Democracy 4

Positech Games · 2022 · $29.99 · Indie · deal grade B

Measured on 2026-09-23 11:37 UTC, 12 days ago. The whole catalog is re-measured daily; a game that just launched can move fast between passes.

• Estimated net residual revenue: $2.6k to $3.9k per month
• Opportunity: $4.4k per month at x1.35 dormancy
• Estimated lifetime owners: 236.0k
• 82% positive across 6404 reviews · 17.5 reviews/month

Why it's flagged

• Developer silent for 16 months
• Studio quiet across its whole catalog

Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Note written 2026-08-22; the live figures above take precedence over any numbers in it.

A deep political-economy simulator where players manage policy, budgets, and voter satisfaction across multiple terms as an elected leader.

Democracy 4 maintains a loyal niche audience (81.8% positive, 187k lifetime units) and generates $3.4k/mo in residual revenue despite zero promotional activity in 12 months and no developer engagement since launch. The title is a canonical design reference in strategy simulation circles, but studio inactivity and lack of content updates suggest the franchise window is narrowing. For a publisher with live-service ambitions or a strategy-focused indie house, acquiring the IP and backlist could unlock a revival via modding tools, balance patches, and a sequel roadmap; for pure portfolio holders, it offers steady catalog cash flow with minimal ongoing cost. Most realistic play: acquisition.

• Risk: Audience is self-selecting (politics enthusiasts, strategy nerds) and unlikely to expand without major design changes; mainstream appeal remains limited.
• Risk: 15+ months since last build with zero dev posts suggests potential technical debt or engine drift relative to modern Steam expectations (e.g., modding tooling).
• Risk: Studio status flagged as 'fading' with only 4 titles in catalog; long-term support and sequel viability depend on acquirer commitment.

This case as Markdown · Estimates carry ±30-50% error per title.