# Re: LieF ~ Shin'ainaru Anata e~

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

- Steam appid: 1518770
- Developer: RASK
- Publisher: HIKARI FIELD
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Adventure · List price: $34.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $989 to $1.5k per month (mid $1.2k)
- Opportunity score: $2.6k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 21.7k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $189.0k
- Review sentiment: 93% positive across 936 reviews (677 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 5.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 5.6 years
- Studio inactive: no public activity across 1 tracked titles
- Last build shipped 5.6 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 | $2.2k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.0k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $1.8k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.2k |

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

7, 6, 7, 5, 9, 7, 4, 5, 4, 7, 4, 6, 3, 12, 3, 2, 6, 5, 9, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7

## Estimated acquisition range

$29.7k to $59.3k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $14.8k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A 2021 visual novel/adventure from RASK about reconnection and emotional narrative, built on strong character writing and production values.

Re: LieF sits in a quiet corner of Steam with 92.6% positive sentiment, $189k lifetime net, and a steady $1,235/mo residual draw despite zero marketing activity in 66+ months. The title's isolation (single studio release, no franchise anchor, minimal review velocity at 5.7/mo) masks modest but genuine player affection. For a visual-novel publisher or localization house, this represents low-risk catalog filler with IP optionality; for RASK's successor or an Asian publisher targeting English-language nostalgia, it's a test case for dormant backlist revival.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (other): Developer studio appears inactive (studio_status flag, 66+ months since last activity); code maintenance and platform updates risk.
- Risk (market): Visual-novel genre and Japanese-language-origin title lack mainstream reach; reviews_per_month of 5.7 suggests word-of-mouth has plateaued.
- Risk (tech): No discount history or key distribution strategy visible; unclear if engine, localization or backend tech remain current-platform compatible.

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit backend: verify Steam SDK, encryption, DRM status and any third-party service dependencies (analytics, multiplayer, etc.) to estimate port/maintenance cost.
2. Contact RASK or publisher HIKARI FIELD to confirm IP ownership, any active rights disputes, and motivation to divest or co-publish.
3. Conduct soft localization review: assess whether existing English translation meets current store standards and whether character-driven narrative warrants spotlight in Asian-publisher backlist collections or bundle strategies.

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/1518770
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.