# planetarian HD

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

- Steam appid: 623080
- Developer: VisualArts/Key
- Publisher: VisualArts
- Released: 2017 · Genre: Adventure · List price: $9.99
- Deal grade: B (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $988 to $1.5k per month (mid $1.2k)
- Opportunity score: $2.6k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 174.2k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $374.1k
- Review sentiment: 99% positive across 3423 reviews (3168 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 23.0 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 4.0 years
- Studio quiet across its whole catalog
- Last build shipped 4.0 years ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 6 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.6 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $2.2k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $2.0k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $1.8k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $1.2k |

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

25, 25, 21, 30, 35, 28, 18, 64, 24, 27, 22, 44, 20, 21, 27, 34, 35, 28, 16, 16, 17, 18, 28, 43

## Estimated acquisition range

$29.6k to $59.3k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $14.8k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Planetarian HD is a short, atmospheric visual novel from Key about a drifter and a robot planetarium operator in a post-apocalyptic world.

Planetarian remains a quiet earner, generating $1,235/mo residual revenue on a $9.99 price point with a 98.9% positive rating and steady 23 reviews/mo. The title's niche appeal (visual novel, literary focus, 3-6 hour runtime) insulates it from trend volatility, but VisualArts/Key's dormant development cycle and the absence of sequel or franchise expansion suggests the IP may be underexploited. For acquirers or publishing partners, the opportunity is modest but stable: this is a catalog hold with reinvention potential (adaptation, bundling, regional licensing) rather than a high-growth play.

- Most realistic play: watch
- Risk (market): Visual novel genre skews narrow and enthusiast; mainstream awareness is negligible (not mainstream flagged).
- Risk (other): Developer VisualArts/Key shows fading studio status with no dev posts in 47.7 months; support and iteration are unlikely.
- Risk (other): High elasticity (1.60) and 70% max discount history suggest the audience is price-sensitive; deeper discounting may canibalize at current residual levels.

What players are asking for:
- Port to console (Switch especially) and mobile platforms
- Spiritual sequel or expanded universe title
- Official soundtrack release or licensing
- Integration into Key franchise crossover projects (e.g., visual novel anthologies)

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit VisualArts/Key IP catalog and franchise rights; confirm full ownership and determine bundling or licensing flexibility with broader Key visual novel portfolio.
2. Model console port economics (Switch, PS Vita successor, mobile VN platforms) against localization and platform certification costs; visual novels show strong retention on handheld form factors.
3. Evaluate quiet acquisition of catalog from fading studio as defensive play: secure title, retain current audience, explore seasonal sales events and literary/anime bundle partnerships without heavy development spend.

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/623080
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.