The Cassie Codex: IP Evaluation & Commercial Value
A comprehensive assessment of a high-concept science fiction saga with significant cross-media potential spanning publishing, streaming, gaming, and merchandise.
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by Michael Bjørklund
Source: NDA
Book Publishing Value
Series Structure
Six-part epic blending philosophical sci-fi, techno-thriller, and apocalyptic narrative with first two books completed and framework for all six established
Thematic Depth
Exploration of AI ethics, surveillance, pandemic scenarios, and human evolution that appeals to sophisticated sci-fi readers while maintaining thriller elements
Commercial Appeal
Complex, multi-layered narrative with global scope similar to successful series like "The Three-Body Problem," "Foundation," and "The Expanse"
Publishing Market Potential
$75K-150K
Potential Advance
Estimated hardcover advances with a major publisher
$500K-1M
Lifetime Sales
Projected trade paperback and ebook sales over the life of the series
6
Book Series
Complete saga with interconnected narrative
If positioned correctly with a major publisher, this could reach the commercial success of works by Neal Stephenson, Liu Cixin, or Adrian Tchaikovsky, with additional value from audio rights given the complexity and length of the work.
Publishing Strategy
Target Major SFF Imprints
Focus on Tor, Orbit, Del Rey who have experience marketing complex, philosophical sci-fi
Position as Evolution of AI Fiction
Market as the next step beyond current AI narrative offerings
Emphasize Global Appeal
Highlight settings across China, Denmark, India, UK, US for international markets
Leverage Ensemble Cast
Promote diverse POV characters for broad reader engagement
Network Streaming Value
Premium Series Potential
Ideal for high-production streaming platforms
Global Settings
China, Denmark, India, UK, US provide international appeal
Ensemble Cast Opportunities
Multiple POV characters allow diverse storytelling angles
6-Season Structure
Aligns with streaming platform needs for long-term content
The saga shows significant potential for adaptation as a premium streaming series with distinctive visual elements like The Man, Lisa-bot, and quantum concepts offering a unique visual language.
Streaming Financial Potential
1
Option Deal
$50,000-100,000 for initial rights
2
Per-Episode Budget
$8-12 million (similar to high-end sci-fi like Foundation or The Expanse)
3
Total Platform Value
$500 million+ potential value through subscriptions, engagement, and international distribution if successful
Target Streaming Platforms
Apple TV+
Given their investment in high-concept sci-fi like Foundation
Amazon Prime
Building on success of The Expanse
Netflix
Expanding their sci-fi portfolio beyond action-oriented titles
Gaming Adaptation Potential
Premium Narrative-Driven RPG/Adventure
Similar to Deus Ex, Control, or Detroit: Become Human
Strategy/Simulation Game
Global pandemic/AI management with multiple factions
Mobile Games
Casual puzzlers, resource management or build-an-AI games
Board Game
Semi-cooperative survival game similar to Pandemic Legacy
The Cassie Codex offers rich potential for gaming adaptations across multiple formats, leveraging its complex world and themes.
Gaming Financial Projections
Each game type represents different investment levels and potential returns, with the premium narrative RPG offering the highest revenue potential but also requiring the largest development investment.
Key Gaming Partners
Premium Studios
Remedy Entertainment (Control), Quantic Dream (Detroit: Become Human) for narrative-driven experiences
Indie-Premium Publishers
Devolver Digital or 505 Games for mid-tier development with creative freedom
Board Game Publishers
Fantasy Flight or Z-Man Games for tabletop adaptations
Collectibles & Merchandise
Character Figures
Limited edition figures of characters like The Man and Lisa-bot would appeal to collectors and fans of the series. These could be produced in varying quality tiers from mass-market to high-end limited editions.
With proper fan cultivation and marketing, character merchandise could generate significant revenue streams, especially if tied to successful adaptations across media platforms.
Financial Potential
Annual Revenue Projection: $1-3 million
This estimate assumes:
Established fan base from book series
Potential boost from streaming adaptation
Multiple product categories including figures, apparel, and accessories
Both mass-market and premium collector offerings
Graphic Novels & Art Books
Visual World Exploration
Art books featuring concept designs, world-building elements, and character studies would appeal to both casual fans and serious collectors. These could explore the visual language of the series in depth.
Narrative Expansion
Graphic novel adaptations could explore side stories, character backgrounds, or adapt key moments from the main series with visual impact. These would serve both as marketing tools and revenue streams.
Potential revenue: $500,000-1,000,000 per release with proper marketing and distribution through established graphic novel and art book publishers.
Educational Tie-ins
AI Ethics Discussions
Educational content exploring the philosophical questions raised in the series
Quantum Computing Primers
Accessible explanations of quantum concepts featured in the narrative
Pandemic Scenario Analysis
Exploration of the series' pandemic elements with scientific context
Academic Partnerships
Collaborations with educational institutions for specialized content
Given the philosophical and scientific depth of The Cassie Codex, educational tie-ins present a unique opportunity with potential revenue of $300,000-700,000 through various formats and partnerships.
Digital Experiences
AR Explorations
Augmented reality applications allowing users to interact with elements from the series in their own environment, such as visualizing The Man or quantum effects.
VR Quantum Door Experience
Virtual reality experience allowing users to explore the concept of The Quantum Door from the series, creating an immersive journey through the philosophical and visual elements.
Interactive Web Experiences
Browser-based interactive narratives that expand the world of The Cassie Codex through supplementary stories and visual experiences.
These digital experiences could generate potential revenue of $1-3 million depending on platform, execution quality, and marketing support, while also serving as promotional tools for the broader IP.
Overall IP Valuation
$10-20M
Conservative Estimate
Initial valuation based on current development
$50-100M+
Optimistic Estimate
Potential with successful execution across platforms
This comprehensive valuation considers all potential revenue streams and the completeness of the created world, with significant upside potential if the IP achieves success across multiple media channels.
Key Value Drivers
Philosophical Depth with Thriller Elements
The combination of intellectual substance with accessible thriller pacing creates broad market appeal
Timeliness of Core Themes
AI evolution and pandemic narratives align with current global interests and concerns
Global Scope and Character Ensemble
Multi-dimensional characters across diverse global settings create international appeal
Structural Cohesion
Well-planned six-part series provides clear roadmap for development across media
Recommendations for Maximizing Value
Complete Book 3 Manuscript
Demonstrate progression and commitment to the full series
Create Visual Concept Art
Develop key visuals for The Man, Lisa-bot, and Quantum Door
Develop Streaming Pitch Bible
Create materials specifically tailored for adaptation considerations
Explore Co-Branding Opportunities
Consider partnering with established sci-fi author for first release
Target Mid-Sized Publisher
Focus on publishers willing to commit to at least a trilogy upfront
Plan Transmedia Launch Strategy
Coordinate book release with game or other media announcements
Cross-Platform Potential
The Cassie Codex shows substantial cross-platform potential with a comprehensive world-building approach that can support multiple storytelling methods and commercial applications simultaneously.
Artistic and Commercial Balance
Artistic Substance
The philosophical depth of The Cassie Codex provides intellectual weight that distinguishes it from more superficial science fiction properties. The exploration of AI ethics, human evolution, and quantum concepts creates a rich foundation for meaningful storytelling.
This depth allows the IP to appeal to critics and thoughtful audiences who seek substance beyond spectacle, potentially leading to awards recognition and critical acclaim that enhances long-term value.
Commercial Appeal
The global crisis narrative and thriller elements ensure the IP remains accessible and engaging beyond its philosophical underpinnings. The multi-character approach and diverse settings create numerous entry points for different audience segments.
The timeliness of themes around AI, pandemics, and surveillance creates immediate relevance that can drive marketing narratives and media interest, while the established six-part structure provides clear development pathways for commercial partners.
Conclusion: Investment Opportunity
Publishing Opportunity
With potential hardcover advances of $75,000-150,000 and lifetime sales projections of $500,000-1,000,000, the book series represents a solid foundation for the IP with established comparable works demonstrating market viability.
Streaming Potential
Option deals of $50,000-100,000 could lead to per-episode production budgets of $8-12 million, potentially generating $500 million+ in platform value if successful, with Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and Netflix as ideal targets.
Gaming and Merchandise
Multiple game formats could generate $10-50 million in revenue with development costs of $5-25 million, while collectibles, graphic novels, educational tie-ins, and digital experiences offer additional revenue streams of $2-7 million collectively.
Overall Value Proposition
The Cassie Codex represents a comprehensive IP with conservative valuation of $10-20 million and optimistic potential of $50-100+ million. The philosophical depth combined with global crisis narrative gives it both commercial appeal and artistic substance, creating a balanced investment opportunity with multiple revenue pathways.