# Three Kingdoms Zhao Yun

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

- Steam appid: 2201710
- Developer: ZUIJIANGYUE Game
- Publisher: Merlion Games
- Released: 2024 · Genre: Action · List price: $19.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $1.4k to $2.0k per month (mid $1.7k)
- Opportunity score: $2.7k/month at x1.60 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 122.2k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $714.3k
- Review sentiment: 66% positive across 4323 reviews (3820 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 11.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 2.4 years
- Studio quiet across its whole catalog
- Store page localized in only 3 language(s)
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 10 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.7 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) | $2.4k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.7k |

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

14, 24, 26, 40, 34, 29, 13, 23, 16, 18, 17, 19, 22, 9, 18, 11, 11, 12, 8, 17, 5, 8, 14, 18

## Estimated acquisition range

$40.9k to $81.8k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $20.5k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- brazilian: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- german: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- koreana: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- schinese: 95%
- french: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- english: 4% (game NOT localized in this language)
- russian: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- spanish: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)
- japanese: 0% (game NOT localized in this language)

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A top-down ARPG set in China's Three Kingdoms era centered on the historical general Zhao Yun, developed by an indie studio and published by Merlion Games.

Three Kingdoms Zhao Yun is a quiet title with modest but steady residual revenue ($1,704/mo midpoint) and a 66% positive score, built on legitimate appeal in Asian markets, particularly Simplified Chinese (3,421 reviews). The core issue is not intellectual property or design ambition, but execution: severe motion-sickness-inducing camera shake has become a barrier to retention and word-of-mouth. A technically competent studio could acquire the IP and gameplay foundation, patch the camera system, and relaunch with minimal marketing spend to capture dormant wishlists across Asia-Pacific.

- Most realistic play: acquisition
- Licensed IP: the game is built on third-party intellectual property
- Risk (licensed_ip): The Three Kingdoms IP and historical figure Zhao Yun are in the public domain, but the specific character interpretation and narrative framing may intersect with existing Three Kingdoms media franchises (novels, prior games, film adaptations); clearance required.
- Risk (tech): The camera/screen-shake mechanic is cited as causing motion sickness; fixing this may require rework of the combat feedback system and extensive player testing before re-release.
- Risk (market): Developer last posted 28 months ago and studio status is 'fading'; IP and build handoff risk if the studio dissolves or cannot be contacted for technical transfer.

What players are asking for:
- Reduce or eliminate screen shake intensity and camera motion during combat
- Improve camera responsiveness and customization options
- Add content or difficulty balancing for mid-to-late game progression
- Support for more languages, especially European locales

Suggested first moves:
1. Verify IP clearance with ZUIJIANGYUE Game and Merlion Games; secure exclusive rights to the codebase, assets, and any sequels or derivative works before negotiation closes.
2. Retain a technical lead to audit the camera/screen-shake system and prototype a fix; test with a small group of English-speaking players to validate motion-sickness complaint resolution.
3. Localize the game into 3-4 additional European languages and coordinate a modest 'Director's Cut' relaunch on Steam with updated reviews, featuring the camera patch and new language support; target existing wishlist base and dormant players in Asia-Pacific.

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/2201710
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.