# Scene Investigators

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

- Steam appid: 1159830
- Developer: EQ Studios
- Released: 2023 · Genre: Adventure · List price: $24.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.5k to $2.2k per month (mid $1.9k)
- Opportunity score: $3.1k/month at x1.65 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 30.4k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $189.2k
- Review sentiment: 75% positive across 1025 reviews (949 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 12.0 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 21 months
- Studio active elsewhere (2 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 21 months ago

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $3.4k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $3.0k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.7k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.9k |

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

16, 29, 16, 14, 16, 11, 10, 21, 9, 36, 9, 20, 22, 19, 22, 9, 17, 34, 10, 10, 4, 18, 16, 14

## Estimated acquisition range

$44.9k to $89.7k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $22.4k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Scene Investigators is a 2023 detective adventure game focused on forensic analysis and evidence collection.

The title has stabilized at $1.87k/mo residual revenue with a 75% positive review rate, but shows zero discount activity in 12 months and no developer communication in 21 months, suggesting either quiet profitability or drift. The $189k lifetime net and modest 30k unit install base indicate a small, niche audience satisfied with the forensic-procedural angle. For a small publisher or revival-focused studio, this is a low-risk catalog addition; for mainstream acquirers, the dormant support posture and limited growth vectors make it a 'watch' rather than urgent play.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): Review sentiment splits sharply: players enjoy the forensic-clinical approach, but puzzle-focused investigation fans find the logic frustrating and narrative light.
- Risk (other): No Steam discount activity or developer posts in 21 months signals either a set-and-forget title or attrition; revival would require active content or marketing investment to prove out.
- Risk (tech): Small language footprint (12) and no ITAD tracking suggest limited localization or key-reseller reach, capping addressable market.

What players are asking for:
- Clearer puzzle logic and narrative coherence
- More dialogue and story depth (vs. diary reading)
- Quality-of-life improvements for evidence collection UX

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit the 949 Steam reviews for specific logic complaints and design gaps; cross-reference against indie detective-game trend reports to assess addressability.
2. Contact EQ Studios (2-title operating studio) to understand 21-month silence: is the title in maintenance mode, or has the team moved on? Clarify IP ownership and any outstanding obligations.
3. Model a modest 'forensic clarity pass' (UI/puzzle rebalance, narrative polish) as a $20-40k invest and run a weekend sale to measure elasticity; if residual jumps 40%+, acquisition for catalog strengthening becomes 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/1159830
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.