it matters because it can sharply reduce production costs and speed up new products while creating new revenue opportunities, competitive shifts, and regulatory or intellectual-property risks; think of it like factory automation for creative work that boosts output but requires oversight and new business models.

arppu financial

"average revenue per paying gamer (“ARPPU”) rose to $22.38"

Average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) measures the average amount of money a company earns from each customer who actually pays for its product or service during a set period. Investors use it to understand how well a company turns active customers into revenue—like checking the average bill per diner rather than just counting guests—so rising ARPPU suggests stronger pricing or upselling while a drop can signal weakening monetization.

api technical

"Enterprise Application Programming Interface (“API”) Service Platform"

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules that allows different software programs to communicate and work together smoothly, much like a waiter translating your order into the kitchen and then bringing your meal back. For investors, APIs are important because they enable real-time access to financial data, trading systems, and other digital services, making it easier to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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HONG KONG, Aug. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DarkIris Inc. (Nasdaq: DKI) (the “Company” or “DarkIris”), an innovative technology provider in the digital media and entertainment sector, today provided an update on recent progress across its artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology initiatives, digital gaming operations, and content development pipeline.

Expansion of AI Technology Ecosystem

Following the successful completion of its onboarding and compliance procedures, Aether Intelligence Pte. Ltd., the Company’s Singapore subsidiary, has been included in the qualified vendor directory of a leading global social media and technology company. Under this vendor framework, DarkIris expects to explore opportunities in technical testing and multimodal AI development, including the potential use of the partner’s proprietary AI engine to co-develop interactive entertainment and digital content.

Full-Stack AI Platform Suite & Commercialization

DarkIris continues to advance the development and commercialization of its independently developed AI platform suite, which is designed to provide creators, studios, and developers with end-to-end generative AI tools supporting digital content creation and production workflows. The Company’s current AI product portfolio includes:

• Video Generation Platform (https://video.aideptus.com/): A text-to-video generation platform designed to support the creation of professional-quality dynamic visual content.
• Drama & Film Creation Center (https://lab.aideptus.com/): An integrated production workflow covering script development, character design, and final rendering.
• Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (“AIGC”) Marketing Suite (https://aigc.aideptus.com/): An AI-enabled platform designed to support the generation of digital marketing asset, which is currently advancing toward broader commercial deployment.
• Enterprise Application Programming Interface (“API”) Service Platform (https://api.aideptus.com/): A standardized, scalable, cloud-native API distribution gateway to support enterprise integration.
• Game Animation Frame Extraction Platform (https://www.framepacker.cn/): A specialized platform for extracting 2D game visual effects (“VFX”) asset. This platform recorded a paid conversion rate of more than 15% during its first month following launch, and the Company is accelerating its expansion into international markets.
  
  

Steady Growth in Gaming Revenue & User Monetization

The Company’s core digital gaming business continued to demonstrate operating resilience during the first half of fiscal year 2026. Revenue increased 13.9% year over year to $5.93 million, while monthly paying gamers increased to 79,608 and average revenue per paying gamer (“ARPPU”) rose to $22.38. These improvements were driven by an expanding game portfolio and increased user engagement.

DarkIris believes the continued growth of its gaming operations will provide a stable source of cash flow to support the development and commercialization of its broader AI platform suite.

Advancing into AI- Entertainment with High-quality Film Works

Leveraging its AI-enabled production capabilities, DarkIris is advancing several film and digital media initiatives, including partnership opportunities with a renowned Asia-based media and film company.

The Company’s first independently produced AI-powered premium original film is progressing as planned and is expected to be officially released later in 2026. The project represents an important milestone in DarkIris’ efforts to explore the commercial application of AI in the global entertainment industry.

Management Commentary

Mr. Zhifang Hong, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of DarkIris, commented: “We have entered a new stage of transformation, supported by recognition from a leading global technology company, the commercialization of our AI platform suite, resilient gaming revenue, and our ongoing AI-powered film production efforts. These developments demonstrate our ability to translate generative AI capabilities into practical applications and potential business opportunities. Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding our technology capabilities, broadening our commercial applications, and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

About DarkIris Inc.

DarkIris Inc. (Nasdaq: DKI) is an innovative, growth-oriented public company focused on AI-driven digital media and content production technologies. Through advanced production capabilities, including its artificial intelligence platform, aideptus.com, the Company aims to provide creators, studios, and developers with generative AI solutions designed to streamline creative workflows and enhance digital content production experiences. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.darkiris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performances, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the following: the Company’s ability to achieve its goals and strategies, the Company’s future business development and plans for future business development, including its financial conditions and results of operations, product and service demand and acceptance, reputation and brand, the impact of competition and pricing, changes in technology, government regulations, fluctuations in general economic and business conditions, the Company’s ability to comply with Nasdaq continued listing standards and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, as well as its current reports on Form 6-K and other filings, all of which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

DarkIris Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Email: dki@darkiris.com

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1 646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How did DarkIris (Nasdaq: DKI) perform in gaming revenue in the first half of 2026?

DarkIris reported gaming revenue of $5.93 million in the first half of 2026, a 13.9% year-over-year increase. According to DarkIris, this growth was supported by an expanding game portfolio and stronger user engagement, enhancing overall monetization metrics.

What user monetization metrics did DarkIris (DKI) disclose for its gaming business?

DarkIris reported 79,608 monthly paying gamers and ARPPU of $22.38 in the first half of 2026. According to DarkIris, these figures reflect improved monetization driven by higher engagement and a broader portfolio of digital games.

What AI platforms are included in DarkIris (DKI) full-stack AI suite?

DarkIris offers a text-to-video generation platform, a drama and film creation center, an AIGC marketing suite, an enterprise API service, and a game animation frame extraction platform. According to DarkIris, these tools support end-to-end generative AI content creation and production workflows.

What milestone did DarkIris subsidiary Aether Intelligence achieve in August 2026?

Aether Intelligence was added to the qualified vendor directory of a leading global social media and technology company. According to DarkIris, this status enables exploration of technical testing and multimodal AI development, including potential collaboration using the partner’s proprietary AI engine.

What is the paid conversion rate of DarkIris game animation frame extraction platform?

DarkIris reported a paid conversion rate of more than 15% for its game animation frame extraction platform in its first month after launch. According to DarkIris, the company is now accelerating expansion of this platform into international markets.

When will DarkIris (DKI) release its first AI-powered premium original film?

DarkIris expects its first independently produced AI-powered premium original film to be officially released later in 2026. According to DarkIris, this project is progressing as planned and marks a key step in applying AI to global entertainment production.