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on 2 Oct 2026

Niches / Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller

Niche

Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller

Games tagged both Shoot 'Em Up and Side Scroller: 90 indie paid launches, 3 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 Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller priced $10 to $20.

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

Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller is too small to compare with Shoot 'Em Up and is too small to compare with Side Scroller: 1 of its 15 launches earned $100k+ priced $10 to $20, against 12.3 in 100 for Shoot 'Em Up and 12.6 in 100 for Side Scroller.

Small sample: 15 launches, 1 hits.

TIEA tie
Tag oneShoot 'Em Up
12.3in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds12.3 in 100
Typical earnings$5,630
Launches106 / 13 hits
Pair against ittoo few hits to compare
TIEA tie
This pairShoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller
1 of 15launches earned
$100k+ small
Odds1 of 15 launches
Typical earnings$13,844
Launches15 / 1 hits
Expected17.6 in 100
TIEA tie
Tag twomood tagSide Scroller
12.6in 100 earned
$100k+
Odds12.6 in 100
Typical earnings$7,717
Launches143 / 18 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 $20Side Scroller 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 prices90 in pairUnder $548 in pair$5 to $1023 in pair$10 to $2015 in pair$20 to $404: too few
What the overlap means

The overlap is this niche: the 15 games tagged both Shoot 'Em Up and Side Scroller priced $10 to $20. 1 of 15 of them earned $100k+, against 13.2 in 100 for Shoot 'Em Up-only games and 13.3 in 100 for Side Scroller-only games, so the mix is too small to compare with Shoot 'Em Up alone and is too small to compare with Side Scroller alone.

Both: 15 games priced $10 to $20; 1 of 15 earned $100k+, typical first-year earnings $13,844.

Circle areas follow launch counts; the gold overlap is exactly the pair's 15 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

Alex Jones: NWO Warsleads this pair29.0%
PairAlex Jones: NWO Wars29.0%
Shoot 'Em UpAlex Jones: NWO Wars6.0%
Side ScrollerMandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree9.3%
CheckOne game over half?no
NextNearest hitsnot computed yet

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

Open free preview
ComparablesFree until launchClick to unlockWho leads Shoot 'Em Up + 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

  • Alex Jones: NWO Wars earned 29.0% of the estimated first-year money of the 90 Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller launches.
  • It also leads Shoot 'Em Up, with 6.0% of that tag's money.
  • Side Scroller is led by Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, with 9.3% 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

Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller holds in Without the breakout; too few to tell in West-facing view and Last 18 months. No lens moves the chance or typical earnings more than chance alone would.

Shoot 'Em Up + Side Scroller through every lens, all prices
This pairBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view89 of 90 launchesWithout the breakout89 of 90 launchesLast 18 months23 of 90 launches
Launches counted903 hits893 hits892 hits230 hits
Earned $100k+3 of 90too few for a rate3 of 89too few for a rate2 of 89too few for a rate0 of 23too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings$250top tenth $50,562+$250$236$229
Chance against standardthe base+1.1%no change; too few to tell-32.6%1.1 fewer in 100-100.0%3.3 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standardthe base0.0%no change; too few to tell-5.6%$14 less-8.4%$21 less; too few to tell
Does it hold?The base viewToo few to tellHoldsToo few to tell
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged both Shoot 'Em Up and Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 90 launches.

Launches counted
903 hits
Earned $100k+
3 of 90too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$250top tenth $50,562+
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: 1 of 90 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
893 hits
Earned $100k+
3 of 89too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$250
Chance against standard
+1.1%no change; too few to tell
Typical against standard
0.0%no change; too few to tell
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Alex Jones: NWO Wars (29.0% of the money): 89 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
892 hits
Earned $100k+
2 of 89too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$236
Chance against standard
-32.6%1.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-5.6%$14 less
Last 18 monthsToo few to tell

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 23 of 90.

Launches counted
230 hits
Earned $100k+
0 of 23too few for a rate
Typical first-year earnings
$229
Chance against standard
-100.0%3.3 fewer in 100; too few to tell
Typical against standard
-8.4%$21 less; too few to tell
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged both Shoot 'Em Up and Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 90 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: 1 of 90 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, Alex Jones: NWO Wars (29.0% of the money): 89 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 90.

Shoot 'Em Up is audience split: West-facing view moves the answer more than chance alone would. It holds in Without the breakout and Last 18 months.

Shoot 'Em Up through every lens, all prices
Shoot 'Em UpBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view874 of 898 launchesWithout the breakout897 of 898 launchesLast 18 months233 of 898 launches
Launches counted89822 hits87418 hits89721 hits2336 hits
Earned $100k+2.4 in 1001 in 412.1 in 1001 in 492.3 in 1001 in 432.6 in 1001 in 39
Typical first-year earnings$284top tenth $11,936+$283$284$229
Chance against standardthe base-15.9%0.4 fewer in 100-4.4%0.1 fewer in 100+5.1%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base-0.4%$1 less0.0%no change-19.4%$55 less
Does it hold?The base viewMoves the answerHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Shoot 'Em Up, 12 to 36 months old: 898 launches.

Launches counted
89822 hits
Earned $100k+
2.4 in 1001 in 41
Typical first-year earnings
$284top tenth $11,936+
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: 24 of 898 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
87418 hits
Earned $100k+
2.1 in 1001 in 49
Typical first-year earnings
$283
Chance against standard
-15.9%0.4 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-0.4%$1 less
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Alex Jones: NWO Wars (6.0% of the money): 897 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
89721 hits
Earned $100k+
2.3 in 1001 in 43
Typical first-year earnings
$284
Chance against standard
-4.4%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 233 of 898.

Launches counted
2336 hits
Earned $100k+
2.6 in 1001 in 39
Typical first-year earnings
$229
Chance against standard
+5.1%0.1 more in 100
Typical against standard
-19.4%$55 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Shoot 'Em Up, 12 to 36 months old: 898 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: 24 of 898 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, Alex Jones: NWO Wars (6.0% of the money): 897 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: 233 of 898.

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 ScrollerBaseStandardevery launchWest-facing view1,041 of 1,064 launchesWithout the breakout1,063 of 1,064 launchesLast 18 months288 of 1,064 launches
Launches counted1,06434 hits1,04133 hits1,06333 hits28811 hits
Earned $100k+3.2 in 1001 in 313.2 in 1001 in 323.1 in 1001 in 323.8 in 1001 in 26
Typical first-year earnings$354top tenth $17,816+$354$351$287
Chance against standardthe base-0.8%no change-2.8%0.1 fewer in 100+19.5%0.6 more in 100
Typical against standardthe base0.0%no change-0.8%$3 less-18.9%$67 less
Does it hold?The base viewHoldsHoldsHolds
BaseStandardThe base view

Every indie paid launch tagged Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 1,064 launches.

Launches counted
1,06434 hits
Earned $100k+
3.2 in 1001 in 31
Typical first-year earnings
$354top tenth $17,816+
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 1,064 launches here. Review language is measured for games with 2,000+ reviews; smaller games are guessed from their names.

Launches counted
1,04133 hits
Earned $100k+
3.2 in 1001 in 32
Typical first-year earnings
$354
Chance against standard
-0.8%no change
Typical against standard
0.0%no change
Without the breakoutHolds

Drops the single biggest earner, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree (9.3% of the money): 1,063 launches left. It moves the answer when that one game earned over half the money.

Launches counted
1,06333 hits
Earned $100k+
3.1 in 1001 in 32
Typical first-year earnings
$351
Chance against standard
-2.8%0.1 fewer in 100
Typical against standard
-0.8%$3 less
Last 18 monthsHolds

Keeps only launches 18 months old or newer: 288 of 1,064.

Launches counted
28811 hits
Earned $100k+
3.8 in 1001 in 26
Typical first-year earnings
$287
Chance against standard
+19.5%0.6 more in 100
Typical against standard
-18.9%$67 less
Standard
Every indie paid launch tagged Side Scroller, 12 to 36 months old: 1,064 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 1,064 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 (9.3% of the money): 1,063 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 1,064.

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 Shoot 'Em Up + 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.

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