2024 emerged as a remarkable year for independent gaming, and with some particularly clever and quirky titles blooming, one game from a solo developer is clearly advancing from strength to strength as it surpasses an estimated $1 million in sales.
The Operator is a detective game that allows you to utilize various investigative tools to uncover clues and assist in solving crimes. Created by French solo developer Bastien Giafferi, the game launched in July 2024 and quickly attracted a large audience, achieving around 50 thousand sales in its first month alone.
While these numbers are undoubtedly impressive, particularly for a title occupying such a niche market, the game’s quality has evidently become common knowledge, as sales have continued to climb over time. Gamalytic estimates that the game has now sold approximately 110 thousand copies, whereas VG Insights places that figure closer to 160 thousand. This positions The Operator’s revenue between $1.2 million and $1.6 million – a significant achievement for a solo developer.
The game has also received some award recognition, being nominated for five categories at the Pégases Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the French video game industry, including both best indie game and best game overall.
This is one of many indie success stories of 2024 that have been applauded for their innovative approaches, such as the beautifully crafted point-and-click adventure Phoenix Springs, the terrifying gardening game Grunn, or of course, the indie giant Balatro. As more players choose to explore beyond the relatively expensive world of AAA titles and dive into the indie landscape, it is unique and inventive games like The Operator that will continue to enjoy the benefits.
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