# Starbase

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

- Steam appid: 454120
- Developer: Frozenbyte
- Released: 2021 · Genre: Action · List price: $34.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.0k to $3.0k per month (mid $2.5k)
- Opportunity score: $4.6k/month at x1.85 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 198.5k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $1.7M
- Review sentiment: 55% positive across 6752 reviews (6204 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 11.5 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 22 months
- Studio active elsewhere (11 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 3.3 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 | $4.6k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $4.0k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $3.6k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $2.5k |

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

12, 17, 11, 9, 20, 10, 16, 22, 13, 17, 16, 17, 14, 10, 11, 13, 14, 14, 9, 8, 15, 8, 15, 14

## Estimated acquisition range

$60.2k to $120.4k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $30.1k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Starbase is a physics-driven sandbox space MMO in extended early access where players build and pilot custom spacecraft and stations.

Starbase generated $1.73M lifetime on 198k units at a $35 price point, currently earning $2.5k–$3k/mo residual with minimal dev cost. However, the title is functionally dormant (no dev post for 22 months, no discount in 3+ years), officially deprioritized behind Trine IP, and Steam reviews overwhelmingly describe it as abandonware. The core risk is reputational: the game's own player base views ongoing sales as cynical. For a buyer, the IP and codebase hold modest value, but reviving trust requires transparency about roadmap intent or a clean divestment.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): Player sentiment is severely damaged; reviews consistently call the title abandoned and a cash grab, which will deter new buyers and amplify churn on any revival attempt.
- Risk (tech): 39 months since last build and no recent dev activity suggests codebase may be fragile; multiplayer infrastructure (if still live) carries cost and technical debt risk.
- Risk (other): Still selling at $35 in early access with no updates in 3+ years creates ethical and legal friction; Steam moderation risk if positioning continues unchanged.

What players are asking for:
- Clear roadmap or commitment statement on whether development will resume
- Price reduction or delisting if no future support is planned
- Transparency on why the game remains for sale if abandoned

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit the live multiplayer backend, server costs, and engineering debt to determine true monthly COO before committing.
2. Secure explicit license or acquisition of Starbase IP from Frozenbyte, including any contractual clarity on their ongoing involvement (or lack thereof).
3. If revival is intended, plan a public developer roadmap and transparent apology for radio silence; if not, consider whether continued sales at $35 pass legal and reputational review on Steam.

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/454120
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.