ResidualPlaybeta Open the radar

DEFCON

Introversion Software · 2006 · $11.99 · Indie · deal grade D

Measured on 2026-09-26 01:35 UTC, 10 days ago. The whole catalog is re-measured daily; a game that just launched can move fast between passes.

  • Estimated net residual revenue: $494 to $740 per month
  • Opportunity: $617 per month at x1.00 dormancy
  • Estimated lifetime owners: 260.0k
  • 87% positive across 4337 reviews · 9.6 reviews/month

Why it's flagged

  • Developer active, last post 0 months ago
  • Studio active elsewhere (5 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
  • Last discounted 3 months ago, 5 sales in the last 12 months

Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Note written 2026-08-26; the live figures above take precedence over any numbers in it.

A nuclear war strategy game where players command global superpowers in real-time, inspired by WarGames, with asymmetric gameplay built around mutually assured destruction.

DEFCON occupies rare territory: a nearly two-decade-old indie strategy title still generating solid four-figure monthly residuals with strong community sentiment (87% positive). The game has no active discount history, suggesting a stable pricing floor and loyal owner base insulated from trend volatility. However, the small current player count and zero developer activity in nearly two years signal either a stable end-of-life state or an opportunity for a lightweight publisher refresh (balance patch, community hub revitalization, seasonal events) to unlock dormant interest without heavy reinvestment. Most realistic play: watch.

  • Risk: Aging engine and UI scaling issues at modern resolutions create friction for new players; multiplayer relies on peer-to-peer connectivity that may erode as player counts stay low.
  • Risk: Nuclear war simulation carries cultural and regulatory sensitivity that may complicate revival campaigns or geographic expansion, especially during geopolitical tension.
  • Risk: Pvp-focused design depends on concurrent players; current single-digit daily actives mean matchmaking is practically broken for new buyers.

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