# Tick Tock: A Tale for Two

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

- Steam appid: 790740
- Developer: Other Tales Interactive
- Released: 2019 · Genre: Adventure · List price: $5.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.3k to $1.9k per month (mid $1.6k)
- Opportunity score: $2.4k/month at x1.50 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 398.5k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $513.1k
- Review sentiment: 85% positive across 11884 reviews (9963 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 49.8 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer active, last post 2 months ago
- Studio active elsewhere (2 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 5.2 years ago
- Last discounted 0 months ago, 8 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.6 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $2.9k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.5k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.3k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.6k |

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

49, 41, 40, 78, 60, 84, 98, 62, 42, 40, 49, 49, 32, 20, 36, 33, 181, 91, 46, 62, 34, 44, 43, 70

## Estimated acquisition range

$38.5k to $77.0k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $19.2k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A narrative co-op puzzle game where two players solve asymmetric challenges via phone or local communication, no internet required.

Tick Tock has quietly earned $513K lifetime on 399K units sold, with 85% positive sentiment and steady monthly residuals around $1,604/mo. The core mechanic (forced communication between players with different information sets) remains rare and well-executed. Community appetite for longer content and sequel potential suggests a dormant IP worth reviving through either a narrative expansion or a full sequel that addresses the single biggest complaint: runtime feels incomplete relative to the polished world-building.

- Most realistic play: revival
- Risk (market): Niche co-op audience limits ceiling; requires two engaged players willing to commit 90-180 minutes in sync, constraining viral potential.
- Risk (tech): No internet requirement is a feature but also a constraint; absence of matchmaking or online infrastructure may block growth into casual multiplayer.
- Risk (other): Studio ships only one title; single-game developer may lack bandwidth for sequel or live ops without external partnership.

What players are asking for:
- Longer campaign or sequel with more puzzles and story depth
- Online matchmaking or asynchronous play modes for players without local partner
- Hint system or difficulty toggles to lower friction for casual pairs
- Expanded narrative context around the plot twist and emotional payoff

Suggested first moves:
1. License or acquire the IP and conduct player research on sequel appetite: would existing audience pay $12-15 for a 3-4 hour follow-up with narrative closure and optional online play?
2. Analyze dev studio relationship and current capacity; if Other Tales Interactive is receptive, fund a modest expansion pack (new puzzle sets, extended ending) to re-engage the 399K install base and generate goodwill signal before a larger commitment.
3. If acquisition is viable, evaluate porting to mobile (iOS/Android) with local Bluetooth co-op as a lower-friction entry point for couples and friends, leveraging the no-internet design strength.

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/790740
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.