Is simulation games a good niche?
Simulation games is a steady niche, but we don’t see clear momentum for new channels. RPM is on the low side, around $0.8–$2 per 1,000 views, so you need a lot of views to earn well. We haven’t seen any new channels here in the last 90 days. 100% of channels are faceless, so you don’t need to show your face.
Pros
- The median channel earns an estimated $1.5K – $3.8K a month
- 100% of channels are faceless
- Videos get a median of 122.9K views
Cons
- Low RPM: $0.8–$2 per 1,000 views
- No new channels in the last 90 days
Examples worth studying
The channels beating their niche average by the most, and the biggest breakout videos of the last 90 days. The full list is in the app.
Channels beating the average
Jacopist42,900 subscribersFaceless(opens YouTube in a new tab)8.9×$1.3K – $3.2KByNiche estimate, monthly
Football Manager133K subscribersFacelessShorts(opens YouTube in a new tab)2.5×$36 – $90ByNiche estimate, monthly
Beam525K subscribersFaceless(opens YouTube in a new tab)2.4×$1.6K – $4KByNiche estimate, monthly
Breakout videos, last 90 days
- Euro Truck Simulator 2 - Coaches: Tourist JobsSCS Software, 530.9K views(opens YouTube in a new tab)
14× - I Simulated a Hyper Realistic Alien InvasionJacopist, 1.2M views(opens YouTube in a new tab)
10× - American Truck Simulator - Road Trip: Ford DLC Video TrailerSCS Software, 375.2K views(opens YouTube in a new tab)
9.9×
How to start a simulation games channel
100% of channels in this niche are faceless, so you can start without going on camera: voiceover, stock footage, animation or screen recording.
The most common formats among the channels we track: gameplay (83%), narrated documentary / explainer (17%).
Study the example channels below: which titles and thumbnails multiply their average, and how long are the videos?
Pick a narrower angle inside simulation games: focus on one audience or one question instead of the generic videos everyone makes.
Aim for the median first: here that’s 122.9K views per video. Ship your first 10 videos in one format, then adjust from the data.
Do the math honestly: 100,000 monthly views in this niche earn roughly $80 – $200. You need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to monetize.
Frequently asked questions
What is the YouTube RPM for simulation games?
Long videos in simulation games earn an estimated $0.8–$2 per 1,000 views (Gaming category). Shorts pay much less: about $0.04–$0.1 per 1,000 views. RPM also shifts with your viewers’ countries and the ad season.
Can you run a faceless simulation games channel?
100% of the 5 channels we track here are faceless. The most common formats: gameplay (83%), narrated documentary / explainer (17%).
How competitive is the simulation games niche?
We track 5 channels. We haven’t seen any new channels in the last 90 days. We haven’t seen new channels break in yet.
How much does a simulation games channel make?
The median channel earns an estimated $1.5K – $3.8K a month and gets a median of 122.9K views per video. The estimate comes from the last 30 days of views and the niche’s RPM range; the biggest channels earn far more.