Genres

Every genre, 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 genre does.

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

$10 to $20

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

Building + Life Simabout 3.1 times the 20 in 100 base rate63 in 100

1Building + Life Sim63 in 10030 launches 2Casual + Cozy60 in 10050 launches 3Cozy + Relaxing59 in 10054 launches 4Cozy + Simulation56 in 10036 launches 5Cinematic + Story Rich55 in 10031 launches

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Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The genre 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 Standard

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

All indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old. 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 30+ launches

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Now: Shop Keeper, 57 in 100. 156 match.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Now: Online Co-Op, 39 in 100. 68 match.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Now: Shop Keeper, $123,125 typical. 156 match.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Now: Co-op, $1M top 1 in 10. 118 match.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Cozy, 51 in 100. 40 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Now: Simulation, 874 launches. 156 match.

Hide one-hit markets20 out Hide small samples38 out

156 of 256 genres have 30+ launches at $10 to $20. Sorted by chance of $100k+, lowest first.

programmingNot in this view: under 30 launches at $10 to $20.

Grid-Based Movement 4 of 37 earned $100k+ at $10 to $20typical $8,951 Small

Space Sim 4 of 42 earned $100k+ at $10 to $20typical $4,215 Small

Genres at $10 to $20, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#	Genre	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	4 Player Local2 of 49 launches earned $100k+	2 of 492 hits	$5,365	$55,949	49	Small	Pin 4 Player Local
2	VR1 in 22 earned $100k+, from 195 launches	1 in 229 hits	$3,534	$44,858	195	none	Pin VR
3	Mystery Dungeon2 of 38 launches earned $100k+	2 of 382 hits	$3,805	$56,655	38	Small	Pin Mystery Dungeon
4	Puzzle Platformer1 in 15 earned $100k+, from 131 launches	1 in 159 hits	$5,769	$68,186	131	Audience	Pin Puzzle Platformer
5	Hidden Object1 in 14 earned $100k+, from 172 launches	1 in 1412 hits	$2,044	$55,036	172	none	Pin Hidden Object
6	Dialogue Heavy3 of 42 launches earned $100k+	3 of 423 hits	$9,463	$75,544	42	Small	Pin Dialogue Heavy
7	Grand Strategy4 of 52 launches earned $100k+	4 of 524 hits	$6,274	$71,220	52	1-hit	Pin Grand Strategy
8	Text-Based1 in 12 earned $100k+, from 97 launches	1 in 128 hits	$8,067	$94,775	97	none	Pin Text-Based
9	Party-Based RPG1 in 11 earned $100k+, from 127 launches	1 in 1112 hits	$7,868	$96,195	127	none	Pin Party-Based RPG
10	Space Sim4 of 42 launches earned $100k+	4 of 424 hits	$4,215	$90,738	42	Small	Pinned Space Sim
11	Sports1 in 10 earned $100k+, from 152 launches	1 in 1015 hits	$5,860	$96,739	152	none	Pin Sports
12	3D Platformer10 in 100 earned $100k+, from 180 launches	10 in 10018 hits	$3,562	$113,352	180	none	Pin 3D Platformer
13	Incremental4 of 38 launches earned $100k+	4 of 384 hits	$2,163	$128,938	38	Small	Pin Incremental
14	CRPG11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	11 in 1006 hits	$9,080	$129,341	56	Audience	Pin CRPG
15	Aliens4 of 37 launches earned $100k+	4 of 374 hits	$6,021	$112,421	37	Small	Pin Aliens
16	Grid-Based Movement4 of 37 launches earned $100k+	4 of 374 hits	$8,951	$109,047	37	Small	Pinned Grid-Based Movement
17	Score Attack11 in 100 earned $100k+, from 44 launches	11 in 1005 hits	$2,560	$104,916	44	Small	Pin Score Attack
18	Arcade12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 346 launches	12 in 10040 hits	$4,391	$134,893	346	none	Pin Arcade
19	3D Fighter12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches	12 in 1005 hits	$1,789	$200,926	43	Small	Pin 3D Fighter
20	Action RTS12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches	12 in 1005 hits	$11,091	$119,497	43	1-hitSmall	Pin Action RTS
21	Match 34 of 34 launches earned $100k+	4 of 344 hits	$1,172	$116,742	34	1-hitSmall	Pin Match 3
22	Magic12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 127 launches	12 in 10015 hits	$5,689	$132,616	127	none	Pin Magic
23	Thriller12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 50 launches	12 in 1006 hits	$12,169	$151,602	50	none	Pin Thriller
24	Logic12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 97 launches	12 in 10012 hits	$6,643	$122,589	97	Audience	Pin Logic
25	JRPG13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 171 launches	13 in 10022 hits	$5,365	$125,051	171	1-hit	Pin JRPG
26	Choose Your Own Adventure13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 242 launches	13 in 10032 hits	$6,023	$193,413	242	Audience	Pin Choose Your Own Adventure
27	2D Fighter13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	13 in 1008 hits	$6,761	$360,680	60	none	Pin 2D Fighter
28	Romance14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 170 launches	14 in 10023 hits	$9,464	$158,883	170	none	Pin Romance
29	Tactical RPG14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 118 launches	14 in 10016 hits	$11,496	$137,764	118	none	Pin Tactical RPG
30	Otome14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	14 in 1005 hits	$6,737	$126,800	36	Small	Pin Otome
31	Runner14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 43 launches	14 in 1006 hits	$2,509	$230,583	43	Small	Pin Runner
32	Comic Book14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	14 in 1008 hits	$6,448	$143,947	57	none	Pin Comic Book
33	Point & Click14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 249 launches	14 in 10035 hits	$4,508	$190,045	249	none	Pin Point & Click
34	Precision Platformer14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 84 launches	14 in 10012 hits	$10,665	$124,458	84	Audience	Pin Precision Platformer
35	Puzzle14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 684 launches	14 in 10098 hits	$5,070	$173,428	684	none	Pin Puzzle
36	Demons15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	15 in 1006 hits	$4,322	$139,108	41	Small	Pin Demons
37	Visual Novel15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 434 launches	15 in 10064 hits	$9,963	$199,513	434	Audience	Pin Visual Novel
38	Shoot 'Em Up15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	15 in 10016 hits	$7,510	$252,312	106	Audience	Pin Shoot 'Em Up
39	Interactive Fiction15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 230 launches	15 in 10035 hits	$10,240	$220,268	230	Audience	Pin Interactive Fiction
40	Wargame16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 83 launches	16 in 10013 hits	$14,178	$234,908	83	Audience	Pin Wargame
41	2D Platformer16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches	16 in 10049 hits	$8,758	$239,522	311	none	Pin 2D Platformer
42	1980s16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 57 launches	16 in 1009 hits	$6,901	$268,373	57	none	Pin 1980s
43	Collectathon16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	16 in 10018 hits	$8,758	$205,980	113	1-hit	Pin Collectathon
44	Cyberpunk16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches	16 in 10011 hits	$17,160	$230,920	69	none	Pin Cyberpunk
45	LGBTQ+16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 100 launches	16 in 10016 hits	$11,661	$148,757	100	none	Pin LGBTQ+
46	Action-Adventure16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 547 launches	16 in 10089 hits	$7,909	$192,839	547	none	Pin Action-Adventure
47	Board Game16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	16 in 10016 hits	$4,905	$188,868	98	none	Pin Board Game
48	Zombies16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 73 launches	16 in 10012 hits	$4,893	$300,183	73	none	Pin Zombies
49	Turn-Based Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 243 launches	17 in 10042 hits	$8,519	$178,090	243	none	Pin Turn-Based Tactics
50	Platformer17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 311 launches	17 in 10054 hits	$10,197	$318,870	311	1-hitAudience	Pin Platformer
51	Real Time Tactics17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches	17 in 10020 hits	$4,905	$193,413	115	none	Pin Real Time Tactics
52	Strategy RPG17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 132 launches	17 in 10023 hits	$11,091	$180,714	132	none	Pin Strategy RPG
53	1990's17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches	17 in 10019 hits	$11,661	$210,321	109	none	Pin 1990's
54	Top-Down Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 74 launches	18 in 10013 hits	$10,817	$166,336	74	none	Pin Top-Down Shooter
55	Arena Shooter18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 56 launches	18 in 10010 hits	$6,760	$200,453	56	Audience	Pin Arena Shooter
56	Walking Simulator18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 95 launches	18 in 10017 hits	$12,262	$295,997	95	none	Pin Walking Simulator
57	Survival Horror18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	18 in 10021 hits	$14,458	$198,970	117	none	Pin Survival Horror
58	Beat 'em up18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	18 in 10011 hits	$17,589	$353,705	60	Audience	Pin Beat 'em up
59	Supernatural18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	18 in 1007 hits	$20,315	$139,108	38	Small	Pin Supernatural
60	Word Game19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 32 launches	19 in 1006 hits	$4,516	$148,986	32	SmallAudience	Pin Word Game
61	Strategy19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 845 launches	19 in 100159 hits	$10,037	$243,656	845	none	Pin Strategy
62	Tabletop19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	19 in 10013 hits	$7,664	$177,032	68	none	Pin Tabletop
63	Dating Sim19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 186 launches	19 in 10036 hits	$8,738	$287,297	186	Audience	Pin Dating Sim
64	Team-Based19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 31 launches	19 in 1006 hits	$10,731	$325,860	31	1-hitSmall	Pin Team-Based
65	Third-Person Shooter19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 103 launches	19 in 10020 hits	$4,056	$497,270	103	none	Pin Third-Person Shooter
66	Turn-Based Strategy20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 276 launches	20 in 10054 hits	$11,113	$270,265	276	none	Pin Turn-Based Strategy
67	Racing20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	20 in 10022 hits	$5,960	$256,760	112	none	Pin Racing
68	Bullet Hell20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 126 launches	20 in 10025 hits	$10,479	$465,124	126	Audience	Pin Bullet Hell
69	Turn-Based Combat20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 185 launches	20 in 10037 hits	$11,496	$293,138	185	none	Pin Turn-Based Combat
70	War20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 60 launches	20 in 10012 hits	$15,234	$396,980	60	none	Pin War
71	Agriculture20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 30 launches	20 in 1006 hits	$17,909	$413,191	30	Small	Pin Agriculture
72	Time Management20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	20 in 10029 hits	$9,514	$305,184	144	Audience	Pin Time Management
73	RPG20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 789 launches	20 in 100160 hits	$11,268	$303,279	789	none	Pin RPG
74	Souls-like20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 98 launches	20 in 10020 hits	$15,211	$274,242	98	none	Pin Souls-like
75	Post-apocalyptic21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 112 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$14,458	$258,277	112	none	Pin Post-apocalyptic
76	Parkour21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 34 launches	21 in 1007 hits	$17,186	$597,440	34	Small	Pin Parkour
77	Rhythm21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 63 launches	21 in 10013 hits	$13,928	$478,716	63	none	Pin Rhythm
78	RTS21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$14,115	$264,556	111	none	Pin RTS
79	Perma Death21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 53 launches	21 in 10011 hits	$12,169	$239,039	53	Audience	Pin Perma Death
80	Card Game21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 201 launches	21 in 10042 hits	$18,010	$360,680	201	none	Pin Card Game
81	Alternate History21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	21 in 1008 hits	$15,783	$183,012	38	Small	Pin Alternate History
82	Shooter21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 363 launches	21 in 10077 hits	$9,621	$330,193	363	none	Pin Shooter
83	Dungeon Crawler21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 205 launches	21 in 10044 hits	$16,387	$338,755	205	none	Pin Dungeon Crawler
84	Space21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	21 in 10023 hits	$10,036	$252,312	107	none	Pin Space
85	Action RPG22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 281 launches	22 in 10061 hits	$10,294	$303,158	281	none	Pin Action RPG
86	Flight22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 55 launches	22 in 10012 hits	$10,014	$158,342	55	none	Pin Flight
87	Horror22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 345 launches	22 in 10076 hits	$12,981	$309,518	345	none	Pin Horror
88	Idler22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 36 launches	22 in 1008 hits	$16,221	$616,838	36	Small	Pin Idler
89	Nature23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 80 launches	23 in 10018 hits	$21,186	$228,185	80	none	Pin Nature
90	Detective23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	23 in 10024 hits	$12,860	$275,639	106	Audience	Pin Detective
91	Dark Fantasy23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 145 launches	23 in 10033 hits	$15,615	$335,771	145	1-hit	Pin Dark Fantasy
92	Tactical23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	23 in 10026 hits	$25,693	$327,565	113	none	Pin Tactical
93	Military23 in 100 earned $100k+, from 69 launches	23 in 10016 hits	$13,585	$414,131	69	1-hit	Pin Military
94	Automobile Sim24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 68 launches	24 in 10016 hits	$10,014	$516,035	68	none	Pin Automobile Sim
95	Dystopian 24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 38 launches	24 in 1009 hits	$26,063	$793,445	38	SmallAudience	Pin Dystopian
96	Simulation24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 874 launches	24 in 100208 hits	$15,416	$381,863	874	none	Pin Simulation
97	Survival24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 206 launches	24 in 10050 hits	$24,935	$322,489	206	none	Pin Survival
98	Cats24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 41 launches	24 in 10010 hits	$7,696	$509,951	41	Small	Pin Cats
99	Character Customization25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 191 launches	25 in 10047 hits	$17,568	$343,571	191	none	Pin Character Customization
100	FPS25 in 100 earned $100k+, from 220 launches	25 in 10055 hits	$11,290	$650,903	220	none	Pin FPS

Show 25 moreShowing 100 of 156 genres

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.