Niches

Every tag pair (two tags on the same game), screened by how often its indie launches earned $100k or more in their first year. Pick your price first: price moves the odds more than the tags do.

Indie paid Steam launches 12 to 36 months old, data 3 Oct 2026. A hit is an estimated first year of $100k+. 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. The revenue estimate is soft: about 6 to 7.5 in 100 launches overall.

Best niches

All prices

Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch

Building + Multiplayerabout 2.3 times expected at its prices, could be luck46 in 100

1Building + Multiplayer46 in 10048 launches 2Base Building + Multiplayer46 in 10046 launches 3Online Co-Op + Roguelike45 in 10040 launches 4Cozy + Farming Sim45 in 10040 launches 5Crafting + Multiplayer45 in 10049 launches

Lens checkHolds in 3 of 3. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: holds.

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Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The niche list

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. Lenses are computed across all prices only so far, so a lens reads All prices.

Sample 30+

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

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$10 to $20 Last 18 months 30+ launches Reset

The Last 18 months lens is computed across all prices only for now, so this list reads All prices. Pick Standard to read $10 to $20.

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Opens $10 to $20, Standard lens.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: Base Building + Crafting, 38 in 100. 463 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Building + Simulation, $10,414 typical. 1,971 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Not computed for lenses yet.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Building + Simulation, 25 in 100. 148 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: 2D + Casual, 1,131 launches. 1,971 match.

Hide one-hit markets463 out Hide small samples858 out

1,971 of 4,635 niches have 30+ launches at any price, Last 18 months. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.

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Niches at any price, Last 18 months, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#	Niche	Chance of $100k+	Typical year	Top 1 in 10	Launches	Markers	Pin
	All games at any price, Last 18 monthsthe base rate: the row to beat	1 in 151,722 of 26,291	$552	not computed	26,291
1	Casual + Top-Downnone of 187 launches earned $100k+	0 of 187no hits	$89	not computed	187	1-hit	Pin Casual + Top-Down
2	Cute + Hidden Objectnone of 127 launches earned $100k+	0 of 127no hits	$482	not computed	127	none	Pin Cute + Hidden Object
3	Casual + Shooternone of 126 launches earned $100k+	0 of 126no hits	$53	not computed	126	1-hit	Pin Casual + Shooter
4	Shooter + Top-Down Shooternone of 117 launches earned $100k+	0 of 117no hits	$147	not computed	117	Audience	Pin Shooter + Top-Down Shooter
5	Casual + Side Scrollernone of 109 launches earned $100k+	0 of 109no hits	$71	not computed	109	none	Pin Casual + Side Scroller
6	2D + PvEnone of 99 launches earned $100k+	0 of 99no hits	under 100	under 100	99	1-hit	Pin 2D + PvE
7	Casual + Linearnone of 99 launches earned $100k+	0 of 99no hits	under 100	under 100	99	none	Pin Casual + Linear
8	2D + Precision Platformernone of 95 launches earned $100k+	0 of 95no hits	under 100	under 100	95	Audience	Pin 2D + Precision Platformer
9	Adventure + Linearnone of 94 launches earned $100k+	0 of 94no hits	under 100	under 100	94	none	Pin Adventure + Linear
10	2D + Top-Down Shooternone of 86 launches earned $100k+	0 of 86no hits	under 100	under 100	86	none	Pin 2D + Top-Down Shooter
11	Casual + Tower Defensenone of 86 launches earned $100k+	0 of 86no hits	under 100	under 100	86	none	Pin Casual + Tower Defense
12	Adventure + Precision Platformernone of 83 launches earned $100k+	0 of 83no hits	under 100	under 100	83	none	Pin Adventure + Precision Platformer
13	Arcade + Top-Down Shooternone of 79 launches earned $100k+	0 of 79no hits	under 100	under 100	79	none	Pin Arcade + Top-Down Shooter
14	Linear + Puzzlenone of 79 launches earned $100k+	0 of 79no hits	under 100	under 100	79	none	Pin Linear + Puzzle
15	Incremental + Puzzlenone of 78 launches earned $100k+	0 of 78no hits	under 100	under 100	78	none	Pin Incremental + Puzzle
16	Arena Shooter + Shooternone of 77 launches earned $100k+	0 of 77no hits	under 100	under 100	77	1-hitAudience	Pin Arena Shooter + Shooter
17	Casual + Runnernone of 77 launches earned $100k+	0 of 77no hits	under 100	under 100	77	none	Pin Casual + Runner
18	Top-Down + Top-Down Shooternone of 77 launches earned $100k+	0 of 77no hits	under 100	under 100	77	1-hit	Pin Top-Down + Top-Down Shooter
19	Casual + Romancenone of 74 launches earned $100k+	0 of 74no hits	under 100	under 100	74	none	Pin Casual + Romance
20	2.5D + Casualnone of 72 launches earned $100k+	0 of 72no hits	under 100	under 100	72	1-hit	Pin 2.5D + Casual
21	Strategy + Stylizednone of 72 launches earned $100k+	0 of 72no hits	under 100	under 100	72	none	Pin Strategy + Stylized
22	3D + Puzzle Platformernone of 71 launches earned $100k+	0 of 71no hits	under 100	under 100	71	1-hit	Pin 3D + Puzzle Platformer
23	Action + Runnernone of 70 launches earned $100k+	0 of 70no hits	under 100	under 100	70	1-hit	Pin Action + Runner
24	2D Platformer + Strategynone of 68 launches earned $100k+	0 of 68no hits	under 100	under 100	68	none	Pin 2D Platformer + Strategy
25	Puzzle + Realisticnone of 67 launches earned $100k+	0 of 67no hits	under 100	under 100	67	1-hit	Pin Puzzle + Realistic
26	3D Platformer + Simulationnone of 66 launches earned $100k+	0 of 66no hits	under 100	under 100	66	none	Pin 3D Platformer + Simulation
27	Collectathon + Explorationnone of 66 launches earned $100k+	0 of 66no hits	under 100	under 100	66	none	Pin Collectathon + Exploration
28	First-Person + Linearnone of 65 launches earned $100k+	0 of 65no hits	under 100	under 100	65	none	Pin First-Person + Linear
29	2D + Score Attacknone of 63 launches earned $100k+	0 of 63no hits	under 100	under 100	63	none	Pin 2D + Score Attack
30	2D Fighter + 2D Platformernone of 61 launches earned $100k+	0 of 61no hits	under 100	under 100	61	1-hitAudience	Pin 2D Fighter + 2D Platformer
31	Adventure + Collectathonnone of 61 launches earned $100k+	0 of 61no hits	under 100	under 100	61	none	Pin Adventure + Collectathon
32	Casual + Survivalnone of 60 launches earned $100k+	0 of 60no hits	under 100	under 100	60	none	Pin Casual + Survival
33	Hidden Object + Psychological Horrornone of 60 launches earned $100k+	0 of 60no hits	under 100	under 100	60	none	Pin Hidden Object + Psychological Horror
34	Shooter + Top-Downnone of 59 launches earned $100k+	0 of 59no hits	under 100	under 100	59	none	Pin Shooter + Top-Down
35	Shoot 'Em Up + Top-Down Shooternone of 58 launches earned $100k+	0 of 58no hits	under 100	under 100	58	none	Pin Shoot 'Em Up + Top-Down Shooter
36	3D + Minimalistnone of 56 launches earned $100k+	0 of 56no hits	under 100	under 100	56	none	Pin 3D + Minimalist
37	Action + Hidden Objectnone of 56 launches earned $100k+	0 of 56no hits	under 100	under 100	56	none	Pin Action + Hidden Object
38	Action + Collectathonnone of 55 launches earned $100k+	0 of 55no hits	under 100	under 100	55	none	Pin Action + Collectathon
39	Action + Relaxingnone of 55 launches earned $100k+	0 of 55no hits	under 100	under 100	55	1-hit	Pin Action + Relaxing
40	3D + Survivalnone of 54 launches earned $100k+	0 of 54no hits	under 100	under 100	54	1-hit	Pin 3D + Survival
41	Casual + Shoot 'Em Upnone of 54 launches earned $100k+	0 of 54no hits	under 100	under 100	54	none	Pin Casual + Shoot 'Em Up
42	Casual + Spacenone of 54 launches earned $100k+	0 of 54no hits	under 100	under 100	54	1-hit	Pin Casual + Space
43	Family Friendly + Funnynone of 52 launches earned $100k+	0 of 52no hits	under 100	under 100	52	1-hit	Pin Family Friendly + Funny
44	Arcade + Sci-finone of 51 launches earned $100k+	0 of 51no hits	under 100	under 100	51	none	Pin Arcade + Sci-fi
45	Arcade + Spacenone of 51 launches earned $100k+	0 of 51no hits	under 100	under 100	51	1-hit	Pin Arcade + Space
46	Casual + Real Time Tacticsnone of 51 launches earned $100k+	0 of 51no hits	under 100	under 100	51	none	Pin Casual + Real Time Tactics
47	3D Platformer + Strategynone of 50 launches earned $100k+	0 of 50no hits	under 100	under 100	50	1-hit	Pin 3D Platformer + Strategy
48	Action Roguelike + Shoot 'Em Upnone of 50 launches earned $100k+	0 of 50no hits	under 100	under 100	50	none	Pin Action Roguelike + Shoot 'Em Up
49	2.5D + Adventurenone of 49 launches earned $100k+	0 of 49no hits	under 100	under 100	49	Small	Pin 2.5D + Adventure
50	2D + Old Schoolnone of 49 launches earned $100k+	0 of 49no hits	under 100	under 100	49	Small	Pin 2D + Old School
51	2D + Sportsnone of 49 launches earned $100k+	0 of 49no hits	under 100	under 100	49	Small	Pin 2D + Sports
52	Fantasy + Hidden Objectnone of 49 launches earned $100k+	0 of 49no hits	under 100	under 100	49	Small	Pin Fantasy + Hidden Object
53	3D + Precision Platformernone of 48 launches earned $100k+	0 of 48no hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin 3D + Precision Platformer
54	Action-Adventure + Funnynone of 48 launches earned $100k+	0 of 48no hits	under 100	under 100	48	1-hitSmallAudience	Pin Action-Adventure + Funny
55	Casual + Top-Down Shooternone of 48 launches earned $100k+	0 of 48no hits	under 100	under 100	48	1-hitSmall	Pin Casual + Top-Down Shooter
56	Puzzle + Side Scrollernone of 48 launches earned $100k+	0 of 48no hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin Puzzle + Side Scroller
57	Adventure + PvEnone of 47 launches earned $100k+	0 of 47no hits	under 100	under 100	47	1-hitSmall	Pin Adventure + PvE
58	Cartoon + Puzzlenone of 47 launches earned $100k+	0 of 47no hits	under 100	under 100	47	Small	Pin Cartoon + Puzzle
59	Choices Matter + Puzzlenone of 47 launches earned $100k+	0 of 47no hits	under 100	under 100	47	Small	Pin Choices Matter + Puzzle
60	First-Person + Surrealnone of 47 launches earned $100k+	0 of 47no hits	under 100	under 100	47	Small	Pin First-Person + Surreal
61	3D + Bullet Hellnone of 46 launches earned $100k+	0 of 46no hits	under 100	under 100	46	Small	Pin 3D + Bullet Hell
62	Interactive Fiction + Text-Basednone of 46 launches earned $100k+	0 of 46no hits	under 100	under 100	46	Small	Pin Interactive Fiction + Text-Based
63	2D + Procedural Generationnone of 45 launches earned $100k+	0 of 45no hits	under 100	under 100	45	Small	Pin 2D + Procedural Generation
64	3D + Arena Shooternone of 45 launches earned $100k+	0 of 45no hits	under 100	under 100	45	1-hitSmall	Pin 3D + Arena Shooter
65	Hand-drawn + Hidden Objectnone of 45 launches earned $100k+	0 of 45no hits	under 100	under 100	45	Small	Pin Hand-drawn + Hidden Object
66	Old School + Pixel Graphicsnone of 45 launches earned $100k+	0 of 45no hits	under 100	under 100	45	Small	Pin Old School + Pixel Graphics
67	Platformer + Strategynone of 45 launches earned $100k+	0 of 45no hits	under 100	under 100	45	Small	Pin Platformer + Strategy
68	2D Platformer + Cartoonynone of 44 launches earned $100k+	0 of 44no hits	under 100	under 100	44	Small	Pin 2D Platformer + Cartoony
69	Cartoony + Hidden Objectnone of 44 launches earned $100k+	0 of 44no hits	under 100	under 100	44	Small	Pin Cartoony + Hidden Object
70	Action-Adventure + Hidden Objectnone of 43 launches earned $100k+	0 of 43no hits	under 100	under 100	43	Small	Pin Action-Adventure + Hidden Object
71	Arcade + Linearnone of 43 launches earned $100k+	0 of 43no hits	under 100	under 100	43	Small	Pin Arcade + Linear
72	First-Person + Time Managementnone of 43 launches earned $100k+	0 of 43no hits	under 100	under 100	43	1-hitSmall	Pin First-Person + Time Management
73	Roguelite + Shoot 'Em Upnone of 43 launches earned $100k+	0 of 43no hits	under 100	under 100	43	Small	Pin Roguelite + Shoot 'Em Up
74	Action + Parkournone of 42 launches earned $100k+	0 of 42no hits	under 100	under 100	42	1-hitSmall	Pin Action + Parkour
75	Puzzle + Time Managementnone of 42 launches earned $100k+	0 of 42no hits	under 100	under 100	42	Small	Pin Puzzle + Time Management

Show 25 moreShowing 75 of 1,971 niches

green beats the base ratecoral below it bar: the chance; amber tick: the base rate1-hit one game holds over half the moneySmall under 50 launches in this viewAudience reads differently for Western players

Under 30 launches or 5 hits a chance is written as a count ("3 of 12"), never as odds. Typical year is the middle launch's first-year earnings. Lenses, the one-hit share and the audience split are measured across all prices. A game counts in every pair its tags make.