Best niches
All pricesPairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree until launch
Lens checkChanged recently. Standard: the yardstick. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: moves the answer.
Open free previewTicker: price and year-over-year change for 40 genres. Price is the median estimated first-year revenue of indie paid launches. The same figures are on the Genres page.
Niches 1 Oct
Of 4,039 niches with 30+ launches at any price, Last 18 months, 1,630 beat the 1 in 16 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 192 under $5, 42 in 100 at $20 to $40.1,630 of 4,039 niches beat the 1 in 16 base rate.1,630 beat the base rate.
Cohort median $606
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 6 to 30 months old, data 1 Oct 2026. A hit is an estimated first year of $100k+. The revenue estimate is soft: about 5 to 8 in 100 launches overall.
Pairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree until launch
Lens checkChanged recently. Standard: the yardstick. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: moves the answer.
Open free previewThe 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.
4,039 of 5,145 niches have 30+ launches at any price, Last 18 months. Sorted by chance of $100k+, highest first.
| 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 161,804 of 29,637 | $606 | not computed | 29,637 | |||
| 1 | Cinematic + FMV45 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 45 in 10014 hits | $66,831 | not computed | 31 | SmallAudience | Pin Cinematic + FMV |
| 2 | Base Building + Open World35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches | 35 in 10017 hits | $18,938 | not computed | 48 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Base Building + Open World |
| 3 | FMV + Visual Novel35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 49 launches | 35 in 10017 hits | $41,726 | not computed | 49 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV + Visual Novel |
| 4 | Online Co-Op + Sandbox34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 34 in 10011 hits | $47,961 | not computed | 32 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Sandbox |
| 5 | Character Customization + Open World34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 34 in 10012 hits | $4,553 | not computed | 35 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Character Customization + Open World |
| 6 | Base Building + Exploration33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches | 33 in 10023 hits | $9,714 | not computed | 69 | Audience | Pin Base Building + Exploration |
| 7 | FMV + First-Person33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 33 in 10010 hits | $43,597 | not computed | 30 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV + First-Person |
| 8 | Base Building + Crafting33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 85 launches | 33 in 10028 hits | $21,307 | not computed | 85 | 1-hit | Pin Base Building + Crafting |
| 9 | Dating Sim + FMV33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 33 in 10013 hits | $41,394 | not computed | 40 | SmallAudience | Pin Dating Sim + FMV |
| 10 | Co-op + Roguelite32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 32 in 10012 hits | $16,996 | not computed | 37 | Small | Pin Co-op + Roguelite |
| 11 | Base Building + Sandbox32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 94 launches | 32 in 10030 hits | $13,963 | not computed | 94 | Audience | Pin Base Building + Sandbox |
| 12 | Multiplayer + Sandbox31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches | 31 in 10015 hits | $27,526 | not computed | 48 | Small | Pin Multiplayer + Sandbox |
| 13 | Co-op + FPS31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 31 in 10010 hits | $3,717 | not computed | 32 | Small | Pin Co-op + FPS |
| 14 | FMV + RPG31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 49 launches | 31 in 10015 hits | $28,961 | not computed | 49 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV + RPG |
| 15 | Base Building + Management30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 70 launches | 30 in 10021 hits | $21,570 | not computed | 70 | none | Pin Base Building + Management |
| 16 | Historical + Simulation30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches | 30 in 10017 hits | $4,859 | not computed | 57 | 1-hit | Pin Historical + Simulation |
| 17 | Co-op + PvE29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 62 launches | 29 in 10018 hits | $9,410 | not computed | 62 | none | Pin Co-op + PvE |
| 18 | City Builder + RTS29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 29 in 1009 hits | $6,050 | not computed | 31 | Small | Pin City Builder + RTS |
| 19 | Co-op + Shooter29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 29 in 10011 hits | $3,643 | not computed | 38 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Co-op + Shooter |
| 20 | Co-op + Survival29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 45 launches | 29 in 10013 hits | $13,963 | not computed | 45 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Co-op + Survival |
| 21 | Base Building + RPG29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 29 in 10010 hits | $9,111 | not computed | 35 | Small | Pin Base Building + RPG |
| 22 | Base Building + Survival28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 92 launches | 28 in 10026 hits | $18,938 | not computed | 92 | none | Pin Base Building + Survival |
| 23 | Immersive Sim + Multiplayer28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches | 28 in 10011 hits | $18,073 | not computed | 39 | Small | Pin Immersive Sim + Multiplayer |
| 24 | Life Sim + Open World28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches | 28 in 10011 hits | $6,069 | not computed | 39 | SmallAudience | Pin Life Sim + Open World |
| 25 | Open World Survival Craft + Survival28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 39 launches | 28 in 10011 hits | $25,194 | not computed | 39 | Small | Pin Open World Survival Craft + Survival |
| 26 | Co-op + Exploration28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches | 28 in 10018 hits | $20,412 | not computed | 64 | none | Pin Co-op + Exploration |
| 27 | Character Customization + Life Sim28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 28 in 1009 hits | $11,838 | not computed | 32 | Small | Pin Character Customization + Life Sim |
| 28 | Inventory Management + Roguelike28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 28 in 1009 hits | $24,049 | not computed | 32 | SmallAudience | Pin Inventory Management + Roguelike |
| 29 | Base Building + Colony Sim28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches | 28 in 10014 hits | $39,670 | not computed | 50 | none | Pin Base Building + Colony Sim |
| 30 | Immersive Sim + Story Rich28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches | 28 in 10017 hits | $4,143 | not computed | 61 | Audience | Pin Immersive Sim + Story Rich |
| 31 | Adventure + Cozy27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 44 launches | 27 in 10012 hits | $7,680 | not computed | 44 | SmallAudience | Pin Adventure + Cozy |
| 32 | First-Person + Military27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 27 in 1009 hits | $1,132 | not computed | 33 | 1-hitSmall | Pin First-Person + Military |
| 33 | FMV + Interactive Fiction27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 67 launches | 27 in 10018 hits | $20,027 | not computed | 67 | Audience | Pin FMV + Interactive Fiction |
| 34 | Building + Crafting27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 94 launches | 27 in 10025 hits | $7,770 | not computed | 94 | none | Pin Building + Crafting |
| 35 | Base Building + RTS27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 49 launches | 27 in 10013 hits | $11,535 | not computed | 49 | Small | Pin Base Building + RTS |
| 36 | Crafting + Exploration26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 102 launches | 26 in 10027 hits | $7,119 | not computed | 102 | none | Pin Crafting + Exploration |
| 37 | FMV + Simulation26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 26 in 1009 hits | $17,006 | not computed | 34 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV + Simulation |
| 38 | Open World + Survival26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 87 launches | 26 in 10023 hits | $8,498 | not computed | 87 | none | Pin Open World + Survival |
| 39 | FPS + Story Rich26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 26 in 10010 hits | $3,641 | not computed | 38 | Small | Pin FPS + Story Rich |
| 40 | Online Co-Op + PvE26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches | 26 in 10016 hits | $5,867 | not computed | 61 | none | Pin Online Co-Op + PvE |
| 41 | City Builder + Medieval26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches | 26 in 10011 hits | $4,673 | not computed | 42 | 1-hitSmall | Pin City Builder + Medieval |
| 42 | Shooter + Story Rich26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches | 26 in 10011 hits | $3,238 | not computed | 42 | Small | Pin Shooter + Story Rich |
| 43 | Cozy + Exploration26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 54 launches | 26 in 10014 hits | $9,508 | not computed | 54 | none | Pin Cozy + Exploration |
| 44 | City Builder + Survival26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 26 in 1008 hits | $8,457 | not computed | 31 | Small | Pin City Builder + Survival |
| 45 | Online Co-Op + Open World26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 26 in 1008 hits | $8,185 | not computed | 31 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Online Co-Op + Open World |
| 46 | Online Co-Op + Shooter26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 26 in 1008 hits | $2,972 | not computed | 31 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Shooter |
| 47 | Action RPG + Isometric26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 26 in 1009 hits | $3,641 | not computed | 35 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Action RPG + Isometric |
| 48 | Multiplayer + Open World26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches | 26 in 10011 hits | $13,963 | not computed | 43 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Multiplayer + Open World |
| 49 | City Builder + Sandbox25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 67 launches | 25 in 10017 hits | $5,667 | not computed | 67 | 1-hit | Pin City Builder + Sandbox |
| 50 | Crafting + Open World25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 71 launches | 25 in 10018 hits | $10,525 | not computed | 71 | 1-hit | Pin Crafting + Open World |
| 51 | Building + Life Sim25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches | 25 in 10013 hits | $11,329 | not computed | 52 | none | Pin Building + Life Sim |
| 52 | Interactive Fiction + Strategy25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches | 25 in 10012 hits | $647 | not computed | 48 | SmallAudience | Pin Interactive Fiction + Strategy |
| 53 | Building + Medieval25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches | 25 in 10010 hits | $4,673 | not computed | 40 | Small | Pin Building + Medieval |
| 54 | Crime + Simulation25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches | 25 in 1009 hits | $3,096 | not computed | 36 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Crime + Simulation |
| 55 | Base Building + City Builder25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 73 launches | 25 in 10018 hits | $10,687 | not computed | 73 | 1-hit | Pin Base Building + City Builder |
| 56 | Co-op + Simulation25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 61 launches | 25 in 10015 hits | $12,766 | not computed | 61 | 1-hit | Pin Co-op + Simulation |
| 57 | City Builder + Economy24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 45 launches | 24 in 10011 hits | $9,508 | not computed | 45 | Small | Pin City Builder + Economy |
| 58 | Cinematic + Story Rich24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches | 24 in 10018 hits | $4,713 | not computed | 74 | Audience | Pin Cinematic + Story Rich |
| 59 | Immersive Sim + Shop Keeper24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches | 24 in 1009 hits | $3,683 | not computed | 37 | Small | Pin Immersive Sim + Shop Keeper |
| 60 | Crafting + Open World Survival Craft24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $21,307 | not computed | 33 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Crafting + Open World Survival Craft |
| 61 | Driving + Open World24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $5,826 | not computed | 33 | Small | Pin Driving + Open World |
| 62 | Idler + Loot24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $7,612 | not computed | 33 | SmallAudience | Pin Idler + Loot |
| 63 | Online Co-Op + Roguelite24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $6,545 | not computed | 33 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Roguelite |
| 64 | Crafting + Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 91 launches | 24 in 10022 hits | $6,882 | not computed | 91 | none | Pin Crafting + Survival |
| 65 | Multiplayer + Realistic24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches | 24 in 10011 hits | $7,080 | not computed | 46 | Small | Pin Multiplayer + Realistic |
| 66 | Open World + Sandbox24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches | 24 in 10026 hits | $6,871 | not computed | 109 | none | Pin Open World + Sandbox |
| 67 | Sandbox + Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches | 24 in 10015 hits | $6,208 | not computed | 63 | Audience | Pin Sandbox + Survival |
| 68 | Multiplayer + Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 59 launches | 24 in 10014 hits | $4,547 | not computed | 59 | Audience | Pin Multiplayer + Survival |
| 69 | Base Building + Simulation24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 97 launches | 24 in 10023 hits | $8,726 | not computed | 97 | 1-hit | Pin Base Building + Simulation |
| 70 | Online Co-Op + Simulation24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 76 launches | 24 in 10018 hits | $11,936 | not computed | 76 | none | Pin Online Co-Op + Simulation |
| 71 | Open World + Strategy24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches | 24 in 1009 hits | $2,185 | not computed | 38 | SmallAudience | Pin Open World + Strategy |
| 72 | City Builder + Management24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 72 launches | 24 in 10017 hits | $10,687 | not computed | 72 | 1-hit | Pin City Builder + Management |
| 73 | Cinematic + Immersive Sim24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $4,369 | not computed | 34 | SmallAudience | Pin Cinematic + Immersive Sim |
| 74 | FPS + Online Co-Op24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $5,664 | not computed | 34 | Small | Pin FPS + Online Co-Op |
| 75 | Medieval + Story Rich24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 24 in 1008 hits | $1,093 | not computed | 34 | Small | Pin Medieval + Story Rich |
Under 30 launches 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.
Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.