# Citystate II

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

- Steam appid: 1352850
- Developer: Andy Sztark
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Simulation · List price: $24.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.2k to $1.8k per month (mid $1.5k)
- Opportunity score: $2.3k/month at x1.50 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 35.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $217.9k
- Review sentiment: 74% positive across 1137 reviews (1093 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 9.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer active, last post 11 months ago
- Studio active elsewhere (2 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 3.8 years ago
- Last discounted 4 months ago, 3 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 | $2.7k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.4k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.2k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.5k |

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

4, 11, 3, 14, 7, 11, 8, 9, 8, 5, 7, 5, 4, 17, 9, 7, 4, 9, 18, 8, 13, 6, 5, 8

## Estimated acquisition range

$36.1k to $72.3k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $18.1k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A solo-developed city-builder with ideological policy mechanics that sits between Cities: Skylines and Tropico, emphasizing political systems over simulation depth.

Citystate II has modest but steady residual monthly revenue of $1,506/mo on a $218k lifetime base, built by a solo developer who remains active. The title carries genuine differentiation in its policy-driven gameplay and a small but engaged community (9.7 reviews/mo, 74% positive). However, shallow underlying systems and a niche ideological flavor limit mainstream crossover. Most viable for a small revival push (balance pass, content bundle) or acquisition by a strategy-focused publisher willing to invest in simulation depth without altering the IP's political identity.

- Most realistic play: revival
- Risk (market): Positive reception masks core gameplay complaint: players report stat tracking without consequential impact, limiting replayability against entrenched competitors like Cities: Skylines.
- Risk (other): Solo developer; any acquisition or publishing partnership requires clear IP and IP-continuation guarantees given the game's ideological design is central to its identity.
- Risk (tech): No recent developer communication (11 months silent); unclear whether underlying engine or performance constraints explain the shallow simulation feel.

What players are asking for:
- Restore or clarify military and defense mechanics from Citystate I
- Increase systemic consequence for policy decisions so stats drive outcomes
- Add more granular city-district control and resource flow transparency

Suggested first moves:
1. Conduct 4-6 week deep-dive with lead reviewer complaints: map player-impactful systems, identify stat deadweight, and scope a 'Systems Clarity' balance patch.
2. Reach out to developer directly to confirm roadmap intent, IP ownership certainty, and willingness to collaborate on content or engine improvements under partnership.
3. A/B test a limited discount (20-30% off, 2-week window) to measure price elasticity (1.48x suggests meaningful demand sensitivity) and validate whether dormancy is content-driven or awareness-driven.

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/1352850
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.