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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.

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on 3 Oct 2026

Niches / 2D + Open World

Niche

2D + Open World

Games tagged both 2D and Open World: 82 indie paid launches, 9 of them earned $100k+ in their first year.

How to read this page

  • A hit is an estimated $100k+ first year. Revenue is estimated from Steam reviews, so read figures as "about". 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.
  • Price moves the odds more than genre does, so the page opens on one price band. The keys in section 2 switch it.
  • From 26,291 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 3 Oct 2026. How it is measured.

Showing 2D + Open World priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair beats 2D and trails Open World; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with 2D and is too small to compare with Open World.

1Scoreboard: the pair against each of its tags

The pair's chance of a $100k+ first year beside each of its two tags, ranked like a high-score table, with typical earnings and the launches behind every figure.

ScoreboardDoes this pair beat its genres?$10 to $20

2D + Open World is too small to compare with 2D and is too small to compare with Open World: 6 of its 18 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 15.9 in 100 for 2D and 29.6 in 100 for Open World.

Small sample: 18 launches, 6 hits.

TIETied
Tag onemood tag2D
15.9in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds15.9 in 100
Typical earnings$7,358
Launches961 / 153 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pair2D + Open World
6 of 18launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds6 of 18 launches
$1k+15 of 18 launches
$10k+11 of 18 launches
Launches18 / 6 hits
Expected20.4 in 100
TIEA tie
Tag twoOpen World
29.6in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds29.6 in 100
Typical earnings$25,972
Launches270 / 80 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
All indie launches $10 to $20: 20.4 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $10,978, from 4,304 launches.each block is 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $202D is a mood tag: GMD never ranks it alone, but every game carrying it is counted.

2Overlap: where the two tags meet

Each circle is one tag, sized by its launches, and the gold overlap is exactly this pair. Click a part to read it. Price changes the odds more than genre does (under $5: 0.4 in 100 launches earned $100k+; $20 to $40: 44.2 in 100), so read it within a price band.

Price bandswitches the whole page
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 18 games tagged both 2D and Open World priced $10 to $20. 6 of 18 of them earned $100k+, against 15.6 in 100 for 2D-only games and 29.4 in 100 for Open World-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with 2D alone and is too small to compare with Open World alone.

Both: 18 games priced $10 to $20; 6 of 18 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 15 of 18 launches · $10k+ 11 of 18 launches · $100k+ 6 of 18 launches.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 18 launches. The outer parts are each tag's launches minus the pair's, so their chance is exact; their typical earnings are not computed yet.

3Comparables

Who leads this pair and each of its tags. Free until launch: one click opens the card. The full comparables list (nearest hits by tag pair, price and launch year) is not computed yet, and the card says so.

Comparables

Leaders

Top earner, share of the moneyFree until launch

Drova - Forsaken Kinleads this pair50.7%
PairDrova - Forsaken Kin50.7%
2DHollow Knight: Silksong40.1%
Open WorldPalworld30.4%
CheckOne game over half?yes
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkChanged recently +1. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: moves the answer. Last 18 months: moves the answer.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads 2D + Open World

What this card holds

  • Leaders. The top earner in this pair and in each of its two tags, with its share of the money.
  • One-hit check. Whether a single game holds over half of the pair's money.
  • Nearest hits. Similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year: not computed yet.

How the list will be picked

Same tag pairdata ready
Same price banddata ready
Launched within a year of each otherplanned
Earned $100k+planned
The list itselfnot computed yet

Free until launch: one click opens the card.

The leaders, in words

  • Drova - Forsaken Kin earned 50.7% of the estimated first-year money of the 82 2D + Open World launches.
  • 2D is led by Hollow Knight: Silksong, with 40.1% of its money.
  • Open World is led by Palworld, with 30.4% of its money.
  • One game holds over half of this pair's money: read every figure here as that game's story.

Nearest hits (similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year): not computed yet.

Filters do not apply here yet. Leaders and shares are for all prices and the Standard view; per price band and per lens they are not computed yet.

4Lens check: does the answer hold?

The same figures with three kinds of games set aside: games mostly reviewed in Chinese, the single biggest earner, and everything older than 18 months.

Does the answer hold?

All prices

2D + Open World is changed recently +1: Last 18 months moves the answer more than chance alone would, and 1 more lens too. It holds in West-facing view.

2D + Open World through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view77 of 82 launchesWithout the breakout81 of 82 launchesLast 18 months22 of 82 launches
Launches counted829 hits779 hits818 hits225 hits
Earned $100k+11.0 in 10011.7 in 1009.9 in 1001 in 105 of 22too few for a rate
Chance of $10k+20 in 100chance of $10k+; $1k+ 40 in 100under 100 launchesunder 100 launchesunder 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base+6.5%0.7 more in 100-10.0%1.1 fewer in 100+107.1%11.8 more in 100
Typical against standardthe baseunder 100 launchesunder 100 launchesunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsMoves the answerMoves the answer
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both 2D and Open World, 12 to 36 months old: 82 launches.

Launches counted
829 hits
Earned $100k+
11.0 in 100
Chance of $10k+
20 in 100chance of $10k+; $1k+ 40 in 100
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewHolds

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 5 of 82 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
779 hits
Earned $100k+
11.7 in 100
Chance of $10k+
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
+6.5%0.7 more in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Drova - Forsaken Kin (50.7% of the money): 81 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
818 hits
Earned $100k+
9.9 in 1001 in 10
Chance of $10k+
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-10.0%1.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Last 18 monthsMoves the answer

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 22 of 82.

Launches counted
225 hits
Earned $100k+
5 of 22too few for a rate
Chance of $10k+
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
+107.1%11.8 more in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both 2D and Open World, 12 to 36 months old: 82 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 5 of 82 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, Drova - Forsaken Kin (50.7% of the money): 81 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 22 of 82.

2D holds in West-facing view, Without the breakout and Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

2D through every lens, all prices
2DBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view7,744 of 8,243 launchesWithout the breakout8,242 of 8,243 launchesLast 18 months2,301 of 8,243 launches
Launches counted8,243270 hits7,744248 hits8,242269 hits2,30184 hits
Earned $100k+3.3 in 1001 in 313.2 in 1001 in 313.3 in 1001 in 313.7 in 1001 in 27
Typical first-year earnings$291top tenth $13,367+$307$291$268
Chance against standardthe base-2.2%0.1 fewer in 100-0.4%no change+11.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+5.5%$16 more0.0%no change-7.9%$23 less
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged 2D, 12 to 36 months old: 8,243 launches.

Launches counted
8,243270 hits
Earned $100k+
3.3 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings
$291top tenth $13,367+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewHolds

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 499 of 8,243 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
7,744248 hits
Earned $100k+
3.2 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings
$307
Chance against standard
-2.2%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+5.5%$16 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (40.1% of the money): 8,242 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
8,242269 hits
Earned $100k+
3.3 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings
$291
Chance against standard
-0.4%no change
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 2,301 of 8,243.

Launches counted
2,30184 hits
Earned $100k+
3.7 in 1001 in 27
Typical first-year earnings
$268
Chance against standard
+11.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard
-7.9%$23 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged 2D, 12 to 36 months old: 8,243 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 499 of 8,243 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (40.1% of the money): 8,242 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 2,301 of 8,243.

Open World holds in West-facing view, Without the breakout and Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

Open World through every lens, all prices
Open WorldBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view820 of 862 launchesWithout the breakout861 of 862 launchesLast 18 months222 of 862 launches
Launches counted862162 hits820155 hits861161 hits22241 hits
Earned $100k+18.8 in 10018.9 in 10018.7 in 10018.5 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$2,048top tenth $475,199+$2,107$2,044$2,528
Chance against standardthe base+0.6%0.1 more in 100-0.5%0.1 fewer in 100-1.7%0.3 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base+2.9%$59 more-0.2%$4 less+23.4%$480 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Open World, 12 to 36 months old: 862 launches.

Launches counted
862162 hits
Earned $100k+
18.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,048top tenth $475,199+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewHolds

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 42 of 862 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
820155 hits
Earned $100k+
18.9 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,107
Chance against standard
+0.6%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
+2.9%$59 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Palworld (30.4% of the money): 861 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
861161 hits
Earned $100k+
18.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,044
Chance against standard
-0.5%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-0.2%$4 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 222 of 862.

Launches counted
22241 hits
Earned $100k+
18.5 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,528
Chance against standard
-1.7%0.3 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+23.4%$480 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Open World, 12 to 36 months old: 862 launches.
West-facing view
Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 42 of 862 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout
Drops the single biggest earner, Palworld (30.4% of the money): 861 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months
Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 222 of 862.

A lens moves the chance only when it differs from standard by more than a random cut of the same size would, with 5+ hits on both sides; typical earnings are compared from 100 launches, within 25%. Without the breakout moves the answer when one game earned over half the money. Lens figures by price band are not computed yet, so this table is for all prices.

5Premium early list

Alerts when 2D + Open World moves, comparables the day they land, and every lens for every pair and price. Free until launch.

Free until launch

Keep gold access after launch: alerts, comparables, every lens.

Releases

Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.