After Balatro, the next indie hit conquers Steam – and breaks the million mark

A creative detective hit breaks the million mark after Balatro and delights players with innovative gameplay.

2024 was undoubtedly the year of indie games. While big-budget productions like Astro Bot, Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree dominated the headlines of the AAA world, small, creative projects wrote a success story all their own.

Of course, the story of Balatro , which was nominated in five categories at the last Game Awards, is particularly impressive. But an unassuming detective simulator was also able to hold its own on Steam and has now broken through the magical million mark in sales.

A different kind of detective game

The game in question is The Operator (on Steam), a clever detective simulator that puts you in the role of an investigator. Your tools here, however, are not pistols or interrogations, but a new kind of high-tech software and your own wits.

You collect clues, scour databases and gradually piece together the puzzle of each case. The game offers a slow but intense gaming experience – with some exciting story twists, as befits a good crime thriller.

Behind the project is French solo developer Bastien Giafferi, who released The Operator on Steam in July 2024. Despite its niche concept, the game has caught the attention of many players.

In its first month, it sold around 50,000 copies – an impressive number for a solo project. But that was just the beginning.

The road to the million-seller

Meanwhile, platforms such as Gamalytic and VG Insights estimate that up to 160,000 copies of the game have been sold. This corresponds to a turnover of over $1.2 million.

But what makes The Operator so successful? For one thing, it’s the unique gameplay experience that sets it apart from other games. While many detective games tend to focus on action or scripted puzzles, The Operator gives you full control and challenges your analytical thinking. The game is most reminiscent of the Ace Attorney games.

On the other hand, industry recognition also played an important role: The Operator was nominated in five categories at the French Pégases Awards, including best indie game.

But The Operator is not alone. 2024 was a real triumph for creative indie projects. Take, for example, the deck-building game Balatro, which captivated players in droves with its ingenious gameplay loop!