# Charlie Murder

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

- Steam appid: 405290
- Developer: Ska Studios
- Released: 2017 · Genre: Action · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.6k to $2.5k per month (mid $2.1k)
- Opportunity score: $4.3k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 143.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $307.1k
- Review sentiment: 96% positive across 2926 reviews (2600 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 38.3 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 4.5 years
- Studio active elsewhere (3 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 4.5 years ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 5 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.4 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $3.7k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $3.3k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.9k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.1k |

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

29, 17, 29, 31, 40, 30, 31, 30, 21, 38, 49, 40, 29, 29, 53, 28, 32, 35, 43, 39, 32, 24, 43, 49

## Estimated acquisition range

$49.4k to $98.8k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $24.7k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Charlie Murder is a side-scrolling beat-em-up RPG hybrid with punk-rock aesthetic, deep combat and upgrade systems, and local co-op play.

Charlie Murder sits at an unusual equilibrium: 95.9% positive reviews, $2,057/mo residual revenue, and strong community affection, yet the game has seen zero developer engagement for 54 months. The title appeals to players seeking accessible retro arcade action with RPG depth, and its cult following suggests a revival campaign (sequel, prequel, or modernized remaster) could unlock both nostalgia-driven sales and new audience discovery. For a publisher, the acquisition cost relative to steady cash flow and IP ownership is a straightforward financial play; for Ska Studios, the opportunity lies in monetizing dormant fan goodwill without resource-heavy live-service commitment.

- Most realistic play: acquisition
- Risk (market): Local co-op beat-em-ups face declining mainstream interest; multiplayer dependency may limit addressable market compared to single-player action games.
- Risk (tech): 54-month development silence raises questions about engine obsolescence and cross-platform compatibility; cost to modernize or port may exceed incremental revenue.
- Risk (other): Extremely high elasticity (1.37) suggests pricing power is limited; players have strong willingness to wait for sales, capping full-price upside.

What players are asking for:
- Sequel or continuation of the franchise
- Better matchmaking or online co-op (current reviews mention friends don't own the game)
- Cross-platform play or mobile version

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit Ska Studios' IP ownership and trademark registration; confirm no contractual encumbrances before acquisition discussion.
2. Commission a cost-benefit analysis of a Switch or mobile port versus a full sequel; test nostalgia-driven community demand via pre-registration or survey to validate uplift potential.
3. Evaluate whether $307K lifetime net revenue and $2,057/mo residual justify acquisition price, or whether a publishing/marketing partnership (without IP transfer) offers better ROI.

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/405290
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.