Genres

Ticker: price and year-over-year change for 40 genres. Price is the median estimated first-year revenue of indie paid launches. The same figures are on the Genres page.

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191,514
on 30 Sep 2026

Genres 1 Oct

Of 166 genres with 30+ launches at $10 to $20, 89 beat the 19 in 100 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 192 under $5, 42 in 100 at $20 to $40.89 of 166 genres beat the 19 in 100 base rate.89 beat the base rate.

Cohort median $606

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 6 to 30 months old, data 1 Oct 2026. A hit is an estimated first year of $100k+. The revenue estimate is soft: about 5 to 8 in 100 launches overall.

The genre list

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Now: FMV, 47 in 100. 166 match.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: FMV, 47 in 100. 125 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: FMV, $81,191 typical. 166 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Now: Crime, $1.5M top 1 in 10. 129 match.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Cozy, 45 in 100. 45 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Simulation, 1,006 launches. 166 match.
Hide one-hit markets21 outHide small samples37 out

166 of 266 genres have 30+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.

Zombies 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 81 launches at $10 to $20typical $5,849. Best of the pins Audience
Text-Based 1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 118 launches at $10 to $20typical $5,342 Audience
Bullet Hell 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 140 launches at $10 to $20typical $9,106 1-hit
Genres at $10 to $20, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#GenreChance of $100k+Typical yearTop 1 in 10LaunchesMarkersPin
All games at $10 to $20the base rate: the row to beat 19 in 100893 of 4,810 $9,226$248,075 4,810
1 1 in 41 earned $100k+, from 41 launches 1 in 411 hit $3,886 $50,242 41 Small Pin Aliens
2 1 in 22 earned $100k+, from 43 launches 1 in 222 hits $1,942 $28,837 43 Small Pin Incremental
3 1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 55 launches 1 in 183 hits $5,767 $65,499 55 1-hit Pin 4 Player Local
4 1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 35 launches 1 in 182 hits $3,157 $36,432 35 Small Pin Combat Racing
5 1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 186 launches 1 in 1711 hits $3,238 $49,782 186 none Pin VR
6 1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 49 launches 1 in 163 hits $6,071 $71,625 49 Small Pin Dialogue Heavy
7 1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 118 launches 1 in 158 hits $5,342 $79,529 118 Audience Pinned Text-Based
8 1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 44 launches 1 in 153 hits $4,228 $64,656 44 SmallAudience Pin Mystery Dungeon
9 1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 189 launches 1 in 1513 hits $1,619 $50,242 189 none Pin Hidden Object
10 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 123 launches 1 in 149 hits $6,071 $67,084 123 none Pin Magic
11 1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 141 launches 1 in 1311 hits $5,584 $86,922 141 Audience Pin Party-Based RPG
12 1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 137 launches 1 in 1211 hits $7,222 $71,244 137 Audience Pin Puzzle Platformer
13 1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 35 launches 1 in 123 hits $607 $97,151 35 1-hitSmall Pin Match 3
14 1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 46 launches 1 in 124 hits $1,418 $64,049 46 Small Pin 3D Fighter
15 1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 115 launches 1 in 1011 hits $6,071 $89,850 115 none Pin Board Game
16 1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 51 launches 1 in 105 hits $2,429 $97,151 51 Audience Pin Space Sim
17 10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches 10 in 1003 hits $3,885 $114,321 30 Small Pin Party Game
18 10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches 10 in 1003 hits $5,827 $126,276 30 SmallAudience Pin Sokoban
19 10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 59 launches 10 in 1006 hits $8,096 $105,652 59 1-hit Pin Grand Strategy
20 10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 181 launches 10 in 10019 hits $5,767 $101,418 181 none Pin JRPG
21 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 75 launches 11 in 1008 hits $6,477 $114,321 75 none Pin Tabletop
22 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 384 launches 11 in 10041 hits $3,643 $106,057 384 none Pin Arcade
23 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches 11 in 1006 hits $3,116 $144,500 55 none Pin Score Attack
24 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 208 launches 11 in 10023 hits $3,157 $156,119 208 none Pin 3D Platformer
25 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches 12 in 1005 hits $13,839 $110,510 43 Small Pin Grid-Based Movement
26 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches 12 in 1004 hits $4,858 $132,774 34 SmallAudience Pin Artificial Intelligence
27 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 110 launches 12 in 10013 hits $6,576 $124,151 110 none Pin Logic
28 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches 12 in 1005 hits $13,464 $154,809 42 SmallAudience Pin Word Game
29 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches 12 in 10014 hits $3,886 $118,418 117 Audience Pin Real Time Tactics
30 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches 12 in 1006 hits $3,238 $237,211 50 Audience Pin Arena Shooter
31 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches 12 in 1004 hits $8,096 $105,652 33 SmallAudience Pin 4X
32 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 173 launches 12 in 10021 hits $4,007 $118,201 173 Audience Pin Sports
33 12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches 12 in 1007 hits $6,072 $231,544 57 Audience Pin 2D Fighter
34 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches 13 in 10011 hits $8,499 $137,311 88 none Pin Precision Platformer
35 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches 13 in 1008 hits $11,354 $144,918 64 none Pin Beat 'em up
36 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches 13 in 1008 hits $7,891 $110,105 64 none Pin Supernatural
37 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches 13 in 1006 hits $1,821 $232,797 48 1-hitSmall Pin Runner
38 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 181 launches 13 in 10023 hits $7,691 $138,114 181 none Pin Romance
39 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 110 launches 13 in 10014 hits $11,003 $166,519 110 none Pin LGBTQ+
40 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches 13 in 1004 hits $5,342 $104,033 31 1-hitSmall Pin eSports
41 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 317 launches 13 in 10041 hits $6,193 $174,231 317 none Pin 2D Platformer
42 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches 13 in 10014 hits $5,262 $195,922 107 none Pin Shoot 'Em Up
43 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 254 launches 13 in 10034 hits $4,553 $173,636 254 none Pin Choose Your Own Adventure
44 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches 13 in 1007 hits $3,683 $115,482 52 1-hit Pin Action RTS
45 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 89 launches 13 in 10012 hits $11,231 $188,807 89 none Pin Wargame
46 14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 80 launches 14 in 10011 hits $13,356 $200,375 80 none Pin Cyberpunk
47 14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 775 launches 14 in 100107 hits $4,553 $151,799 775 none Pin Puzzle
48 14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 269 launches 14 in 10038 hits $9,310 $141,679 269 Audience Pin Turn-Based Tactics
49 14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 127 launches 14 in 10018 hits $9,106 $148,738 127 none Pin Tactical RPG
50 15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 460 launches 15 in 10067 hits $7,366 $177,879 460 none Pin Visual Novel
51 15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches 15 in 1006 hits $6,313 $138,114 41 Small Pin Otome
52 15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 287 launches 15 in 10043 hits $3,339 $171,634 287 none Pin Point & Click
53 15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 572 launches 15 in 10087 hits $5,767 $157,541 572 none Pin Action-Adventure
54 15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches 15 in 10022 hits $9,106 $138,451 144 none Pin Strategy RPG
55 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches 16 in 1008 hits $7,892 $206,109 51 none Pin Demons
56 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 304 launches 16 in 10048 hits $9,410 $180,307 304 Audience Pin Turn-Based Strategy
57 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches 16 in 10010 hits $7,082 $198,756 63 none Pin Comic Book
58 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches 16 in 10010 hits $8,154 $250,165 63 Audience Pin CRPG
59 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches 16 in 10010 hits $11,293 $210,966 63 none Pin Perma Death
60 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 119 launches 16 in 10019 hits $8,418 $188,807 119 none Pin Space
61 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches 16 in 1006 hits $11,169 $819,183 37 Small Pin Dystopian
62 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches 16 in 1009 hits $10,928 $148,359 55 none Pin Thriller
63 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 978 launches 16 in 100161 hits $9,226 $209,685 978 none Pin Strategy
64 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 337 launches 17 in 10056 hits $7,285 $281,987 337 1-hit Pin Platformer
65 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 270 launches 17 in 10045 hits $11,231 $229,178 270 none Pin Interactive Fiction
66 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 78 launches 17 in 10013 hits $7,892 $565,502 78 Audience Pin Automobile Sim
67 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 140 launches 17 in 10024 hits $9,106 $483,733 140 1-hit Pinned Bullet Hell
68 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 58 launches 17 in 10010 hits $6,576 $244,093 58 none Pin 1980s
69 17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches 17 in 10025 hits $5,099 $208,876 144 none Pin Racing
70 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches 18 in 10037 hits $13,600 $206,109 205 none Pin Turn-Based Combat
71 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 132 launches 18 in 10024 hits $14,911 $368,366 132 none Pin Post-apocalyptic
72 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches 18 in 10010 hits $12,142 $301,979 55 1-hit Pin Stealth
73 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches 18 in 1006 hits $17,606 $265,863 33 Small Pin Agriculture
74 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches 18 in 10023 hits $10,017 $155,037 126 none Pin 1990's
75 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches 18 in 10020 hits $9,733 $242,848 109 none Pin Walking Simulator
76 18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches 18 in 10045 hits $14,168 $279,264 245 none Pin Card Game
77 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 881 launches 19 in 100163 hits $10,017 $237,886 881 none Pin RPG
78 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches 19 in 1008 hits $9,714 $142,489 43 SmallAudience Pin Alternate History
79 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches 19 in 1006 hits $6,050 $403,415 32 Small Pin Class-Based
80 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 133 launches 19 in 10025 hits $10,928 $227,091 133 1-hit Pin Collectathon
81 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 185 launches 19 in 10035 hits $7,891 $237,886 185 Audience Pin Dating Sim
82 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 297 launches 19 in 10057 hits $8,741 $235,997 297 none Pin Action RPG
83 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 176 launches 19 in 10034 hits $6,798 $184,557 176 none Pin Time Management
84 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches 19 in 10017 hits $7,892 $271,766 88 Audience Pin Top-Down Shooter
85 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 119 launches 19 in 10023 hits $13,660 $281,739 119 Audience Pin RTS
86 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 62 launches 19 in 10012 hits $17,001 $385,809 62 none Pin Rhythm
87 19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 67 launches 19 in 10013 hits $4,453 $132,576 67 none Pin Flight
88 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 394 launches 20 in 10077 hits $8,418 $319,385 394 Audience Pin Shooter
89 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 228 launches 20 in 10045 hits $16,691 $233,568 228 none Pin Psychological Horror
90 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 81 launches 20 in 10016 hits $5,849 $369,985 81 Audience Pinned Zombies
91 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 397 launches 20 in 10079 hits $10,460 $242,848 397 none Pin Horror
92 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 135 launches 20 in 10027 hits $15,866 $187,016 135 none Pin Survival Horror
93 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches 20 in 1007 hits $22,580 $265,301 35 Small Pin Mechs
94 20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches 20 in 10015 hits $16,148 $281,739 74 none Pin Colony Sim
95 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 58 launches 21 in 10012 hits $12,140 $189,382 58 none Pin War
96 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 72 launches 21 in 10015 hits $22,688 $233,428 72 none Pin Auto Battler
97 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches 21 in 10011 hits $14,570 $470,375 52 1-hit Pin Mythology
98 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches 21 in 1007 hits $17,001 $574,312 33 SmallAudience Pin Parkour
99 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 1,006 launches 21 in 100216 hits $14,573 $294,876 1,006 none Pin Simulation
100 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 121 launches 21 in 10026 hits $18,695 $286,515 121 none Pin Souls-like
Show 25 moreShowing 100 of 166 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 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.

Releases

Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.