Niches / 1980s + Exploration

Niche

1980s + Exploration

Games tagged both 1980s and Exploration: 52 indie paid launches, 2 of them earned $100k+ in their first year.

How to read this page

A hit is an estimated $100k+ first year. Revenue is estimated from Steam reviews, so read figures as "about". 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.
Price moves the odds more than genre does, so the page opens on one price band. The keys in section 2 switch it.
From 26,280 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 3 Oct 2026. How it is measured.

Price $5 to $10

All prices1 in 17 hit $100k+Under $51 in 219 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 30 hit $100k+$10 to $2018 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4040 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, 26,280 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. Lens figures exist at all prices only; inside a price band this page shows the standard figures.

Sample 10+

10+ launchesshow small samples 30+ launches 100+ launchesonly big markets

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$5 to $10

Showing 1980s + Exploration priced $5 to $10.

1Scoreboard: the pair against each of its tags

The pair's chance of a $100k+ first year beside each of its two tags, ranked like a high-score table, with typical earnings and the launches behind every figure.

ScoreboardDoes this pair beat its genres?$5 to $10

1980s + Exploration is too small to compare with 1980s and is too small to compare with Exploration: 1 of its 27 launches earned $100k+ priced $5 to $10, against 2 of 138 launches for 1980s and 3.8 in 100 for Exploration.

Small sample: 27 launches, 1 hits.

TIEA tie

Tag one1980s

2 of 138launches earned
$100k+ small

Odds2 of 138 launches

Typical earnings$689

Launches138 / 2 hits

Pair against ittoo few hits to compare

TIEA tie

This pair1980s + Exploration

1 of 27launches earned
$100k+ small

Odds1 of 27 launches

Typical earnings$919

Launches27 / 1 hits

Expected3.4 in 100

TIEA tie

Tag twomood tagExploration

3.8in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds1 in 26

Typical earnings$1,263

Launches1,281 / 49 hits

Pair against ittoo few hits to compare

All indie launches $5 to $10: 3.4 in 100 earned $100k+ (1 in 30), typical $1,106, from 6,975 launches.each block is 0.5 in 100 all indie at $5 to $10Exploration is a mood tag: GMD never ranks it alone, but every game carrying it is counted.

2Overlap: where the two tags meet

Each circle is one tag, sized by its launches, and the gold overlap is exactly this pair. Click a part to read it. Price changes the odds more than genre does (under $5: 0.5 in 100 launches earned $100k+; $20 to $40: 40.0 in 100), so read it within a price band.

Price bandswitches the whole page

All prices52 in pair Under $519 in pair $5 to $1027 in pair$10 to $205: too few$20 to $401: too few

What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 27 games tagged both 1980s and Exploration priced $5 to $10. 1 of 27 of them earned $100k+, against 1 of 111 for 1980s-only games and 3.8 in 100 for Exploration-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with 1980s alone and is too small to compare with Exploration alone.

Both: 27 games priced $5 to $10; 1 of 27 earned $100k+, typical first-year earnings $919.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 27 launches. The outer parts are each tag's launches minus the pair's, so their chance is exact; their typical earnings are not computed yet.

3Comparables

Who leads this pair and each of its tags. Free until launch: one click opens the card. The full comparables list (nearest hits by tag pair, price and launch year) is not computed yet, and the card says so.

Comparables

Leaders

Top earner, share of the moneyFree until launch

Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pitleads this pair89.8%

PairFive Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit89.8%

1980sFive Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit45.1%

ExplorationHollow Knight: Silksong21.4%

CheckOne game over half?yes

NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkOne-hit market. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: too few to tell. Without the breakout: moves the answer. Last 18 months: too few to tell.

Open free preview

ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads 1980s + Exploration

What this card holds

Leaders. The top earner in this pair and in each of its two tags, with its share of the money.
One-hit check. Whether a single game holds over half of the pair's money.
Nearest hits. Similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year: not computed yet.

How the list will be picked

Same tag pairdata ready

Same price banddata ready

Launched within a year of each otherplanned

Earned $100k+planned

The list itselfnot computed yet

Free until launch: one click opens the card.

The leaders, in words

Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit earned 89.8% of the estimated first-year money of the 52 1980s + Exploration launches.
It also leads 1980s, with 45.1% of that tag's money.
Exploration is led by Hollow Knight: Silksong, with 21.4% of its money.
One game holds over half of this pair's money: read every figure here as that game's story.

Nearest hits (similar games that earned $100k+, matched by tag pair, price and launch year): not computed yet.

Filters do not apply here yet. Leaders and shares are for all prices and the Standard view; per price band and per lens they are not computed yet.

4Lens check: does the answer hold?

The same figures with three kinds of games set aside: games mostly reviewed in Chinese, the single biggest earner, and everything older than 18 months.

Does the answer hold?

All prices

1980s + Exploration is one-hit market: one game earned over half the money.

1980s + Exploration through every lens, all prices
This pair	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view52 of 52 launches	Without the breakout51 of 52 launches	Last 18 months10 of 52 launches
Launches counted	522 hits	522 hits	511 hits	100 hits
Earned $100k+	2 of 52too few for a rate	2 of 52too few for a rate	1 of 51too few for a rate	0 of 10too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings	$911top tenth $8,319+	$911	$596	$574
Chance against standard	the base	0.0%no change; too few to tell	-49.0%1.9 fewer in 100	-100.0%3.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard	the base	0.0%no change; too few to tell	-34.6%$315 less	-37.0%$337 less; too few to tell
Does it hold?	The base view	Too few to tell	Moves the answer	Too few to tell

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both 1980s and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 52 launches.

Launches counted: 522 hits
Earned $100k+: 2 of 52too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: $911top tenth $8,319+
Chance against standard: the base
Typical against standard: the base

West-facing viewToo few to tell

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 0 of 52 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 522 hits
Earned $100k+: 2 of 52too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: $911
Chance against standard: 0.0%no change; too few to tell
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change; too few to tell

Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit (89.8% of the money): 51 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 511 hits
Earned $100k+: 1 of 51too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: $596
Chance against standard: -49.0%1.9 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -34.6%$315 less

Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 10 of 52.

Launches counted: 100 hits
Earned $100k+: 0 of 10too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings: $574
Chance against standard: -100.0%3.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard: -37.0%$337 less; too few to tell

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged both 1980s and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 52 launches.
West-facing view: Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 0 of 52 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout: Drops the single biggest earner, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit (89.8% of the money): 51 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months: Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 10 of 52.

1980s is changed recently: Last 18 months moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in West-facing view and Without the breakout.

1980s through every lens, all prices
1980s	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view462 of 474 launches	Without the breakout473 of 474 launches	Last 18 months126 of 474 launches
Launches counted	47414 hits	46214 hits	47313 hits	1266 hits
Earned $100k+	3.0 in 1001 in 34	3.0 in 1001 in 33	2.7 in 1001 in 36	4.8 in 1001 in 21
Typical first-year earnings	$213top tenth $8,562+	$202	$212	$383
Chance against standard	the base	+2.6%0.1 more in 100	-6.9%0.2 fewer in 100	+61.2%1.8 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	-5.2%$11 less	-0.5%$1 less	+79.8%$170 more
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Moves the answer

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged 1980s, 12 to 36 months old: 474 launches.

Launches counted: 47414 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.0 in 1001 in 34
Typical first-year earnings: $213top tenth $8,562+
Chance against standard: the base
Typical against standard: the base

West-facing viewHolds

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 12 of 474 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 46214 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.0 in 1001 in 33
Typical first-year earnings: $202
Chance against standard: +2.6%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard: -5.2%$11 less

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit (45.1% of the money): 473 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 47313 hits
Earned $100k+: 2.7 in 1001 in 36
Typical first-year earnings: $212
Chance against standard: -6.9%0.2 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: -0.5%$1 less

Last 18 monthsMoves the answer

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 126 of 474.

Launches counted: 1266 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.8 in 1001 in 21
Typical first-year earnings: $383
Chance against standard: +61.2%1.8 more in 100
Typical against standard: +79.8%$170 more

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged 1980s, 12 to 36 months old: 474 launches.
West-facing view: Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 12 of 474 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout: Drops the single biggest earner, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit (45.1% of the money): 473 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months: Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 126 of 474.

Exploration holds in West-facing view, Without the breakout and Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

Exploration through every lens, all prices
Exploration	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view4,379 of 4,579 launches	Without the breakout4,578 of 4,579 launches	Last 18 months1,268 of 4,579 launches
Launches counted	4,579337 hits	4,379321 hits	4,578336 hits	1,26896 hits
Earned $100k+	7.4 in 1001 in 14	7.3 in 1001 in 14	7.3 in 1001 in 14	7.6 in 1001 in 13
Typical first-year earnings	$861top tenth $53,530+	$862	$861	$861
Chance against standard	the base	-0.4%no change	-0.3%no change	+2.9%0.2 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	+0.1%$1 more	0.0%no change	0.0%no change
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 4,579 launches.

Launches counted: 4,579337 hits
Earned $100k+: 7.4 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings: $861top tenth $53,530+
Chance against standard: the base
Typical against standard: the base

West-facing viewHolds

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 200 of 4,579 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 4,379321 hits
Earned $100k+: 7.3 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings: $862
Chance against standard: -0.4%no change
Typical against standard: +0.1%$1 more

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (21.4% of the money): 4,578 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 4,578336 hits
Earned $100k+: 7.3 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings: $861
Chance against standard: -0.3%no change
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,268 of 4,579.

Launches counted: 1,26896 hits
Earned $100k+: 7.6 in 1001 in 13
Typical first-year earnings: $861
Chance against standard: +2.9%0.2 more in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 4,579 launches.
West-facing view: Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 200 of 4,579 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.
Without the breakout: Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (21.4% of the money): 4,578 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.
Last 18 months: Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,268 of 4,579.

A lens moves the chance only when it differs from standard by more than a random cut of the same size would, with 5+ hits on both sides; typical earnings are compared from 100 launches, within 25%. Without the breakout moves the answer when one game earned over half the money. Lens figures by price band are not computed yet, so this table is for all prices.

5Premium early list

Alerts when 1980s + Exploration moves, comparables the day they land, and every lens for every pair and price. Free until launch.

Free until launch

Keep gold access after launch: alerts, comparables, every lens.