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.

Best niches

All prices

Pairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree until launch

Capitalism + Incrementalabout 13 times expected at its prices14 in 100

1Capitalism + Incremental14 in 10050 launches 2Casual + Desktop Companion28 in 10047 launches 3Desktop Companion + Idler25 in 10064 launches 4Desktop Companion + Relaxing30 in 10043 launches 5Comedy + Memes10 in 10049 launches

Lens checkChanged recently. Standard: the yardstick. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: moves the answer.

Open free preview

Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The genre list

Price $10 to $20

All prices1 in 16 hit $100k+Under $51 in 200 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 26 hit $100k+$10 to $2019 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4042 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 6 to 30 months old, 29,637 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: Open World Survival Craft, 30 in 100. 149 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Open World Survival Craft, $25,194 typical. 238 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Not computed for lenses yet.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: FMV, 25 in 100. 83 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Strategy, 3,128 launches. 238 match.

Hide one-hit markets39 out Hide small samples37 out

238 of 266 genres have 30+ launches at any price, Last 18 months. Sorted by chance of $100k+, highest first.

Base Building 21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 326 launches at any price, Last 18 monthstypical $4,209. Best of the pins none

Programming 13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches at any price, Last 18 monthstypical $2,785 Small

Souls-like 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 244 launches at any price, Last 18 monthstypical $1,011 none

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 161,804 of 29,637	$606	not computed	29,637
1	Open World Survival Craft30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	30 in 10016 hits	$25,194	not computed	53	none	Pin Open World Survival Craft
2	World War II26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	26 in 1009 hits	$2,647	not computed	35	Small	Pin World War II
3	FMV25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 114 launches	25 in 10028 hits	$15,865	not computed	114	Audience	Pin FMV
4	Base Building21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 326 launches	21 in 10067 hits	$4,209	not computed	326	none	Pinned Base Building
5	Horses20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	20 in 1006 hits	$4,010	not computed	30	Small	Pin Horses
6	Co-op18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 428 launches	18 in 10079 hits	$3,641	not computed	428	none	Pin Co-op
7	Co-op Campaign18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	18 in 10010 hits	$2,122	not computed	57	1-hit	Pin Co-op Campaign
8	Online Co-Op17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 439 launches	17 in 10073 hits	$3,641	not computed	439	none	Pin Online Co-Op
9	Desktop Companion16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches	16 in 10010 hits	$6,568	not computed	61	Audience	Pin Desktop Companion
10	Building16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 482 launches	16 in 10076 hits	$2,790	not computed	482	none	Pin Building
11	Fighting16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches	16 in 1008 hits	$1,920	not computed	51	1-hit	Pin Fighting
12	Fishing15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 100 launches	15 in 10015 hits	$1,819	not computed	100	Audience	Pin Fishing
13	Music15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 80 launches	15 in 10012 hits	$2,828	not computed	80	none	Pin Music
14	Open World15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 474 launches	15 in 10071 hits	$1,943	not computed	474	none	Pin Open World
15	Vehicular Combat15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 82 launches	15 in 10012 hits	$1,214	not computed	82	none	Pin Vehicular Combat
16	Gothic15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	15 in 1006 hits	$1,618	not computed	41	1-hitSmall	Pin Gothic
17	Crafting14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 433 launches	14 in 10062 hits	$2,023	not computed	433	none	Pin Crafting
18	Lovecraftian14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 85 launches	14 in 10012 hits	$3,335	not computed	85	Audience	Pin Lovecraftian
19	Military14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 163 launches	14 in 10023 hits	$1,294	not computed	163	none	Pin Military
20	Mechs14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 65 launches	14 in 1009 hits	$4,671	not computed	65	none	Pin Mechs
21	Colony Sim13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 141 launches	13 in 10019 hits	$2,186	not computed	141	none	Pin Colony Sim
22	Cinematic13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 292 launches	13 in 10039 hits	$1,274	not computed	292	Audience	Pin Cinematic
23	City Builder13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 278 launches	13 in 10037 hits	$1,840	not computed	278	Audience	Pin City Builder
24	Trading13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	13 in 10013 hits	$5,016	not computed	98	1-hit	Pin Trading
25	Sandbox13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 822 launches	13 in 100109 hits	$1,618	not computed	822	none	Pin Sandbox
26	Minigames13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	13 in 1007 hits	$1,112	not computed	53	none	Pin Minigames
27	Job Simulator13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 91 launches	13 in 10012 hits	$5,501	not computed	91	none	Pin Job Simulator
28	Programming13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	13 in 1006 hits	$2,785	not computed	46	Small	Pinned Programming
29	Tanks13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	13 in 1004 hits	$707	not computed	31	Small	Pin Tanks
30	Asynchronous Multiplayer13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches	13 in 1005 hits	$1,617	not computed	39	SmallAudience	Pin Asynchronous Multiplayer
31	Sailing13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches	13 in 1005 hits	$1,619	not computed	39	SmallAudience	Pin Sailing
32	Management13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 799 launches	13 in 100101 hits	$2,832	not computed	799	none	Pin Management
33	Metroidvania13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 232 launches	13 in 10029 hits	$2,901	not computed	232	1-hit	Pin Metroidvania
34	Gambling13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 104 launches	13 in 10013 hits	$909	not computed	104	none	Pin Gambling
35	Inventory Management12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 170 launches	12 in 10021 hits	$2,225	not computed	170	none	Pin Inventory Management
36	War12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 170 launches	12 in 10021 hits	$1,415	not computed	170	none	Pin War
37	Economy12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 424 launches	12 in 10052 hits	$2,428	not computed	424	none	Pin Economy
38	Roguelike Deckbuilder12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 188 launches	12 in 10023 hits	$8,699	not computed	188	1-hit	Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder
39	Capitalism12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches	12 in 10024 hits	$1,920	not computed	201	none	Pin Capitalism
40	Shop Keeper12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 151 launches	12 in 10018 hits	$2,369	not computed	151	none	Pin Shop Keeper
41	Dinosaurs12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	12 in 1005 hits	$810	not computed	42	Small	Pin Dinosaurs
42	Trains12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	12 in 1005 hits	$4,973	not computed	42	Small	Pin Trains
43	Assassins12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	12 in 1004 hits	$607	not computed	34	Small	Pin Assassins
44	Resource Management12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 486 launches	12 in 10057 hits	$2,103	not computed	486	none	Pin Resource Management
45	Cozy12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 431 launches	12 in 10050 hits	$1,942	not computed	431	none	Pin Cozy
46	Class-Based11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches	11 in 1007 hits	$1,557	not computed	61	none	Pin Class-Based
47	Massively Multiplayer11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	11 in 1004 hits	$405	not computed	35	Small	Pin Massively Multiplayer
48	Mining11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 123 launches	11 in 10014 hits	$1,314	not computed	123	none	Pin Mining
49	Life Sim11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 609 launches	11 in 10069 hits	$1,920	not computed	609	none	Pin Life Sim
50	Investigation11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 263 launches	11 in 10029 hits	$1,133	not computed	263	none	Pin Investigation
51	Bullet Heaven11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 91 launches	11 in 10010 hits	$6,313	not computed	91	1-hit	Pin Bullet Heaven
52	Crime11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 129 launches	11 in 10014 hits	$1,214	not computed	129	1-hit	Pin Crime
53	Character Customization11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 459 launches	11 in 10049 hits	$1,211	not computed	459	none	Pin Character Customization
54	Martial Arts11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 75 launches	11 in 1008 hits	$1,469	not computed	75	Audience	Pin Martial Arts
55	Souls-like11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 244 launches	11 in 10026 hits	$1,011	not computed	244	none	Pinned Souls-like
56	Agriculture11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 76 launches	11 in 1008 hits	$1,558	not computed	76	none	Pin Agriculture
57	RTS10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 277 launches	10 in 10029 hits	$787	not computed	277	Audience	Pin RTS
58	Dice10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches	10 in 1005 hits	$3,236	not computed	48	Small	Pin Dice
59	Tactical10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 273 launches	10 in 10028 hits	$809	not computed	273	none	Pin Tactical
60	Immersive Sim1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 864 launches	1 in 1086 hits	$1,274	not computed	864	none	Pin Immersive Sim
61	Survival1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 597 launches	1 in 1059 hits	$1,002	not computed	597	none	Pin Survival
62	Detective1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 308 launches	1 in 1030 hits	$1,445	not computed	308	none	Pin Detective
63	Noir1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 104 launches	1 in 1010 hits	$1,618	not computed	104	none	Pin Noir
64	Science1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 74 launches	1 in 117 hits	$425	not computed	74	none	Pin Science
65	Dark Fantasy1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 392 launches	1 in 1137 hits	$809	not computed	392	1-hit	Pin Dark Fantasy
66	Automation1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 266 launches	1 in 1125 hits	$1,618	not computed	266	1-hit	Pin Automation
67	Driving1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 249 launches	1 in 1123 hits	$809	not computed	249	none	Pin Driving
68	Vampires1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 44 launches	1 in 114 hits	$1,213	not computed	44	Small	Pin Vampires
69	Medieval1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 403 launches	1 in 1136 hits	$607	not computed	403	none	Pin Medieval
70	Dark Humor1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 247 launches	1 in 1122 hits	$978	not computed	247	none	Pin Dark Humor
71	Gun Customization1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	1 in 116 hits	$1,132	not computed	68	none	Pin Gun Customization
72	Destruction1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 80 launches	1 in 117 hits	$1,154	not computed	80	none	Pin Destruction
73	Farming Sim1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 229 launches	1 in 1120 hits	$1,131	not computed	229	Audience	Pin Farming Sim
74	Outbreak Sim1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	1 in 123 hits	$646	not computed	35	Small	Pin Outbreak Sim
75	Action RTS1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	1 in 1210 hits	$606	not computed	117	1-hit	Pin Action RTS

Show 25 moreShowing 75 of 238 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.