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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 11 Nov 2026

Niches / Building + Tower Defense

Niche

Building + Tower Defense

Games tagged both Building and Tower Defense: 100 indie paid launches, 10 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 26,758 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 2 Nov 2026. How it is measured.

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

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

Building + Tower Defense is too small to compare with Building and is too small to compare with Tower Defense: 7 of its 19 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 35.5 in 100 for Building and 29.5 in 100 for Tower Defense.

Small sample: 19 launches, 7 hits.

TIEA tie
Tag oneBuilding
35.5in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds35.5 in 100
Typical earnings$31,277
Launches234 / 83 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairBuilding + Tower Defense
7 of 19launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds7 of 19 launches
$1k+16 of 19 launches
$10k+9 of 19 launches
Launches19 / 7 hits
Expected20.5 in 100
TIETied
29.5in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds29.5 in 100
Typical earnings$9,482
Launches122 / 36 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
All indie launches $10 to $20: 20.5 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $11,233, from 4,337 launches.each block is 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $20

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 19 games tagged both Building and Tower Defense priced $10 to $20. 7 of 19 of them earned $100k+, against 35.3 in 100 for Building-only games and 28.2 in 100 for Tower Defense-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Building alone and is too small to compare with Tower Defense alone.

Both: 19 games priced $10 to $20; 7 of 19 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 16 of 19 launches · $10k+ 9 of 19 launches · $100k+ 7 of 19 launches.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 19 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

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Editionleads this pair44.4%
PairStronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition44.4%
BuildingEnshrouded17.6%
Tower DefenseStronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition12.5%
CheckOne game over half?no
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkAudience split. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: moves the answer. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: too few to tell.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Building + Tower Defense

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

  • Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition earned 44.4% of the estimated first-year money of the 100 Building + Tower Defense launches.
  • Building is led by Enshrouded, with 17.6% of its money.
  • It also leads Tower Defense, with 12.5% of that tag's money.
  • No game holds over half of this pair's money, so the pair is not a one-hit market.

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

Building + Tower Defense is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout.

Building + Tower Defense through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view94 of 100 launchesWithout the breakout99 of 100 launchesLast 18 months28 of 100 launches
Launches counted10010 hits948 hits999 hits283 hits
Earned $100k+10.0 in 1008.5 in 1001 in 129.1 in 1001 in 113 of 28too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$537top tenth $121,005+under 100 launchesunder 100 launchesunder 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base-14.9%1.5 fewer in 100-9.1%0.9 fewer in 100+7.1%0.7 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe baseunder 100 launchesunder 100 launchesunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Building and Tower Defense, 12 to 36 months old: 100 launches.

Launches counted
10010 hits
Earned $100k+
10.0 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$537top tenth $121,005+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewMoves the answer

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 6 of 100 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
948 hits
Earned $100k+
8.5 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-14.9%1.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (44.4% of the money): 99 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
999 hits
Earned $100k+
9.1 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-9.1%0.9 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 28 of 100.

Launches counted
283 hits
Earned $100k+
3 of 28too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
+7.1%0.7 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Building and Tower Defense, 12 to 36 months old: 100 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: 6 of 100 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, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (44.4% of the money): 99 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: 28 of 100.

Building is changed recently: Last 18 months moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in West-facing view and Without the breakout.

Building through every lens, all prices
BuildingBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view806 of 833 launchesWithout the breakout832 of 833 launchesLast 18 months222 of 833 launches
Launches counted833165 hits806161 hits832164 hits22246 hits
Earned $100k+19.8 in 10020.0 in 10019.7 in 10020.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$2,573top tenth $412,328+$2,725$2,573$3,726
Chance against standardthe base+0.8%0.2 more in 100-0.5%0.1 fewer in 100+4.6%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+5.9%$152 more0.0%no change+44.8%$1,153 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsMoves the answer
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Building, 12 to 36 months old: 833 launches.

Launches counted
833165 hits
Earned $100k+
19.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,573top tenth $412,328+
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: 27 of 833 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
806161 hits
Earned $100k+
20.0 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,725
Chance against standard
+0.8%0.2 more in 100
Typical against standard
+5.9%$152 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Enshrouded (17.6% of the money): 832 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
832164 hits
Earned $100k+
19.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,573
Chance against standard
-0.5%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsMoves the answer

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 222 of 833.

Launches counted
22246 hits
Earned $100k+
20.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,726
Chance against standard
+4.6%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standard
+44.8%$1,153 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Building, 12 to 36 months old: 833 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: 27 of 833 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, Enshrouded (17.6% of the money): 832 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 833.

Tower Defense 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.

Tower Defense through every lens, all prices
Tower DefenseBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view750 of 796 launchesWithout the breakout795 of 796 launchesLast 18 months215 of 796 launches
Launches counted79652 hits75048 hits79551 hits21514 hits
Earned $100k+6.5 in 1001 in 156.4 in 1001 in 166.4 in 1001 in 166.5 in 1001 in 15
Typical first-year earnings$383top tenth $33,659+$406$383$390
Chance against standardthe base-2.0%0.1 fewer in 100-1.8%0.1 fewer in 100-0.3%no change
Typical against standardthe base+6.0%$23 more0.0%no change+1.8%$7 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Tower Defense, 12 to 36 months old: 796 launches.

Launches counted
79652 hits
Earned $100k+
6.5 in 1001 in 15
Typical first-year earnings
$383top tenth $33,659+
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: 46 of 796 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
75048 hits
Earned $100k+
6.4 in 1001 in 16
Typical first-year earnings
$406
Chance against standard
-2.0%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+6.0%$23 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (12.5% of the money): 795 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
79551 hits
Earned $100k+
6.4 in 1001 in 16
Typical first-year earnings
$383
Chance against standard
-1.8%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 215 of 796.

Launches counted
21514 hits
Earned $100k+
6.5 in 1001 in 15
Typical first-year earnings
$390
Chance against standard
-0.3%no change
Typical against standard
+1.8%$7 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Tower Defense, 12 to 36 months old: 796 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: 46 of 796 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, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition (12.5% of the money): 795 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: 215 of 796.

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 Building + Tower Defense 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.