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 3 Oct

Of 1,115 niches with 30+ launches at $10 to $20, 500 beat the 18 in 100 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 219 under $5, 40 in 100 at $20 to $40.500 of 1,115 niches beat the 18 in 100 base rate.500 beat the base rate.

Typical launch, all prices, first year $540

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 5 to 8 in 100 launches overall.

The niche list

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Now: Building + Life Sim, 57 in 100. 1,115 match.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: Cinematic + Story Rich, 52 in 100. 362 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Cinematic + Story Rich, $133,868 typical. 1,115 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Now: Casual + Cozy, $2.1M top 1 in 10. 563 match.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Economy + Simulation, 36 in 100. 57 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Adventure + Exploration, 390 launches. 1,115 match.
Hide one-hit markets244 outHide small samples552 out

1,115 of 4,634 niches have 30+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.

Multiplayer + Simulation 41 in 100 earned $100k+, from 58 launches at $10 to $20typical $49,207. Best of the pins none
Anime + Simulation 4 of 67 earned $100k+ at $10 to $20typical $2,039 none
Pin another to compare.
Niches at $10 to $20, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#NicheChance of $100k+Typical yearTop 1 in 10LaunchesMarkersPin
All games at $10 to $20the base rate: the row to beat 18 in 100758 of 4,301 $8,234$217,858 4,301
1 none of 72 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 72no hits $766 $3,377 72 none Pin 2D + Hidden Object
2 none of 50 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 50no hits $1,065 $19,804 50 1-hit Pin 3D Platformer + Casual
3 none of 45 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 45no hits $766 $3,065 45 Small Pin Fantasy + Hidden Object
4 none of 37 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 37no hits $2,352 $21,859 37 Small Pin Immersive Sim + VR
5 none of 36 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 36no hits $4,456 $68,951 36 Small Pin Sports + Strategy
6 none of 35 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 35no hits $1,823 $14,174 35 Small Pin Arcade + VR
7 none of 33 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 33no hits $4,597 $54,167 33 1-hitSmall Pin Casual + LGBTQ+
8 none of 33 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 33no hits $8,862 $54,969 33 Small Pin Physics + Puzzle
9 none of 32 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 32no hits $1,192 $46,818 32 Small Pin Puzzle + Time Management
10 none of 31 launches earned $100k+ 0 of 31no hits $1,533 $16,392 31 1-hitSmall Pin 2D + Magic
11 1 of 58 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 581 hit $5,047 $36,522 58 1-hit Pin Adventure + VR
12 1 of 56 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 561 hit $2,279 $16,089 56 none Pin Casual + VR
13 1 of 51 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 511 hit $2,956 $52,331 51 1-hit Pin Anime + Fantasy
14 2 of 99 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 992 hits $1,380 $27,933 99 none Pin Adventure + Hidden Object
15 1 of 49 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 491 hit $1,255 $11,668 49 Small Pin Hidden Object + Story Rich
16 1 of 43 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 431 hit $4,825 $61,284 43 Small Pin Adventure + Text-Based
17 1 of 41 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 411 hit $766 $3,377 41 1-hitSmall Pin Fantasy + Mystery
18 2 of 80 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 802 hits $1,256 $16,879 80 none Pin Hidden Object + Point & Click
19 1 of 39 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 391 hit $4,022 $69,233 39 1-hitSmall Pin Adventure + Party-Based RPG
20 1 of 39 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 391 hit $1,148 $61,284 39 1-hitSmall Pin Choose Your Own Adventure + Text-Based
21 1 of 39 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 391 hit $2,026 $20,985 39 1-hitSmall Pin Puzzle + VR
22 2 of 75 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 752 hits $2,785 $38,419 75 none Pin 2D + Choose Your Own Adventure
23 1 of 36 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 361 hit $3,983 $42,504 36 Small Pin 3D Platformer + Cute
24 1 of 36 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 361 hit $4,596 $48,025 36 1-hitSmall Pin Exploration + VR
25 1 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 331 hit $1,418 $22,780 33 1-hitSmall Pin Adventure + Time Management
26 1 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 331 hit $1,148 $30,132 33 Small Pin Casual + Text-Based
27 1 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 331 hit $7,098 $72,146 33 Small Pin Exploration + Party-Based RPG
28 2 of 65 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 652 hits $5,571 $48,341 65 Audience Pin Platformer + Puzzle Platformer
29 1 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 321 hit $5,571 $31,639 32 Small Pin 3D Platformer + Puzzle Platformer
30 1 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 321 hit $1,882 $23,373 32 Small Pin Adventure + Linear
31 4 of 124 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 1244 hits $862 $14,174 124 none Pin Arcade + Casual
32 2 of 62 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 622 hits $3,764 $35,402 62 Audience Pin Adventure + Puzzle Platformer
33 2 of 62 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 622 hits $5,065 $43,748 62 none Pin Casual + Romance
34 2 of 62 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 622 hits $4,825 $40,772 62 none Pin Text-Based + Visual Novel
35 1 of 31 launches earned $100k+ 1 of 311 hit $3,406 $31,954 31 SmallAudience Pin Action + Precision Platformer
36 2 of 59 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 592 hits $3,241 $34,918 59 none Pin Adventure + Cartoony
37 1 in 29 earned $100k+, from 145 launches 1 in 295 hits $3,122 $45,862 145 Audience Pin Casual + Visual Novel
38 2 of 56 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 562 hits $4,826 $36,522 56 1-hit Pin Simulation + VR
39 2 of 55 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 552 hits $2,757 $44,763 55 1-hit Pin Fantasy + JRPG
40 2 of 54 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 542 hits $760 $37,930 54 Audience Pin Anime + Choose Your Own Adventure
41 2 of 53 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 532 hits $2,011 $38,738 53 1-hit Pin 3D + PvE
42 2 of 53 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 532 hits $2,352 $36,522 53 none Pin First-Person + VR
43 2 of 52 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 522 hits $2,086 $55,755 52 1-hit Pin Action-Adventure + Strategy
44 1 in 25 earned $100k+, from 127 launches 1 in 255 hits $1,149 $27,933 127 none Pin Hidden Object + Puzzle
45 1 in 25 earned $100k+, from 126 launches 1 in 255 hits $1,532 $32,794 126 none Pin Casual + Point & Click
46 3 of 73 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 733 hits $2,298 $41,845 73 none Pin Casual + Dating Sim
47 2 of 48 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 482 hits $4,022 $72,146 48 Small Pin JRPG + Party-Based RPG
48 4 of 95 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 954 hits $2,228 $30,785 95 none Pin 3D + 3D Platformer
49 2 of 47 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 472 hits $1,882 $41,962 47 SmallAudience Pin Action + Family Friendly
50 3 of 70 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 703 hits $3,343 $44,014 70 none Pin Fantasy + Magic
51 3 of 69 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 693 hits $1,013 $21,615 69 none Pin Fantasy + Puzzle
52 2 of 46 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 462 hits $1,264 $17,186 46 Small Pin Arcade + Puzzle
53 3 of 68 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 683 hits $1,176 $27,144 68 none Pin Choose Your Own Adventure + Cute
54 2 of 45 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 452 hits $4,259 $55,755 45 1-hitSmall Pin Action-Adventure + Simulation
55 2 of 45 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 452 hits $810 $26,998 45 Small Pin Arcade + Strategy
56 3 of 67 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 673 hits $2,127 $23,951 67 none Pin Action-Adventure + Casual
57 3 of 67 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 673 hits $1,351 $38,419 67 none Pin Casual + Choose Your Own Adventure
58 2 of 44 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 442 hits $810 $11,901 44 SmallAudience Pin 2D + Family Friendly
59 1 in 22 earned $100k+, from 108 launches 1 in 225 hits $1,022 $15,533 108 none Pin Casual + Hidden Object
60 4 of 86 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 864 hits $2,650 $38,472 86 none Pin Action + VR
61 1 in 21 earned $100k+, from 105 launches 1 in 215 hits $1,351 $39,286 105 none Pin Casual + Fantasy
62 2 of 42 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 422 hits $4,980 $43,748 42 1-hitSmall Pin Female Protagonist + Romance
63 2 of 41 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 412 hits $3,798 $45,039 41 Small Pin 3D + Fantasy
64 3 of 61 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 613 hits $4,517 $79,115 61 none Pin Adventure + Family Friendly
65 2 of 40 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 402 hits $7,648 $48,341 40 SmallAudience Pin 2D Platformer + Puzzle Platformer
66 2 of 40 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 402 hits $1,823 $23,974 40 Small Pin Shooter + VR
67 3 of 58 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 583 hits $1,351 $66,777 58 none Pin Fantasy + Point & Click
68 4 of 76 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 764 hits $3,798 $53,338 76 1-hit Pin Anime + Dating Sim
69 2 of 38 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 382 hits $6,814 $55,938 38 1-hitSmall Pin Arcade + PvP
70 2 of 38 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 382 hits $7,336 $63,138 38 SmallAudience Pin Colorful + Visual Novel
71 2 of 37 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 372 hits $6,129 $35,472 37 Small Pin 1990's + Adventure
72 2 of 37 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 372 hits $4,825 $61,284 37 Small Pin 2D + Text-Based
73 2 of 37 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 372 hits $2,298 $31,639 37 1-hitSmall Pin 3D Platformer + Puzzle
74 2 of 37 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 372 hits $2,981 $17,596 37 Small Pin Casual + Sports
75 2 of 37 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 372 hits $2,509 $32,016 37 Small Pin Colorful + Fantasy
76 1 in 18 earned $100k+, from 129 launches 1 in 187 hits $3,451 $55,774 129 none Pin Adventure + Choose Your Own Adventure
77 3 of 55 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 553 hits $2,298 $25,884 55 Audience Pin 3D + Platformer
78 3 of 55 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 553 hits $2,981 $34,916 55 none Pin 3D + Sports
79 3 of 55 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 553 hits $11,590 $66,029 55 Audience Pin Strategy + Top-Down
80 4 of 72 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 724 hits $1,420 $36,839 72 none Pin Casual + Mystery
81 3 of 54 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 543 hits $6,894 $67,691 54 Audience Pin Cute + Platformer
82 2 of 36 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 362 hits $6,246 $60,902 36 1-hitSmall Pin Action-Adventure + VR
83 4 of 71 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 714 hits $7,343 $45,862 71 none Pin Anime + Romance
84 3 of 53 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 533 hits $2,228 $20,408 53 1-hit Pin 3D + VR
85 3 of 52 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 523 hits $2,555 $70,614 52 none Pin Adventure + Collectathon
86 3 of 52 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 523 hits $1,915 $43,397 52 none Pin Exploration + Hidden Object
87 1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 103 launches 1 in 176 hits $2,129 $52,569 103 none Pin Puzzle + Strategy
88 2 of 34 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 342 hits $4,022 $91,942 34 1-hitSmallAudience Pin 2D + Puzzle Platformer
89 2 of 34 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 342 hits $6,274 $85,937 34 Small Pin Exploration + Stylized
90 1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 84 launches 1 in 175 hits $3,236 $56,737 84 Audience Pin Puzzle + Puzzle Platformer
91 4 of 67 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 674 hits $2,039 $45,862 67 none Pinned Anime + Simulation
92 1 in 17 earned $100k+, from 99 launches 1 in 176 hits $5,458 $80,696 99 none Pin Party-Based RPG + RPG
93 2 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 332 hits $3,236 $31,954 33 SmallAudience Pin Action + Puzzle Platformer
94 2 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 332 hits $1,882 $34,918 33 Small Pin Cartoon + Casual
95 2 of 33 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 332 hits $9,880 $67,330 33 SmallAudience Pin Cute + Puzzle Platformer
96 4 of 65 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 654 hits $7,469 $54,167 65 1-hit Pin Cute + Romance
97 3 of 48 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 483 hits $5,109 $61,759 48 1-hitSmall Pin Grand Strategy + Strategy
98 2 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 322 hits $3,407 $82,833 32 Small Pin 3D + Automobile Sim
99 2 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 322 hits $6,174 $38,577 32 Small Pin Anime + Strategy
100 2 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 322 hits $8,090 $56,658 32 Small Pin Female Protagonist + Interactive Fiction
101 2 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 322 hits $2,701 $68,229 32 Small Pin JRPG + Turn-Based Strategy
102 2 of 32 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 322 hits $4,980 $48,379 32 1-hitSmall Pin Otome + Visual Novel
103 1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 95 launches 1 in 166 hits $1,532 $68,068 95 none Pin Fantasy + Story Rich
104 3 of 47 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 473 hits $4,825 $43,748 47 1-hitSmall Pin 2D + Romance
105 3 of 47 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 473 hits $3,907 $68,068 47 Small Pin Fantasy + Visual Novel
106 1 in 16 earned $100k+, from 297 launches 1 in 1619 hits $1,266 $42,193 297 none Pin 2D + Casual
107 4 of 62 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 624 hits $6,583 $45,862 62 1-hit Pin Adventure + Romance
108 2 of 31 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 312 hits $6,971 $81,589 31 SmallAudience Pin Anime + Multiple Endings
109 2 of 31 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 312 hits $10,479 $84,461 31 Small Pin Comedy + Cute
110 2 of 31 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 312 hits $2,364 $81,785 31 Small Pin Exploration + Turn-Based Tactics
111 2 of 31 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 312 hits $4,543 $86,949 31 Small Pin Realistic + Third Person
112 1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 108 launches 1 in 157 hits $4,371 $54,167 108 none Pin Anime + Casual
113 3 of 46 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 463 hits $9,117 $70,614 46 SmallAudience Pin Anime + Colorful
114 3 of 46 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 463 hits $2,242 $36,595 46 Small Pin Fantasy + Turn-Based Combat
115 4 of 61 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 614 hits $1,532 $30,202 61 none Pin Adventure + Arcade
116 4 of 61 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 614 hits $1,255 $41,277 61 none Pin Hidden Object + Mystery
117 3 of 45 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 453 hits $3,127 $39,286 45 1-hitSmall Pin Fantasy + Female Protagonist
118 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $16,148 $81,411 30 1-hitSmall Pin 2D + Character Customization
119 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $6,246 $48,147 30 Small Pin 2D + Linear
120 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $5,305 $89,969 30 Small Pin 2D + Strategy RPG
121 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $3,236 $51,139 30 SmallAudience Pin 2D Platformer + Puzzle
122 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $4,481 $86,519 30 Small Pin 3D + Anime
123 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $1,065 $40,509 30 Small Pin 3D Fighter + Action
124 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $4,170 $81,297 30 1-hitSmall Pin Action-Adventure + Cartoony
125 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $1,772 $18,841 30 SmallAudience Pin Cartoony + Strategy
126 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $5,411 $64,481 30 1-hitSmall Pin Cute + Interactive Fiction
127 2 of 30 launches earned $100k+ 2 of 302 hits $17,103 $97,006 30 Small Pin Tactical RPG + Turn-Based Combat
128 3 of 44 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 443 hits $3,577 $74,110 44 Small Pin 2D + Relaxing
129 3 of 44 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 443 hits $7,717 $54,237 44 Small Pin Arcade + Pixel Graphics
130 3 of 44 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 443 hits $1,954 $26,998 44 1-hitSmall Pin Arcade + Simulation
131 3 of 44 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 443 hits $2,240 $57,105 44 Small Pin Card Game + Casual
132 4 of 58 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 584 hits $3,340 $88,250 58 none Pin Adventure + JRPG
133 3 of 43 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 433 hits $1,882 $62,341 43 SmallAudience Pin PvE + Strategy
134 4 of 57 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 574 hits $5,199 $60,247 57 none Pin 2D + Interactive Fiction
135 4 of 57 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 574 hits $4,390 $65,840 57 none Pin Casual + Interactive Fiction
136 4 of 57 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 574 hits $2,024 $32,125 57 Audience Pin Casual + Platformer
137 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 71 launches 1 in 145 hits $3,342 $31,603 71 none Pin 2D + Dating Sim
138 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 140 launches 1 in 1410 hits $2,509 $66,777 140 none Pin 2D + Fantasy
139 3 of 42 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 423 hits $5,620 $66,777 42 Small Pin 2D + Multiple Endings
140 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 347 launches 1 in 1425 hits $2,026 $45,892 347 none Pin Adventure + Casual
141 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 179 launches 1 in 1413 hits $6,868 $70,614 179 Audience Pin Anime + Visual Novel
142 4 of 55 launches earned $100k+ 4 of 554 hits $2,364 $61,276 55 none Pin Arcade + Colorful
143 3 of 41 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 413 hits $16,392 $63,868 41 1-hitSmall Pin 2D + Dungeon Crawler
144 3 of 41 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 413 hits $766 $67,003 41 1-hitSmall Pin Casual + Collectathon
145 1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 163 launches 1 in 1412 hits $1,724 $52,840 163 none Pin Action + Casual
146 1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 188 launches 1 in 1314 hits $2,279 $58,622 188 none Pin Casual + Strategy
147 1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 67 launches 1 in 135 hits $3,293 $84,710 67 none Pin Colorful + Family Friendly
148 1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 80 launches 1 in 136 hits $3,505 $86,884 80 1-hit Pin Adventure + Dating Sim
149 3 of 40 launches earned $100k+ 3 of 403 hits $8,103 $93,530 40 SmallAudience Pin 2D Platformer + Precision Platformer
150 1 in 13 earned $100k+, from 66 launches 1 in 135 hits $4,658 $57,181 66 none Pin 2D + JRPG
Show 25 moreShowing 150 of 1,115 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.

Releases

Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.