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 5 to 8 in 100 launches overall.

Best niches

All prices

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

Base Building + Multiplayerabout 2.3 times expected at its prices, could be luck44 in 100

1Base Building + Multiplayer44 in 10045 launches 2Crafting + Multiplayer44 in 10048 launches 3Online Co-Op + Roguelike43 in 10040 launches 4Base Building + Open World Survival Craft39 in 10054 launches 5Character Customization + Open World39 in 10062 launches

Lens checkOne-hit market. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: moves the answer. Last 18 months: holds.

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Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The genre list

Price $10 to $20

All prices1 in 17 hit $100k+Under $51 in 219 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 30 hit $100k+$10 to $2018 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4040 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, 26,280 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: Co-op, 20 in 100. 72 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Open World Survival Craft, $36,777 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, 22 in 100. 66 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Puzzle, 1,499 launches. 187 match.

Hide one-hit markets26 out Hide small samples36 out

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

asynchronous-multiplayerNot in this view: under 30 launches at any price, Last 18 months.

programmingNot in this view: under 30 launches at any price, Last 18 months.

heistNot in this view: under 30 launches at any price, Last 18 months.

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 171,546 of 26,280	$540	not computed	26,280
1	Shop Keeper33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches	33 in 10011 hits	$15,122	not computed	33	1-hitSmall	Pin Shop Keeper
2	Open World Survival Craft33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	33 in 10010 hits	$36,777	not computed	30	1-hitSmall	Pin Open World Survival Craft
3	FMV25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches	25 in 10015 hits	$21,527	not computed	61	Audience	Pin FMV
4	Base Building22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 157 launches	22 in 10035 hits	$5,356	not computed	157	none	Pin Base Building
5	Vehicular Combat21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	21 in 1007 hits	$1,149	not computed	34	Small	Pin Vehicular Combat
6	Building21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches	21 in 10050 hits	$4,366	not computed	243	none	Pin Building
7	Co-op20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches	20 in 10041 hits	$4,377	not computed	205	none	Pin Co-op
8	Trading20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches	20 in 10010 hits	$5,169	not computed	51	none	Pin Trading
9	Music19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	19 in 1007 hits	$1,817	not computed	36	Small	Pin Music
10	Cozy19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 196 launches	19 in 10038 hits	$2,870	not computed	196	Audience	Pin Cozy
11	Mechs19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	19 in 1006 hits	$4,420	not computed	31	Small	Pin Mechs
12	City Builder19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 130 launches	19 in 10025 hits	$3,828	not computed	130	none	Pin City Builder
13	Online Co-Op18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 181 launches	18 in 10033 hits	$5,171	not computed	181	none	Pin Online Co-Op
14	Lovecraftian18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches	18 in 1006 hits	$9,123	not computed	33	Small	Pin Lovecraftian
15	Open World18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 222 launches	18 in 10039 hits	$2,317	not computed	222	none	Pin Open World
16	Inventory Management16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 73 launches	16 in 10012 hits	$1,915	not computed	73	none	Pin Inventory Management
17	Sandbox16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 387 launches	16 in 10062 hits	$2,011	not computed	387	Audience	Pin Sandbox
18	Fishing16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches	16 in 1008 hits	$1,722	not computed	50	Audience	Pin Fishing
19	Cinematic16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	16 in 10023 hits	$1,300	not computed	144	Audience	Pin Cinematic
20	Economy16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches	16 in 10032 hits	$3,962	not computed	201	none	Pin Economy
21	Colony Sim16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches	16 in 10010 hits	$2,870	not computed	63	none	Pin Colony Sim
22	Crafting16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 202 launches	16 in 10032 hits	$2,298	not computed	202	none	Pin Crafting
23	Destruction16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	16 in 1005 hits	$1,607	not computed	32	Small	Pin Destruction
24	Resource Management15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 198 launches	15 in 10030 hits	$2,756	not computed	198	none	Pin Resource Management
25	Job Simulator15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	15 in 1006 hits	$4,282	not computed	41	Small	Pin Job Simulator
26	Management14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 364 launches	14 in 10052 hits	$4,362	not computed	364	none	Pin Management
27	Noir14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	14 in 1006 hits	$1,529	not computed	42	Small	Pin Noir
28	Military14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 78 launches	14 in 10011 hits	$1,912	not computed	78	1-hit	Pin Military
29	Life Sim14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 292 launches	14 in 10041 hits	$2,011	not computed	292	none	Pin Life Sim
30	Capitalism14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 93 launches	14 in 10013 hits	$1,721	not computed	93	1-hit	Pin Capitalism
31	Parody 14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	14 in 1005 hits	$360	not computed	37	Small	Pin Parody
32	Investigation13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	13 in 10015 hits	$1,991	not computed	112	none	Pin Investigation
33	Co-op Campaign4 of 30 launches earned $100k+	4 of 304 hits	$5,276	not computed	30	1-hitSmall	Pin Co-op Campaign
34	Mining13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	13 in 1007 hits	$689	not computed	53	none	Pin Mining
35	Mythology13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	13 in 1006 hits	$1,839	not computed	46	1-hitSmall	Pin Mythology
36	War13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 86 launches	13 in 10011 hits	$1,532	not computed	86	none	Pin War
37	Tactical13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches	13 in 10014 hits	$859	not computed	111	none	Pin Tactical
38	Agriculture4 of 32 launches earned $100k+	4 of 324 hits	$5,172	not computed	32	Small	Pin Agriculture
39	Gambling4 of 32 launches earned $100k+	4 of 324 hits	$974	not computed	32	Small	Pin Gambling
40	Wholesome12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	12 in 10012 hits	$1,754	not computed	98	none	Pin Wholesome
41	Roguelike Deckbuilder12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 82 launches	12 in 10010 hits	$8,847	not computed	82	Audience	Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder
42	Dark Humor12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 108 launches	12 in 10013 hits	$956	not computed	108	none	Pin Dark Humor
43	Souls-like12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 93 launches	12 in 10011 hits	$917	not computed	93	none	Pin Souls-like
44	Medieval11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 175 launches	11 in 10020 hits	$574	not computed	175	none	Pin Medieval
45	Metroidvania11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 105 launches	11 in 10012 hits	$2,901	not computed	105	1-hitAudience	Pin Metroidvania
46	Farming Sim11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 110 launches	11 in 10012 hits	$1,723	not computed	110	none	Pin Farming Sim
47	eSports11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	11 in 1005 hits	$892	not computed	46	1-hitSmall	Pin eSports
48	Automation11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 102 launches	11 in 10011 hits	$2,104	not computed	102	1-hit	Pin Automation
49	Robots11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	11 in 1006 hits	$801	not computed	56	none	Pin Robots
50	Character Customization11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches	11 in 10026 hits	$956	not computed	243	Audience	Pin Character Customization
51	Hack and Slash11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 219 launches	11 in 10023 hits	$766	not computed	219	Audience	Pin Hack and Slash
52	Cyberpunk10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 78 launches	10 in 1008 hits	$1,604	not computed	78	none	Pin Cyberpunk
53	Card Battler10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 170 launches	10 in 10017 hits	$1,437	not computed	170	none	Pin Card Battler
54	Beat 'em up10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 90 launches	10 in 1009 hits	$478	not computed	90	Audience	Pin Beat 'em up
55	Crime10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	10 in 1006 hits	$1,030	not computed	60	1-hitAudience	Pin Crime
56	Bullet Heaven10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches	10 in 1005 hits	$8,898	not computed	50	none	Pin Bullet Heaven
57	Team-Based4 of 40 launches earned $100k+	4 of 404 hits	$2,982	not computed	40	1-hitSmall	Pin Team-Based
58	Science3 of 30 launches earned $100k+	3 of 303 hits	$574	not computed	30	Small	Pin Science
59	Driving1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	1 in 1011 hits	$766	not computed	112	none	Pin Driving
60	Dark Fantasy1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 153 launches	1 in 1015 hits	$957	not computed	153	1-hit	Pin Dark Fantasy
61	Stealth1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 102 launches	1 in 1010 hits	$574	not computed	102	1-hit	Pin Stealth
62	Dungeon Crawler1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 246 launches	1 in 1024 hits	$1,206	not computed	246	none	Pin Dungeon Crawler
63	FPS1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 380 launches	1 in 1037 hits	$630	not computed	380	none	Pin FPS
64	Immersive Sim1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 433 launches	1 in 1042 hits	$1,376	not computed	433	none	Pin Immersive Sim
65	Dating Sim1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 166 launches	1 in 1016 hits	$2,104	not computed	166	Audience	Pin Dating Sim
66	RTS1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 147 launches	1 in 1114 hits	$919	not computed	147	none	Pin RTS
67	Cooking1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 84 launches	1 in 118 hits	$1,072	not computed	84	Audience	Pin Cooking
68	Post-apocalyptic1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 137 launches	1 in 1113 hits	$765	not computed	137	none	Pin Post-apocalyptic
69	Action RTS1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	1 in 115 hits	$612	not computed	53	1-hit	Pin Action RTS
70	Hero Shooter3 of 32 launches earned $100k+	3 of 323 hits	$230	not computed	32	Small	Pin Hero Shooter
71	Creature Collector1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 161 launches	1 in 1115 hits	$1,149	not computed	161	1-hit	Pin Creature Collector
72	Nature1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 164 launches	1 in 1115 hits	$459	not computed	164	none	Pin Nature
73	Deckbuilding1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 200 launches	1 in 1118 hits	$1,804	not computed	200	none	Pin Deckbuilding
74	Detective1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 128 launches	1 in 1211 hits	$1,034	not computed	128	Audience	Pin Detective
75	Turn-Based Tactics1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 292 launches	1 in 1225 hits	$757	not computed	292	none	Pin Turn-Based Tactics
76	Tactical RPG1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 129 launches	1 in 1211 hits	$2,143	not computed	129	none	Pin Tactical RPG
77	Roguelite1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 615 launches	1 in 1252 hits	$1,072	not computed	615	none	Pin Roguelite
78	Roguelike1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 639 launches	1 in 1254 hits	$1,052	not computed	639	none	Pin Roguelike
79	Simulation1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 1,387 launches	1 in 12117 hits	$956	not computed	1,387	none	Pin Simulation
80	God Game4 of 48 launches earned $100k+	4 of 484 hits	$360	not computed	48	Small	Pin God Game
81	Survival1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 269 launches	1 in 1222 hits	$992	not computed	269	none	Pin Survival
82	RPG1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 1,018 launches	1 in 1282 hits	$859	not computed	1,018	none	Pin RPG
83	VR1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 125 launches	1 in 1310 hits	$958	not computed	125	none	Pin VR
84	Alternate History4 of 50 launches earned $100k+	4 of 504 hits	$575	not computed	50	none	Pin Alternate History
85	Zombies1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 128 launches	1 in 1310 hits	$383	not computed	128	none	Pin Zombies
86	Auto Battler1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 116 launches	1 in 139 hits	$1,378	not computed	116	Audience	Pin Auto Battler
87	Wargame1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 119 launches	1 in 139 hits	$766	not computed	119	none	Pin Wargame
88	Strategy RPG1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 159 launches	1 in 1312 hits	$799	not computed	159	Audience	Pin Strategy RPG
89	Action Roguelike1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 476 launches	1 in 1435 hits	$765	not computed	476	none	Pin Action Roguelike
90	Automobile Sim1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	1 in 145 hits	$517	not computed	68	none	Pin Automobile Sim
91	Interactive Fiction1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 381 launches	1 in 1428 hits	$919	not computed	381	Audience	Pin Interactive Fiction
92	Looter Shooter4 of 55 launches earned $100k+	4 of 554 hits	$229	not computed	55	none	Pin Looter Shooter
93	Turn-Based Combat1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 193 launches	1 in 1414 hits	$1,531	not computed	193	none	Pin Turn-Based Combat
94	Rhythm1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 85 launches	1 in 146 hits	$383	not computed	85	none	Pin Rhythm
95	Choose Your Own Adventure1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 285 launches	1 in 1420 hits	$917	not computed	285	Audience	Pin Choose Your Own Adventure
96	Martial Arts3 of 43 launches earned $100k+	3 of 433 hits	$1,335	not computed	43	1-hitSmall	Pin Martial Arts
97	Action RPG1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 330 launches	1 in 1423 hits	$574	not computed	330	Audience	Pin Action RPG
98	JRPG1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 159 launches	1 in 1411 hits	$2,106	not computed	159	1-hitAudience	Pin JRPG
99	Turn-Based Strategy1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 353 launches	1 in 1524 hits	$842	not computed	353	none	Pin Turn-Based Strategy
100	Visual Novel1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 534 launches	1 in 1536 hits	$1,530	not computed	534	Audience	Pin Visual Novel
101	Card Game1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 285 launches	1 in 1519 hits	$670	not computed	285	none	Pin Card Game
102	Racing1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 211 launches	1 in 1514 hits	$344	not computed	211	none	Pin Racing
103	Strategy1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 1,463 launches	1 in 1597 hits	$498	not computed	1,463	none	Pin Strategy
104	Grand Strategy4 of 62 launches earned $100k+	4 of 624 hits	$1,914	not computed	62	1-hit	Pin Grand Strategy
105	Party Game2 of 31 launches earned $100k+	2 of 312 hits	$1,817	not computed	31	Small	Pin Party Game
106	Combat Racing3 of 47 launches earned $100k+	3 of 473 hits	$383	not computed	47	Small	Pin Combat Racing
107	1990's1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 189 launches	1 in 1612 hits	$579	not computed	189	none	Pin 1990's
108	Sports1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 284 launches	1 in 1618 hits	$861	not computed	284	none	Pin Sports
109	Action-Adventure1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 879 launches	1 in 1655 hits	$383	not computed	879	none	Pin Action-Adventure
110	Party-Based RPG1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	1 in 167 hits	$1,147	not computed	113	none	Pin Party-Based RPG
111	Dialogue Heavy1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 81 launches	1 in 165 hits	$994	not computed	81	none	Pin Dialogue Heavy
112	Survival Horror1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 233 launches	1 in 1714 hits	$802	not computed	233	1-hit	Pin Survival Horror
113	CRPG4 of 67 launches earned $100k+	4 of 674 hits	$517	not computed	67	Audience	Pin CRPG
114	Space1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 185 launches	1 in 1711 hits	$229	not computed	185	none	Pin Space
115	Shooter1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 641 launches	1 in 1737 hits	$306	not computed	641	none	Pin Shooter
116	Idler1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 336 launches	1 in 1819 hits	$459	not computed	336	none	Pin Idler
117	Magic1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 143 launches	1 in 188 hits	$947	not computed	143	none	Pin Magic
118	Typing3 of 54 launches earned $100k+	3 of 543 hits	$441	not computed	54	none	Pin Typing
119	Tower Defense1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 222 launches	1 in 1912 hits	$383	not computed	222	none	Pin Tower Defense
120	Romance1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 148 launches	1 in 198 hits	$2,009	not computed	148	none	Pin Romance
121	Trading Card Game2 of 37 launches earned $100k+	2 of 372 hits	$689	not computed	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Trading Card Game
122	Voxel2 of 37 launches earned $100k+	2 of 372 hits	$383	not computed	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Voxel
123	Board Game1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 187 launches	1 in 1910 hits	$191	not computed	187	none	Pin Board Game
124	Underwater2 of 38 launches earned $100k+	2 of 382 hits	$957	not computed	38	Small	Pin Underwater
125	Horror1 in 19 earned $100k+, from 883 launches	1 in 1946 hits	$918	not computed	883	none	Pin Horror

Show 25 moreShowing 125 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.