Indie and Original IP Games Saw Significant Growth in 2026

Data from Sensor Tower, commissioned by GamesIndustry.biz, reveals that independent and original intellectual property (IP) titles represented a greater share of top-selling PC and console games in 2026 compared to the previous year.

Analytics firm Sensor Tower identified games selling over 500,000 units within their first month. Analyzing two twelve-month periods – September 2024 to August 2025 (the 2025 group) and September 2025 to August 2026 (the 2026 group) – the firm found 55 games met the sales threshold in the 2025 group and 76 in the 2026 group. Total first-month unit sales increased by 51%, from 120.5 million to 182.4 million year-over-year.

In the 2025 group, only 13 titles (24%) were classified as indies, a figure that rose to 33 (43%) in the 2026 group.

New series also achieved greater success. In 2026, 40 titles (53%) marked the debut of a new series, up from 21 titles (38%) in 2025. However, sequels continued to achieve higher per-game sales, accounting for 55% of first-month paid units in 2026.

Furthermore, games based on original IP – meaning IP owned by the developer or publisher, not licensed from external sources like sports leagues or media – grew from 44 titles in 2025 to 61 in 2026. Games built on entirely new IP (not part of an existing franchise) increased from 19 in 2025 to 35 in 2026, with 27 of these originating from indie studios.

The number of AA and AAA titles exceeding 500,000 first-month sales remained consistent between 2025 and 2026. Fifteen AA games achieved this benchmark in both years, while AAA titles saw a slight increase from 27 to 28.

Looking at unit sales share, AA games' contribution to first-month paid units decreased from 21% in 2025 to 14% in 2026. Conversely, indies saw their share climb from 26% to 38%.

Notable indie successes in the 2026 cohort included "Meccha Chameleon" (estimated 13.9 million first-month units sold), "How to Fish" (7.9 million), "Slay the Spire 2" (5.9 million), "Hollow Knight: Silksong" (5.2 million), and "Escape from Duckov" (4 million).

Regarding these findings, Karl Kontus, SVP and GM of Video Game Insights at Sensor Tower, commented:

On surprise at the results:

Kontus anticipated a strong year for indies, primarily expecting breakthroughs from budget co-op party games like "Meccha Chameleon" and "How to Fish." These indeed generated significant indie success, contributing about half of indie first-month sales. However, they represented only 9 of the 33 indie hits. Indie studios also found success with single-player titles and anticipated sequels such as "Slay the Spire 2" and "Hollow Knight: Silksong," indicating broader indie achievement beyond a single genre.

On a move away from AAA:

Kontus stated AAA is maintaining its position, with the same number of AAA games exceeding 500,000 first-month units as the previous year. AAA still constitutes nearly half of first-month sales, with major franchises like "Battlefield," "EA Sports FC," and "Resident Evil" continuing to perform well. Indie hits are not displacing AAA market share but are additive, driving new growth. The increase in the total number of games surpassing 500,000 sales in their first 30 days – from 55 to 76 – signals a healthy industry.

On trends among top-selling titles:

Three key trends were identified. Firstly, established studios, across AAA, AA, and indie, are effectively leveraging their franchises, evidenced by successful launches of sequels like "Battlefield 6," "Resident Evil Requiem," "Slay the Spire 2," and "Silksong." Secondly, AA studios are making substantial, rewarding investments, with titles like "Crimson Desert," "007 First Light," and "Wardogs" directly competing with AAA offerings and potentially becoming future major franchises. Thirdly, indie development is concentrating on delivering maximum enjoyment within contained projects, characterized by lower budgets, novel concepts, and potential for viral success. "Meccha Chameleon," for instance, sold more copies in its first month than any other launch last year except "Battlefield 6."

On the link between original IP and sales volume:

Original games offer a higher potential upside but also a greater risk. In the 2026 cohort, 35 of the 76 games exceeding 500,000 first-month sales were based on original IP, an increase from 19 the prior year. Four of the ten biggest launches, including "Meccha Chameleon" and "Arc Raiders," were brand-new titles. Existing IP provides a more predictable starting point and reduces project risk, focusing decisions on risk management rather than solely on maximizing potential. AAA titles have largely mitigated this risk within the current cycle, with only 5 of their 28 hits being new games. Innovation is therefore emerging from indie and AA sectors. Kontus anticipates AAA will eventually take on riskier ventures again as publishers observe indie breakthroughs and investors seek growth opportunities, citing "Arc Raiders" as an example of this direction.