Best niches
$10 to $20Pairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree 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 same figures are on the Genres page.
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
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.
Pairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree until launch
166 of 266 genres have 30+ 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 | 19 in 100893 of 4,810 | $9,226 | $248,075 | 4,810 | |||
| 1 | FMV47 in 100 earned $100k+, from 51 launches | 47 in 10024 hits | $81,191 | $304,089 | 51 | Audience | Pin FMV |
| 2 | Cozy45 in 100 earned $100k+, from 131 launches | 45 in 10059 hits | $62,342 | $971,575 | 131 | none | Pin Cozy |
| 3 | Music37 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 37 in 10014 hits | $40,062 | $691,394 | 38 | Small | Pin Music |
| 4 | Shop Keeper36 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches | 36 in 10023 hits | $36,662 | $862,682 | 64 | none | Pin Shop Keeper |
| 5 | Open World Survival Craft35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 62 launches | 35 in 10022 hits | $47,961 | $819,275 | 62 | none | Pin Open World Survival Craft |
| 6 | Online Co-Op35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 177 launches | 35 in 10062 hits | $38,456 | $901,536 | 177 | none | Pin Online Co-Op |
| 7 | Co-op34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 198 launches | 34 in 10067 hits | $27,523 | $901,536 | 198 | none | Pin Co-op |
| 8 | Lovecraftian33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches | 33 in 10017 hits | $26,042 | $281,334 | 52 | Audience | Pin Lovecraftian |
| 9 | Building32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 258 launches | 32 in 10083 hits | $26,551 | $565,502 | 258 | none | Pin Building |
| 10 | Automation32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 85 launches | 32 in 10027 hits | $31,406 | $1,021,709 | 85 | 1-hit | Pin Automation |
| 11 | Life Sim31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 267 launches | 31 in 10084 hits | $31,406 | $395,032 | 267 | none | Pin Life Sim |
| 12 | Wholesome31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches | 31 in 10017 hits | $42,987 | $267,122 | 55 | none | Pin Wholesome |
| 13 | Sandbox31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 388 launches | 31 in 100119 hits | $26,551 | $520,165 | 388 | none | Pin Sandbox |
| 14 | Dark Humor30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches | 30 in 10025 hits | $13,923 | $515,310 | 83 | none | Pin Dark Humor |
| 15 | Inventory Management30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 70 launches | 30 in 10021 hits | $24,284 | $766,093 | 70 | none | Pin Inventory Management |
| 16 | Crime30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches | 30 in 10017 hits | $13,762 | $1,455,227 | 57 | 1-hit | Pin Crime |
| 17 | Management30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 360 launches | 30 in 100107 hits | $26,717 | $409,789 | 360 | none | Pin Management |
| 18 | Base Building29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 231 launches | 29 in 10068 hits | $28,409 | $663,058 | 231 | none | Pin Base Building |
| 19 | Crafting29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 231 launches | 29 in 10068 hits | $24,288 | $522,189 | 231 | none | Pin Crafting |
| 20 | Noir29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 29 in 10011 hits | $27,922 | $253,808 | 38 | Small | Pin Noir |
| 21 | Cinematic29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 97 launches | 29 in 10028 hits | $17,851 | $367,151 | 97 | Audience | Pin Cinematic |
| 22 | Boomer Shooter29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches | 29 in 10012 hits | $22,417 | $863,593 | 42 | Small | Pin Boomer Shooter |
| 23 | Vehicular Combat28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 28 in 10011 hits | $12,954 | $514,093 | 40 | Small | Pin Vehicular Combat |
| 24 | Capitalism27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 91 launches | 27 in 10025 hits | $22,359 | $294,876 | 91 | none | Pin Capitalism |
| 25 | Economy27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches | 27 in 10055 hits | $27,623 | $402,463 | 201 | none | Pin Economy |
| 26 | Psychedelic27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 44 launches | 27 in 10012 hits | $18,458 | $560,240 | 44 | Small | Pin Psychedelic |
| 27 | Dark Comedy27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 27 in 1009 hits | $18,676 | $262,309 | 33 | Small | Pin Dark Comedy |
| 28 | Action Roguelike27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 268 launches | 27 in 10072 hits | $16,088 | $485,586 | 268 | none | Pin Action Roguelike |
| 29 | Spectacle fighter27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 45 launches | 27 in 10012 hits | $11,739 | $452,968 | 45 | Small | Pin Spectacle fighter |
| 30 | Open World27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 304 launches | 27 in 10081 hits | $20,964 | $510,045 | 304 | none | Pin Open World |
| 31 | Creature Collector27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches | 27 in 10022 hits | $24,693 | $271,766 | 83 | none | Pin Creature Collector |
| 32 | Driving26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 102 launches | 26 in 10027 hits | $12,549 | $411,669 | 102 | none | Pin Driving |
| 33 | Resource Management26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 187 launches | 26 in 10049 hits | $23,677 | $358,651 | 187 | none | Pin Resource Management |
| 34 | Roguelike Deckbuilder26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 124 launches | 26 in 10032 hits | $33,382 | $558,583 | 124 | 1-hit | Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder |
| 35 | Investigation25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 124 launches | 25 in 10031 hits | $9,310 | $291,418 | 124 | none | Pin Investigation |
| 36 | Twin Stick Shooter25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 44 launches | 25 in 10011 hits | $7,892 | $551,242 | 44 | Small | Pin Twin Stick Shooter |
| 37 | Medieval25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches | 25 in 10031 hits | $18,150 | $363,650 | 126 | none | Pin Medieval |
| 38 | Metroidvania25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 151 launches | 25 in 10037 hits | $23,478 | $292,264 | 151 | 1-hit | Pin Metroidvania |
| 39 | Cooking24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 86 launches | 24 in 10021 hits | $21,570 | $462,606 | 86 | none | Pin Cooking |
| 40 | Looter Shooter24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 24 in 1009 hits | $16,996 | $802,473 | 37 | SmallAudience | Pin Looter Shooter |
| 41 | Martial Arts24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 24 in 1009 hits | $34,003 | $415,253 | 37 | SmallAudience | Pin Martial Arts |
| 42 | Immersive Sim24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 359 launches | 24 in 10087 hits | $18,621 | $332,634 | 359 | none | Pin Immersive Sim |
| 43 | Detective24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 141 launches | 24 in 10034 hits | $10,665 | $248,075 | 141 | none | Pin Detective |
| 44 | Roguelite24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 448 launches | 24 in 100108 hits | $18,456 | $485,586 | 448 | none | Pin Roguelite |
| 45 | Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 226 launches | 24 in 10054 hits | $18,938 | $358,651 | 226 | none | Pin Survival |
| 46 | Tower Defense24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 143 launches | 24 in 10034 hits | $7,628 | $430,966 | 143 | none | Pin Tower Defense |
| 47 | Roguelike24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 480 launches | 24 in 100113 hits | $18,676 | $415,727 | 480 | none | Pin Roguelike |
| 48 | FPS24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 238 launches | 24 in 10056 hits | $11,231 | $636,746 | 238 | none | Pin FPS |
| 49 | Cats23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 23 in 10010 hits | $7,628 | $416,920 | 43 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Cats |
| 50 | Farming Sim23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 99 launches | 23 in 10023 hits | $19,025 | $369,985 | 99 | Audience | Pin Farming Sim |
| 51 | Card Battler23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 181 launches | 23 in 10042 hits | $18,428 | $362,436 | 181 | 1-hitAudience | Pin Card Battler |
| 52 | Character Customization23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 203 launches | 23 in 10047 hits | $14,811 | $305,217 | 203 | none | Pin Character Customization |
| 53 | Deckbuilding23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 213 launches | 23 in 10049 hits | $20,641 | $363,650 | 213 | 1-hit | Pin Deckbuilding |
| 54 | Dark Fantasy23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 171 launches | 23 in 10039 hits | $17,302 | $296,262 | 171 | 1-hit | Pin Dark Fantasy |
| 55 | Hack and Slash23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 189 launches | 23 in 10043 hits | $13,053 | $286,515 | 189 | none | Pin Hack and Slash |
| 56 | Nature23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches | 23 in 10020 hits | $24,891 | $183,373 | 88 | none | Pinned Nature |
| 57 | Military23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 75 launches | 23 in 10017 hits | $10,017 | $331,124 | 75 | none | Pin Military |
| 58 | Fishing23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 23 in 1007 hits | $35,622 | $271,728 | 31 | SmallAudience | Pin Fishing |
| 59 | Dungeon Crawler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 224 launches | 22 in 10050 hits | $14,811 | $415,727 | 224 | Audience | Pin Dungeon Crawler |
| 60 | City Builder22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 145 launches | 22 in 10032 hits | $17,624 | $313,313 | 145 | Audience | Pin City Builder |
| 61 | Tactical22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 128 launches | 22 in 10028 hits | $13,963 | $240,450 | 128 | none | Pin Tactical |
| 62 | Trading22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches | 22 in 10015 hits | $31,382 | $510,045 | 69 | 1-hit | Pin Trading |
| 63 | Idler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches | 22 in 10010 hits | $13,597 | $513,299 | 46 | Small | Pin Idler |
| 64 | Robots22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches | 22 in 10010 hits | $6,072 | $353,337 | 46 | 1-hitSmallAudience | Pin Robots |
| 65 | Third-Person Shooter22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches | 22 in 10023 hits | $3,035 | $471,994 | 106 | none | Pin Third-Person Shooter |
| 66 | Job Simulator22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 22 in 1008 hits | $24,647 | $267,122 | 37 | Small | Pin Job Simulator |
| 67 | Souls-like21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 121 launches | 21 in 10026 hits | $18,695 | $286,515 | 121 | none | Pin Souls-like |
| 68 | Simulation21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 1,006 launches | 21 in 100216 hits | $14,573 | $294,876 | 1,006 | none | Pin Simulation |
| 69 | Parkour21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 21 in 1007 hits | $17,001 | $574,312 | 33 | SmallAudience | Pin Parkour |
| 70 | Mythology21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches | 21 in 10011 hits | $14,570 | $470,375 | 52 | 1-hit | Pin Mythology |
| 71 | Auto Battler21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 72 launches | 21 in 10015 hits | $22,688 | $233,428 | 72 | none | Pin Auto Battler |
| 72 | War21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 58 launches | 21 in 10012 hits | $12,140 | $189,382 | 58 | none | Pin War |
| 73 | Colony Sim20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches | 20 in 10015 hits | $16,148 | $281,739 | 74 | none | Pin Colony Sim |
| 74 | Survival Horror20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 135 launches | 20 in 10027 hits | $15,866 | $187,016 | 135 | none | Pin Survival Horror |
| 75 | Mechs20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 20 in 1007 hits | $22,580 | $265,301 | 35 | Small | Pin Mechs |
| 76 | Horror20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 397 launches | 20 in 10079 hits | $10,460 | $242,848 | 397 | none | Pin Horror |
| 77 | Zombies20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 81 launches | 20 in 10016 hits | $5,849 | $369,985 | 81 | Audience | Pin Zombies |
| 78 | Psychological Horror20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 228 launches | 20 in 10045 hits | $16,691 | $233,568 | 228 | none | Pin Psychological Horror |
| 79 | Shooter20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 394 launches | 20 in 10077 hits | $8,418 | $319,385 | 394 | Audience | Pin Shooter |
| 80 | Flight19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 67 launches | 19 in 10013 hits | $4,453 | $132,576 | 67 | none | Pin Flight |
| 81 | Rhythm19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 62 launches | 19 in 10012 hits | $17,001 | $385,809 | 62 | none | Pin Rhythm |
| 82 | RTS19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 119 launches | 19 in 10023 hits | $13,660 | $281,739 | 119 | Audience | Pin RTS |
| 83 | Time Management19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 176 launches | 19 in 10034 hits | $6,798 | $184,557 | 176 | none | Pin Time Management |
| 84 | Top-Down Shooter19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 88 launches | 19 in 10017 hits | $7,892 | $271,766 | 88 | Audience | Pin Top-Down Shooter |
| 85 | Action RPG19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 297 launches | 19 in 10057 hits | $8,741 | $235,997 | 297 | none | Pin Action RPG |
| 86 | Dating Sim19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 185 launches | 19 in 10035 hits | $7,891 | $237,886 | 185 | Audience | Pin Dating Sim |
| 87 | Collectathon19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 133 launches | 19 in 10025 hits | $10,928 | $227,091 | 133 | 1-hit | Pin Collectathon |
| 88 | Class-Based19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 19 in 1006 hits | $6,050 | $403,415 | 32 | Small | Pin Class-Based |
| 89 | Alternate History19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 19 in 1008 hits | $9,714 | $142,489 | 43 | SmallAudience | Pin Alternate History |
| 90 | RPG19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 881 launches | 19 in 100163 hits | $10,017 | $237,886 | 881 | none | Pin RPG |
| 91 | Card Game18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches | 18 in 10045 hits | $14,168 | $279,264 | 245 | none | Pin Card Game |
| 92 | Walking Simulator18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches | 18 in 10020 hits | $9,733 | $242,848 | 109 | none | Pin Walking Simulator |
| 93 | 1990's18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches | 18 in 10023 hits | $10,017 | $155,037 | 126 | none | Pin 1990's |
| 94 | Post-apocalyptic18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 132 launches | 18 in 10024 hits | $14,911 | $368,366 | 132 | none | Pin Post-apocalyptic |
| 95 | Stealth18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches | 18 in 10010 hits | $12,142 | $301,979 | 55 | 1-hit | Pin Stealth |
| 96 | Agriculture18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 18 in 1006 hits | $17,606 | $265,863 | 33 | Small | Pin Agriculture |
| 97 | Turn-Based Combat18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches | 18 in 10037 hits | $13,600 | $206,109 | 205 | none | Pin Turn-Based Combat |
| 98 | Racing17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches | 17 in 10025 hits | $5,099 | $208,876 | 144 | none | Pin Racing |
| 99 | 1980s17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 58 launches | 17 in 10010 hits | $6,576 | $244,093 | 58 | none | Pin 1980s |
| 100 | Bullet Hell17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 140 launches | 17 in 10024 hits | $9,106 | $483,733 | 140 | 1-hit | Pin Bullet Hell |
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.
Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.