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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 11 Nov 2026

Niches / Simulation + Text-Based

Niche

Simulation + Text-Based

Games tagged both Simulation and Text-Based: 131 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.

Showing Simulation + Text-Based priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair trails Simulation and is about level with Text-Based; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with Simulation and is too small to compare with Text-Based.

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

Simulation + Text-Based is too small to compare with Simulation and is too small to compare with Text-Based: 4 of its 28 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 23.5 in 100 for Simulation and 8.0 in 100 for Text-Based.

Small sample: 28 launches, 4 hits.

TIEA tie
Tag oneSimulation
23.5in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds23.5 in 100
Typical earnings$15,885
Launches865 / 203 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairSimulation + Text-Based
4 of 28launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds4 of 28 launches
$1k+19 of 28 launches
$10k+11 of 28 launches
Launches28 / 4 hits
Expected20.5 in 100
TIETied
Tag twoText-Based
8.0in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds1 in 13
Typical earnings$9,359
Launches100 / 8 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
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 $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 prices131 in pairUnder $561 in pair$5 to $1032 in pair$10 to $2028 in pair$20 to $4010 in pair
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 28 games tagged both Simulation and Text-Based priced $10 to $20. 4 of 28 of them earned $100k+, against 23.8 in 100 for Simulation-only games and 4 of 72 for Text-Based-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Simulation alone and is too small to compare with Text-Based alone.

Both: 28 games priced $10 to $20; 4 of 28 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 19 of 28 launches · $10k+ 11 of 28 launches · $100k+ 4 of 28 launches.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 28 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

Home Safety Hotlineleads this pair28.2%
PairHome Safety Hotline28.2%
SimulationSchedule I19.1%
Text-BasedHomicipher21.9%
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 Simulation + Text-Based

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

  • Home Safety Hotline earned 28.2% of the estimated first-year money of the 131 Simulation + Text-Based launches.
  • Simulation is led by Schedule I, with 19.1% of its money.
  • Text-Based is led by Homicipher, with 21.9% 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

Simulation + Text-Based is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout.

Simulation + Text-Based through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view120 of 131 launchesWithout the breakout130 of 131 launchesLast 18 months28 of 131 launches
Launches counted1316 hits1206 hits1305 hits280 hits
Earned $100k+4.6 in 1001 in 225.0 in 1001 in 203.8 in 1001 in 260 of 28too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$843top tenth $25,774+$1,090$843under 100 launches
Chance against standardthe base+9.2%0.4 more in 100-16.0%0.7 fewer in 100-100.0%4.6 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+29.3%$247 more0.0%no changeunder 100 launches
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Simulation and Text-Based, 12 to 36 months old: 131 launches.

Launches counted
1316 hits
Earned $100k+
4.6 in 1001 in 22
Typical first-year earnings
$843top tenth $25,774+
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: 11 of 131 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
1206 hits
Earned $100k+
5.0 in 1001 in 20
Typical first-year earnings
$1,090
Chance against standard
+9.2%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard
+29.3%$247 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Home Safety Hotline (28.2% of the money): 130 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
1305 hits
Earned $100k+
3.8 in 1001 in 26
Typical first-year earnings
$843
Chance against standard
-16.0%0.7 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 28 of 131.

Launches counted
280 hits
Earned $100k+
0 of 28too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
under 100 launches
Chance against standard
-100.0%4.6 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
under 100 launches
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Simulation and Text-Based, 12 to 36 months old: 131 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: 11 of 131 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, Home Safety Hotline (28.2% of the money): 130 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: 28 of 131.

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 view4,264 of 4,518 launchesWithout the breakout4,517 of 4,518 launchesLast 18 months1,367 of 4,518 launches
Launches counted4,518406 hits4,264387 hits4,517405 hits1,367121 hits
Earned $100k+9.0 in 1001 in 119.1 in 1001 in 119.0 in 1001 in 118.9 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings$926top tenth $82,841+$1,005$925$936
Chance against standardthe base+1.0%0.1 more in 100-0.2%no change-1.5%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standardthe base+8.5%$79 more-0.1%$1 less+1.1%$10 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 4,518 launches.

Launches counted
4,518406 hits
Earned $100k+
9.0 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$926top tenth $82,841+
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: 254 of 4,518 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
4,264387 hits
Earned $100k+
9.1 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$1,005
Chance against standard
+1.0%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
+8.5%$79 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Schedule I (19.1% of the money): 4,517 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
4,517405 hits
Earned $100k+
9.0 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$925
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: 1,367 of 4,518.

Launches counted
1,367121 hits
Earned $100k+
8.9 in 1001 in 11
Typical first-year earnings
$936
Chance against standard
-1.5%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+1.1%$10 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Simulation, 12 to 36 months old: 4,518 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: 254 of 4,518 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 (19.1% of the money): 4,517 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: 1,367 of 4,518.

Text-Based 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.

Text-Based through every lens, all prices
Text-BasedBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view558 of 622 launchesWithout the breakout621 of 622 launchesLast 18 months164 of 622 launches
Launches counted62219 hits55817 hits62118 hits1643 hits
Earned $100k+3.1 in 1001 in 333.0 in 1001 in 332.9 in 1001 in 353 of 164too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$643top tenth $21,254+$779$636$636
Chance against standardthe base-0.3%no change-5.1%0.2 fewer in 100-40.1%1.2 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+21.2%$136 more-1.1%$7 less-1.1%$7 less
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Text-Based, 12 to 36 months old: 622 launches.

Launches counted
62219 hits
Earned $100k+
3.1 in 1001 in 33
Typical first-year earnings
$643top tenth $21,254+
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: 64 of 622 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
55817 hits
Earned $100k+
3.0 in 1001 in 33
Typical first-year earnings
$779
Chance against standard
-0.3%no change
Typical against standard
+21.2%$136 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Homicipher (21.9% of the money): 621 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
62118 hits
Earned $100k+
2.9 in 1001 in 35
Typical first-year earnings
$636
Chance against standard
-5.1%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-1.1%$7 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 164 of 622.

Launches counted
1643 hits
Earned $100k+
3 of 164too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$636
Chance against standard
-40.1%1.2 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
-1.1%$7 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Text-Based, 12 to 36 months old: 622 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: 64 of 622 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, Homicipher (21.9% of the money): 621 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: 164 of 622.

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 Simulation + Text-Based 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.