X-Plane 11

Laminar Research · 2017 · $29.99 · Simulation · deal grade A

• Estimated net residual revenue: $12.8k to $19.2k per month
• Opportunity: $33.6k per month at x2.10 dormancy
• Estimated lifetime owners: 1.1M
• 93%% positive across 20218 reviews · 99.3 reviews/month

Why it's flagged

• Developer silent for 4.3 years
• Studio active elsewhere (2 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
• Last build shipped 5.2 years ago

Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

X-Plane 11 is a high-fidelity flight simulator that prioritizes realistic aerophysics and runs on modest hardware, competing directly with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

X-Plane 11 generates $16,008/mo in residual revenue on a six-year-old codebase with 93% positive reviews and a 1.05M+ unit installed base, yet shows zero velocity decay and minimal developer engagement in 51+ months. The title's independence from licensed aircraft or airport IP, bundled with an active third-party add-on ecosystem (Zibo 737, Navigraph) and cross-platform reach, makes it a candidate for quiet acquisition by a larger sim publisher seeking long-tail cash flow and a low-overhead catalog title. However, X-Plane 12 (released 2023) may already be cannibalizing sales; verify upgrade funnel before committing. Most realistic play: acquisition.

• Risk: X-Plane 12 launched in late 2023; X-Plane 11 may face accelerating player migration and reduced support momentum.
• Risk: Zero discounting history and elasticity of -1 suggest inelastic demand, but 62+ months without a major build update raises questions about technical debt and future maintenance costs.
• Risk: Developer Laminar Research owns both X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 and is actively operating; outright acquisition unlikely unless founders exit or IP is divested.

This case as Markdown · Estimates carry ±30-50%% error per title.