Niche

2D + Side Scroller

Games tagged both 2D and Side Scroller: 665 indie paid launches, 23 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 26,291 indie paid launches 12 to 36 months old, data of 3 Oct 2026. How it is measured.

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. Lens figures exist at all prices only; inside a price band this page shows the standard figures.

Sample 30+

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

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$10 to $20 30+ launches Reset

Showing 2D + Side Scroller priced $10 to $20, hiding samples under 30 launches. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair is about level with 2D and is about level with Side Scroller; priced $10 to $20 it beats both its tags.

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?$10 to $20

2D + Side Scroller beats both its tags: 20.8 in 100 of its launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 15.9 in 100 for 2D and 16.1 in 100 for Side Scroller.

That is about 1.0 times the 20.4 in 100 expected for any launch at this price.

TIETied

Tag onemood tag2D

15.9in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds15.9 in 100

Typical earnings$7,358

Launches961 / 153 hits

Pair leads by4.9 in 100

1STWinner

This pair2D + Side Scroller

20.8in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds20.8 in 100

$1k+91 in 100

$10k+58 in 100

Launches77 / 16 hits

Expected20.4 in 100

TIETied

Tag twomood tagSide Scroller

16.1in 100 earned
$100k+

Odds16.1 in 100

Typical earnings$10,294

Launches143 / 23 hits

Pair leads by4.7 in 100

All indie launches $10 to $20: 20.4 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $10,978, from 4,304 launches.each block is 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $202D 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: 0.4 in 100 launches earned $100k+; $20 to $40: 44.2 in 100), so read it within a price band.

Price bandswitches the whole page

All prices665 in pair Under $5410 in pair $5 to $10151 in pair $10 to $2077 in pair $20 to $4027 in pair

What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 77 games tagged both 2D and Side Scroller priced $10 to $20. 20.8 in 100 of them earned $100k+, against 15.5 in 100 for 2D-only games and 10.6 in 100 for Side Scroller-only games, so games with both tags did better than games with either tag alone.

Both: 77 games priced $10 to $20; 20.8 in 100 earned $100k+, odds by size $1k+ 91 in 100 · $10k+ 58 in 100 · $100k+ 21 in 100.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 77 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

TEVIleads this pair10.8%

PairTEVI10.8%

2DHollow Knight: Silksong40.1%

Side ScrollerMandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree9.5%

CheckOne game over half?no

NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkChanged recently. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: moves the answer.

Open free preview

ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads 2D + Side Scroller

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

TEVI earned 10.8% of the estimated first-year money of the 665 2D + Side Scroller launches.
2D is led by Hollow Knight: Silksong, with 40.1% of its money.
Side Scroller is led by Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, with 9.5% of its money.
No game holds over half of this pair's money, so the pair is not a one-hit market.

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

2D + Side Scroller is changed recently: Last 18 months moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in West-facing view and Without the breakout.

2D + Side Scroller through every lens, all prices
This pair	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view648 of 665 launches	Without the breakout664 of 665 launches	Last 18 months178 of 665 launches
Launches counted	66523 hits	64822 hits	66422 hits	1788 hits
Earned $100k+	3.5 in 1001 in 29	3.4 in 1001 in 29	3.3 in 1001 in 30	4.5 in 1001 in 22
Typical first-year earnings	$318top tenth $20,569+	$320	$318	$214
Chance against standard	the base	-1.8%0.1 fewer in 100	-4.2%0.1 fewer in 100	+29.9%1.0 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	+0.6%$2 more	0.0%no change	-32.7%$104 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Moves the answer

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both 2D and Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 665 launches.

Launches counted: 66523 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.5 in 1001 in 29
Typical first-year earnings: $318top tenth $20,569+
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: 17 of 665 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 64822 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.4 in 1001 in 29
Typical first-year earnings: $320
Chance against standard: -1.8%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: +0.6%$2 more

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, TEVI (10.8% of the money): 664 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 66422 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.3 in 1001 in 30
Typical first-year earnings: $318
Chance against standard: -4.2%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsMoves the answer

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 178 of 665.

Launches counted: 1788 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.5 in 1001 in 22
Typical first-year earnings: $214
Chance against standard: +29.9%1.0 more in 100
Typical against standard: -32.7%$104 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged both 2D and Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 665 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: 17 of 665 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, TEVI (10.8% of the money): 664 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: 178 of 665.

2D 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.

2D through every lens, all prices
2D	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view7,744 of 8,243 launches	Without the breakout8,242 of 8,243 launches	Last 18 months2,301 of 8,243 launches
Launches counted	8,243270 hits	7,744248 hits	8,242269 hits	2,30184 hits
Earned $100k+	3.3 in 1001 in 31	3.2 in 1001 in 31	3.3 in 1001 in 31	3.7 in 1001 in 27
Typical first-year earnings	$291top tenth $13,367+	$307	$291	$268
Chance against standard	the base	-2.2%0.1 fewer in 100	-0.4%no change	+11.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	+5.5%$16 more	0.0%no change	-7.9%$23 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged 2D, 12 to 36 months old: 8,243 launches.

Launches counted: 8,243270 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.3 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings: $291top tenth $13,367+
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: 499 of 8,243 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 7,744248 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.2 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings: $307
Chance against standard: -2.2%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: +5.5%$16 more

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Hollow Knight: Silksong (40.1% of the money): 8,242 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 8,242269 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.3 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings: $291
Chance against standard: -0.4%no change
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 2,301 of 8,243.

Launches counted: 2,30184 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.7 in 1001 in 27
Typical first-year earnings: $268
Chance against standard: +11.5%0.4 more in 100
Typical against standard: -7.9%$23 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged 2D, 12 to 36 months old: 8,243 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: 499 of 8,243 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 (40.1% of the money): 8,242 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: 2,301 of 8,243.

Side Scroller 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.

Side Scroller through every lens, all prices
Side Scroller	BaseStandardevery launch	West-facing view1,042 of 1,065 launches	Without the breakout1,064 of 1,065 launches	Last 18 months288 of 1,065 launches
Launches counted	1,06542 hits	1,04241 hits	1,06441 hits	28814 hits
Earned $100k+	3.9 in 1001 in 25	3.9 in 1001 in 25	3.9 in 1001 in 26	4.9 in 1001 in 21
Typical first-year earnings	$346top tenth $23,350+	$346	$346	$268
Chance against standard	the base	-0.2%no change	-2.3%0.1 fewer in 100	+23.3%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standard	the base	0.0%no change	0.0%no change	-22.5%$78 less
Does it hold?	The base view	Holds	Holds	Holds

BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 1,065 launches.

Launches counted: 1,06542 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.9 in 1001 in 25
Typical first-year earnings: $346top tenth $23,350+
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: 23 of 1,065 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted: 1,04241 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.9 in 1001 in 25
Typical first-year earnings: $346
Chance against standard: -0.2%no change
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree (9.5% of the money): 1,064 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted: 1,06441 hits
Earned $100k+: 3.9 in 1001 in 26
Typical first-year earnings: $346
Chance against standard: -2.3%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard: 0.0%no change

Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 288 of 1,065.

Launches counted: 28814 hits
Earned $100k+: 4.9 in 1001 in 21
Typical first-year earnings: $268
Chance against standard: +23.3%0.9 more in 100
Typical against standard: -22.5%$78 less

Standard: Every indie paid launch tagged Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 1,065 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: 23 of 1,065 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, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree (9.5% of the money): 1,064 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: 288 of 1,065.

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 2D + Side Scroller 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.