Niches

Every tag pair (two tags on the same game), screened by how often its indie launches earned $100k or more in their first year. Pick your price first: price moves the odds more than the tags do.

Indie paid Steam launches 6 to 30 months old, data 1 Oct 2026. A hit is an estimated first year of $100k+. The revenue estimate is soft: about 5 to 8 in 100 launches overall.

Best niches

All prices

Pairs that hit $100k+ beyond the oddsFree until launch

Incremental + Resource Managementabout 8.3 times expected at its prices14 in 100

1Incremental + Resource Management14 in 100114 launches 2Idler + Resource Management13 in 100119 launches 3Incremental + Management11 in 100157 launches 4Incremental + Pixel Graphics1 in13214 launches 5Idler + Pixel Graphics1 in12262 launches

Lens checkHolds in 3 of 3. Standard: the yardstick. West-facing view: holds. Without the breakout: holds. Last 18 months: holds.

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Best nichesFree until launchClick to unlockTag pairs that beat the odds

The niche list

Price $10 to $20

All prices1 in 16 hit $100k+Under $51 in 200 hit $100k+$5 to $101 in 26 hit $100k+$10 to $2019 in 100 hit $100k+$20 to $4042 in 100 hit $100k+

Base rate: indie paid launches 6 to 30 months old, 29,637 launches. Odds compare best within one price.

Lens Last 18 months

Standard West-facing view Without the breakout Last 18 months

Only launches from the last 18 months. Lenses are computed across all prices only so far, so a lens reads All prices.

Sample 100+

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

Hides anything measured on fewer launches.

$10 to $20 Last 18 months 100+ launches Reset

The Last 18 months lens is computed across all prices only for now, so this list reads All prices. Pick Standard to read $10 to $20.

Best odds at my priceChance of $100k+, read within one price band.Opens $10 to $20, Standard lens.Steady marketsHolds in every lens and no single game owns it.Loads the 30+ launches view.Biggest typical yearWhat the middle launch earned, highest first.Loads the 30+ launches view.Biggest upsideWhat the top tenth earned at least.Loads the 30+ launches view.Proven at scale100+ launches and above the base rate.Now: Crafting + Exploration, 26 in 100. 408 match.Busiest marketsMost launches first: where the competition is.Loads the 30+ launches view.

Hide one-hit markets226 out Hide small samples0 out

1,207 of 5,145 niches have 100+ launches at any price, Last 18 months. Sorted by chance of $100k+, highest first.

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Niches at any price, Last 18 months, sorted by chance of $100k+. The first row is the base rate.
Rank#	Niche	Chance of $100k+	Typical year	Top 1 in 10	Launches	Markers	Pin
	All games at any price, Last 18 monthsthe base rate: the row to beat	1 in 161,804 of 29,637	$606	not computed	29,637
1	Crafting + Exploration26 in 100 earned $100k+, from 102 launches	26 in 10027 hits	$7,119	not computed	102	none	Pin Crafting + Exploration
2	Open World + Sandbox24 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches	24 in 10026 hits	$6,871	not computed	109	none	Pin Open World + Sandbox
3	Base Building + Building22 in 100 earned $100k+, from 116 launches	22 in 10025 hits	$6,550	not computed	116	1-hit	Pin Base Building + Building
4	Multiplayer + Simulation21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 135 launches	21 in 10029 hits	$6,069	not computed	135	none	Pin Multiplayer + Simulation
5	Building + Sandbox21 in 100 earned $100k+, from 168 launches	21 in 10036 hits	$6,069	not computed	168	none	Pin Building + Sandbox
6	Detective + Investigation20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 104 launches	20 in 10021 hits	$3,151	not computed	104	none	Pin Detective + Investigation
7	Management + Sandbox20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	20 in 10029 hits	$5,803	not computed	144	none	Pin Management + Sandbox
8	Management + Resource Management20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 171 launches	20 in 10034 hits	$4,673	not computed	171	1-hit	Pin Management + Resource Management
9	Crafting + Sandbox20 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	20 in 10021 hits	$10,525	not computed	106	none	Pin Crafting + Sandbox
10	Investigation + Mystery19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 108 launches	19 in 10021 hits	$2,315	not computed	108	none	Pin Investigation + Mystery
11	Building + Management19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 139 launches	19 in 10027 hits	$6,839	not computed	139	none	Pin Building + Management
12	Adventure + Co-op19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 104 launches	19 in 10020 hits	$4,547	not computed	104	1-hit	Pin Adventure + Co-op
13	Building + Relaxing19 in 100 earned $100k+, from 108 launches	19 in 10020 hits	$2,990	not computed	108	none	Pin Building + Relaxing
14	Building + City Builder18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 114 launches	18 in 10021 hits	$4,673	not computed	114	1-hit	Pin Building + City Builder
15	Base Building + Strategy18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 160 launches	18 in 10029 hits	$3,031	not computed	160	none	Pin Base Building + Strategy
16	Sandbox + Strategy18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 160 launches	18 in 10029 hits	$2,426	not computed	160	1-hit	Pin Sandbox + Strategy
17	First-Person + Multiplayer18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 138 launches	18 in 10025 hits	$3,185	not computed	138	none	Pin First-Person + Multiplayer
18	Action + Co-op18 in 100 earned $100k+, from 150 launches	18 in 10027 hits	$3,339	not computed	150	none	Pin Action + Co-op
19	Economy + Immersive Sim17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 103 launches	17 in 10018 hits	$8,092	not computed	103	none	Pin Economy + Immersive Sim
20	Detective + Mystery17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches	17 in 10020 hits	$2,914	not computed	115	Audience	Pin Detective + Mystery
21	Immersive Sim + Management17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 156 launches	17 in 10027 hits	$6,878	not computed	156	none	Pin Immersive Sim + Management
22	Co-op + Multiplayer17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches	17 in 10042 hits	$4,250	not computed	245	none	Pin Co-op + Multiplayer
23	First-Person + Sandbox17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 129 launches	17 in 10022 hits	$3,088	not computed	129	none	Pin First-Person + Sandbox
24	Open World + Simulation17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 131 launches	17 in 10022 hits	$3,151	not computed	131	none	Pin Open World + Simulation
25	Co-op + Online Co-Op17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 210 launches	17 in 10035 hits	$4,723	not computed	210	none	Pin Co-op + Online Co-Op
26	City Builder + Simulation17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	17 in 10024 hits	$4,673	not computed	144	1-hit	Pin City Builder + Simulation
27	Building + Simulation17 in 100 earned $100k+, from 235 launches	17 in 10039 hits	$4,553	not computed	235	none	Pin Building + Simulation
28	Investigation + Puzzle16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	16 in 10019 hits	$1,131	not computed	117	none	Pin Investigation + Puzzle
29	Capitalism + Management16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 105 launches	16 in 10017 hits	$6,372	not computed	105	1-hit	Pin Capitalism + Management
30	First-Person + Online Co-Op16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 108 launches	16 in 10017 hits	$3,641	not computed	108	none	Pin First-Person + Online Co-Op
31	Character Customization + RPG16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches	16 in 10018 hits	$2,324	not computed	115	1-hit	Pin Character Customization + RPG
32	Action-Adventure + Metroidvania16 in 100 earned $100k+, from 109 launches	16 in 10017 hits	$2,894	not computed	109	Audience	Pin Action-Adventure + Metroidvania
33	Exploration + Metroidvania15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	15 in 10018 hits	$4,648	not computed	117	1-hit	Pin Exploration + Metroidvania
34	Exploration + Sandbox15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 215 launches	15 in 10033 hits	$1,692	not computed	215	none	Pin Exploration + Sandbox
35	Multiplayer + Online Co-Op15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 270 launches	15 in 10041 hits	$3,883	not computed	270	none	Pin Multiplayer + Online Co-Op
36	First-Person + Management15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 106 launches	15 in 10016 hits	$5,097	not computed	106	1-hit	Pin First-Person + Management
37	Economy + Management15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 272 launches	15 in 10041 hits	$5,664	not computed	272	none	Pin Economy + Management
38	Management + Relaxing15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 136 launches	15 in 10020 hits	$3,363	not computed	136	none	Pin Management + Relaxing
39	Immersive Sim + Sandbox15 in 100 earned $100k+, from 117 launches	15 in 10017 hits	$4,451	not computed	117	none	Pin Immersive Sim + Sandbox
40	Simulation + Story Rich14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 153 launches	14 in 10022 hits	$4,143	not computed	153	none	Pin Simulation + Story Rich
41	Building + Strategy14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 195 launches	14 in 10028 hits	$1,415	not computed	195	none	Pin Building + Strategy
42	City Builder + Strategy14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 176 launches	14 in 10025 hits	$1,617	not computed	176	1-hitAudience	Pin City Builder + Strategy
43	Action-Adventure + Story Rich14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 134 launches	14 in 10019 hits	$2,265	not computed	134	none	Pin Action-Adventure + Story Rich
44	Detective + Story Rich14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 114 launches	14 in 10016 hits	$2,367	not computed	114	none	Pin Detective + Story Rich
45	Life Sim + Sandbox14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	14 in 10015 hits	$3,822	not computed	107	none	Pin Life Sim + Sandbox
46	Open World + RPG14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 122 launches	14 in 10017 hits	$1,214	not computed	122	1-hit	Pin Open World + RPG
47	Resource Management + Simulation14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 216 launches	14 in 10030 hits	$2,725	not computed	216	1-hit	Pin Resource Management + Simulation
48	Simulation + Survival14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 108 launches	14 in 10015 hits	$2,429	not computed	108	Audience	Pin Simulation + Survival
49	Immersive Sim + Realistic14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 166 launches	14 in 10023 hits	$1,617	not computed	166	none	Pin Immersive Sim + Realistic
50	Adventure + Multiplayer14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 123 launches	14 in 10017 hits	$1,778	not computed	123	1-hit	Pin Adventure + Multiplayer
51	Life Sim + Relaxing14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 123 launches	14 in 10017 hits	$2,630	not computed	123	none	Pin Life Sim + Relaxing
52	Immersive Sim + Life Sim14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 189 launches	14 in 10026 hits	$3,683	not computed	189	none	Pin Immersive Sim + Life Sim
53	Capitalism + Economy14 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches	14 in 10015 hits	$3,683	not computed	111	1-hit	Pin Capitalism + Economy
54	Exploration + Survival13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 156 launches	13 in 10021 hits	$1,535	not computed	156	none	Pin Exploration + Survival
55	First-Person + Immersive Sim13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 298 launches	13 in 10040 hits	$2,023	not computed	298	none	Pin First-Person + Immersive Sim
56	Sandbox + Simulation13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 441 launches	13 in 10059 hits	$2,428	not computed	441	none	Pin Sandbox + Simulation
57	Metroidvania + Platformer13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 107 launches	13 in 10014 hits	$2,894	not computed	107	1-hit	Pin Metroidvania + Platformer
58	Hack and Slash + Roguelike13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 115 launches	13 in 10015 hits	$2,103	not computed	115	1-hit	Pin Hack and Slash + Roguelike
59	Dating Sim + RPG13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 139 launches	13 in 10018 hits	$2,406	not computed	139	Audience	Pin Dating Sim + RPG
60	Management + Simulation13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 533 launches	13 in 10069 hits	$4,446	not computed	533	none	Pin Management + Simulation
61	Exploration + Roguelite13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 101 launches	13 in 10013 hits	$1,112	not computed	101	none	Pin Exploration + Roguelite
62	Mystery + Story Rich13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 274 launches	13 in 10035 hits	$1,619	not computed	274	none	Pin Mystery + Story Rich
63	Shop Keeper + Simulation13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 111 launches	13 in 10014 hits	$2,424	not computed	111	1-hit	Pin Shop Keeper + Simulation
64	First-Person + Life Sim13 in 100 earned $100k+, from 144 launches	13 in 10018 hits	$2,428	not computed	144	none	Pin First-Person + Life Sim
65	Relaxing + Sandbox12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 137 launches	12 in 10017 hits	$2,666	not computed	137	none	Pin Relaxing + Sandbox
66	Cozy + Simulation12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 121 launches	12 in 10015 hits	$4,856	not computed	121	none	Pin Cozy + Simulation
67	Exploration + Open World12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 226 launches	12 in 10028 hits	$2,428	not computed	226	none	Pin Exploration + Open World
68	Card Game + Roguelike Deckbuilder12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	12 in 10014 hits	$7,286	not computed	113	1-hit	Pin Card Game + Roguelike Deckbuilder
69	Racing + Sports12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 113 launches	12 in 10014 hits	$668	not computed	113	none	Pin Racing + Sports
70	Realistic + Simulation12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 349 launches	12 in 10043 hits	$2,183	not computed	349	none	Pin Realistic + Simulation
71	Action + Dark Fantasy12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 138 launches	12 in 10017 hits	$606	not computed	138	1-hit	Pin Action + Dark Fantasy
72	Exploration + Female Protagonist12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 187 launches	12 in 10023 hits	$2,024	not computed	187	1-hit	Pin Exploration + Female Protagonist
73	3D + Multiplayer12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 204 launches	12 in 10025 hits	$1,063	not computed	204	none	Pin 3D + Multiplayer
74	Interactive Fiction + Story Rich12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 245 launches	12 in 10030 hits	$1,946	not computed	245	none	Pin Interactive Fiction + Story Rich
75	Capitalism + Simulation12 in 100 earned $100k+, from 131 launches	12 in 10016 hits	$2,185	not computed	131	1-hit	Pin Capitalism + Simulation

Show 25 moreShowing 75 of 1,207 niches

green beats the base ratecoral below it bar: the chance; amber tick: the base rate1-hit one game holds over half the moneySmall under 50 launches in this viewAudience reads differently for Western players

Under 30 launches a chance is written as a count ("3 of 12"), never as odds. Typical year is the middle launch's first-year earnings. Lenses, the one-hit share and the audience split are measured across all prices. A game counts in every pair its tags make.