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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 / Dark + RPG

Niche

Dark + RPG

Games tagged both Dark and RPG: 84 indie paid launches, 6 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 Dark + RPG priced $10 to $20. This filter changes the answer: at all prices the pair is about level with Dark and is about level with RPG; priced $10 to $20 it is too small to compare with Dark and is too small to compare with RPG.

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

Dark + RPG is too small to compare with Dark and is too small to compare with RPG: 4 of its 20 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 21.5 in 100 for Dark and 17.6 in 100 for RPG.

Small sample: 20 launches, 4 hits.

TIEA tie
Tag onemood tagDark
21.5in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds21.5 in 100
Typical earnings$11,698
Launches149 / 32 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairDark + RPG
4 of 20launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds4 of 20 launches
Typical earnings$18,216
Launches20 / 4 hits
Expected17.6 in 100
TIETied
Tag twoRPG
17.6in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds17.6 in 100
Typical earnings$8,454
Launches786 / 138 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 2 in 100 all indie at $10 to $20Dark 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
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 20 games tagged both Dark and RPG priced $10 to $20. 4 of 20 of them earned $100k+, against 21.7 in 100 for Dark-only games and 17.5 in 100 for RPG-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Dark alone and is too small to compare with RPG alone.

Both: 20 games priced $10 to $20; 4 of 20 earned $100k+, typical first-year earnings $18,216.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 20 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

Grimshireleads this pair35.2%
PairGrimshire35.2%
DarkNo, I'm not a Human12.2%
RPGPath of Exile 218.0%
CheckOne game over half?no
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

Lens checkHolds in 2 of 3, 1 too few to tell. Standard: the base the others are compared with. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: too few to tell.

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Dark + RPG

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

  • Grimshire earned 35.2% of the estimated first-year money of the 84 Dark + RPG launches.
  • Dark is led by No, I'm not a Human, with 12.2% of its money.
  • RPG is led by Path of Exile 2, with 18.0% 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

Dark + RPG holds in West-facing view and Without the breakout; too few to tell in Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

Dark + RPG through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view79 of 84 launchesWithout the breakout83 of 84 launchesLast 18 months23 of 84 launches
Launches counted846 hits796 hits835 hits231 hits
Earned $100k+7.1 in 1001 in 147.6 in 1001 in 136.0 in 1001 in 171 of 23too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$1,297top tenth $64,027+$1,377$1,104$2,757
Chance against standardthe base+6.3%0.5 more in 100-15.7%1.1 fewer in 100-39.1%2.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base+6.2%$80 more; too few to tell-14.9%$193 less+112.6%$1,460 more; too few to tell
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Dark and RPG, 12 to 36 months old: 84 launches.

Launches counted
846 hits
Earned $100k+
7.1 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings
$1,297top tenth $64,027+
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: 5 of 84 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
796 hits
Earned $100k+
7.6 in 1001 in 13
Typical first-year earnings
$1,377
Chance against standard
+6.3%0.5 more in 100
Typical against standard
+6.2%$80 more; too few to tell
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Grimshire (35.2% of the money): 83 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
835 hits
Earned $100k+
6.0 in 1001 in 17
Typical first-year earnings
$1,104
Chance against standard
-15.7%1.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-14.9%$193 less
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 23 of 84.

Launches counted
231 hits
Earned $100k+
1 of 23too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$2,757
Chance against standard
-39.1%2.8 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
+112.6%$1,460 more; too few to tell
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Dark and RPG, 12 to 36 months old: 84 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: 5 of 84 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, Grimshire (35.2% of the money): 83 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: 23 of 84.

Dark 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.

Dark through every lens, all prices
DarkBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view1,200 of 1,223 launchesWithout the breakout1,222 of 1,223 launchesLast 18 months340 of 1,223 launches
Launches counted1,22367 hits1,20065 hits1,22266 hits34019 hits
Earned $100k+5.5 in 1001 in 185.4 in 1001 in 185.4 in 1001 in 195.6 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings$843top tenth $31,969+$844$843$861
Chance against standardthe base-1.1%0.1 fewer in 100-1.4%0.1 fewer in 100+2.0%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+0.1%$1 more0.0%no change+2.1%$18 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Dark, 12 to 36 months old: 1,223 launches.

Launches counted
1,22367 hits
Earned $100k+
5.5 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$843top tenth $31,969+
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 1,223 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
1,20065 hits
Earned $100k+
5.4 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$844
Chance against standard
-1.1%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+0.1%$1 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, No, I'm not a Human (12.2% of the money): 1,222 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
1,22266 hits
Earned $100k+
5.4 in 1001 in 19
Typical first-year earnings
$843
Chance against standard
-1.4%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 340 of 1,223.

Launches counted
34019 hits
Earned $100k+
5.6 in 1001 in 18
Typical first-year earnings
$861
Chance against standard
+2.0%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
+2.1%$18 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Dark, 12 to 36 months old: 1,223 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 1,223 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, No, I'm not a Human (12.2% of the money): 1,222 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: 340 of 1,223.

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

RPG through every lens, all prices
RPGBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view3,125 of 3,715 launchesWithout the breakout3,714 of 3,715 launchesLast 18 months1,018 of 3,715 launches
Launches counted3,715270 hits3,125225 hits3,714269 hits1,01882 hits
Earned $100k+7.3 in 1001 in 147.2 in 1001 in 147.2 in 1001 in 148.1 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings$675top tenth $51,629+$729$675$859
Chance against standardthe base-0.9%0.1 fewer in 100-0.3%no change+10.8%0.8 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base+8.0%$54 more0.0%no change+27.3%$184 more
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsMoves the answer
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged RPG, 12 to 36 months old: 3,715 launches.

Launches counted
3,715270 hits
Earned $100k+
7.3 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings
$675top tenth $51,629+
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: 590 of 3,715 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
3,125225 hits
Earned $100k+
7.2 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings
$729
Chance against standard
-0.9%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
+8.0%$54 more
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Path of Exile 2 (18.0% of the money): 3,714 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
3,714269 hits
Earned $100k+
7.2 in 1001 in 14
Typical first-year earnings
$675
Chance against standard
-0.3%no change
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsMoves the answer

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 1,018 of 3,715.

Launches counted
1,01882 hits
Earned $100k+
8.1 in 1001 in 12
Typical first-year earnings
$859
Chance against standard
+10.8%0.8 more in 100
Typical against standard
+27.3%$184 more
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged RPG, 12 to 36 months old: 3,715 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: 590 of 3,715 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, Path of Exile 2 (18.0% of the money): 3,714 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: 1,018 of 3,715.

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 Dark + RPG 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.