# Far Mining

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

- Steam appid: 4685070
- Developer: LostVolBytes
- Released: 2026 · Genre: Casual · List price: $2.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $3.3k to $4.9k per month (mid $4.1k)
- Opportunity score: $6.6k/month at x1.60 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 11.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $11.0k
- Review sentiment: 95% positive across 352 reviews (344 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 164.5 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- No developer announcement on record, ever
- Studio active elsewhere (4 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 3 months ago

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $7.5k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $6.5k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $5.9k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $4.1k |

## Monthly review counts, oldest to newest (2 months)

240, 89

## Estimated acquisition range

$99.0k to $197.9k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $49.5k/year). Same error range applies.

## Markets by review language

- russian: 8%
- spanish: 5%
- schinese: 1% (game NOT localized in this language)
- brazilian: 2%
- french: 5%
- german: 9%
- english: 67%
- koreana: 2% (game NOT localized in this language)

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

A cozy space-mining incremental game with light action mechanics, released in 2026 by LostVolBytes.

Far Mining is a profitable but quiet title generating $4.1k/mo in residual revenue with exceptional community sentiment (95% positive, 164.5 reviews/mo) and zero promotional activity in 12 months. The game's tight 3-4 hour completion loop, deliberate lack of prestige/reset mechanics, and strong progression balance suggest durable appeal within the casual incremental niche. For a publisher or studio seeking to expand a proven casual catalog with minimal operational overhead, this represents low-risk revenue stabilization; for LostVolBytes itself, it signals an opportunity to test sequel mechanics or IP extension without cannibalizing the original.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (market): Incremental genre saturation and short 3-4 hour playtime create natural ceiling on discovery and retention outside core fans.
- Risk (other): Developer has shipped 4 titles on LostVolBytes account; no public comms in recent months; unclear whether studio is actively developing or in maintenance mode.

What players are asking for:
- Controller support (Steam Controller workaround noted; native support requested)
- Additional ore tiers and upgrade paths to extend late-game progression
- More buildings, weapons, or story branches to increase variety
- Extra mining locations or environmental diversity

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit studio's development roadmap and communication cadence; confirm whether Far Mining is in active support or stable maintenance, and whether a minor content update (ore tiers, locations) is feasible within 4-6 weeks.
2. Model the impact of a native controller implementation and seasonal cosmetic pass (parrot skins, ship themes) on retention and review velocity, given $6.6k/mo upside opportunity.
3. Evaluate bundle or cross-promotion potential with Far Fishing and other LostVolBytes titles; community explicitly notes Far Mining outperforms the earlier game, suggesting portfolio rationalization or sequel tiering strategy.

Generated 2026-08-21 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/4685070
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.