# Daymare: 1998

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

- Steam appid: 842100
- Developer: Invader Studios
- Released: 2019 · Genre: Action · List price: $29.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $2.7k to $4.0k per month (mid $3.4k)
- Opportunity score: $7.1k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 137.0k · Est. lifetime net revenue: $883.4k
- Review sentiment: 69% positive across 4266 reviews (3426 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 20.8 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 3.2 years
- Studio active elsewhere (3 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 6.3 years ago
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 12 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.2 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $6.1k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $5.3k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $4.8k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $3.4k |

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

22, 28, 27, 29, 24, 31, 12, 27, 22, 23, 27, 24, 20, 20, 21, 15, 18, 37, 12, 30, 19, 19, 14, 31

## Estimated acquisition range

$80.6k to $161.2k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $40.3k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Daymare: 1998 is a 2019 survival-horror shooter from Invader Studios that channels PS1-era RE aesthetics with manual reload mechanics and fixed camera angles.

Daymare has generated $883k lifetime on 137k units and maintains $3,357/mo residual revenue despite 3+ years of developer dormancy. The 68.75% positive rating and survival-horror genre positioning suggest a cult following exists, but control friction (inventory delay, AI jank) and lack of post-launch support have capped ceiling. This is a quiet acquisition target for publishers seeking horror IP with sequel/remake potential, or a publishing/marketing play if the studio can be engaged on QoL updates.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (tech): Core complaint across reviews is UI/control friction (10-second inventory access, clunky menu navigation) that likely requires engine rework to address without alienating existing players.
- Risk (market): Only 12 sales in trailing 12 months despite $29.99 price and positive rating; elasticity of 1.2 suggests heavy discount dependency for demand generation.
- Risk (other): Developer silent 38+ months; studio marked 'fading' with only 2 titles total; revival of active support is uncertain without external capital or staff injection.

What players are asking for:
- Faster/streamlined inventory and reload UI to reduce menu friction
- Enemy AI improvements (pathing and combat logic refinement)
- Performance/jank polish in level design and cutscene transitions
- Expansion or sequel to the Daymare universe

Suggested first moves:
1. Secure IP ownership documentation and developer contact; assess appetite for acquisition vs. one-off publishing arrangement for a QoL patch.
2. Commission internal UX audit focused on inventory/reload loop; quantify scope and cost of a 'director's cut' pass that addresses top 3 player complaints.
3. Analyze pricing elasticity and discount history (19.7% key-reseller share, 90% max discount observed); test 50-70% sale and limited-time marketing push to reactivate demand and validate $3.3k/mo baseline.

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/842100
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.