# Scars Above

> ResidualPlay case file: an overlooked Steam game still earning residual revenue. Estimates carry a ±30-50% error range per title.

- Steam appid: 1196090
- Developer: Mad Head Games
- Publisher: Prime Matter
- Released: 2023 · Genre: Action · List price: $29.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $6.9k to $10.4k per month (mid $8.6k)
- Opportunity score: $16.4k/month at x1.90 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 88.3k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $659.9k
- Review sentiment: 77% positive across 3586 reviews (2758 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 46.2 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 2.2 years
- Studio quiet across its whole catalog
- Last build shipped 34 months ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 10 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.2 review velocity during past deep sales

## Where a gross dollar goes (monthly, at current velocity)

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $15.7k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $13.6k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $12.3k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $8.6k |

## Monthly review counts, oldest to newest (24 months)

97, 58, 56, 62, 66, 66, 48, 44, 28, 37, 36, 45, 36, 35, 56, 52, 56, 59, 37, 50, 50, 38, 45, 57

## Estimated acquisition range

$207.1k to $414.3k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $103.6k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A sci-fi third-person action game with souls-like combat and elemental mechanics that earned $660k lifetime on a 6–8 hour runtime.

Scars Above sits in the overlooked AA sweet spot: 77% positive reviews, $8.6k/mo residual revenue, and strong narrative praise despite execution gaps. The game's Dead Space-meets-souls identity and tight pacing resonate with players hungry for linear sci-fi experiences. For a mid-tier publisher or acquisition-minded studio, this title offers a stable catalog anchor and clear roadmap for a director's cut or sequel; for revival, a technical polish pass and character design refresh could unlock console ports and regional pricing gains.

- Most realistic play: acquisition
- Risk (market): Sales velocity has plateaued; 12-month sales of 10 units suggest the game has exhausted its core audience without breakout moments.
- Risk (tech): Recurring player feedback on janky combat, weak facial animations, and undercooked mechanics indicate the title would need substantial polish to justify a re-release campaign.
- Risk (other): Developer Mad Head Games shows one active title and 26 months since last public communication, suggesting limited bandwidth for post-launch support or sequel development.

What players are asking for:
- Improved character facial animation and protagonist design
- Expanded combat variety and gadget balancing
- Console port (PS5, Xbox) to reach couch players
- Director's cut with enhanced cutscene polish and writing refinement

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit IP ownership and publishing rights with Prime Matter to confirm full acquisition feasibility; secure commitment to continue platform support and potential sequel pre-production.
2. Commission a technical audit of the codebase, art pipeline, and engine stability, with focus on console certification readiness and scalability for a Switch/mobile port.
3. Validate a 'Director's Cut' roadmap with Mad Head Games: protagonist redesign, facial rig overhaul, combat rebalancing, and one new story chapter, priced at $14.99 as a standalone or bundle with base game at $39.99 to re-enter charts and justicy a launch marketing push.

Generated 2026-08-20 from public signals and player reviews. Directional, not diligence.

## Methodology

Units are estimated from Steam-purchase reviews times a release-cohort multiplier (Boxleiter method, 20-75x by year). Revenue uses an effective price (lifetime discounts and regional pricing) and nets out VAT (~13%), refunds (~9.5%) and Steam's 30% cut: roughly 55% of gross reaches the developer.

Source: https://residualplay.com/game/1196090
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.