# DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation

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

- Steam appid: 1047440
- Developer: Idea Factory
- Publisher: Idea Factory International
- Released: 2019 · Genre: Simulation · List price: $39.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.8k to $2.8k per month (mid $2.3k)
- Opportunity score: $4.2k/month at x1.85 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 110.3k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $947.9k
- Review sentiment: 95% positive across 3773 reviews (2757 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 10.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 24 months
- Studio active elsewhere (37 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 7.1 years ago
- Store page localized in only 3 language(s)

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $4.2k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $3.6k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $3.3k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.3k |

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

22, 22, 10, 15, 29, 23, 12, 28, 13, 6, 12, 15, 12, 14, 14, 13, 20, 13, 9, 17, 12, 6, 9, 11

## Estimated acquisition range

$55.0k to $110.0k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $27.5k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A visual novel dating sim based on the Date A Live anime franchise, released in 2019 by Idea Factory International.

Rio Reincarnation generates $2.3k/mo in residual revenue with a 95% positive rating and accumulated $948k lifetime, despite zero promotional activity in 24 months and no discounting strategy. The title sits in an underserved niche (anime VN licensing) where modest monthly margins compound over time. Opportunity is not scale but IP management: the game's dormancy may reflect licensing-window constraints or publisher bandwidth rather than commercial failure. Best angle for a potential partner is clarifying rights scope and exploring whether the IP holder (likely DAL's Kadokawa or Fujimi Shobo) would license a sequel, port, or regional re-release.

- Most realistic play: licensing
- Licensed IP: the game is built on third-party intellectual property
- Risk (licensed_ip): Date A Live IP owned by Kadokawa/ASCII Media Works; any sequel, port or territorial expansion requires renegotiation with the anime rights holder.
- Risk (market): Anime dating-sim audience is niche and platform-dependent; console and mobile ports may have different licensing costs or feasibility.
- Risk (other): Idea Factory has 27 titles but only 3 languages supported; internationalization or localization expansion may face resource or approval hurdles.

Suggested first moves:
1. Contact Idea Factory International to confirm current IP licensing agreement term, territorial restrictions and renewal window for Date A Live.
2. Research Kadokawa/Fujimi Shobo's anime-game licensing strategy; assess appetite for console ports (Switch/PS5) or mobile adaptation.
3. Analyze why sales velocity dropped to near-zero in 2023-24 despite positive reception; clarify whether inactivity reflects contractual constraints, planned renewal, or deprioritization.

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/1047440
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.