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 6 to 7.5 in 100 launches overall.

Best niches

$10 to $20

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

Building + Life Simabout 3.1 times the 20 in 100 base rate63 in 100

1Building + Life Sim63 in 10030 launches 2Casual + Cozy60 in 10050 launches 3Cozy + Relaxing59 in 10054 launches 4Cozy + Simulation56 in 10036 launches 5Cinematic + Story Rich55 in 10031 launches

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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 15 hit $100k+Under $51 in 238 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 28 hit $100k+$10 to $2020 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4044 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, 26,291 launches. Odds compare best within one price.

Lens Standard

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

All indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old. 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 30+ launches

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Now: Shop Keeper, 57 in 100. 156 match.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: Online Co-Op, 39 in 100. 68 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Shop Keeper, $123,125 typical. 156 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Now: Co-op, $1M top 1 in 10. 118 match.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Cozy, 51 in 100. 40 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Simulation, 874 launches. 156 match.

Hide one-hit markets20 out Hide small samples38 out

156 of 256 genres have 30+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, highest first.

programmingNot in this view: under 30 launches at $10 to $20.

Simulation 24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 874 launches at $10 to $20typical $15,416. Best of the pins none

1980s 16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches at $10 to $20typical $6,901 none

Genres at $10 to $20, 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 $10 to $20the base rate: the row to beat	20 in 100878 of 4,304	$10,978	$287,297	4,304
1	Shop Keeper57 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	57 in 10021 hits	$123,125	$873,511	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Shop Keeper
2	Cozy51 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	51 in 10057 hits	$117,666	$968,158	112	Audience	Pin Cozy
3	FMV48 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	48 in 10019 hits	$99,332	$491,449	40	SmallAudience	Pin FMV
4	Cooking44 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	44 in 10025 hits	$52,664	$910,583	57	Audience	Pin Cooking
5	Online Co-Op39 in 100 earned $100k+, from 142 launches	39 in 10056 hits	$46,042	$865,984	142	none	Pin Online Co-Op
6	Automation39 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches	39 in 10032 hits	$44,527	$608,593	83	1-hit	Pin Automation
7	Music37 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	37 in 10013 hits	$42,689	$764,464	35	Small	Pin Music
8	Inventory Management35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches	35 in 10018 hits	$29,181	$987,028	51	none	Pin Inventory Management
9	Roguelike Deckbuilder35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 94 launches	35 in 10033 hits	$47,941	$916,108	94	none	Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder
10	Building35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches	35 in 10085 hits	$30,025	$621,994	245	none	Pin Building
11	Co-op34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 157 launches	34 in 10054 hits	$25,693	$1,032,241	157	none	Pin Co-op
12	Life Sim34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 232 launches	34 in 10079 hits	$37,945	$485,241	232	none	Pin Life Sim
13	Management34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 297 launches	34 in 100100 hits	$41,499	$488,953	297	none	Pin Management
14	Economy34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 161 launches	34 in 10054 hits	$43,540	$538,397	161	none	Pin Economy
15	Base Building33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 213 launches	33 in 10071 hits	$35,118	$614,301	213	none	Pin Base Building
16	Cinematic33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 87 launches	33 in 10029 hits	$27,697	$482,734	87	Audience	Pin Cinematic
17	Sandbox33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 360 launches	33 in 100118 hits	$30,251	$582,205	360	none	Pin Sandbox
18	Resource Management32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 152 launches	32 in 10049 hits	$31,149	$423,187	152	none	Pin Resource Management
19	Lovecraftian32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	32 in 10013 hits	$29,971	$349,150	41	Small	Pin Lovecraftian
20	Driving31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 87 launches	31 in 10027 hits	$18,907	$461,581	87	none	Pin Driving
21	Boomer Shooter31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches	31 in 10012 hits	$31,145	$1,266,001	39	Small	Pin Boomer Shooter
22	Tower Defense31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 124 launches	31 in 10038 hits	$10,626	$569,556	124	none	Pin Tower Defense
23	Open World Survival Craft31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 59 launches	31 in 10018 hits	$49,037	$884,787	59	1-hit	Pin Open World Survival Craft
24	Dark Humor30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 70 launches	30 in 10021 hits	$21,316	$496,422	70	none	Pin Dark Humor
25	Wholesome30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	30 in 10018 hits	$50,134	$224,423	60	none	Pin Wholesome
26	Mechs30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	30 in 1009 hits	$26,870	$324,733	30	Small	Pin Mechs
27	Crime30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 47 launches	30 in 10014 hits	$13,385	$2,013,297	47	1-hitSmallAudience	Pin Crime
28	Capitalism30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches	30 in 10022 hits	$35,118	$337,049	74	1-hit	Pin Capitalism
29	City Builder30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 145 launches	30 in 10043 hits	$24,654	$479,187	145	Audience	Pin City Builder
30	Open World30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 270 launches	30 in 10080 hits	$25,972	$549,260	270	none	Pin Open World
31	Roguelite29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 381 launches	29 in 100112 hits	$24,288	$561,008	381	none	Pin Roguelite
32	Creature Collector29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 79 launches	29 in 10023 hits	$25,553	$488,593	79	1-hit	Pin Creature Collector
33	Stealth29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches	29 in 10016 hits	$13,319	$811,677	55	1-hit	Pin Stealth
34	Martial Arts29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	29 in 10011 hits	$43,786	$495,669	38	1-hitSmall	Pin Martial Arts
35	Deckbuilding29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 168 launches	29 in 10048 hits	$24,727	$599,192	168	none	Pin Deckbuilding
36	Crafting28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 216 launches	28 in 10061 hits	$27,134	$392,129	216	none	Pin Crafting
37	Dark Comedy28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	28 in 1009 hits	$27,980	$427,901	32	1-hitSmall	Pin Dark Comedy
38	Mythology28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches	28 in 10012 hits	$18,393	$576,622	43	1-hitSmall	Pin Mythology
39	Trading28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 54 launches	28 in 10015 hits	$44,858	$516,035	54	none	Pin Trading
40	Roguelike28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 410 launches	28 in 100113 hits	$21,406	$599,192	410	none	Pin Roguelike
41	Spectacle fighter28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	28 in 10011 hits	$28,074	$479,116	40	Small	Pin Spectacle fighter
42	Twin Stick Shooter28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	28 in 10011 hits	$10,739	$608,121	40	Small	Pin Twin Stick Shooter
43	Farming Sim27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches	27 in 10024 hits	$33,529	$469,576	88	none	Pin Farming Sim
44	Colony Sim27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 77 launches	27 in 10021 hits	$24,654	$423,187	77	none	Pin Colony Sim
45	Metroidvania27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 129 launches	27 in 10035 hits	$29,685	$418,633	129	1-hitAudience	Pin Metroidvania
46	Action Roguelike27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 244 launches	27 in 10066 hits	$17,627	$528,278	244	none	Pin Action Roguelike
47	Card Battler27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 147 launches	27 in 10039 hits	$23,752	$459,301	147	none	Pin Card Battler
48	Psychological Horror26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches	26 in 10054 hits	$21,183	$422,417	205	none	Pin Psychological Horror
49	Medieval26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	26 in 10028 hits	$19,088	$459,068	107	none	Pin Medieval
50	Immersive Sim26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 312 launches	26 in 10080 hits	$19,296	$390,351	312	none	Pin Immersive Sim
51	Psychedelic26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches	26 in 10010 hits	$19,074	$620,030	39	Small	Pin Psychedelic
52	Hack and Slash25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 182 launches	25 in 10046 hits	$19,586	$303,158	182	Audience	Pin Hack and Slash
53	Investigation25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	25 in 10027 hits	$12,547	$349,150	107	none	Pin Investigation
54	FPS25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 220 launches	25 in 10055 hits	$11,290	$650,903	220	none	Pin FPS
55	Auto Battler25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	25 in 10015 hits	$31,149	$724,652	60	none	Pin Auto Battler
56	Robots25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	25 in 10010 hits	$13,714	$324,733	40	Small	Pin Robots
57	4X25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	25 in 1008 hits	$12,949	$396,980	32	Small	Pin 4X
58	Character Customization25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 191 launches	25 in 10047 hits	$17,568	$343,571	191	none	Pin Character Customization
59	Cats24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	24 in 10010 hits	$7,696	$509,951	41	Small	Pin Cats
60	Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 206 launches	24 in 10050 hits	$24,935	$322,489	206	none	Pin Survival
61	Simulation24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 874 launches	24 in 100208 hits	$15,416	$381,863	874	none	Pinned Simulation
62	Dystopian 24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	24 in 1009 hits	$26,063	$793,445	38	SmallAudience	Pin Dystopian
63	Automobile Sim24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	24 in 10016 hits	$10,014	$516,035	68	none	Pin Automobile Sim
64	Military23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches	23 in 10016 hits	$13,585	$414,131	69	1-hit	Pin Military
65	Tactical23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	23 in 10026 hits	$25,693	$327,565	113	none	Pin Tactical
66	Dark Fantasy23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 145 launches	23 in 10033 hits	$15,615	$335,771	145	1-hit	Pin Dark Fantasy
67	Detective23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	23 in 10024 hits	$12,860	$275,639	106	Audience	Pin Detective
68	Nature23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 80 launches	23 in 10018 hits	$21,186	$228,185	80	none	Pin Nature
69	Idler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	22 in 1008 hits	$16,221	$616,838	36	Small	Pin Idler
70	Horror22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 345 launches	22 in 10076 hits	$12,981	$309,518	345	none	Pin Horror
71	Flight22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches	22 in 10012 hits	$10,014	$158,342	55	none	Pin Flight
72	Action RPG22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 281 launches	22 in 10061 hits	$10,294	$303,158	281	none	Pin Action RPG
73	Space21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$10,036	$252,312	107	none	Pin Space
74	Dungeon Crawler21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches	21 in 10044 hits	$16,387	$338,755	205	none	Pin Dungeon Crawler
75	Shooter21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 363 launches	21 in 10077 hits	$9,621	$330,193	363	none	Pin Shooter
76	Alternate History21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	21 in 1008 hits	$15,783	$183,012	38	Small	Pin Alternate History
77	Card Game21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches	21 in 10042 hits	$18,010	$360,680	201	none	Pin Card Game
78	Perma Death21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	21 in 10011 hits	$12,169	$239,039	53	Audience	Pin Perma Death
79	RTS21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$14,115	$264,556	111	none	Pin RTS
80	Rhythm21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches	21 in 10013 hits	$13,928	$478,716	63	none	Pin Rhythm
81	Parkour21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	21 in 1007 hits	$17,186	$597,440	34	Small	Pin Parkour
82	Post-apocalyptic21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$14,458	$258,277	112	none	Pin Post-apocalyptic
83	Souls-like20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	20 in 10020 hits	$15,211	$274,242	98	none	Pin Souls-like
84	RPG20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 789 launches	20 in 100160 hits	$11,268	$303,279	789	none	Pin RPG
85	Time Management20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	20 in 10029 hits	$9,514	$305,184	144	Audience	Pin Time Management
86	Turn-Based Combat20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 185 launches	20 in 10037 hits	$11,496	$293,138	185	none	Pin Turn-Based Combat
87	War20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	20 in 10012 hits	$15,234	$396,980	60	none	Pin War
88	Agriculture20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	20 in 1006 hits	$17,909	$413,191	30	Small	Pin Agriculture
89	Bullet Hell20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches	20 in 10025 hits	$10,479	$465,124	126	Audience	Pin Bullet Hell
90	Racing20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	20 in 10022 hits	$5,960	$256,760	112	none	Pin Racing
91	Turn-Based Strategy20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 276 launches	20 in 10054 hits	$11,113	$270,265	276	none	Pin Turn-Based Strategy
92	Third-Person Shooter19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 103 launches	19 in 10020 hits	$4,056	$497,270	103	none	Pin Third-Person Shooter
93	Dating Sim19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 186 launches	19 in 10036 hits	$8,738	$287,297	186	Audience	Pin Dating Sim
94	Team-Based19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	19 in 1006 hits	$10,731	$325,860	31	1-hitSmall	Pin Team-Based
95	Tabletop19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	19 in 10013 hits	$7,664	$177,032	68	none	Pin Tabletop
96	Strategy19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 845 launches	19 in 100159 hits	$10,037	$243,656	845	none	Pin Strategy
97	Word Game19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	19 in 1006 hits	$4,516	$148,986	32	SmallAudience	Pin Word Game
98	Supernatural18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	18 in 1007 hits	$20,315	$139,108	38	Small	Pin Supernatural
99	Beat 'em up18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	18 in 10011 hits	$17,589	$353,705	60	Audience	Pin Beat 'em up
100	Survival Horror18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	18 in 10021 hits	$14,458	$198,970	117	none	Pin Survival Horror
101	Walking Simulator18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 95 launches	18 in 10017 hits	$12,262	$295,997	95	none	Pin Walking Simulator
102	Arena Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	18 in 10010 hits	$6,760	$200,453	56	Audience	Pin Arena Shooter
103	Top-Down Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches	18 in 10013 hits	$10,817	$166,336	74	none	Pin Top-Down Shooter
104	1990's17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches	17 in 10019 hits	$11,661	$210,321	109	none	Pin 1990's
105	Strategy RPG17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 132 launches	17 in 10023 hits	$11,091	$180,714	132	none	Pin Strategy RPG
106	Real Time Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches	17 in 10020 hits	$4,905	$193,413	115	none	Pin Real Time Tactics
107	Platformer17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches	17 in 10054 hits	$10,197	$318,870	311	1-hitAudience	Pin Platformer
108	Turn-Based Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches	17 in 10042 hits	$8,519	$178,090	243	none	Pin Turn-Based Tactics
109	Zombies16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 73 launches	16 in 10012 hits	$4,893	$300,183	73	none	Pin Zombies
110	Board Game16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	16 in 10016 hits	$4,905	$188,868	98	none	Pin Board Game
111	Action-Adventure16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 547 launches	16 in 10089 hits	$7,909	$192,839	547	none	Pin Action-Adventure
112	LGBTQ+16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 100 launches	16 in 10016 hits	$11,661	$148,757	100	none	Pin LGBTQ+
113	Cyberpunk16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches	16 in 10011 hits	$17,160	$230,920	69	none	Pin Cyberpunk
114	Collectathon16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	16 in 10018 hits	$8,758	$205,980	113	1-hit	Pin Collectathon
115	1980s16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	16 in 1009 hits	$6,901	$268,373	57	none	Pinned 1980s
116	2D Platformer16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches	16 in 10049 hits	$8,758	$239,522	311	none	Pin 2D Platformer
117	Wargame16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches	16 in 10013 hits	$14,178	$234,908	83	Audience	Pin Wargame
118	Interactive Fiction15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 230 launches	15 in 10035 hits	$10,240	$220,268	230	Audience	Pin Interactive Fiction
119	Shoot 'Em Up15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	15 in 10016 hits	$7,510	$252,312	106	Audience	Pin Shoot 'Em Up
120	Visual Novel15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 434 launches	15 in 10064 hits	$9,963	$199,513	434	Audience	Pin Visual Novel
121	Demons15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	15 in 1006 hits	$4,322	$139,108	41	Small	Pin Demons
122	Puzzle14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 684 launches	14 in 10098 hits	$5,070	$173,428	684	none	Pin Puzzle
123	Precision Platformer14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 84 launches	14 in 10012 hits	$10,665	$124,458	84	Audience	Pin Precision Platformer
124	Point & Click14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 249 launches	14 in 10035 hits	$4,508	$190,045	249	none	Pin Point & Click
125	Comic Book14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	14 in 1008 hits	$6,448	$143,947	57	none	Pin Comic Book

Show 25 moreShowing 125 of 156 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.