Best niches
$10 to $20Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch
Ticker: price and year-over-year change for 40 genres. Price is the median estimated first-year revenue of indie paid launches. The change shows for genres with 100+ launches. The same figures are on the Genres page.
Genres 3 Oct
Of 233 genres with 10+ launches at $10 to $20, 83 beat the 20 in 100 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 238 under $5, 44 in 100 at $20 to $40.83 of 233 genres beat the 20 in 100 base rate.83 beat the base rate.
Typical launch, all prices, first year $552
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.
Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch
233 of 256 genres have 10+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.
| Rank# | Genre | Chance of $100k+ | Typical year | Top 1 in 10 | Launches | Markers | Pin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All games at $10 to $20the base rate: the row to beat | 20 in 100878 of 4,304 | $10,978 | $287,297 | 4,304 | |||
| 1 | 6DOFnone of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 0 of 18no hits | under 100 | under 100 | 18 | Small | Pin 6DOF |
| 2 | Archerynone of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 0 of 13no hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | Small | Pin Archery |
| 3 | On-Rails Shooternone of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 0 of 13no hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | Small | Pin On-Rails Shooter |
| 4 | Spellingnone of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 0 of 10no hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Spelling |
| 5 | 4 Player Local2 of 49 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 492 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 49 | Small | Pin 4 Player Local |
| 6 | Solitaire1 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 1 of 231 hit | under 100 | under 100 | 23 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Solitaire |
| 7 | VR1 in 22 earned $100k+, from 195 launches | 1 in 229 hits | $3,534 | $44,858 | 195 | none | Pin VR |
| 8 | Mystery Dungeon2 of 38 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 382 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 38 | Small | Pin Mystery Dungeon |
| 9 | Party Game1 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 1 of 171 hit | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin Party Game |
| 10 | Sailing1 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 1 of 161 hit | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Sailing |
| 11 | Puzzle Platformer1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 131 launches | 1 in 159 hits | $5,769 | $68,186 | 131 | Audience | Pin Puzzle Platformer |
| 12 | Hidden Object1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 172 launches | 1 in 1412 hits | $2,044 | $55,036 | 172 | none | Pin Hidden Object |
| 13 | Dialogue Heavy3 of 42 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 423 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 42 | Small | Pin Dialogue Heavy |
| 14 | Grand Strategy4 of 52 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 524 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 52 | 1-hit | Pin Grand Strategy |
| 15 | Combat Racing2 of 26 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 262 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 26 | Small | Pin Combat Racing |
| 16 | Text-Based1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 97 launches | 1 in 128 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 97 | none | Pin Text-Based |
| 17 | Superhero1 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 1 of 121 hit | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin Superhero |
| 18 | Sokoban2 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 232 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 23 | Small | Pin Sokoban |
| 19 | Trivia1 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 1 of 111 hit | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | SmallAudience | Pin Trivia |
| 20 | Party-Based RPG1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 127 launches | 1 in 1112 hits | $7,868 | $96,195 | 127 | none | Pin Party-Based RPG |
| 21 | Space Sim4 of 42 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 424 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 42 | Small | Pin Space Sim |
| 22 | Sports1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 152 launches | 1 in 1015 hits | $5,860 | $96,739 | 152 | none | Pin Sports |
| 23 | 3D Platformer10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 180 launches | 10 in 10018 hits | $3,562 | $113,352 | 180 | none | Pin 3D Platformer |
| 24 | Hunting2 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 202 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Hunting |
| 25 | Steampunk2 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 202 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | Small | Pin Steampunk |
| 26 | eSports3 of 29 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 293 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 29 | 1-hitSmall | Pin eSports |
| 27 | Incremental4 of 38 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 384 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 38 | Small | Pin Incremental |
| 28 | CRPG11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches | 11 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 56 | Audience | Pin CRPG |
| 29 | Artificial Intelligence3 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 283 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | Small | Pin Artificial Intelligence |
| 30 | God Game3 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 283 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | Small | Pin God Game |
| 31 | Aliens4 of 37 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 374 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 37 | Small | Pin Aliens |
| 32 | Grid-Based Movement4 of 37 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 374 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 37 | Small | Pin Grid-Based Movement |
| 33 | Score Attack11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 44 launches | 11 in 1005 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 44 | Small | Pin Score Attack |
| 34 | Arcade12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 346 launches | 12 in 10040 hits | $4,391 | $134,893 | 346 | none | Pin Arcade |
| 35 | 3D Fighter12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 12 in 1005 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 43 | Small | Pin 3D Fighter |
| 36 | Action RTS12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 12 in 1005 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 43 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Action RTS |
| 37 | Match 34 of 34 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 344 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 34 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Match 3 |
| 38 | Gothic2 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 172 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin Gothic |
| 39 | Magic12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 127 launches | 12 in 10015 hits | $5,689 | $132,616 | 127 | none | Pin Magic |
| 40 | Thriller12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches | 12 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 50 | none | Pin Thriller |
| 41 | Logic12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 97 launches | 12 in 10012 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 97 | Audience | Pin Logic |
| 42 | JRPG13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 171 launches | 13 in 10022 hits | $5,365 | $125,051 | 171 | 1-hit | Pin JRPG |
| 43 | Choose Your Own Adventure13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 242 launches | 13 in 10032 hits | $6,023 | $193,413 | 242 | Audience | Pin Choose Your Own Adventure |
| 44 | 2D Fighter13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches | 13 in 1008 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 60 | none | Pin 2D Fighter |
| 45 | Diplomacy2 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 152 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Diplomacy |
| 46 | Football (Soccer)2 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 152 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Football (Soccer) |
| 47 | Naval2 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 152 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin Naval |
| 48 | Romance14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 170 launches | 14 in 10023 hits | $9,464 | $158,883 | 170 | none | Pin Romance |
| 49 | Tactical RPG14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 118 launches | 14 in 10016 hits | $11,496 | $137,764 | 118 | none | Pin Tactical RPG |
| 50 | Escape Room3 of 22 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 223 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 22 | Small | Pin Escape Room |
| 51 | Political Sim3 of 22 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 223 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 22 | SmallAudience | Pin Political Sim |
| 52 | Otome14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches | 14 in 1005 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 36 | Small | Pin Otome |
| 53 | Runner14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 14 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 43 | Small | Pin Runner |
| 54 | Comic Book14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches | 14 in 1008 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 57 | none | Pin Comic Book |
| 55 | Point & Click14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 249 launches | 14 in 10035 hits | $4,508 | $190,045 | 249 | none | Pin Point & Click |
| 56 | Precision Platformer14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 84 launches | 14 in 10012 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 84 | Audience | Pin Precision Platformer |
| 57 | Voxel4 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 284 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Voxel |
| 58 | Time Manipulation3 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 213 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Time Manipulation |
| 59 | Dynamic Narration2 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 142 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Dynamic Narration |
| 60 | Underwater2 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 142 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin Underwater |
| 61 | Puzzle14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 684 launches | 14 in 10098 hits | $5,070 | $173,428 | 684 | none | Pin Puzzle |
| 62 | Demons15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches | 15 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 41 | Small | Pin Demons |
| 63 | Visual Novel15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 434 launches | 15 in 10064 hits | $9,963 | $199,513 | 434 | Audience | Pin Visual Novel |
| 64 | Dogs3 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 203 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | Small | Pin Dogs |
| 65 | Hero Shooter3 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 203 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | Small | Pin Hero Shooter |
| 66 | Shoot 'Em Up15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches | 15 in 10016 hits | $7,510 | $252,312 | 106 | Audience | Pin Shoot 'Em Up |
| 67 | Interactive Fiction15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 230 launches | 15 in 10035 hits | $10,240 | $220,268 | 230 | Audience | Pin Interactive Fiction |
| 68 | Bullet Time2 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 132 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | Small | Pin Bullet Time |
| 69 | Naval Combat2 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 132 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | Small | Pin Naval Combat |
| 70 | Wargame16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches | 16 in 10013 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 83 | Audience | Pin Wargame |
| 71 | 2D Platformer16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches | 16 in 10049 hits | $8,758 | $239,522 | 311 | none | Pin 2D Platformer |
| 72 | 1980s16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches | 16 in 1009 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 57 | none | Pin 1980s |
| 73 | Battle Royale3 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 193 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin Battle Royale |
| 74 | Collectathon16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches | 16 in 10018 hits | $8,758 | $205,980 | 113 | 1-hit | Pin Collectathon |
| 75 | Cyberpunk16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches | 16 in 10011 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 69 | none | Pin Cyberpunk |
| 76 | LGBTQ+16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 100 launches | 16 in 10016 hits | $11,661 | $148,757 | 100 | none | Pin LGBTQ+ |
| 77 | Action-Adventure16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 547 launches | 16 in 10089 hits | $7,909 | $192,839 | 547 | none | Pin Action-Adventure |
| 78 | Board Game16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches | 16 in 10016 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 98 | none | Pin Board Game |
| 79 | Zombies16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 73 launches | 16 in 10012 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 73 | none | Pin Zombies |
| 80 | Science5 of 29 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 295 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 29 | Small | Pin Science |
| 81 | Turn-Based Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches | 17 in 10042 hits | $8,519 | $178,090 | 243 | none | Pin Turn-Based Tactics |
| 82 | Platformer17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches | 17 in 10054 hits | $10,197 | $318,870 | 311 | 1-hitAudience | Pin Platformer |
| 83 | Real Time Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches | 17 in 10020 hits | $4,905 | $193,413 | 115 | none | Pin Real Time Tactics |
| 84 | Pirates4 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 234 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 23 | Small | Pin Pirates |
| 85 | Strategy RPG17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 132 launches | 17 in 10023 hits | $11,091 | $180,714 | 132 | none | Pin Strategy RPG |
| 86 | 1990's17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches | 17 in 10019 hits | $11,661 | $210,321 | 109 | none | Pin 1990's |
| 87 | Top-Down Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches | 18 in 10013 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 74 | none | Pin Top-Down Shooter |
| 88 | Horses3 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 173 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin Horses |
| 89 | Arena Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches | 18 in 10010 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 56 | Audience | Pin Arena Shooter |
| 90 | Co-op Campaign5 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 285 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Co-op Campaign |
| 91 | Walking Simulator18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 95 launches | 18 in 10017 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 95 | none | Pin Walking Simulator |
| 92 | Survival Horror18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches | 18 in 10021 hits | $14,458 | $198,970 | 117 | none | Pin Survival Horror |
| 93 | Beat 'em up18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches | 18 in 10011 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 60 | Audience | Pin Beat 'em up |
| 94 | Supernatural18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 18 in 1007 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 38 | Small | Pin Supernatural |
| 95 | Destruction5 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 275 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 27 | Small | Pin Destruction |
| 96 | Word Game19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 19 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 32 | SmallAudience | Pin Word Game |
| 97 | Parody 3 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 163 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Parody |
| 98 | World War II3 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 163 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin World War II |
| 99 | Strategy19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 845 launches | 19 in 100159 hits | $10,037 | $243,656 | 845 | none | Pin Strategy |
| 100 | Fighting4 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 214 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Fighting |
| 101 | Tabletop19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches | 19 in 10013 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 68 | none | Pin Tabletop |
| 102 | Dating Sim19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 186 launches | 19 in 10036 hits | $8,738 | $287,297 | 186 | Audience | Pin Dating Sim |
| 103 | Team-Based19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 19 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 31 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Team-Based |
| 104 | Third-Person Shooter19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 103 launches | 19 in 10020 hits | $4,056 | $497,270 | 103 | none | Pin Third-Person Shooter |
| 105 | Turn-Based Strategy20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 276 launches | 20 in 10054 hits | $11,113 | $270,265 | 276 | none | Pin Turn-Based Strategy |
| 106 | Racing20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches | 20 in 10022 hits | $5,960 | $256,760 | 112 | none | Pin Racing |
| 107 | Bullet Hell20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches | 20 in 10025 hits | $10,479 | $465,124 | 126 | Audience | Pin Bullet Hell |
| 108 | Turn-Based Combat20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 185 launches | 20 in 10037 hits | $11,496 | $293,138 | 185 | none | Pin Turn-Based Combat |
| 109 | War20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches | 20 in 10012 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 60 | none | Pin War |
| 110 | Agriculture20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 20 in 1006 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 30 | Small | Pin Agriculture |
| 111 | Looter Shooter5 of 25 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 255 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 25 | Small | Pin Looter Shooter |
| 112 | Transportation5 of 25 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 255 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 25 | Small | Pin Transportation |
| 113 | Vampires3 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 153 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin Vampires |
| 114 | Boxing2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Boxing |
| 115 | Ninja2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Ninja |
| 116 | Outbreak Sim2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Outbreak Sim |
| 117 | Time Management20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches | 20 in 10029 hits | $9,514 | $305,184 | 144 | Audience | Pin Time Management |
| 118 | RPG20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 789 launches | 20 in 100160 hits | $11,268 | $303,279 | 789 | none | Pin RPG |
| 119 | Souls-like20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches | 20 in 10020 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 98 | none | Pin Souls-like |
| 120 | Post-apocalyptic21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches | 21 in 10023 hits | $14,458 | $258,277 | 112 | none | Pin Post-apocalyptic |
| 121 | Parkour21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 21 in 1007 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 34 | Small | Pin Parkour |
| 122 | Rhythm21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches | 21 in 10013 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 63 | none | Pin Rhythm |
| 123 | RTS21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches | 21 in 10023 hits | $14,115 | $264,556 | 111 | none | Pin RTS |
| 124 | Perma Death21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches | 21 in 10011 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 53 | Audience | Pin Perma Death |
| 125 | Card Game21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches | 21 in 10042 hits | $18,010 | $360,680 | 201 | none | Pin Card Game |
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.
Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.