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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.

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on 3 Oct 2026

Niches / CRPG + Exploration

Niche

CRPG + Exploration

Games tagged both CRPG and Exploration: 72 indie paid launches, 5 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.

Showing CRPG + Exploration priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair is about level with CRPG and is about level with Exploration; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with CRPG and is too small to compare with Exploration.

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

CRPG + Exploration is too small to compare with CRPG and is too small to compare with Exploration: 1 of its 23 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 9.1 in 100 for CRPG and 17.3 in 100 for Exploration.

Small sample: 23 launches, 1 hits.

TIETied
Tag oneCRPG
9.1in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds1 in 11
Typical earnings$6,802
Launches55 / 5 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairCRPG + Exploration
1 of 23launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds1 of 23 launches
Typical earnings$6,607
Launches23 / 1 hits
Expected17.6 in 100
TIEA tie
Tag twomood tagExploration
17.3in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds17.3 in 100
Typical earnings$9,369
Launches878 / 152 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
All indie launches $10 to $20: 17.6 in 100 earned $100k+, typical $8,234, from 4,301 launches.each block is 1 in 100 all indie at $10 to $20Exploration 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 prices72 in pairUnder $527 in pair$5 to $1016 in pair$10 to $2023 in pair$20 to $406: too few
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 23 games tagged both CRPG and Exploration priced $10 to $20. 1 of 23 of them earned $100k+, against 4 of 32 for CRPG-only games and 17.7 in 100 for Exploration-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with CRPG alone and is too small to compare with Exploration alone.

Both: 23 games priced $10 to $20; 1 of 23 earned $100k+, typical first-year earnings $6,607.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 23 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

Drova - Forsaken Kinleads this pair60.9%
PairDrova - Forsaken Kin60.9%
CRPGDrova - Forsaken Kin29.9%
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: holds. Without the breakout: moves the answer. Last 18 months: too few to tell.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads CRPG + 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

  • Drova - Forsaken Kin earned 60.9% of the estimated first-year money of the 72 CRPG + Exploration launches.
  • It also leads CRPG, with 29.9% 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

CRPG + Exploration is one-hit market: one game earned over half the money. It holds in West-facing view.

CRPG + Exploration through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view63 of 72 launchesWithout the breakout71 of 72 launchesLast 18 months20 of 72 launches
Launches counted725 hits635 hits714 hits202 hits
Earned $100k+6.9 in 1001 in 147.9 in 1001 in 134 of 71too few for a rate2 of 20too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$1,420top tenth $52,884+$1,490$1,393$1,072
Chance against standardthe base+14.3%1.0 more in 100-18.9%1.3 fewer in 100+44.0%3.1 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+4.9%$70 more; too few to tell-1.9%$27 less-24.5%$348 less; too few to tell
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsMoves the answerToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both CRPG and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 72 launches.

Launches counted
725 hits
Earned $100k+
6.9 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings
$1,420top tenth $52,884+
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: 9 of 72 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
635 hits
Earned $100k+
7.9 in 1001 in 13
Typical first-year earnings
$1,490
Chance against standard
+14.3%1.0 more in 100
Typical against standard
+4.9%$70 more; too few to tell
Without the breakoutMoves the answer

Drops the single biggest earner, Drova - Forsaken Kin (60.9% of the money): 71 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
714 hits
Earned $100k+
4 of 71too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$1,393
Chance against standard
-18.9%1.3 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-1.9%$27 less
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 20 of 72.

Launches counted
202 hits
Earned $100k+
2 of 20too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$1,072
Chance against standard
+44.0%3.1 more in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
-24.5%$348 less; too few to tell
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both CRPG and Exploration, 12 to 36 months old: 72 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: 9 of 72 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, Drova - Forsaken Kin (60.9% of the money): 71 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: 20 of 72.

CRPG is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout.

CRPG through every lens, all prices
CRPGBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view212 of 262 launchesWithout the breakout261 of 262 launchesLast 18 months67 of 262 launches
Launches counted26216 hits21214 hits26115 hits674 hits
Earned $100k+6.1 in 1001 in 166.6 in 1001 in 155.7 in 1001 in 174 of 67too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$801top tenth $52,331+$1,075$784$517
Chance against standardthe base+8.1%0.5 more in 100-5.9%0.4 fewer in 100-2.2%0.1 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+34.2%$274 more-2.1%$17 less-35.5%$284 less; too few to tell
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged CRPG, 12 to 36 months old: 262 launches.

Launches counted
26216 hits
Earned $100k+
6.1 in 1001 in 16
Typical first-year earnings
$801top tenth $52,331+
Chance against standard
the base
Typical against standard
the base
West-facing viewMoves the answer

Games mostly reviewed outside China. Drops games mostly reviewed in Chinese, meaning 35% or more of their reviews are in Simplified Chinese: 50 of 262 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
21214 hits
Earned $100k+
6.6 in 1001 in 15
Typical first-year earnings
$1,075
Chance against standard
+8.1%0.5 more in 100
Typical against standard
+34.2%$274 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Drova - Forsaken Kin (29.9% of the money): 261 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
26115 hits
Earned $100k+
5.7 in 1001 in 17
Typical first-year earnings
$784
Chance against standard
-5.9%0.4 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-2.1%$17 less
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 67 of 262.

Launches counted
674 hits
Earned $100k+
4 of 67too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$517
Chance against standard
-2.2%0.1 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
-35.5%$284 less; too few to tell
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged CRPG, 12 to 36 months old: 262 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: 50 of 262 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, Drova - Forsaken Kin (29.9% of the money): 261 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: 67 of 262.

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
ExplorationBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view4,379 of 4,579 launchesWithout the breakout4,578 of 4,579 launchesLast 18 months1,268 of 4,579 launches
Launches counted4,579337 hits4,379321 hits4,578336 hits1,26896 hits
Earned $100k+7.4 in 1001 in 147.3 in 1001 in 147.3 in 1001 in 147.6 in 1001 in 13
Typical first-year earnings$861top tenth $53,530+$862$861$861
Chance against standardthe base-0.4%no change-0.3%no change+2.9%0.2 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+0.1%$1 more0.0%no change0.0%no change
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
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 CRPG + 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.

Releases

Ticker: 30 upcoming games dated within 90 days, with wishlist rank, release date and followers. The same list is on the Upcoming page.