Braid

Number None · 2009 · $14.99 · Casual · deal grade B

• Estimated net residual revenue: $816 to $1.2k per month
• Opportunity: $2.0k per month at x2.00 dormancy
• Estimated lifetime owners: 520.3k
• 93%% positive across 9950 reviews · 12.7 reviews/month

Why it's flagged

• Developer active, last post 2 months ago
• Last build shipped 11.2 years ago
• No Steam discount in 2.4 years (deepest tracked: -80%)

Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A 2D puzzle-platformer built on time-manipulation mechanics and visual narrative layering, developed by Jonathan Blow and published by Number None in 2009.

Braid is a quiet earner: $1.68M lifetime on 520K units with steady monthly residual revenue of $1,020/mo suggests evergreen appeal in a niche puzzle audience. The 93% positive rate and consistent low-volume sales indicate deep, durable brand equity among core players. For a publisher seeking to revive or expand a proven IP with minimal operational risk, Braid merits attention, though the single-studio developer and 11+ year development cycle on successor titles imply IP expansion would require external creative partnership. Most realistic play: revival.

• Risk: Build is 134 months old; platform fragmentation (console ports, mobile) may require technical refresh to maintain sales velocity and reach new audiences.
• Risk: Puzzle-platformer genre is crowded; without content expansion or sequel momentum, residual revenue is unlikely to accelerate without aggressive marketing or bundling strategy.
• Risk: Developer Jonathan Blow has not posted in 2 months and focuses primary effort on unreleased successor titles; active stewardship or co-development partnership would be needed for meaningful campaign.

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