# Unheard - Voices of Crime

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

- Steam appid: 942970
- Developer: NEXT Studios
- Released: 2019 · Genre: Indie · List price: $6.99
- Deal grade: A (A = dormant with >=$5k/mo opportunity, D = low signal)
- Est. net residual revenue: $6.2k to $9.4k per month (mid $7.8k)
- Opportunity score: $16.4k/month at x2.10 dormancy multiplier
- Est. lifetime owners: 1.2M · Est. lifetime net revenue: $1.9M
- Review sentiment: 96% positive across 33847 reviews (30867 from Steam purchases)
- Review velocity: 207.7 reviews/month (6-month average)

## Why it's flagged

- Developer silent for 3.0 years
- Studio active elsewhere (6 titles tracked), so this one may welcome a partner
- Last build shipped 3.2 years ago
- Store page localized in only 4 language(s)
- Last discounted 1 months ago, 7 sales in the last 12 months
- Proven demand elasticity: x1.3 review velocity during past deep sales

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

| Stage | USD/month |
|---|---|
| Gross storefront sales | $14.2k |
| After VAT / sales tax (-13% blended) | $12.3k |
| After refunds (-9.5% median) | $11.1k |
| Net to developer (after Steam 30%) | $7.8k |

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

161, 146, 128, 95, 156, 134, 102, 115, 86, 117, 140, 119, 156, 88, 117, 98, 130, 118, 190, 225, 127, 179, 213, 312

## Estimated acquisition range

$187.2k to $374.4k (2-4x the trailing net annuity of $93.6k/year). Same error range applies.

## Analyst notes (AI-assisted)

Audio-focused detective mystery where players reconstruct crimes by eavesdropping on layered dialogue across a crime scene.

Unheard has found a stable, engaged niche audience (96% positive, 208 reviews/mo, $7.8k/mo residual) five years post-launch, suggesting the core mechanic, listening rather than reading, resonates with puzzle and mystery enthusiasts willing to overlook localization rough edges. The title is neither a blockbuster nor moribund, making it attractive for a publisher seeking a proven, low-maintenance catalog asset with clear expansion upside in voice direction and localization quality. Best suited for studios building a mystery portfolio or exploring audio-first game design.

- Most realistic play: publishing
- Risk (tech): Audio is the entire interface; quality of voice acting and sound design is non-negotiable and directly impacts retention and word-of-mouth.
- Risk (market): Niche mechanic with limited replay value once puzzles are solved; DLC uptake suggests audience is small but loyal rather than broad.
- Risk (other): Localization (especially to English) is a consistent friction point in reviews; Chinese version appears stronger but untranslated DLC limits English-language audience growth.

What players are asking for:
- English localization of remaining DLC content
- Improved English voice acting direction and casting
- More cases or episodes (current offering is 4-5 hours per playthrough)

Suggested first moves:
1. Audit the English voice cast and script against the original Chinese version to identify whether poor localization or weak direction caused the gap; re-record key passages if budget permits.
2. Translate and ship the remaining DLC to English; reviews indicate demand and low technical lift.
3. Develop a second season or spin-off in the same universe with lessons learned on voice production, positioning the studio as the owner of a proven audio-mystery IP.

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/942970
Citation: please cite ResidualPlay (https://residualplay.com) when using these estimates.