Genres

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.

Settings
Text size
Game Market DataBuild what sells
Live games
192,217
on 3 Oct 2026

Niches / Exploration + Metroidvania

Niche

Exploration + Metroidvania

Games tagged both Exploration and Metroidvania: 159 indie paid launches, 31 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 Exploration + Metroidvania priced $10 to $20, hiding samples under 30 launches.

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

Exploration + Metroidvania beats both its tags: 30.9 in 100 of its launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 20.8 in 100 for Exploration and 27.1 in 100 for Metroidvania.

That is about 1.5 times the 20.4 in 100 expected for any launch at this price.

3RDThird
Tag onemood tagExploration
20.8in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds20.8 in 100
Typical earnings$12,514
Launches878 / 183 hits
Pair leads by10.0 in 100
1STWinner
This pairExploration + Metroidvania
30.9in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds30.9 in 100
$1k+93 in 100
$10k+76 in 100
Launches68 / 21 hits
Expected20.4 in 100
2NDRunner-up
Tag twoMetroidvania
27.1in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds27.1 in 100
Typical earnings$29,685
Launches129 / 35 hits
Pair leads by3.8 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 prices159 in pairUnder $535 in pair$5 to $1043 in pair$10 to $2068 in pair$20 to $4013 in pair
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 68 games tagged both Exploration and Metroidvania priced $10 to $20. 30.9 in 100 of them earned $100k+, against 20.0 in 100 for Exploration-only games and 23.0 in 100 for Metroidvania-only games, so games with both tags did better than games with either tag alone.

Both: 68 games priced $10 to $20; 30.9 in 100 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 93 in 100 · $10k+ 76 in 100 · $100k+ 31 in 100.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 68 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

Hollow Knight: Silksongleads this pair88.0%
PairHollow Knight: Silksong88.0%
ExplorationHollow Knight: Silksong22.3%
MetroidvaniaHollow Knight: Silksong72.4%
CheckOne game over half?yes
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkOne-hit market. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: moves the answer. Last 18 months: holds.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Exploration + Metroidvania

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

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong earned 88.0% of the estimated first-year money of the 159 Exploration + Metroidvania launches.
  • It also leads Exploration, with 22.3% of that tag's money.
  • It also leads Metroidvania, with 72.4% of that tag's 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

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

Exploration + Metroidvania through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view155 of 159 launchesWithout the breakout158 of 159 launchesLast 18 months49 of 159 launches
Launches counted15931 hits15529 hits15830 hits498 hits
Earned $100k+19.5 in 10018.7 in 10019.0 in 10016.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$6,255top tenth $298,086+$6,255$6,255under 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base-4.0%0.8 fewer in 100-2.6%0.5 fewer in 100-16.3%3.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base0.0%no change0.0%no changeunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsMoves the answerHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Exploration and Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 159 launches.

Launches counted
15931 hits
Earned $100k+
19.5 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$6,255top tenth $298,086+
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 159 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
15529 hits
Earned $100k+
18.7 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$6,255
Chance against standard
-4.0%0.8 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (88.0% of the money): 158 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
15830 hits
Earned $100k+
19.0 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$6,255
Chance against standard
-2.6%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 49 of 159.

Launches counted
498 hits
Earned $100k+
16.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-16.3%3.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Exploration and Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 159 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 159 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 (88.0% of the money): 158 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: 49 of 159.

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
ExplorationBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view4,381 of 4,582 launchesWithout the breakout4,581 of 4,582 launchesLast 18 months1,268 of 4,582 launches
Launches counted4,582382 hits4,381366 hits4,581381 hits1,268105 hits
Earned $100k+8.3 in 1001 in 128.4 in 1001 in 128.3 in 1001 in 128.3 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings$877top tenth $65,025+$901$877$884
Chance against standardthe base+0.2%no change-0.2%no change-0.7%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base+2.7%$24 more0.0%no change+0.8%$7 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
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.

Metroidvania is one-hit market +1: one game earned over half the money, and 1 more lens too. It holds in Last 18 months.

Metroidvania through every lens, all prices
MetroidvaniaBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view356 of 368 launchesWithout the breakout367 of 368 launchesLast 18 months106 of 368 launches
Launches counted36858 hits35654 hits36757 hits10613 hits
Earned $100k+15.8 in 10015.2 in 10015.5 in 10012.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings$2,991top tenth $229,514+$3,052$2,928$3,065
Chance against standardthe base-3.8%0.6 fewer in 100-1.5%0.2 fewer in 100-22.2%3.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base+2.0%$61 more-2.1%$63 less+2.5%$74 more
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerMoves the answerHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 368 launches.

Launches counted
36858 hits
Earned $100k+
15.8 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,991top tenth $229,514+
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: 12 of 368 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
35654 hits
Earned $100k+
15.2 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,052
Chance against standard
-3.8%0.6 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+2.0%$61 more
Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (72.4% of the money): 367 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
36757 hits
Earned $100k+
15.5 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$2,928
Chance against standard
-1.5%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-2.1%$63 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 106 of 368.

Launches counted
10613 hits
Earned $100k+
12.3 in 100
Typical first-year earnings
$3,065
Chance against standard
-22.2%3.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+2.5%$74 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Metroidvania, 12 to 36 months old: 368 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: 12 of 368 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 (72.4% of the money): 367 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: 106 of 368.

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 Exploration + Metroidvania 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.