# Cyber Manhunt

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

- Steam appid: 1216710
- Developer: Aluba Van+
- Publisher: 摸鱼游戏
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Indie · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.8k to $4.2k per month (mid $3.5k)
- Opportunity score: $6.4k/month at x1.85 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 463.2k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $1.2M
- Review sentiment: 92% positive across 15657 reviews (14474 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 55.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 19 months
- Studio active elsewhere (3 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 4.0 years ago
- Store page localized in only 3 language(s)
- Last discounted 0 months ago, 10 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 | $6.3k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $5.5k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $5.0k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $3.5k |

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

134, 62, 74, 78, 76, 87, 122, 80, 62, 57, 89, 100, 59, 52, 53, 48, 53, 70, 87, 56, 31, 41, 53, 66

## Estimated acquisition range

$83.2k to $166.4k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $41.6k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A narrative-driven hacking puzzle game where you investigate cybercriminals through phishing simulations and detective work across multiple endings.

Cyber Manhunt has shipped 463k copies and sustains $3.5k/mo residual revenue on minimal marketing spend (10 promotions in 12 months, last one 3 weeks ago). The 92% positive rating and strong community engagement (56 reviews/mo) suggest a quiet hit with devoted puzzle and narrative enthusiasts, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets. Revival play is strongest: localization expansion, episodic sequel greenlight, or niche streaming campaigns could unlock the $6.4k/mo opportunity gap without acquisition overhead.

- Most realistic play: revival
- Risk (market): Core appeal appears narrowly concentrated in puzzle/detective enthusiasts; mainstream awareness remains low despite positive sentiment.
- Risk (tech): Developer inactive on public channels for 19 months; codebase aging risk if revival requires porting or engine updates.
- Risk (other): Review sample shows mechanical friction ('uninspired phishing') for players who bounce at tutorial; onboarding cohesion may limit audience expansion.

What players are asking for:
- Story continuation or sequel ('vai' fan interest suggests appetite for character-driven IP)
- Accessibility improvements to hacking simulation mechanics to reduce early-game dropout
- Additional ending paths or New Game+ mode

Suggested first moves:
1. Commission player retention cohort analysis on reviews mentioning tutorial friction vs. post-tutorial continuation to quantify leakage; target low-cost onboarding polish that could unlock elasticity gains.
2. Approach publisher (摸鱼游戏) about localization roadmap (French, German, Spanish) and console port feasibility; current 3-language deck suggests room for minimal-lift expansion.
3. Evaluate episodic sequel or story DLC greenlight with existing community (fan art, Discord activity); $6.4k monthly opportunity gap suggests 2-3x upside potential with modest content investment and organic creator outreach.

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/1216710
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.