# The Chant

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

- Steam appid: 1577250
- Developer: Brass Token
- Publisher: Prime Matter
- Released: 2022 · Genre: Action · List price: $24.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.6k to $2.4k per month (mid $2.0k)
- Opportunity score: $3.8k/month at x1.90 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 27.6k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $171.7k
- Review sentiment: 76% positive across 1246 reviews (861 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 12.8 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 2.2 years
- Studio quiet across its whole catalog
- Last build shipped 36 months ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 10 sales in the last 12 months

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $3.6k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $3.2k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.9k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.0k |

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

31, 26, 16, 23, 18, 10, 13, 18, 12, 12, 16, 19, 11, 6, 22, 20, 9, 14, 18, 13, 15, 12, 6, 13

## Missed seasonal-sale revenue (modeled)

Skipped 3 Steam seasonal sale window(s) in the last 24 months. Running a -50% discount in those windows is modeled at +$4.1k net in total, assuming a unit uplift of x3.0 (industry-typical for old catalog titles). Same ±30-50% error range applies.

## Estimated acquisition range

$48.0k to $96.0k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $24.0k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- brazilian: 4%
- german: 5%
- english: 63%
- koreana: 2%
- russian: 7%
- spanish: 6%
- japanese: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)
- schinese: 6%
- french: 4%

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

The Chant is a 2022 supernatural horror-action title blending Silent Hill and Resident Evil aesthetics with an occult narrative framework.

The Chant has generated $171k lifetime on 27.5k units sold, earning $2k/mo residually with a 76% positive ratio and modest ongoing review velocity (13/mo). The game's core appeal resonates with survival-horror enthusiasts, but persistent technical issues and lightweight combat have capped mainstream traction. For a publisher with engine expertise or a horror-focused studio, fixing performance and rebalancing combat progression could unlock modest revival upside; acquisition alone is speculative unless bundled with Brass Token's back catalog.

- Most realistic play: revival
- Risk (tech): Multiple reports of severe frame-rate instability (250fps to 30fps stuttering, 5-10fps floors) suggest unresolved engine optimization that may compound with newer OS versions.
- Risk (market): Combat system and story both cited as generic or weak in player feedback; differentiators versus genre incumbents are unclear.
- Risk (other): Developer (Brass Token) shows fading studio status with only one title and 26+ months since last communication; acquisition or support would require full team assessment or restructure.

What players are asking for:
- Optimization and frame-rate stability fixes
- Rebalance healing item availability and resource scarcity
- Improve or deepen combat mechanics
- Full remaster with modern engine (RE Engine mentioned) and AAA production value

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit Brass Token's engine pipeline and identify performance bottlenecks; compare cost/benefit of optimization hotfix (3-6 weeks) versus full engine migration.
2. Conduct private focus session with top 50 wishlist/review authors to validate combat and difficulty feedback; determine if rebalance is a 2-4 week sprint or deeper redesign.
3. Model revival scenarios: standalone patch + discount push, bundled DLC pack, or licensing for indie horror label; cross-reference against Prime Matter's current publishing roadmap and horror IP strategy.

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/1577250
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.