# TramSim Vienna - The Tram Simulator

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

- Steam appid: 1314140
- Developer: ViewApp
- Publisher: Aerosoft GmbH
- Released: 2020 · Genre: Casual · List price: $34.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $777 to $1.2k per month (mid $971)
- Opportunity score: $2.5k/month at x2.60 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 40.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $300.8k
- Review sentiment: 76% positive across 2092 reviews (1333 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 5.2 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 2.7 years
- Studio active elsewhere (5 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 4.1 years ago
- No Steam discount in 4.0 years (deepest tracked: -0%)

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $1.8k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $1.5k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $1.4k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $971 |

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

8, 5, 11, 8, 10, 16, 7, 7, 6, 3, 3, 7, 4, 4, 9, 11, 8, 9, 4, 7, 9, 3, 4, 4

## Missed seasonal-sale revenue (modeled)

Skipped 12 Steam seasonal sale window(s) in the last 24 months. Running a -50% discount in those windows is modeled at +$8.8k net in total, assuming a unit uplift of x3.0 (industry-typical for old catalog titles). Same ±30-50% error range applies.

## Estimated acquisition range

$23.3k to $46.6k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $11.7k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A detailed tram-driving simulator set on Vienna's public transit network, launched in 2020 by ViewApp and published by Aerosoft.

TramSim Vienna generates steady residual revenue of $971/mo despite zero marketing activity in 24+ months and no developer communication for 32 months. The title's 76% positive rating and $301k lifetime revenue from ~40k units suggests a viable niche audience willing to pay $35 for hyperlocal transit simulation. The core opportunity lies in light revival via performance optimization (player reports 15-25 fps) and modest route expansion, or acquisition by a larger sim publisher seeking catalog depth in an underserved genre.

- Most realistic play: revival
- Risk (tech): Player reports significant frame-rate issues (15-25 fps); performance barriers may be limiting growth and retention.
- Risk (market): Niche simulator audience; limited routes constrain repeat-play value and user acquisition potential.
- Risk (other): Developer communication ceased 32 months ago; current maintenance and support model unclear.

What players are asking for:
- Additional routes and expanded Vienna transit network coverage
- Performance optimization and frame-rate stability
- Multiplayer or cooperative modes

Suggested first moves:
1. Commission a performance audit to identify and quantify optimization gains; even modest FPS improvements could unlock dormant sales velocity.
2. Evaluate IP licensing cost (if any) for Vienna transport authority branding; confirm developer retention and rights ownership with Aerosoft before acquisition discussion.
3. Survey existing players on route-pack priorities (airport line, outer districts, seasonal variants) to validate low-cost expansion roadmap.

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/1314140
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.