Best niches
$10 to $20Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch
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.
Niches 3 Oct
Of 3,337 niches with 10+ launches at $10 to $20, 511 beat the 20 in 100 base rate. Price moves the odds most: 1 in 238 under $5, 44 in 100 at $20 to $40.511 of 3,337 niches beat the 20 in 100 base rate.511 beat the base rate.
Typical launch, all prices, first year $552
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.
Pairs with the best chance of $100k+, above the base rateFree until launch
3,337 of 4,635 niches have 10+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, highest first.
| Rank# | Niche | Chance of $100k+ | Typical year | Top 1 in 10 | Launches | Markers | Pin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All games at $10 to $20the base rate: the row to beat | 20 in 100878 of 4,304 | $10,978 | $287,297 | 4,304 | |||
| 1 | Cozy + Pixel Graphics10 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1310 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | SmallAudience | Pin Cozy + Pixel Graphics |
| 2 | Building + Cozy11 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 11 of 1511 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin Building + Cozy |
| 3 | Action Roguelike + Multiplayer11 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 11 of 1611 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Action Roguelike + Multiplayer |
| 4 | Colorful + Cozy14 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 14 of 2114 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Colorful + Cozy |
| 5 | FPS + Life Sim7 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 117 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin FPS + Life Sim |
| 6 | Building + Life Sim63 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 63 in 10019 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 30 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Building + Life Sim |
| 7 | Cinematic + FMV10 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1610 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Cinematic + FMV |
| 8 | FMV + Multiple Endings10 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1610 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin FMV + Multiple Endings |
| 9 | Online Co-Op + Roguelike10 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1610 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Roguelike |
| 10 | Cozy + Farming Sim13 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2113 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Cozy + Farming Sim |
| 11 | Casual + Cozy60 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches | 60 in 10030 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 50 | Audience | Pin Casual + Cozy |
| 12 | Cooking + Management15 of 25 launches earned $100k+ | 15 of 2515 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 25 | SmallAudience | Pin Cooking + Management |
| 13 | Roguelike Deckbuilder + Turn-Based Combat12 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 12 of 2012 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | 1-hitSmallAudience | Pin Roguelike Deckbuilder + Turn-Based Combat |
| 14 | Cozy + Sandbox9 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 159 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin Cozy + Sandbox |
| 15 | Action Roguelike + Loot6 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 106 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Action Roguelike + Loot |
| 16 | Action-Adventure + Gore6 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 106 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Action-Adventure + Gore |
| 17 | Funny + Roguelike6 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 106 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Funny + Roguelike |
| 18 | Cozy + Relaxing59 in 100 earned $100k+, from 54 launches | 59 in 10032 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 54 | Audience | Pin Cozy + Relaxing |
| 19 | Action Roguelike + Online Co-Op13 of 22 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2213 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 22 | SmallAudience | Pin Action Roguelike + Online Co-Op |
| 20 | Character Customization + Open World13 of 22 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2213 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 22 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Character Customization + Open World |
| 21 | Co-op + Roguelike10 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1710 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin Co-op + Roguelike |
| 22 | Cooking + Immersive Sim7 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 127 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin Cooking + Immersive Sim |
| 23 | Crime + Simulation7 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 127 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Crime + Simulation |
| 24 | Funny + Management7 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 127 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin Funny + Management |
| 25 | Survival + Tower Defense7 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 127 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Survival + Tower Defense |
| 26 | FPS + Multiplayer11 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 11 of 1911 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin FPS + Multiplayer |
| 27 | Management + Multiplayer12 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 12 of 2112 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | 1-hitSmallAudience | Pin Management + Multiplayer |
| 28 | City Builder + Medieval8 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 148 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin City Builder + Medieval |
| 29 | Exploration + Stealth9 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 169 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Exploration + Stealth |
| 30 | Cozy + Simulation56 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches | 56 in 10020 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 36 | Small | Pin Cozy + Simulation |
| 31 | FMV + Visual Novel10 of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1810 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 18 | SmallAudience | Pin FMV + Visual Novel |
| 32 | Medieval + Sandbox10 of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1810 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 18 | Small | Pin Medieval + Sandbox |
| 33 | Cinematic + Story Rich55 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches | 55 in 10017 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 31 | Small | Pin Cinematic + Story Rich |
| 34 | Automation + Economy6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin Automation + Economy |
| 35 | City Builder + Turn-Based Strategy6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin City Builder + Turn-Based Strategy |
| 36 | Crafting + Cute6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin Crafting + Cute |
| 37 | Creature Collector + Relaxing6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin Creature Collector + Relaxing |
| 38 | Crime + First-Person6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Crime + First-Person |
| 39 | Difficult + Fast-Paced6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Difficult + Fast-Paced |
| 40 | Life Sim + Survival6 of 11 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 116 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 11 | Small | Pin Life Sim + Survival |
| 41 | Adventure + Cozy14 of 26 launches earned $100k+ | 14 of 2614 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 26 | SmallAudience | Pin Adventure + Cozy |
| 42 | Investigation + Psychological Horror7 of 13 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 137 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 13 | Small | Pin Investigation + Psychological Horror |
| 43 | Shop Keeper + Simulation15 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 15 of 2815 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Shop Keeper + Simulation |
| 44 | Cooking + Simulation53 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches | 53 in 10016 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 30 | SmallAudience | Pin Cooking + Simulation |
| 45 | City Builder + Tower Defense8 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 158 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin City Builder + Tower Defense |
| 46 | Co-op + FPS8 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 158 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | Small | Pin Co-op + FPS |
| 47 | Multiplayer + Roguelite8 of 15 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 158 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 15 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Multiplayer + Roguelite |
| 48 | Online Co-Op + Simulation53 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches | 53 in 10017 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 32 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Simulation |
| 49 | Base Building + Tower Defense53 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 53 in 10018 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 34 | SmallAudience | Pin Base Building + Tower Defense |
| 50 | Building + Multiplayer9 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 179 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin Building + Multiplayer |
| 51 | 3D + Online Co-Op10 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1910 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin 3D + Online Co-Op |
| 52 | Action Roguelike + Co-op10 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1910 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin Action Roguelike + Co-op |
| 53 | Building + Medieval10 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1910 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin Building + Medieval |
| 54 | Hack and Slash + Loot10 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 1910 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Hack and Slash + Loot |
| 55 | First-Person + Multiple Endings11 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 11 of 2111 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | 1-hitSmall | Pin First-Person + Multiple Endings |
| 56 | Cozy + Life Sim12 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 12 of 2312 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 23 | Small | Pin Cozy + Life Sim |
| 57 | Co-op + Simulation14 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 14 of 2714 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 27 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Co-op + Simulation |
| 58 | Life Sim + Open World52 in 100 earned $100k+, from 33 launches | 52 in 10017 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 33 | Small | Pin Life Sim + Open World |
| 59 | Economy + First-Person14 of 28 launches earned $100k+ | 14 of 2814 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 28 | Small | Pin Economy + First-Person |
| 60 | Multiplayer + Sandbox13 of 26 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2613 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 26 | Small | Pin Multiplayer + Sandbox |
| 61 | FMV + Interactive Fiction12 of 24 launches earned $100k+ | 12 of 2412 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 24 | Small | Pin FMV + Interactive Fiction |
| 62 | Management + Shop Keeper12 of 24 launches earned $100k+ | 12 of 2412 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 24 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Management + Shop Keeper |
| 63 | Colony Sim + Resource Management10 of 20 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 2010 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 20 | Small | Pin Colony Sim + Resource Management |
| 64 | Action RPG + Sandbox9 of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 189 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 18 | SmallAudience | Pin Action RPG + Sandbox |
| 65 | Multiplayer + Realistic9 of 18 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 189 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 18 | Small | Pin Multiplayer + Realistic |
| 66 | Base Building + Roguelike8 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 168 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Base Building + Roguelike |
| 67 | Colorful + Wholesome8 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 168 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | Small | Pin Colorful + Wholesome |
| 68 | Cozy + Puzzle8 of 16 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 168 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 16 | SmallAudience | Pin Cozy + Puzzle |
| 69 | 3D + Cozy7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin 3D + Cozy |
| 70 | Bullet Heaven + Roguelite7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin Bullet Heaven + Roguelite |
| 71 | Capitalism + Sandbox7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Capitalism + Sandbox |
| 72 | FPS + Online Co-Op7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin FPS + Online Co-Op |
| 73 | Horror + Roguelike7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin Horror + Roguelike |
| 74 | Immersive Sim + Shooter7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin Immersive Sim + Shooter |
| 75 | Isometric + Roguelite7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin Isometric + Roguelite |
| 76 | RTS + Roguelike7 of 14 launches earned $100k+ | 7 of 147 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 14 | Small | Pin RTS + Roguelike |
| 77 | Choose Your Own Adventure + Pixel Graphics6 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 126 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin Choose Your Own Adventure + Pixel Graphics |
| 78 | First-Person + Resource Management6 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 126 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | SmallAudience | Pin First-Person + Resource Management |
| 79 | FMV + RPG6 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 126 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin FMV + RPG |
| 80 | Loot + Roguelike6 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 126 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Loot + Roguelike |
| 81 | Online Co-Op + Third Person6 of 12 launches earned $100k+ | 6 of 126 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 12 | Small | Pin Online Co-Op + Third Person |
| 82 | 2D + Co-op5 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 105 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin 2D + Co-op |
| 83 | Card Battler + Pixel Graphics5 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 105 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Card Battler + Pixel Graphics |
| 84 | Co-op + Cute5 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 105 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | SmallAudience | Pin Co-op + Cute |
| 85 | Pixel Graphics + Tower Defense5 of 10 launches earned $100k+ | 5 of 105 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 10 | Small | Pin Pixel Graphics + Tower Defense |
| 86 | Base Building + City Builder49 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches | 49 in 10026 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 53 | 1-hit | Pin Base Building + City Builder |
| 87 | Automation + Crafting49 in 100 earned $100k+, from 35 launches | 49 in 10017 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 35 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Automation + Crafting |
| 88 | Automation + Management13 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2713 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 27 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Automation + Management |
| 89 | Co-op + First-Person13 of 27 launches earned $100k+ | 13 of 2713 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 27 | Small | Pin Co-op + First-Person |
| 90 | FPS + Immersive Sim11 of 23 launches earned $100k+ | 11 of 2311 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 23 | Small | Pin FPS + Immersive Sim |
| 91 | Cinematic + Exploration10 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 2110 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Cinematic + Exploration |
| 92 | Cinematic + Interactive Fiction10 of 21 launches earned $100k+ | 10 of 2110 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 21 | Small | Pin Cinematic + Interactive Fiction |
| 93 | City Builder + Survival9 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 199 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin City Builder + Survival |
| 94 | Dating Sim + FMV9 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 199 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin Dating Sim + FMV |
| 95 | Dating Sim + Life Sim9 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 199 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Dating Sim + Life Sim |
| 96 | Mystery + Pixel Graphics9 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 199 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | Small | Pin Mystery + Pixel Graphics |
| 97 | Procedural Generation + Sandbox9 of 19 launches earned $100k+ | 9 of 199 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 19 | 1-hitSmall | Pin Procedural Generation + Sandbox |
| 98 | First-Person + Multiplayer47 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches | 47 in 10016 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 34 | Small | Pin First-Person + Multiplayer |
| 99 | FMV + Immersive Sim8 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 178 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | Small | Pin FMV + Immersive Sim |
| 100 | Resource Management + Tower Defense8 of 17 launches earned $100k+ | 8 of 178 hits | under 100 | under 100 | 17 | SmallAudience | Pin Resource Management + Tower Defense |
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.
Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.