Niche

Collectathon + Exploration

Games tagged both Collectathon and Exploration: 251 indie paid launches, 12 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.

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 Last 18 months

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

Only launches from the last 18 months. Lens figures exist at all prices only; inside a price band this page shows the standard figures.

Sample 10+

10+ launchesshow small samples 30+ launches 100+ launchesonly big markets

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$10 to $20 Last 18 months Reset

Showing Collectathon + Exploration priced $10 to $20, last 18 months. Lens figures exist at all prices only, so inside a price band the page shows the standard figures.

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

Collectathon + Exploration is about level with Collectathon and trails Exploration: 17.8 in 100 of its launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 15.9 in 100 for Collectathon and 20.8 in 100 for Exploration.

That is about 0.9 times the 20.4 in 100 expected for any launch at this price. Lens figures by price band are not computed yet, so this band uses the standard figures.

TIETied

Tag oneCollectathon

15.9in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds15.9 in 100

Typical earnings$8,758

Launches113 / 18 hits

A tie, apart by1.8 in 100

TIETied

This pairCollectathon + Exploration

17.8in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds17.8 in 100

$1k+87 in 100

$10k+58 in 100

Launches45 / 8 hits

Expected20.4 in 100

1STWinner

Tag twomood tagExploration

20.8in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds20.8 in 100

Typical earnings$12,514

Launches878 / 183 hits

Pair trails by3.1 in 100

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 $20Exploration 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

All prices251 in pair Under $5133 in pair $5 to $1068 in pair $10 to $2045 in pair$20 to $405: too few

What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 45 games tagged both Collectathon and Exploration priced $10 to $20. 17.8 in 100 of them earned $100k+, against 14.7 in 100 for Collectathon-only games and 21.0 in 100 for Exploration-only games, so the mix beats Collectathon alone and trails Exploration alone.

Both: 45 games priced $10 to $20; 17.8 in 100 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 87 in 100 · $10k+ 58 in 100 · $100k+ 18 in 100.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 45 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. The last 18 months lens is not computed for the outer parts, so this diagram uses the standard figures.

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

Squirrel with a Gunleads this pair26.0%

PairSquirrel with a Gun26.0%

CollectathonTCG Card Shop Simulator56.8%

ExplorationHollow Knight: Silksong22.3%

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 Collectathon + Exploration

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

Squirrel with a Gun earned 26.0% of the estimated first-year money of the 251 Collectathon + Exploration launches.
Collectathon is led by TCG Card Shop Simulator, with 56.8% of its money.
Exploration is led by Hollow Knight: Silksong, with 22.3% 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

Collectathon + Exploration 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.

Collectathon + Exploration through every lens, all prices
This pair	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view241 of 251 launches	Without the breakout250 of 251 launches	Last 18 months66 of 251 launches
Launches counted	25112 hits	24112 hits	25011 hits	660 hits
Earned $100k+	4.8 in 1001 in 21	5.0 in 1001 in 20	4.4 in 1001 in 23	0 of 66too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings	$567top tenth $27,687+	$625	$567	under 100 launches
Chance against standard	the base	+4.1%0.2 more in 100	-8.0%0.4 fewer in 100	-100.0%4.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard	the base	+10.2%$58 more	0.0%no change	under 100 launches
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Too few to tell

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Collectathon and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 251 launches.

Launches counted: 25112 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.8 in 1001 in 21
Typical first-year earnings: $567top tenth $27,687+
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: 10 of 251 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 24112 hits
Earned $100k+: 5.0 in 1001 in 20
Typical first-year earnings: $625
Chance against standard: +4.1%0.2 more in 100
Typical against standard: +10.2%$58 more

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Squirrel with a Gun (26.0% of the money): 250 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 25011 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.4 in 1001 in 23
Typical first-year earnings: $567
Chance against standard: -8.0%0.4 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 66 of 251.

Launches counted: 660 hits
Earned $100k+: 0 of 66too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: under 100 launches
Chance against standard: -100.0%4.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard: under 100 launches

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged both Collectathon and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 251 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: 10 of 251 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, Squirrel with a Gun (26.0% of the money): 250 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: 66 of 251.

Collectathon is one-hit market: one game earned over half the money. It holds in West-facing view and Last 18 months.

Collectathon through every lens, all prices
Collectathon	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view711 of 745 launches	Without the breakout744 of 745 launches	Last 18 months220 of 745 launches
Launches counted	74531 hits	71130 hits	74430 hits	2208 hits
Earned $100k+	4.2 in 1001 in 24	4.2 in 1001 in 24	4.0 in 1001 in 25	3.6 in 1001 in 28
Typical first-year earnings	$572top tenth $25,262+	$630	$572	$567
Chance against standard	the base	+1.4%0.1 more in 100	-3.1%0.1 fewer in 100	-12.6%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard	the base	+10.1%$58 more	0.0%no change	-0.9%$5 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Moves the answer	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Collectathon, 12 to 36 months old: 745 launches.

Launches counted: 74531 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.2 in 1001 in 24
Typical first-year earnings: $572top tenth $25,262+
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: 34 of 745 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 71130 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.2 in 1001 in 24
Typical first-year earnings: $630
Chance against standard: +1.4%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard: +10.1%$58 more

Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, TCG Card Shop Simulator (56.8% of the money): 744 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 74430 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.0 in 1001 in 25
Typical first-year earnings: $572
Chance against standard: -3.1%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 220 of 745.

Launches counted: 2208 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.6 in 1001 in 28
Typical first-year earnings: $567
Chance against standard: -12.6%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -0.9%$5 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Collectathon, 12 to 36 months old: 745 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: 34 of 745 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, TCG Card Shop Simulator (56.8% of the money): 744 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: 220 of 745.

Exploration 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.

Exploration through every lens, all prices
Exploration	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view4,381 of 4,582 launches	Without the breakout4,581 of 4,582 launches	Last 18 months1,268 of 4,582 launches
Launches counted	4,582382 hits	4,381366 hits	4,581381 hits	1,268105 hits
Earned $100k+	8.3 in 1001 in 12	8.4 in 1001 in 12	8.3 in 1001 in 12	8.3 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings	$877top tenth $65,025+	$901	$877	$884
Chance against standard	the base	+0.2%no change	-0.2%no change	-0.7%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard	the base	+2.7%$24 more	0.0%no change	+0.8%$7 more
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 4,582 launches.

Launches counted: 4,582382 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.3 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings: $877top tenth $65,025+
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: 201 of 4,582 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 4,381366 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.4 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings: $901
Chance against standard: +0.2%no change
Typical against standard: +2.7%$24 more

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (22.3% of the money): 4,581 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 4,581381 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.3 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings: $877
Chance against standard: -0.2%no change
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,268 of 4,582.

Launches counted: 1,268105 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.3 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings: $884
Chance against standard: -0.7%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: +0.8%$7 more

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 4,582 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: 201 of 4,582 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 (22.3% of the money): 4,581 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: 1,268 of 4,582.

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 Collectathon + Exploration 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.