# Nodebuster

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

- Steam appid: 3107330
- Developer: Goblobin
- Released: 2024 · Genre: Casual · List price: $2.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.1k to $3.2k per month (mid $2.6k)
- Opportunity score: $4.3k/month at x1.65 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 441.2k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $385.6k
- Review sentiment: 97% positive across 14010 reviews (13788 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 120.5 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 24 months
- Studio quiet across its whole catalog
- Last build shipped 19 months ago
- Store page localized in only 1 language(s)
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 5 sales in the last 12 months

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $4.8k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $4.2k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $3.8k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.6k |

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

467, 1514, 3857, 1653, 1286, 744, 437, 562, 654, 281, 300, 426, 182, 130, 306, 125, 184, 178, 109, 173, 89, 95, 119, 138

## Missed seasonal-sale revenue (modeled)

Skipped 5 Steam seasonal sale window(s) in the last 24 months. Running a -50% discount in those windows is modeled at +$32.8k 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

$63.2k to $126.4k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $31.6k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- spanish: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)
- schinese: 1% (game NOT localized in this language)
- german: 5% (game NOT localized in this language)
- english: 81%
- japanese: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- brazilian: 6% (game NOT localized in this language)
- french: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)
- koreana: 1% (game NOT localized in this language)
- russian: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)

Localization gap: 19% of measured reviews are written in languages the game does not support (top: brazilian). Localizing is likely immediate market expansion.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A 2024 incremental clicker with pixel art aesthetic and satisfying audio-visual feedback that delivers 3-5 hours of idle-game progression for $2.99.

Nodebuster achieved 441k lifetime units and 97% positive reviews on minimal marketing: $2.6k/mo residual revenue with 120 reviews/month suggests durable, word-of-mouth appeal in the casual-incremental niche. The developer (Goblobin, single-title studio, inactive 24 months) appears dormant, making the IP and back-catalog rights potentially acquirable. Best fit is acquisition + remaster (3D sequel mentioned by players, localization to Brazilian Portuguese where 717 reviews cluster, PC port polish for graphics complaints) or publishing arrangement to fund modest live ops.

- Most realistic play: acquisition
- Risk (market): Incremental-game saturation is high; core loop (kill shapes, upgrade, repeat) lacks differentiation and players plateau in 4-5 hours with diminishing engagement signals after month 2 of velocity data.
- Risk (tech): Default CRT and white-burst effects are accessibility failures; negative reviews cite mandatory graphics tweaking, suggesting engine or asset-pipeline debt that would require remediation pre-revival.
- Risk (other): Single-title developer radio silence (23 months since last post, 19 months since last build) indicates possible burnout or licensing constraint; studio status 'fading' limits post-acquisition live support unless fully staffed externally.

What players are asking for:
- 3D sequel or visual refresh to maintain freshness
- Localized content for Brazilian Portuguese-speaking audience (717 reviews, 19% loc gap)
- More player agency: minigames, varying areas, or mechanics beyond % boosts
- Graphics accessibility: toggle CRT and explosive transitions off by default

Suggested first moves:
1. Acquire IP + back-catalog rights from Goblobin; negotiate retention of original team for 2-3 month polish cycle (graphics defaults, Brazilian Portuguese UI + localization, small QoL pass).
2. Soft-launch refreshed version on Steam with modest discount (15-20%) to test re-engagement of existing playerbase; track review velocity and concurrent sentiment for 30 days.
3. Explore sequel greenlight (3D art, expanded prestige/New Game+ loop, cosmetic shop) as funded live-title if remaster achieves 150+ reviews/month and positive ratio holds >95%.

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/3107330
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.