Genres

Every genre, screened by how often its indie launches earned $100k or more in their first year. Pick your price first: price moves the odds more than genre does.

Indie paid Steam launches 12 to 36 months old, data 3 Oct 2026. A hit is an estimated first year of $100k+. Earnings are sales on Steam after discounts and regional prices, before Steam's 30% cut, refunds and sales tax. About 58% of it reaches the developer. The revenue estimate is soft: about 6 to 7.5 in 100 launches overall.

Best niches

All prices

Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch

Building + Multiplayerabout 2.3 times expected at its prices, could be luck46 in 100

1Building + Multiplayer46 in 10048 launches 2Base Building + Multiplayer46 in 10046 launches 3Online Co-Op + Roguelike45 in 10040 launches 4Cozy + Farming Sim45 in 10040 launches 5Crafting + Multiplayer45 in 10049 launches

Lens checkHolds in 3 of 3. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: holds.

Open free preview

Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The genre list

Price $10 to $20

All prices1 in 15 hit $100k+Under $51 in 238 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 28 hit $100k+$10 to $2020 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4044 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, 26,291 launches. Odds compare best within one price.

Lens Last 18 months

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

Only launches from the last 18 months. Lenses are computed across all prices only so far, so a lens reads All prices.

Sample 30+

10+ launchesshow small samples 30+ launches 100+ launchesonly big markets

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$10 to $20 Last 18 months 30+ launches Reset

The Last 18 months lens is computed across all prices only for now, so this list reads All prices. Pick Standard to read $10 to $20.

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Opens $10 to $20, Standard lens.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: Mechs, 23 in 100. 74 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Online Co-Op, $6,168 typical. 187 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Not computed for lenses yet.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Base Building, 25 in 100. 68 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Puzzle, 1,493 launches. 187 match.

Hide one-hit markets26 out Hide small samples35 out

187 of 256 genres have 30+ launches at any price, Last 18 months. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.

Pin a genre to keep it here while you filter.

Pin another to compare.

Genres at any price, Last 18 months, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#	Genre	Chance of $100k+	Typical year	Top 1 in 10	Launches	Markers	Pin
	All games at any price, Last 18 monthsthe base rate: the row to beat	1 in 151,722 of 26,291	$552	not computed	26,291
1	Space Simnone of 63 launches earned $100k+	0 of 63no hits	under 100	under 100	63	none	Pin Space Sim
2	Solitairenone of 51 launches earned $100k+	0 of 51no hits	under 100	under 100	51	1-hit	Pin Solitaire
3	Score Attack2 of 168 launches earned $100k+	2 of 1682 hits	$249	not computed	168	none	Pin Score Attack
4	Demons1 of 82 launches earned $100k+	1 of 821 hit	under 100	under 100	82	none	Pin Demons
5	Grid-Based Movement1 of 71 launches earned $100k+	1 of 711 hit	under 100	under 100	71	none	Pin Grid-Based Movement
6	Arena Shooter2 of 131 launches earned $100k+	2 of 1312 hits	$295	not computed	131	Audience	Pin Arena Shooter
7	Sokoban1 of 65 launches earned $100k+	1 of 651 hit	under 100	under 100	65	none	Pin Sokoban
8	Mystery Dungeon1 of 61 launches earned $100k+	1 of 611 hit	under 100	under 100	61	none	Pin Mystery Dungeon
9	Word Game2 of 115 launches earned $100k+	2 of 1152 hits	$562	not computed	115	Audience	Pin Word Game
10	Hidden Object1 in 52 earned $100k+, from 464 launches	1 in 529 hits	$463	not computed	464	none	Pin Hidden Object
11	Text-Based3 of 154 launches earned $100k+	3 of 1543 hits	$570	not computed	154	none	Pin Text-Based
12	Precision Platformer1 in 49 earned $100k+, from 246 launches	1 in 495 hits	$214	not computed	246	Audience	Pin Precision Platformer
13	Top-Down Shooter1 in 45 earned $100k+, from 227 launches	1 in 455 hits	$268	not computed	227	none	Pin Top-Down Shooter
14	Runner3 of 136 launches earned $100k+	3 of 1363 hits	$107	not computed	136	none	Pin Runner
15	Puzzle Platformer1 in 37 earned $100k+, from 329 launches	1 in 379 hits	$213	not computed	329	Audience	Pin Puzzle Platformer
16	Aliens2 of 72 launches earned $100k+	2 of 722 hits	under 100	under 100	72	none	Pin Aliens
17	Match 32 of 70 launches earned $100k+	2 of 702 hits	under 100	under 100	70	1-hit	Pin Match 3
18	Battle Royale1 of 35 launches earned $100k+	1 of 351 hit	under 100	under 100	35	Small	Pin Battle Royale
19	Satire1 of 34 launches earned $100k+	1 of 341 hit	under 100	under 100	34	Small	Pin Satire
20	3D Fighter3 of 99 launches earned $100k+	3 of 993 hits	under 100	under 100	99	none	Pin 3D Fighter
21	Escape Room1 of 33 launches earned $100k+	1 of 331 hit	under 100	under 100	33	Small	Pin Escape Room
22	Incremental1 in 33 earned $100k+, from 393 launches	1 in 3312 hits	$249	not computed	393	none	Pin Incremental
23	Walking Simulator1 in 32 earned $100k+, from 415 launches	1 in 3213 hits	$714	not computed	415	none	Pin Walking Simulator
24	On-Rails Shooter1 of 31 launches earned $100k+	1 of 311 hit	under 100	under 100	31	Small	Pin On-Rails Shooter
25	Twin Stick Shooter2 of 61 launches earned $100k+	2 of 612 hits	under 100	under 100	61	none	Pin Twin Stick Shooter
26	Supernatural3 of 90 launches earned $100k+	3 of 903 hits	under 100	under 100	90	none	Pin Supernatural
27	Trivia1 of 30 launches earned $100k+	1 of 301 hit	under 100	under 100	30	SmallAudience	Pin Trivia
28	Arcade1 in 29 earned $100k+, from 1,001 launches	1 in 2934 hits	$214	not computed	1,001	none	Pin Arcade
29	Shoot 'Em Up1 in 29 earned $100k+, from 233 launches	1 in 298 hits	$214	not computed	233	Audience	Pin Shoot 'Em Up
30	Parkour4 of 111 launches earned $100k+	4 of 1114 hits	$357	not computed	111	none	Pin Parkour
31	Collectathon1 in 28 earned $100k+, from 220 launches	1 in 288 hits	$567	not computed	220	1-hit	Pin Collectathon
32	2D Platformer1 in 26 earned $100k+, from 684 launches	1 in 2626 hits	$179	not computed	684	none	Pin 2D Platformer
33	3D Platformer1 in 26 earned $100k+, from 443 launches	1 in 2617 hits	$211	not computed	443	none	Pin 3D Platformer
34	Artificial Intelligence2 of 51 launches earned $100k+	2 of 512 hits	under 100	under 100	51	none	Pin Artificial Intelligence
35	Spectacle fighter2 of 51 launches earned $100k+	2 of 512 hits	under 100	under 100	51	none	Pin Spectacle fighter
36	Puzzle1 in 25 earned $100k+, from 1,493 launches	1 in 2559 hits	$428	not computed	1,493	none	Pin Puzzle
37	Platformer1 in 25 earned $100k+, from 638 launches	1 in 2526 hits	$214	not computed	638	1-hitAudience	Pin Platformer
38	Cats1 in 25 earned $100k+, from 147 launches	1 in 256 hits	$655	not computed	147	none	Pin Cats
39	Dystopian 2 of 49 launches earned $100k+	2 of 492 hits	under 100	under 100	49	SmallAudience	Pin Dystopian
40	Memes2 of 49 launches earned $100k+	2 of 492 hits	under 100	under 100	49	SmallAudience	Pin Memes
41	Time Management1 in 24 earned $100k+, from 216 launches	1 in 249 hits	$632	not computed	216	Audience	Pin Time Management
42	2D Fighter1 in 24 earned $100k+, from 120 launches	1 in 245 hits	$71	not computed	120	none	Pin 2D Fighter
43	Point & Click1 in 24 earned $100k+, from 524 launches	1 in 2422 hits	$490	not computed	524	none	Pin Point & Click
44	Logic1 in 23 earned $100k+, from 230 launches	1 in 2310 hits	$268	not computed	230	Audience	Pin Logic
45	Dark Comedy2 of 45 launches earned $100k+	2 of 452 hits	under 100	under 100	45	1-hitSmall	Pin Dark Comedy
46	Philosophical3 of 67 launches earned $100k+	3 of 673 hits	under 100	under 100	67	none	Pin Philosophical
47	Political Sim2 of 43 launches earned $100k+	2 of 432 hits	under 100	under 100	43	SmallAudience	Pin Political Sim
48	Bullet Hell1 in 21 earned $100k+, from 377 launches	1 in 2118 hits	$536	not computed	377	Audience	Pin Bullet Hell
49	Tabletop1 in 21 earned $100k+, from 146 launches	1 in 217 hits	$179	not computed	146	none	Pin Tabletop
50	Thriller1 in 21 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	1 in 217 hits	$1,066	not computed	144	none	Pin Thriller
51	Psychedelic4 of 81 launches earned $100k+	4 of 814 hits	under 100	under 100	81	none	Pin Psychedelic
52	Third-Person Shooter1 in 20 earned $100k+, from 141 launches	1 in 207 hits	$214	not computed	141	none	Pin Third-Person Shooter
53	Comic Book4 of 79 launches earned $100k+	4 of 794 hits	under 100	under 100	79	none	Pin Comic Book
54	4 Player Local3 of 59 launches earned $100k+	3 of 593 hits	under 100	under 100	59	none	Pin 4 Player Local
55	Perma Death1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 116 launches	1 in 196 hits	$446	not computed	116	Audience	Pin Perma Death
56	Flight4 of 77 launches earned $100k+	4 of 774 hits	under 100	under 100	77	none	Pin Flight
57	Psychological Horror1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 574 launches	1 in 1930 hits	$1,073	not computed	574	none	Pin Psychological Horror
58	Underwater2 of 38 launches earned $100k+	2 of 382 hits	under 100	under 100	38	Small	Pin Underwater
59	Trading Card Game2 of 37 launches earned $100k+	2 of 372 hits	under 100	under 100	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Trading Card Game
60	Real Time Tactics1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 164 launches	1 in 189 hits	$357	not computed	164	none	Pin Real Time Tactics
61	1980s1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 127 launches	1 in 187 hits	$379	not computed	127	none	Pin 1980s
62	Horror1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 884 launches	1 in 1849 hits	$893	not computed	884	none	Pin Horror
63	Typing3 of 54 launches earned $100k+	3 of 543 hits	under 100	under 100	54	none	Pin Typing
64	Romance1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 148 launches	1 in 169 hits	$2,299	not computed	148	none	Pin Romance
65	Party-Based RPG1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	1 in 167 hits	$1,180	not computed	112	none	Pin Party-Based RPG
66	Shooter1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 641 launches	1 in 1641 hits	$321	not computed	641	none	Pin Shooter
67	Survival Horror1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 233 launches	1 in 1615 hits	$803	not computed	233	none	Pin Survival Horror
68	Dragons2 of 31 launches earned $100k+	2 of 312 hits	under 100	under 100	31	1-hitSmall	Pin Dragons
69	Party Game2 of 31 launches earned $100k+	2 of 312 hits	under 100	under 100	31	Small	Pin Party Game
70	Idler1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 336 launches	1 in 1522 hits	$446	not computed	336	none	Pin Idler
71	Grand Strategy4 of 61 launches earned $100k+	4 of 614 hits	under 100	under 100	61	1-hit	Pin Grand Strategy
72	Card Game1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 285 launches	1 in 1519 hits	$714	not computed	285	none	Pin Card Game
73	Tower Defense1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 224 launches	1 in 1515 hits	$375	not computed	224	none	Pin Tower Defense
74	Action-Adventure1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 878 launches	1 in 1559 hits	$421	not computed	878	none	Pin Action-Adventure
75	LGBTQ+1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 104 launches	1 in 157 hits	$2,654	not computed	104	none	Pin LGBTQ+
76	JRPG1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 161 launches	1 in 1511 hits	$2,453	not computed	161	1-hit	Pin JRPG
77	1990's1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 188 launches	1 in 1413 hits	$758	not computed	188	none	Pin 1990's
78	Action RPG1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 332 launches	1 in 1423 hits	$589	not computed	332	none	Pin Action RPG
79	Board Game1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 186 launches	1 in 1413 hits	$179	not computed	186	none	Pin Board Game
80	Space1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 185 launches	1 in 1413 hits	$214	not computed	185	none	Pin Space
81	Racing1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 213 launches	1 in 1415 hits	$357	not computed	213	none	Pin Racing
82	Rhythm1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 85 launches	1 in 146 hits	under 100	under 100	85	none	Pin Rhythm
83	Looter Shooter4 of 55 launches earned $100k+	4 of 554 hits	under 100	under 100	55	none	Pin Looter Shooter
84	Strategy1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 1,459 launches	1 in 14107 hits	$521	not computed	1,459	none	Pin Strategy
85	Action Roguelike1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 477 launches	1 in 1435 hits	$766	not computed	477	none	Pin Action Roguelike
86	Boomer Shooter1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	1 in 145 hits	under 100	under 100	68	none	Pin Boomer Shooter
87	CRPG1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	1 in 145 hits	under 100	under 100	68	Audience	Pin CRPG
88	Interactive Fiction1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 380 launches	1 in 1428 hits	$893	not computed	380	Audience	Pin Interactive Fiction
89	Dialogue Heavy1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 81 launches	1 in 146 hits	under 100	under 100	81	none	Pin Dialogue Heavy
90	Turn-Based Strategy1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 350 launches	1 in 1326 hits	$857	not computed	350	none	Pin Turn-Based Strategy
91	Strategy RPG1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 160 launches	1 in 1312 hits	$786	not computed	160	none	Pin Strategy RPG
92	Magic1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	1 in 1311 hits	$1,011	not computed	144	none	Pin Magic
93	Visual Novel1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 534 launches	1 in 1341 hits	$1,594	not computed	534	Audience	Pin Visual Novel
94	Turn-Based Combat1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 193 launches	1 in 1315 hits	$1,685	not computed	193	none	Pin Turn-Based Combat
95	Zombies1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 128 launches	1 in 1310 hits	$428	not computed	128	none	Pin Zombies
96	Alternate History4 of 50 launches earned $100k+	4 of 504 hits	under 100	under 100	50	none	Pin Alternate History
97	VR1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 124 launches	1 in 1210 hits	$1,278	not computed	124	none	Pin VR
98	Choose Your Own Adventure1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 284 launches	1 in 1223 hits	$857	not computed	284	Audience	Pin Choose Your Own Adventure
99	Voxel3 of 37 launches earned $100k+	3 of 373 hits	under 100	under 100	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Voxel
100	RPG1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 1,023 launches	1 in 1285 hits	$893	not computed	1,023	none	Pin RPG
101	Wargame1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 120 launches	1 in 1210 hits	$797	not computed	120	Audience	Pin Wargame
102	God Game4 of 48 launches earned $100k+	4 of 484 hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin God Game
103	Sports1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 284 launches	1 in 1224 hits	$948	not computed	284	none	Pin Sports
104	Tactical RPG1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 130 launches	1 in 1211 hits	$2,528	not computed	130	none	Pin Tactical RPG
105	Survival1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 269 launches	1 in 1223 hits	$1,068	not computed	269	none	Pin Survival
106	Detective1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 127 launches	1 in 1211 hits	$1,073	not computed	127	Audience	Pin Detective
107	Roguelike1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 640 launches	1 in 1156 hits	$1,053	not computed	640	none	Pin Roguelike
108	Automobile Sim1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	1 in 116 hits	under 100	under 100	68	none	Pin Automobile Sim
109	Turn-Based Tactics1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 293 launches	1 in 1127 hits	$766	not computed	293	none	Pin Turn-Based Tactics
110	Martial Arts4 of 43 launches earned $100k+	4 of 434 hits	under 100	under 100	43	1-hitSmall	Pin Martial Arts
111	Gambling3 of 32 launches earned $100k+	3 of 323 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Gambling
112	Hero Shooter3 of 32 launches earned $100k+	3 of 323 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Hero Shooter
113	Action RTS1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	1 in 115 hits	under 100	under 100	53	1-hit	Pin Action RTS
114	Card Battler1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 169 launches	1 in 1116 hits	$1,759	not computed	169	none	Pin Card Battler
115	Roguelite1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 611 launches	1 in 1158 hits	$1,177	not computed	611	none	Pin Roguelite
116	Deckbuilding1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 199 launches	1 in 1019 hits	$1,916	not computed	199	none	Pin Deckbuilding
117	Simulation1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 1,386 launches	1 in 10133 hits	$1,011	not computed	1,386	none	Pin Simulation
118	Nature1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 164 launches	1 in 1016 hits	$442	not computed	164	none	Pin Nature
119	Stealth1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 102 launches	1 in 1010 hits	$625	not computed	102	1-hit	Pin Stealth
120	Driving1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	1 in 1011 hits	$843	not computed	112	none	Pin Driving
121	Creature Collector1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 161 launches	1 in 1016 hits	$1,348	not computed	161	1-hit	Pin Creature Collector
122	Crime10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	10 in 1006 hits	under 100	under 100	60	1-hitAudience	Pin Crime
123	Team-Based4 of 40 launches earned $100k+	4 of 404 hits	under 100	under 100	40	1-hitSmall	Pin Team-Based
124	Science3 of 30 launches earned $100k+	3 of 303 hits	under 100	under 100	30	Small	Pin Science
125	Cyberpunk10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 79 launches	10 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	79	none	Pin Cyberpunk
126	Dungeon Crawler10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 244 launches	10 in 10025 hits	$1,250	not computed	244	none	Pin Dungeon Crawler
127	Combat Racing10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches	10 in 1005 hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin Combat Racing
128	FPS11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 379 launches	11 in 10040 hits	$625	not computed	379	none	Pin FPS
129	Immersive Sim11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 433 launches	11 in 10046 hits	$1,380	not computed	433	none	Pin Immersive Sim
130	Hack and Slash11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 222 launches	11 in 10024 hits	$857	not computed	222	Audience	Pin Hack and Slash
131	Dating Sim11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 166 launches	11 in 10018 hits	$2,359	not computed	166	Audience	Pin Dating Sim
132	eSports11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	11 in 1005 hits	under 100	under 100	46	1-hitSmall	Pin eSports
133	Auto Battler11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 119 launches	11 in 10013 hits	$1,429	not computed	119	none	Pin Auto Battler
134	Dark Fantasy11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 155 launches	11 in 10017 hits	$1,053	not computed	155	1-hit	Pin Dark Fantasy
135	Post-apocalyptic11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 136 launches	11 in 10015 hits	$758	not computed	136	none	Pin Post-apocalyptic
136	Beat 'em up11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 90 launches	11 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	90	Audience	Pin Beat 'em up
137	Souls-like12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 95 launches	12 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	95	none	Pin Souls-like
138	Cooking12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 84 launches	12 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	84	Audience	Pin Cooking
139	Medieval12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 175 launches	12 in 10021 hits	$632	not computed	175	none	Pin Medieval
140	Bullet Heaven12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches	12 in 1006 hits	under 100	under 100	50	none	Pin Bullet Heaven
141	RTS12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 148 launches	12 in 10018 hits	$1,032	not computed	148	none	Pin RTS
142	Metroidvania12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	12 in 10013 hits	$3,065	not computed	106	1-hitAudience	Pin Metroidvania
143	Character Customization12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches	12 in 10030 hits	$982	not computed	243	none	Pin Character Customization
144	Robots13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	13 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	56	none	Pin Robots
145	Agriculture4 of 32 launches earned $100k+	4 of 324 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Agriculture
146	Mythology13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 47 launches	13 in 1006 hits	under 100	under 100	47	1-hitSmall	Pin Mythology
147	Tactical13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	13 in 10015 hits	$893	not computed	112	none	Pin Tactical
148	Wholesome13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 97 launches	13 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	97	none	Pin Wholesome
149	Roguelike Deckbuilder13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 82 launches	13 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	82	none	Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder
150	Mining13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches	13 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	52	none	Pin Mining

Show 25 moreShowing 150 of 187 genres

green beats the base ratecoral below it bar: the chance; amber tick: the base rate1-hit one game holds over half the moneySmall under 50 launches in this viewAudience reads differently for Western players

Under 30 launches or 5 hits a chance is written as a count ("3 of 12"), never as odds. Typical year is the middle launch's first-year earnings. Lenses, the one-hit share and the audience split are measured across all prices.