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 / Hidden Object + Simulation

Niche

Hidden Object + Simulation

Games tagged both Hidden Object and Simulation: 191 indie paid launches, 5 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 Hidden Object + Simulation priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair is about level with Hidden Object and trails Simulation; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with Hidden Object and is too small to compare with Simulation.

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 + Simulation is too small to compare with Hidden Object and is too small to compare with Simulation: 2 of its 16 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 7.0 in 100 for Hidden Object and 23.8 in 100 for Simulation.

Small sample: 16 launches, 2 hits.

TIETied
Tag oneHidden Object
7.0in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds1 in 14
Typical earnings$2,044
Launches172 / 12 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairHidden Object + Simulation
2 of 16launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds2 of 16 launches
$1k+12 of 16 launches
$10k+8 of 16 launches
Launches16 / 2 hits
Expected20.4 in 100
TIEA tie
Tag twoSimulation
23.8in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds23.8 in 100
Typical earnings$15,416
Launches874 / 208 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
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 $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
All prices191 in pairUnder $5145 in pair$5 to $1030 in pair$10 to $2016 in pair$20 to $40no launches
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 16 games tagged both Hidden Object and Simulation priced $10 to $20. 2 of 16 of them earned $100k+, against 6.4 in 100 for Hidden Object-only games and 24.0 in 100 for Simulation-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Hidden Object alone and is too small to compare with Simulation alone.

Both: 16 games priced $10 to $20; 2 of 16 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 12 of 16 launches · $10k+ 8 of 16 launches · $100k+ 2 of 16 launches.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 16 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

Ship, Inc.leads this pair20.4%
PairShip, Inc.20.4%
Hidden ObjectWhisper of the House12.9%
SimulationSchedule I17.9%
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 Hidden Object + Simulation

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

  • Ship, Inc. earned 20.4% of the estimated first-year money of the 191 Hidden Object + Simulation launches.
  • Hidden Object is led by Whisper of the House, with 12.9% of its money.
  • Simulation is led by Schedule I, with 17.9% 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 + Simulation 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.

Hidden Object + Simulation through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view187 of 191 launchesWithout the breakout190 of 191 launchesLast 18 months63 of 191 launches
Launches counted1915 hits1875 hits1904 hits632 hits
Earned $100k+2.6 in 1001 in 382.7 in 1001 in 374 of 190too few for a rate2 of 63too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$512top tenth $11,661+$536$512under 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base+2.1%0.1 more in 100-19.6%0.5 fewer in 100+21.3%0.6 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+4.7%$24 more0.0%no changeunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Hidden Object and Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 191 launches.

Launches counted
1915 hits
Earned $100k+
2.6 in 1001 in 38
Typical first-year earnings
$512top tenth $11,661+
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 191 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
1875 hits
Earned $100k+
2.7 in 1001 in 37
Typical first-year earnings
$536
Chance against standard
+2.1%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
+4.7%$24 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Ship, Inc. (20.4% of the money): 190 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
1904 hits
Earned $100k+
4 of 190too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$512
Chance against standard
-19.6%0.5 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 63 of 191.

Launches counted
632 hits
Earned $100k+
2 of 63too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
+21.3%0.6 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Hidden Object and Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 191 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 191 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, Ship, Inc. (20.4% of the money): 190 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: 63 of 191.

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 ObjectBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view1,583 of 1,625 launchesWithout the breakout1,624 of 1,625 launchesLast 18 months464 of 1,625 launches
Launches counted1,62525 hits1,58324 hits1,62424 hits4649 hits
Earned $100k+1.5 in 1001 in 651.5 in 1001 in 661.5 in 1001 in 681.9 in 1001 in 52
Typical first-year earnings$536top tenth $6,591+$536$536$463
Chance against standardthe base-1.5%no change-3.9%0.1 fewer in 100+26.1%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base0.0%no change0.0%no change-13.6%$73 less
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Hidden Object, 12 to 36 months old: 1,625 launches.

Launches counted
1,62525 hits
Earned $100k+
1.5 in 1001 in 65
Typical first-year earnings
$536top tenth $6,591+
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 1,625 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
1,58324 hits
Earned $100k+
1.5 in 1001 in 66
Typical first-year earnings
$536
Chance against standard
-1.5%no change
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Whisper of the House (12.9% of the money): 1,624 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
1,62424 hits
Earned $100k+
1.5 in 1001 in 68
Typical first-year earnings
$536
Chance against standard
-3.9%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 464 of 1,625.

Launches counted
4649 hits
Earned $100k+
1.9 in 1001 in 52
Typical first-year earnings
$463
Chance against standard
+26.1%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard
-13.6%$73 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Hidden Object, 12 to 36 months old: 1,625 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 1,625 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 (12.9% of the money): 1,624 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: 464 of 1,625.

Simulation 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.

Simulation through every lens, all prices
SimulationBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view4,191 of 4,442 launchesWithout the breakout4,441 of 4,442 launchesLast 18 months1,386 of 4,442 launches
Launches counted4,442408 hits4,191389 hits4,441407 hits1,386133 hits
Earned $100k+9.2 in 1001 in 119.3 in 1001 in 119.2 in 1001 in 119.6 in 1001 in 10
Typical first-year earnings$929top tenth $86,074+$1,011$928$1,011
Chance against standardthe base+1.1%0.1 more in 100-0.2%no change+4.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+8.8%$82 more-0.1%$1 less+8.8%$82 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 4,442 launches.

Launches counted
4,442408 hits
Earned $100k+
9.2 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$929top tenth $86,074+
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: 251 of 4,442 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
4,191389 hits
Earned $100k+
9.3 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$1,011
Chance against standard
+1.1%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
+8.8%$82 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Schedule I (17.9% of the money): 4,441 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
4,441407 hits
Earned $100k+
9.2 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$928
Chance against standard
-0.2%no change
Typical against standard
-0.1%$1 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,386 of 4,442.

Launches counted
1,386133 hits
Earned $100k+
9.6 in 1001 in 10
Typical first-year earnings
$1,011
Chance against standard
+4.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard
+8.8%$82 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 4,442 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: 251 of 4,442 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, Schedule I (17.9% of the money): 4,441 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: 1,386 of 4,442.

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 + Simulation 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.