# THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH

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

- Steam appid: 222440
- Developer: SNK CORPORATION
- Released: 2015 · Genre: Action · List price: $14.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.6k to $3.9k per month (mid $3.3k)
- Opportunity score: $6.9k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 283.5k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $913.3k
- Review sentiment: 95% positive across 5311 reviews (4361 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 40.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 4.5 years
- Studio active elsewhere (19 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 4.5 years ago
- Store page localized in only 4 language(s)
- 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 | $5.9k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $5.2k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $4.7k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $3.3k |

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

33, 74, 43, 43, 45, 52, 30, 49, 35, 45, 40, 27, 42, 53, 36, 49, 41, 36, 25, 21, 80, 45, 38, 35

## Estimated acquisition range

$78.6k to $157.2k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $39.3k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

SNK's 2002 flagship fighting game with rollback netcode, blending classic sprite-based aesthetics with modern online play.

KOF 2002 UM generates $3,275/mo residual revenue on a quiet install base that has shown stable engagement despite zero developer communication in 53 months. The 94.8% positive ratio and consistent 40+ monthly reviews suggest a devoted niche community, but the title sits dormant in publishing cycles. Revival or licensing plays (not acquisition) could extract value via esports activation, regional market expansion, or cross-promotion within SNK's growing IP portfolio.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (market): Sprite-based 2D fighter competes against flashier modern entries (KOF XV, SF6); casual interest remains low despite technical quality.
- Risk (tech): Rollback netcode is a feature, not a moat; player base is aging and may not sustain new cohorts without active seasonal content or tournament backing.
- Risk (other): Complete radio silence from SNK for 53 months despite positive community feedback suggests deprioritization or organizational bandwidth constraints.

What players are asking for:
- ranked season/ladder system to drive replay value
- regional tournament support or esports integration
- character balance patches or DLC roster updates
- cross-platform play to expand matchmaking pool

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit SNK's esports and seasonal content roadmap for FY2025; KOF 2002 UM can slot into a 'legacy classics' bundle or tournament circuit if publisher commits 2-3 marketing campaigns and monthly balance updates.
2. Model regional acquisition or licensing deals (MENA, LATAM, SEA) where sprite fighters still command premiums; explore Steam regional pricing and payment partnerships to unlock dormant revenue.
3. Run a 90-day content pilot: one balance patch, one cosmetic DLC drop, and one grassroots tournament sponsorship to measure elasticity and player retention before deeper investment.

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/222440
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.