# Fresh Start Cleaning Simulator

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

- Steam appid: 1856030
- Developer: Chicken Launcher
- Publisher: Awaken Realms
- Released: 2022 · Genre: Action · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.4k to $2.1k per month (mid $1.7k)
- Opportunity score: $2.9k/month at x1.65 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 66.5k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $165.7k
- Review sentiment: 87% positive across 2518 reviews (2079 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 27.8 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 19 months
- Studio active elsewhere (5 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 19 months ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 10 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.9 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $3.1k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.7k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $2.5k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.7k |

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

54, 38, 31, 24, 29, 42, 28, 21, 35, 47, 24, 133, 35, 27, 36, 16, 28, 55, 21, 13, 17, 29, 41, 46

## Estimated acquisition range

$41.6k to $83.2k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $20.8k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- german: 8%
- english: 75%
- koreana: 1% (game NOT localized in this language)
- russian: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)
- japanese: 3%
- schinese: 2%
- french: 4%
- spanish: 3%
- brazilian: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A cozy, world-tour cleaning simulator with pixel art environments, cute animals, and relaxation-focused gameplay.

Fresh Start has quietly built a profitable, engaged niche audience (87% positive, 1.7k/mo residual) through genre-appropriate positioning and regular discounting (10 promotions in 12 months). The core audience is satisfied; the ceiling is modest but stable. Opportunity lies in modest content expansion (maps, animals, cosmetics) or catalog acquisition by a cozy-game publisher seeking low-risk recurring revenue, not in a major revival push.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): Cleaning simulator subgenre has narrow appeal and high churn; players finish in 10-14 hours and move on unless fresh content arrives.
- Risk (tech): Multiple reports of performance issues (CPU heating, HDR incompatibility) that remain unaddressed despite 19 months post-launch.
- Risk (other): Developer has been silent for 19 months (no community posts); current studio status is 'operating' but engagement appears dormant.

What players are asking for:
- New maps and locations to extend play time beyond 12-14 hours
- More meaningful upgrade progression and power scaling
- Control remapping and accessibility features (Z key for water flash not documented)
- Performance optimization and HDR support fixes

Suggested first moves:
1. Model the unit economics of a modest content roadmap (3-4 new locations, cosmetic packs) against current 1.7k/mo residual; break-even threshold for greenlight decision.
2. Audit technical debt: prioritize performance fixes and HDR support; assess whether original dev team is available or if outsourcing is required.
3. If acquiring, clarify IP and brand ownership with Awaken Realms (publisher); confirm Chicken Launcher (dev) still retains ability to update or if transfer of rights is needed.

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/1856030
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.