# DEATH PENALTY

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

**Measured on 2026-09-18 00:00 UTC.** The whole Steam catalog is re-measured daily; a game that just launched can move a lot between passes.

- Steam appid: 4182430
- Developer: HACKJOB
- Publisher: UnderWare
- Released: 2026 · Genre: Adventure · List price: $11.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.9k to $4.4k per month (mid $3.6k)
- Opportunity score: $6.9k/month at x1.90 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 1.6k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $6.4k
- Review sentiment: 84% positive across 44 reviews (40 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 36.4 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- No developer announcement on record, ever
- Last build shipped 0 months ago
- Store page localized in only 1 language(s)

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $6.6k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $5.8k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $5.2k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $3.6k |

## Estimated acquisition range

$87.6k to $175.2k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $43.8k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- english: 72%
- russian: 6% (game NOT localized in this language)
- schinese: 12% (game NOT localized in this language)
- brazilian: 9% (game NOT localized in this language)

Localization gap: 28% of measured reviews are written in languages the game does not support (top: schinese). Localizing is likely immediate market expansion.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

_Note written 2026-09-18 from that day's data; the figures in the header are live and supersede any numbers here._

A short-form psychological horror adventure with SCP-inspired atmosphere and Fear & Hunger-adjacent design, launching in 2026.

Death Penalty is a curiosity: brand-new (weeks old), already grade-A rated, with strong community enthusiasm despite minimal player count. The title shows real polish in art direction and sound design, and maintains solid engagement metrics for its stage. This is a watch case for early momentum and a potential acquisition target if the studio remains a one-title operation and the developer stays productive; the horror niche rewards focused vision, but the game's derivative positioning (SCP elements, Fear & Hunger echoes) limits ceiling without franchise development.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): Derived aesthetic (SCP Foundation tropes, Fear & Hunger formula) may face creative-direction questions as it scales; derivative positioning risks saturation if horror-adjacent titles flood the niche.
- Risk (other): Studio is single-title operation; long-term viability and follow-up capacity unknown.
- Risk (other): Simplistic localization (1 language at launch, 28% Chinese gap) may limit early Asian runway despite positive reception sample.

What players are asking for:
- Expanded narrative depth or sequel potential (implied by comparison-heavy reviews)
- Accessibility modes for difficulty (players note 'hard as hell' appeal but some friction cited)
- Extended playtime content (median session 2.6h; players want more)

Suggested first moves:
1. Monitor residual revenue and player retention over next 2-3 months to confirm engagement curve; if monthly figures stabilize above mid-range, begin outreach to HACKJOB for publishing or sequel partnership.
2. Audit IP surface (SCP Foundation fan-work status, Fear & Hunger similarity scope) to confirm no licensing exposure; confirm studio IP ownership in writing.
3. Evaluate Chinese localization investment and regional marketing as quick proof-of-concept for Asian monetization if residuals hold.

Generated 2026-09-18 from public signals and player reviews. Directional, not diligence.

## Methodology

Units are estimated from Steam-purchase reviews times a release-cohort multiplier, 40-75x by year. Cohorts from 2020 on are calibrated against 182 sales milestones announced by developers; older ones follow the published Boxleiter tables. 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/4182430
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when you publish or quote these estimates.