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, 77 beat the 18 in 100 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 219 under $5, 40 in 100 at $20 to $40.77 of 233 genres beat the 18 in 100 base rate.77 beat the base rate.
Typical launch, all prices, first year $540
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.
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+, highest 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 | 18 in 100758 of 4,301 | $8,234 | $217,858 | 4,301 | |||
| 1 | Shop Keeper49 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 49 in 10018 hits | $92,344 | $655,133 | 37 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Shop Keeper |
| 2 | FMV48 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 48 in 10019 hits | $74,499 | $368,587 | 40 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV |
| 3 | Cozy44 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches | 44 in 10050 hits | $88,250 | $726,119 | 113 | Audience | Pin Cozy |
| 4 | Typing9 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 219 hits | $47,751 | $341,641 | 21 | Small | Pin Typing |
| 5 | Bullet Heaven7 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 197 hits | $19,427 | $1,956,319 | 19 | Small | Pin Bullet Heaven |
| 6 | Online Co-Op35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 142 launches | 35 in 10050 hits | $34,532 | $649,488 | 142 | none | Pin Online Co-Op |
| 7 | Cooking35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches | 35 in 10020 hits | $39,498 | $682,937 | 57 | Audience | Pin Cooking |
| 8 | Music34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 34 in 10012 hits | $32,017 | $573,348 | 35 | Small | Pin Music |
| 9 | Inventory Management33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches | 33 in 10017 hits | $21,885 | $740,563 | 51 | none | Pin Inventory Management |
| 10 | Gun Customization6 of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 186 hits | $17,302 | $300,128 | 18 | SmallAudience | Pin Gun Customization |
| 11 | Satire4 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 124 hits | $17,312 | $766,933 | 12 | Small | Pin Satire |
| 12 | Automation33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches | 33 in 10027 hits | $33,396 | $456,445 | 83 | 1-hit | Pin Automation |
| 13 | Lovecraftian32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches | 32 in 10013 hits | $22,478 | $261,863 | 41 | Small | Pin Lovecraftian |
| 14 | Building31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches | 31 in 10077 hits | $22,519 | $466,495 | 245 | none | Pin Building |
| 15 | Economy31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 161 launches | 31 in 10050 hits | $32,655 | $403,798 | 161 | none | Pin Economy |
| 16 | Roguelike Deckbuilder31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 94 launches | 31 in 10029 hits | $35,955 | $687,081 | 94 | Audience | Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder |
| 17 | Co-op31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 157 launches | 31 in 10048 hits | $19,270 | $774,181 | 157 | none | Pin Co-op |
| 18 | Life Sim30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 233 launches | 30 in 10071 hits | $28,398 | $363,930 | 233 | none | Pin Life Sim |
| 19 | Asynchronous Multiplayer3 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 103 hits | $35,572 | $4,698,618 | 10 | Small | Pin Asynchronous Multiplayer |
| 20 | Dice3 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 103 hits | $58,623 | $687,081 | 10 | Small | Pin Dice |
| 21 | Faith3 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 103 hits | $27,931 | $546,392 | 10 | Small | Pin Faith |
| 22 | Management30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 298 launches | 30 in 10089 hits | $31,612 | $366,715 | 298 | none | Pin Management |
| 23 | Crime30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 47 launches | 30 in 10014 hits | $10,039 | $1,509,973 | 47 | 1-hitSmallAudience | Pin Crime |
| 24 | Sandbox30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 360 launches | 30 in 100107 hits | $22,688 | $436,654 | 360 | Audience | Pin Sandbox |
| 25 | Base Building30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 213 launches | 30 in 10063 hits | $26,339 | $460,726 | 213 | none | Pin Base Building |
| 26 | Boomer Shooter29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 29 in 10011 hits | $23,359 | $949,501 | 38 | Small | Pin Boomer Shooter |
| 27 | Martial Arts29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 29 in 10011 hits | $32,840 | $371,751 | 38 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Martial Arts |
| 28 | Open World Survival Craft29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 59 launches | 29 in 10017 hits | $36,777 | $663,590 | 59 | 1-hit | Pin Open World Survival Craft |
| 29 | Driving29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 87 launches | 29 in 10025 hits | $14,174 | $345,792 | 87 | none | Pin Driving |
| 30 | Dark Humor29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 70 launches | 29 in 10020 hits | $15,987 | $371,283 | 70 | none | Pin Dark Humor |
| 31 | Mythology29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches | 29 in 10012 hits | $19,142 | $432,096 | 42 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Mythology |
| 32 | Mining6 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 216 hits | $12,582 | $230,064 | 21 | Small | Pin Mining |
| 33 | Animals4 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 144 hits | $28,806 | $382,463 | 14 | Small | Pin Animals |
| 34 | Cinematic28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches | 28 in 10025 hits | $20,773 | $362,051 | 88 | Audience | Pin Cinematic |
| 35 | Dark Comedy28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 28 in 1009 hits | $20,985 | $320,925 | 32 | Small | Pin Dark Comedy |
| 36 | Open World28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 270 launches | 28 in 10075 hits | $19,479 | $411,945 | 270 | none | Pin Open World |
| 37 | Trading28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 54 launches | 28 in 10015 hits | $33,643 | $386,359 | 54 | none | Pin Trading |
| 38 | Swordplay6 of 22 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 226 hits | $14,182 | $284,704 | 22 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Swordplay |
| 39 | Heist3 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 113 hits | $32,041 | $1,509,973 | 11 | Small | Pin Heist |
| 40 | Massively Multiplayer3 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 113 hits | $11,143 | $363,191 | 11 | Small | Pin Massively Multiplayer |
| 41 | Mechs27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 27 in 1008 hits | $20,152 | $242,718 | 30 | Small | Pin Mechs |
| 42 | Resource Management26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 152 launches | 26 in 10040 hits | $23,362 | $317,390 | 152 | none | Pin Resource Management |
| 43 | City Builder26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 145 launches | 26 in 10038 hits | $18,490 | $359,391 | 145 | none | Pin City Builder |
| 44 | Trading Card Game6 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 236 hits | $2,823 | $346,863 | 23 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Trading Card Game |
| 45 | Job Simulator7 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 277 hits | $22,437 | $261,069 | 27 | Small | Pin Job Simulator |
| 46 | Vehicular Combat7 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 277 hits | $20,823 | $420,920 | 27 | Small | Pin Vehicular Combat |
| 47 | Roguelite26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 381 launches | 26 in 10098 hits | $18,216 | $420,756 | 381 | none | Pin Roguelite |
| 48 | Capitalism26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches | 26 in 10019 hits | $26,339 | $252,787 | 74 | 1-hit | Pin Capitalism |
| 49 | Deckbuilding26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 168 launches | 26 in 10043 hits | $18,545 | $449,394 | 168 | none | Pin Deckbuilding |
| 50 | Crafting25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 216 launches | 25 in 10055 hits | $20,351 | $294,097 | 216 | none | Pin Crafting |
| 51 | Stealth25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches | 25 in 10014 hits | $9,989 | $608,395 | 55 | 1-hit | Pin Stealth |
| 52 | Creature Collector25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 79 launches | 25 in 10020 hits | $19,165 | $366,444 | 79 | 1-hit | Pin Creature Collector |
| 53 | Card Battler25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 148 launches | 25 in 10037 hits | $17,887 | $346,863 | 148 | none | Pin Card Battler |
| 54 | Spectacle fighter25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 25 in 10010 hits | $21,056 | $359,337 | 40 | Small | Pin Spectacle fighter |
| 55 | Twin Stick Shooter25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 25 in 10010 hits | $8,054 | $456,091 | 40 | Small | Pin Twin Stick Shooter |
| 56 | Minigames4 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 164 hits | $5,477 | $179,107 | 16 | Small | Pin Minigames |
| 57 | Roguelike25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 410 launches | 25 in 100102 hits | $16,055 | $449,394 | 410 | none | Pin Roguelike |
| 58 | Action Roguelike24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches | 24 in 10059 hits | $13,214 | $396,209 | 243 | none | Pin Action Roguelike |
| 59 | Class-Based6 of 25 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 256 hits | $11,770 | $488,177 | 25 | SmallAudience | Pinned Class-Based |
| 60 | Tower Defense23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 124 launches | 23 in 10029 hits | $7,966 | $427,167 | 124 | none | Pin Tower Defense |
| 61 | Colony Sim23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 77 launches | 23 in 10018 hits | $18,490 | $317,390 | 77 | none | Pin Colony Sim |
| 62 | FPS23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 219 launches | 23 in 10051 hits | $8,437 | $488,177 | 219 | none | Pin FPS |
| 63 | Psychedelic23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches | 23 in 1009 hits | $14,305 | $465,023 | 39 | Small | Pin Psychedelic |
| 64 | Farming3 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 133 hits | $12,165 | $516,541 | 13 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Farming |
| 65 | Traditional Roguelike3 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 133 hits | $11,770 | $633,990 | 13 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Traditional Roguelike |
| 66 | Wholesome23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches | 23 in 10014 hits | $37,600 | $168,317 | 61 | none | Pin Wholesome |
| 67 | Immersive Sim23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 312 launches | 23 in 10071 hits | $14,472 | $292,763 | 312 | none | Pin Immersive Sim |
| 68 | Medieval23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches | 23 in 10024 hits | $14,322 | $344,301 | 106 | none | Pin Medieval |
| 69 | Robots23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 23 in 1009 hits | $10,286 | $242,718 | 40 | Small | Pin Robots |
| 70 | Metroidvania22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 129 launches | 22 in 10029 hits | $22,264 | $313,975 | 129 | 1-hitAudience | Pin Metroidvania |
| 71 | Nature22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 81 launches | 22 in 10018 hits | $15,870 | $171,139 | 81 | none | Pin Nature |
| 72 | Idler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches | 22 in 1008 hits | $12,154 | $462,629 | 36 | Small | Pin Idler |
| 73 | Cats22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches | 22 in 1009 hits | $5,772 | $382,463 | 41 | Small | Pin Cats |
| 74 | Hack and Slash22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 180 launches | 22 in 10039 hits | $14,890 | $292,848 | 180 | Audience | Pin Hack and Slash |
| 75 | Farming Sim22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches | 22 in 10019 hits | $25,147 | $352,182 | 88 | none | Pin Farming Sim |
| 76 | Investigation21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches | 21 in 10023 hits | $9,410 | $261,863 | 107 | none | Pin Investigation |
| 77 | Psychological Horror21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches | 21 in 10044 hits | $15,887 | $316,813 | 205 | none | Pin Psychological Horror |
| 78 | Conspiracy3 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 143 hits | $22,780 | $1,191,178 | 14 | Small | Pin Conspiracy |
| 79 | Memes3 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 143 hits | $23,322 | $991,367 | 14 | SmallAudience | Pin Memes |
| 80 | Underground3 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 143 hits | $5,171 | $122,823 | 14 | Small | Pin Underground |
| 81 | Survival21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 206 launches | 21 in 10044 hits | $18,573 | $241,867 | 206 | none | Pin Survival |
| 82 | Simulation21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 876 launches | 21 in 100183 hits | $11,548 | $289,238 | 876 | none | Pin Simulation |
| 83 | Detective21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches | 21 in 10022 hits | $9,645 | $206,730 | 106 | Audience | Pin Detective |
| 84 | Noir6 of 29 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 296 hits | $9,115 | $201,705 | 29 | Small | Pin Noir |
| 85 | Automobile Sim21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches | 21 in 10014 hits | $7,507 | $386,359 | 68 | none | Pin Automobile Sim |
| 86 | Parkour21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 21 in 1007 hits | $12,889 | $448,080 | 34 | Small | Pin Parkour |
| 87 | Military20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches | 20 in 10014 hits | $10,189 | $310,598 | 69 | 1-hit | Pin Military |
| 88 | Agriculture20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 20 in 1006 hits | $13,432 | $309,893 | 30 | Small | Pin Agriculture |
| 89 | Dinosaurs3 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 3 of 153 hits | $9,653 | $261,524 | 15 | Small | Pin Dinosaurs |
| 90 | Boxing2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | $10,666 | $466,495 | 10 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Boxing |
| 91 | Ninja2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | $11,770 | $200,778 | 10 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Ninja |
| 92 | Outbreak Sim2 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 2 of 102 hits | $1,427 | $460,726 | 10 | Small | Pin Outbreak Sim |
| 93 | Character Customization20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 191 launches | 20 in 10038 hits | $13,176 | $257,678 | 191 | Audience | Pinned Character Customization |
| 94 | Racing20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches | 20 in 10022 hits | $4,470 | $192,570 | 112 | none | Pin Racing |
| 95 | Dungeon Crawler20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 204 launches | 20 in 10040 hits | $12,625 | $254,066 | 204 | none | Pin Dungeon Crawler |
| 96 | Tactical19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches | 19 in 10022 hits | $19,270 | $244,943 | 113 | none | Pin Tactical |
| 97 | Team-Based19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 19 in 1006 hits | $8,045 | $244,395 | 31 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Team-Based |
| 98 | Action RPG19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 281 launches | 19 in 10054 hits | $7,717 | $227,369 | 281 | Audience | Pin Action RPG |
| 99 | Horror19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 345 launches | 19 in 10066 hits | $9,724 | $232,139 | 345 | none | Pin Horror |
| 100 | Fighting4 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 4 of 214 hits | $10,635 | $235,631 | 21 | Small | Pin Fighting |
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.