# Kaze and the Wild Masks

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

- Steam appid: 829280
- Developer: PixelHive
- Publisher: SOEDESCO
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Action · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.0k to $1.6k per month (mid $1.3k)
- Opportunity score: $2.7k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 61.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $151.9k
- Review sentiment: 94% positive across 2053 reviews (1906 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 20.8 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 3.6 years
- Studio inactive: no public activity across 1 tracked titles
- Last build shipped 5.3 years ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 6 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.5 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $2.4k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.0k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $1.9k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.3k |

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

28, 27, 13, 15, 40, 20, 20, 25, 19, 14, 15, 43, 17, 12, 14, 26, 26, 27, 21, 23, 17, 21, 12, 31

## Estimated acquisition range

$31.1k to $62.3k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $15.6k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A 2D platformer from Brazilian studio PixelHive that homages Donkey Kong Country with hand-drawn graphics, tight level design, and challenging old-school gameplay.

Kaze and the Wild Masks earned $152k lifetime on 61k units at $9.99, posting 93.8% positive reviews and still generating $1.3k/mo residual revenue three years post-launch. The developer (PixelHive, single-title studio) appears dormant for 42 months, but the game's mechanical polish, cultural identity as a Brazilian platformer, and steady small-scale traction make it a candidate for modest publishing revival or IP licensing if SOEDESCO has capacity to greenlight a sequel or console port. Most realistic play is watch-and-wait: the monthly burn is low-risk, but upside requires active marketing push or platform expansion, neither of which the current publisher shows signs of executing.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): 2D platformer market is saturated; title has no franchise recognition outside niche indie circles despite strong craftsmanship.
- Risk (tech): No developer activity in 42 months suggests team disbanded or moved on; source code, IP ownership, and post-launch support viability are unknown.
- Risk (other): Elasticity (1.51) indicates price sensitivity; deep discounts (85% max) may cannibalize full-price sales and obscure true organic demand.

What players are asking for:
- Refined control remapping (drop/glide input feels awkward to multiple players)
- Audio design overhaul (weak soundtrack and SFX compared to DKC legacy)
- Console port (likely unmet demand; no mention of Switch/PS/Xbox release in reviews)

Suggested first moves:
1. Confirm IP ownership and source code access with SOEDESCO and PixelHive (if contact is possible); establish whether sequel or port rights are negotiable.
2. Audit platform traction (current $1.3k/mo) against cost of live-ops or marketing lift; determine if $2.7k/mo upside opportunity is realistic with PR campaign or bundle placement.
3. Evaluate console port feasibility (Switch, PlayStation would expand addressable market); 61k total units suggests core audience exists but may be underserved on console storefronts.

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/829280
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.