# Class of '09

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

- Steam appid: 1443200
- Developer: SBN3
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Casual · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $8.5k to $12.8k per month (mid $10.6k)
- Opportunity score: $16.0k/month at x1.50 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 270.9k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $674.8k
- Review sentiment: 95% positive across 9039 reviews (8466 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 171.0 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer active, last post 2 months ago
- Studio active elsewhere (4 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 3.8 years ago
- Store page localized in only 1 language(s)

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $19.3k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $16.8k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $15.2k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $10.6k |

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

377, 344, 257, 164, 403, 275, 146, 278, 128, 139, 171, 277, 118, 89, 111, 83, 176, 205, 100, 188, 190, 148, 182, 218

## Estimated acquisition range

$255.6k to $511.1k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $127.8k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Class of '09 is a darkly comedic visual novel set in a 2009 high school where players control Nicole, a morally unhinged protagonist navigating 15+ branching endings.

This indie VN has quietly accrued $675k lifetime revenue on $9.99 sticker with a 94.5% positive ratio and stable $10.6k/mo residual intake, suggesting a devoted niche community that sees franchise potential. The creator remains active (last post 1.8 months ago), and player sentiment points to untapped IP extension opportunities: TV/anime adaptation requests recur across top reviews, and the game's satirical tone around social issues resonates despite, or because of, its transgressive humor. For a publisher or studio, this represents a low-risk catalog play with latent transmedia upside, particularly if a revival campaign or licensed adaptation can broaden reach beyond the current 170 reviews/mo baseline.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (market): Extremely niche edgy-comedy positioning may not survive mainstream marketing or localization; audience growth via platform push alone is unproven.
- Risk (other): Developer is solo/very small (studio_titles: 1); succession, burnout, or license disputes could disrupt any ongoing content or technical support.
- Risk (other): No sales in trailing 12 months suggests organic discovery has plateaued; residual revenue is maintenance-mode, not growth-trajectory.

What players are asking for:
- TV series or anime adaptation (mentioned in multiple top reviews)
- Sequel or expanded trilogy content
- Localization into additional languages (currently English-only)
- Clarification or expanded lore around in-game world and character backstories

Suggested first moves:
1. Secure publishing or co-development pact with SBN3 to explore TV/animation IP licensing; player demand signals translator/adapter fit.
2. Conduct regional platform testing (console ports, mobile web VN reader, Korean/Japanese localization) to measure elasticity vs. current Steam-only, English-only posture.
3. Audit franchise continuity and lore assets to evaluate trilogy completion or spin-off potential as long-tail catalog revenue stabilizer.

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/1443200
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.