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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 / Character Customization + Story Rich

Niche

Character Customization + Story Rich

Games tagged both Character Customization and Story Rich: 40 indie paid launches, 11 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 26,280 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 3 Oct 2026. How it is measured.

Showing Character Customization + Story Rich priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair beats both its tags; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with Character Customization and is too small to compare with Story Rich.

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

Character Customization + Story Rich is too small to compare with Character Customization and is too small to compare with Story Rich: 4 of its 15 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 19.9 in 100 for Character Customization and 18.4 in 100 for Story Rich.

Small sample: 15 launches, 4 hits.

TIEA tie
Tag oneCharacter Customization
19.9in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds19.9 in 100
Typical earnings$13,176
Launches191 / 38 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairCharacter Customization + Story Rich
4 of 15launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds4 of 15 launches
Typical earnings$21,501
Launches15 / 4 hits
Expected17.6 in 100
TIEA tie
Tag twomood tagStory Rich
18.4in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds18.4 in 100
Typical earnings$10,492
Launches651 / 120 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
All indie launches $10 to $20: 17.6 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $8,234, from 4,301 launches.each block is 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $20Story Rich 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: 0.5 in 100 launches earned $100k+; $20 to $40: 40.0 in 100), so read it within a price band.

Price bandswitches the whole page
All prices40 in pairUnder $57: too few$5 to $105: too few$10 to $2015 in pair$20 to $4013 in pair
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 15 games tagged both Character Customization and Story Rich priced $10 to $20. 4 of 15 of them earned $100k+, against 19.3 in 100 for Character Customization-only games and 18.2 in 100 for Story Rich-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Character Customization alone and is too small to compare with Story Rich alone.

Both: 15 games priced $10 to $20; 4 of 15 earned $100k+, typical first-year earnings $21,501.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 15 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

Strike Force Heroesleads this pair19.7%
PairStrike Force Heroes19.7%
Character CustomizationNo Rest for the Wicked24.9%
Story RichDELTARUNE15.3%
CheckOne game over half?no
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkHolds in 2 of 3, 1 too few to tell. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: too few to tell.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Character Customization + Story Rich

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

  • Strike Force Heroes earned 19.7% of the estimated first-year money of the 40 Character Customization + Story Rich launches.
  • Character Customization is led by No Rest for the Wicked, with 24.9% of its money.
  • Story Rich is led by DELTARUNE, with 15.3% of its 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

Character Customization + Story Rich holds in West-facing view and Without the breakout; too few to tell in Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

Character Customization + Story Rich through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view36 of 40 launchesWithout the breakout39 of 40 launchesLast 18 months12 of 40 launches
Launches counted4011 hits3610 hits3910 hits124 hits
Earned $100k+27.5 in 10027.8 in 10025.6 in 1004 of 12too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$13,313top tenth $434,882+$12,927$12,927$74,712
Chance against standardthe base+1.0%0.3 more in 100-6.8%1.9 fewer in 100+21.2%5.8 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base-2.9%$386 less; too few to tell-2.9%$386 less+461.2%$61,399 more; too few to tell
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Character Customization and Story Rich, 12 to 36 months old: 40 launches.

Launches counted
4011 hits
Earned $100k+
27.5 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$13,313top tenth $434,882+
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: 4 of 40 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
3610 hits
Earned $100k+
27.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$12,927
Chance against standard
+1.0%0.3 more in 100
Typical against standard
-2.9%$386 less; too few to tell
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Strike Force Heroes (19.7% of the money): 39 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
3910 hits
Earned $100k+
25.6 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$12,927
Chance against standard
-6.8%1.9 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-2.9%$386 less
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 12 of 40.

Launches counted
124 hits
Earned $100k+
4 of 12too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$74,712
Chance against standard
+21.2%5.8 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
+461.2%$61,399 more; too few to tell
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Character Customization and Story Rich, 12 to 36 months old: 40 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: 4 of 40 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, Strike Force Heroes (19.7% of the money): 39 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: 12 of 40.

Character Customization is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout and Last 18 months.

Character Customization through every lens, all prices
Character CustomizationBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view826 of 851 launchesWithout the breakout850 of 851 launchesLast 18 months243 of 851 launches
Launches counted85184 hits82679 hits85083 hits24326 hits
Earned $100k+9.9 in 1001 in 109.6 in 1001 in 109.8 in 1001 in 1010.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$862top tenth $90,810+$877$862$956
Chance against standardthe base-3.1%0.3 fewer in 100-1.1%0.1 fewer in 100+8.4%0.8 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+1.7%$15 more0.0%no change+10.9%$94 more
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Character Customization, 12 to 36 months old: 851 launches.

Launches counted
85184 hits
Earned $100k+
9.9 in 1001 in 10
Typical first-year earnings
$862top tenth $90,810+
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: 25 of 851 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
82679 hits
Earned $100k+
9.6 in 1001 in 10
Typical first-year earnings
$877
Chance against standard
-3.1%0.3 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+1.7%$15 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, No Rest for the Wicked (24.9% of the money): 850 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
85083 hits
Earned $100k+
9.8 in 1001 in 10
Typical first-year earnings
$862
Chance against standard
-1.1%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 243 of 851.

Launches counted
24326 hits
Earned $100k+
10.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$956
Chance against standard
+8.4%0.8 more in 100
Typical against standard
+10.9%$94 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Character Customization, 12 to 36 months old: 851 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: 25 of 851 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, No Rest for the Wicked (24.9% of the money): 850 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: 243 of 851.

Story Rich is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout and Last 18 months.

Story Rich through every lens, all prices
Story RichBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view2,237 of 2,468 launchesWithout the breakout2,467 of 2,468 launchesLast 18 months714 of 2,468 launches
Launches counted2,468254 hits2,237212 hits2,467253 hits71480 hits
Earned $100k+10.3 in 1009.5 in 1001 in 1110.3 in 10011.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$1,914top tenth $107,480+$1,882$1,914$2,298
Chance against standardthe base-7.9%0.8 fewer in 100-0.4%no change+8.9%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base-1.7%$32 less0.0%no change+20.1%$384 more
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Story Rich, 12 to 36 months old: 2,468 launches.

Launches counted
2,468254 hits
Earned $100k+
10.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$1,914top tenth $107,480+
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: 231 of 2,468 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
2,237212 hits
Earned $100k+
9.5 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$1,882
Chance against standard
-7.9%0.8 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-1.7%$32 less
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, DELTARUNE (15.3% of the money): 2,467 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
2,467253 hits
Earned $100k+
10.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$1,914
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: 714 of 2,468.

Launches counted
71480 hits
Earned $100k+
11.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,298
Chance against standard
+8.9%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standard
+20.1%$384 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Story Rich, 12 to 36 months old: 2,468 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: 231 of 2,468 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, DELTARUNE (15.3% of the money): 2,467 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: 714 of 2,468.

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 Character Customization + Story Rich 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.