# Pyre

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

- Steam appid: 462770
- Developer: Supergiant Games
- Released: 2017 · Genre: Action · List price: $19.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.9k to $2.8k per month (mid $2.4k)
- Opportunity score: $3.8k/month at x1.60 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 461.1k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $2.0M
- Review sentiment: 90% positive across 9338 reviews (8383 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 22.0 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 3.7 years
- Studio active elsewhere (5 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 6 months ago
- 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 | $4.3k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $3.7k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $3.4k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.4k |

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

36, 32, 17, 36, 26, 21, 25, 23, 20, 26, 18, 26, 25, 27, 29, 26, 24, 34, 15, 25, 23, 29, 22, 18

## Estimated acquisition range

$56.7k to $113.4k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $28.4k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A narrative-driven action game from Supergiant Games that blends turn-based sports mechanics with isometric fantasy storytelling.

Pyre remains a quiet earner for its maker, clearing $2.3k/mo residually on a seven-year-old title with 90% positive Steam sentiment and strong player attachment. The game's unique mechanics and world-building have never spawned sequels or spin-offs despite cult enthusiasm, suggesting either deliberate portfolio positioning by Supergiant or genuine niche economics. For a publisher seeking backlist IP with zero live-service overhead and proven narrative depth, this is a case study in sustainable indie profitability rather than a turnaround play.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): The isometric sports-fantasy hybrid genre has not been validated by other studios; replicability and franchise extensibility remain unproven.
- Risk (other): Developer Supergiant Games is actively operating (five titles, last post ~45 months ago); acquisition of Pyre alone would likely be refused or contingent on wider catalog play.

What players are asking for:
- Sequel or spin-off continuation of the Pyre universe and character arcs
- Multiplayer versus mode expansion (reviewed as present but light)
- Port to console platforms beyond the 2017 Switch release

Suggested first moves:
1. Map Supergiant Games' canonical stance on Pyre IP and likelihood of licensor deal; studio's fourth-wall positioning and creative control typically command premium terms.
2. Audit multiplayer infrastructure (Rites versus mode) for technical debt and cost-of-ownership; even modest online upkeep could offset the $2.3k/mo residual under a publishing restructure.
3. Conduct cohort analysis of the 22 monthly reviews to assess whether players are first-time acquirers or returning veterans; growth trajectory will determine whether dormant marketing spend or nostalgia campaign is viable.

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/462770
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.