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+, highest first.

Physics + Simulation 11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 87 launches at any price, Last 18 months$10k+ not computed yet none

Multiplayer + Simulation 31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches at any price, Last 18 months$10k+ not computed yet. Best of the pins none

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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	Base Building + City Builder42 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	42 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	31	1-hitSmall	Pin Base Building + City Builder
2	City Builder + Management38 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	38 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	34	1-hitSmallAudience	Pin City Builder + Management
3	Base Building + Crafting38 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	38 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	40	Small	Pin Base Building + Crafting
4	Cozy + Exploration37 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	37 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	30	Small	Pin Cozy + Exploration
5	City Builder + Sandbox35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	35 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	34	1-hitSmall	Pin City Builder + Sandbox
6	Building + City Builder35 in 100 earned $100k+, from 52 launches	35 in 10018 hits	under 100	under 100	52	1-hitAudience	Pin Building + City Builder
7	Base Building + RTS34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	34 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Base Building + RTS
8	Online Co-Op + Simulation34 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	34 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	35	Small	Pin Online Co-Op + Simulation
9	Co-op + PvE33 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	33 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	30	1-hitSmall	Pin Co-op + PvE
10	Colony Sim + Simulation32 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	32 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	38	Small	Pin Colony Sim + Simulation
11	Multiplayer + Simulation31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 64 launches	31 in 10020 hits	under 100	under 100	64	none	Pinned Multiplayer + Simulation
12	Base Building + Exploration31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	31 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Base Building + Exploration
13	Base Building + Resource Management31 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	31 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	42	1-hitSmall	Pin Base Building + Resource Management
14	Base Building + Simulation30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	30 in 10014 hits	under 100	under 100	46	1-hitSmall	Pin Base Building + Simulation
15	Base Building + Sandbox30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches	30 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	50	1-hit	Pin Base Building + Sandbox
16	Cinematic + Story Rich30 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	30 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	37	Small	Pin Cinematic + Story Rich
17	FMV + Interactive Fiction29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	29 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	34	Small	Pin FMV + Interactive Fiction
18	Investigation + Story Rich29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	29 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	34	Small	Pin Investigation + Story Rich
19	Colorful + Cozy29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	29 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	31	Small	Pin Colorful + Cozy
20	Colony Sim + Strategy29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	29 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	38	Small	Pin Colony Sim + Strategy
21	City Builder + Simulation29 in 100 earned $100k+, from 66 launches	29 in 10019 hits	under 100	under 100	66	1-hit	Pin City Builder + Simulation
22	Building + Resource Management28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	28 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	46	1-hitSmall	Pin Building + Resource Management
23	Open World + Sandbox28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 54 launches	28 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	54	none	Pin Open World + Sandbox
24	Co-op + Simulation28 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	28 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	36	1-hitSmall	Pin Co-op + Simulation
25	Building + Relaxing27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches	27 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	55	none	Pin Building + Relaxing
26	Crafting + Exploration27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches	27 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin Crafting + Exploration
27	Base Building + Strategy27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 82 launches	27 in 10022 hits	under 100	under 100	82	none	Pin Base Building + Strategy
28	Building + Sandbox27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 82 launches	27 in 10022 hits	under 100	under 100	82	none	Pin Building + Sandbox
29	Building + Management27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 71 launches	27 in 10019 hits	under 100	under 100	71	none	Pin Building + Management
30	Economy + Relaxing27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	27 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	30	Small	Pin Economy + Relaxing
31	Economy + Trading27 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	27 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	30	1-hitSmall	Pin Economy + Trading
32	Building + Exploration26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	26 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	34	1-hitSmall	Pin Building + Exploration
33	Base Building + Building26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	26 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	57	none	Pin Base Building + Building
34	Economy + Sandbox26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	26 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	35	Small	Pin Economy + Sandbox
35	Medieval + Simulation26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	26 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	35	1-hitSmall	Pin Medieval + Simulation
36	Base Building + Survival26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 47 launches	26 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	47	Small	Pin Base Building + Survival
37	Co-op + First-Person25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches	25 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	48	Small	Pin Co-op + First-Person
38	Choose Your Own Adventure + Mystery25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	25 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	32	1-hitSmallAudience	Pin Choose Your Own Adventure + Mystery
39	Co-op + Exploration25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	25 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Co-op + Exploration
40	Dating Sim + Multiple Endings25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	25 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	32	SmallAudience	Pin Dating Sim + Multiple Endings
41	Management + Resource Management25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 81 launches	25 in 10020 hits	under 100	under 100	81	1-hit	Pin Management + Resource Management
42	Building + Simulation25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 110 launches	25 in 10027 hits	$10,414	not computed	110	Audience	Pin Building + Simulation
43	Building + Economy25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	25 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	53	none	Pin Building + Economy
44	Adventure + Online Co-Op24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	24 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	46	1-hitSmall	Pin Adventure + Online Co-Op
45	Economy + Resource Management24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	24 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	46	Small	Pin Economy + Resource Management
46	Investigation + Mystery24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 46 launches	24 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	46	Small	Pin Investigation + Mystery
47	Sandbox + Strategy24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 84 launches	24 in 10020 hits	under 100	under 100	84	1-hit	Pin Sandbox + Strategy
48	Dating Sim + Story Rich24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	24 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	42	Small	Pin Dating Sim + Story Rich
49	Crafting + Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	24 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	38	1-hitSmall	Pin Crafting + Survival
50	City Builder + Strategy24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 85 launches	24 in 10020 hits	under 100	under 100	85	none	Pin City Builder + Strategy
51	Building + Crafting23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 47 launches	23 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	47	Small	Pin Building + Crafting
52	Exploration + Online Co-Op23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	23 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	30	Small	Pin Exploration + Online Co-Op
53	Life Sim + Relaxing23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 65 launches	23 in 10015 hits	under 100	under 100	65	none	Pin Life Sim + Relaxing
54	Funny + Story Rich23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 48 launches	23 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	48	1-hitSmall	Pin Funny + Story Rich
55	Management + Sandbox23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 70 launches	23 in 10016 hits	under 100	under 100	70	1-hit	Pin Management + Sandbox
56	Building + Cute23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches	23 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	35	Small	Pin Building + Cute
57	Automation + Strategy23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	23 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	31	Small	Pin Automation + Strategy
58	Farming Sim + Life Sim23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 40 launches	23 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	40	Small	Pin Farming Sim + Life Sim
59	Cozy + Simulation22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 49 launches	22 in 10011 hits	under 100	under 100	49	Small	Pin Cozy + Simulation
60	Resource Management + Simulation22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 90 launches	22 in 10020 hits	under 100	under 100	90	1-hit	Pin Resource Management + Simulation
61	Action + Co-op22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 72 launches	22 in 10016 hits	under 100	under 100	72	none	Pin Action + Co-op
62	Action Roguelike + Dungeon Crawler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 45 launches	22 in 10010 hits	under 100	under 100	45	1-hitSmall	Pin Action Roguelike + Dungeon Crawler
63	Combat + Exploration22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	22 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	36	1-hitSmall	Pin Combat + Exploration
64	Management + Trading22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	22 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	36	1-hitSmall	Pin Management + Trading
65	Economy + Management22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 127 launches	22 in 10028 hits	$9,902	not computed	127	none	Pin Economy + Management
66	First-Person + Multiplayer22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 59 launches	22 in 10013 hits	under 100	under 100	59	none	Pin First-Person + Multiplayer
67	Multiplayer + Physics22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	22 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	32	Small	Pin Multiplayer + Physics
68	Difficult + Roguelite22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	22 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	37	Small	Pin Difficult + Roguelite
69	Exploration + Physics22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	22 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	37	1-hitSmall	Pin Exploration + Physics
70	Roguelite + Simulation22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 37 launches	22 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	37	Small	Pin Roguelite + Simulation
71	Economy + Immersive Sim21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	21 in 10012 hits	under 100	under 100	56	1-hit	Pin Economy + Immersive Sim
72	First-Person + Online Co-Op21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 42 launches	21 in 1009 hits	under 100	under 100	42	Small	Pin First-Person + Online Co-Op
73	Building + Strategy21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 103 launches	21 in 10022 hits	$2,528	not computed	103	none	Pin Building + Strategy
74	Exploration + Multiplayer21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches	21 in 1007 hits	under 100	under 100	33	Small	Pin Exploration + Multiplayer
75	Automation + Management21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	21 in 1008 hits	under 100	under 100	38	1-hitSmall	Pin Automation + 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.