Niche

Hidden Object + Mystery

Games tagged both Hidden Object and Mystery: 182 indie paid launches, 6 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.

Price $10 to $20

All prices1 in 15 hit $100k+Under $51 in 230 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 28 hit $100k+$10 to $2021 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4044 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, 26,758 launches. Odds compare best within one price.

Lens Standard

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

All indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old. 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

Showing Hidden Object + Mystery priced $10 to $20.

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

Hidden Object + Mystery is about level with Hidden Object and trails Mystery: 8.2 in 100 of its launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 6.3 in 100 for Hidden Object and 24.4 in 100 for Mystery.

That is 1 in 12, about 0.4 times the 20.5 in 100 expected for any launch at this price.

TIETied

Tag oneHidden Object

6.3in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds1 in 16

Typical earnings$2,325

Launches175 / 11 hits

A tie, apart by1.9 in 100

TIETied

This pairHidden Object + Mystery

8.2in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds1 in 12

$1k+70 in 100

$10k+15 in 100

Launches61 / 5 hits

Expected20.5 in 100

1STWinner

Tag twomood tagMystery

24.4in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds24.4 in 100

Typical earnings$9,882

Launches258 / 63 hits

Pair trails by16.2 in 100

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 $20Mystery 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 prices182 in pair Under $567 in pair $5 to $1051 in pair $10 to $2061 in pair$20 to $403: too few

What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 61 games tagged both Hidden Object and Mystery priced $10 to $20. 8.2 in 100 of them earned $100k+, against 5.3 in 100 for Hidden Object-only games and 29.4 in 100 for Mystery-only games, so the mix is about level with Hidden Object alone and trails Mystery alone.

Both: 61 games priced $10 to $20; 8.2 in 100 earned $100k+ (1 in 12), odds by size $1k+ 70 in 100 · $10k+ 15 in 100 · $100k+ 8 in 100.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 61 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

Whisper of the Houseleads this pair41.3%

PairWhisper of the House41.3%

Hidden ObjectWhisper of the House13.5%

MysteryBlue Prince14.6%

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 Hidden Object + Mystery

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

Whisper of the House earned 41.3% of the estimated first-year money of the 182 Hidden Object + Mystery launches.
It also leads Hidden Object, with 13.5% of that tag's money.
Mystery is led by Blue Prince, with 14.6% 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

Hidden Object + Mystery is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout.

Hidden Object + Mystery through every lens, all prices
This pair	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view181 of 182 launches	Without the breakout181 of 182 launches	Last 18 months66 of 182 launches
Launches counted	1826 hits	1815 hits	1815 hits	662 hits
Earned $100k+	3.3 in 1001 in 30	2.8 in 1001 in 36	2.8 in 1001 in 36	2 of 66too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings	$1,031top tenth $13,166+	$1,023	$1,023	under 100 launches
Chance against standard	the base	-16.2%0.5 fewer in 100	-16.2%0.5 fewer in 100	-8.1%0.3 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard	the base	-0.8%$8 less	-0.8%$8 less	under 100 launches
Does it hold?	The base view	Moves the answer	Holds	Too few to tell

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Hidden Object and Mystery, 12 to 36 months old: 182 launches.

Launches counted: 1826 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.3 in 1001 in 30
Typical first-year earnings: $1,031top tenth $13,166+
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: 1 of 182 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 1815 hits
Earned $100k+: 2.8 in 1001 in 36
Typical first-year earnings: $1,023
Chance against standard: -16.2%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -0.8%$8 less

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Whisper of the House (41.3% of the money): 181 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 1815 hits
Earned $100k+: 2.8 in 1001 in 36
Typical first-year earnings: $1,023
Chance against standard: -16.2%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -0.8%$8 less

Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 66 of 182.

Launches counted: 662 hits
Earned $100k+: 2 of 66too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: under 100 launches
Chance against standard: -8.1%0.3 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard: under 100 launches

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged both Hidden Object and Mystery, 12 to 36 months old: 182 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: 1 of 182 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, Whisper of the House (41.3% of the money): 181 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 182.

Hidden Object 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.

Hidden Object through every lens, all prices
Hidden Object	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view1,615 of 1,657 launches	Without the breakout1,656 of 1,657 launches	Last 18 months476 of 1,657 launches
Launches counted	1,65724 hits	1,61523 hits	1,65623 hits	4766 hits
Earned $100k+	1.4 in 1001 in 69	1.4 in 1001 in 70	1.4 in 1001 in 72	1.3 in 1001 in 79
Typical first-year earnings	$541top tenth $6,829+	$541	$541	$520
Chance against standard	the base	-1.7%no change	-4.1%0.1 fewer in 100	-13.0%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard	the base	0.0%no change	0.0%no change	-3.9%$21 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Hidden Object, 12 to 36 months old: 1,657 launches.

Launches counted: 1,65724 hits
Earned $100k+: 1.4 in 1001 in 69
Typical first-year earnings: $541top tenth $6,829+
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 1,657 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 1,61523 hits
Earned $100k+: 1.4 in 1001 in 70
Typical first-year earnings: $541
Chance against standard: -1.7%no change
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Whisper of the House (13.5% of the money): 1,656 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 1,65623 hits
Earned $100k+: 1.4 in 1001 in 72
Typical first-year earnings: $541
Chance against standard: -4.1%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 476 of 1,657.

Launches counted: 4766 hits
Earned $100k+: 1.3 in 1001 in 79
Typical first-year earnings: $520
Chance against standard: -13.0%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -3.9%$21 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Hidden Object, 12 to 36 months old: 1,657 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 1,657 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, Whisper of the House (13.5% of the money): 1,656 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: 476 of 1,657.

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

Mystery through every lens, all prices
Mystery	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view1,167 of 1,239 launches	Without the breakout1,238 of 1,239 launches	Last 18 months402 of 1,239 launches
Launches counted	1,239109 hits	1,16795 hits	1,238108 hits	40237 hits
Earned $100k+	8.8 in 1001 in 11	8.1 in 1001 in 12	8.7 in 1001 in 11	9.2 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings	$1,040top tenth $81,013+	$1,020	$1,040	$797
Chance against standard	the base	-7.5%0.7 fewer in 100	-0.8%0.1 fewer in 100	+4.6%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	-1.9%$20 less	0.0%no change	-23.4%$243 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Moves the answer	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Mystery, 12 to 36 months old: 1,239 launches.

Launches counted: 1,239109 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.8 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings: $1,040top tenth $81,013+
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: 72 of 1,239 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 1,16795 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.1 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings: $1,020
Chance against standard: -7.5%0.7 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -1.9%$20 less

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Blue Prince (14.6% of the money): 1,238 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 1,238108 hits
Earned $100k+: 8.7 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings: $1,040
Chance against standard: -0.8%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 402 of 1,239.

Launches counted: 40237 hits
Earned $100k+: 9.2 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings: $797
Chance against standard: +4.6%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard: -23.4%$243 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Mystery, 12 to 36 months old: 1,239 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: 72 of 1,239 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, Blue Prince (14.6% of the money): 1,238 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: 402 of 1,239.

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 Hidden Object + Mystery 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.