# DARQ: Complete Edition

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

- Steam appid: 433550
- Developer: Unfold Games
- Released: 2019 · Genre: Action · List price: $19.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $831 to $1.2k per month (mid $1.0k)
- Opportunity score: $2.2k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 142.9k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $614.1k
- Review sentiment: 94% positive across 4192 reviews (3573 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 9.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 4.3 years
- Studio inactive: no public activity across 1 tracked titles
- Last build shipped 5.8 years ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 8 sales in the last 12 months

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $1.9k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $1.6k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $1.5k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.0k |

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

17, 9, 11, 13, 13, 14, 16, 8, 19, 9, 14, 9, 11, 13, 7, 9, 11, 13, 9, 10, 5, 12, 9, 13

## Estimated acquisition range

$24.9k to $49.8k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $12.5k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A 2019 puzzle-platformer built on lucid-dreaming mechanics and gravity manipulation, packaged as a Complete Edition with all DLC.

DARQ has sustained modest but steady residual revenue ($1,038/mo mid-case) across four years on a $19.99 price point, driven by 94% positive reviews and a Tim Burton-inspired aesthetic that resonates with puzzle enthusiasts. The developer (Unfold Games) has been inactive for ~51 months, but the title's low velocity and niche appeal suggest it has found its audience and is unlikely to benefit from aggressive discounting or publishing intervention. This is a quiet earner for a patient publisher or a candidate for a low-cost IP acquisition if the studio has closed or IP is available.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (other): Developer inactive for 51 months with no studio communication; uncertain IP ownership status and update/support viability if acquired.
- Risk (market): Niche puzzle audience; elasticity of 1.13 suggests limited price sensitivity and narrow expansion ceiling.
- Risk (other): Minimal recent sales velocity (12-month average: 8 units) indicates audience saturation on current platform.

What players are asking for:
- More games in the same creative, narrative-driven puzzle style
- Sequel or spiritual successor with expanded gravity mechanics
- Console ports (Switch, PlayStation)

Suggested first moves:
1. Confirm IP ownership and developer status (possible acquisition of rights if studio has dissolved) for ~$100k–$300k depending on lifetime net and franchise potential.
2. Audit console port feasibility and cost-benefit for Switch, PlayStation 5, or Game Pass to unlock adjacent audiences without heavy development spend.
3. Evaluate whether a spiritual successor or expanded universe title (not a direct sequel, which may face design constraints) could leverage the community's appetite for more Tim Burton-esque puzzle experiences under a refreshed publishing banner.

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/433550
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.