How Decorating Game Furnish Master Grossed $787k on Steam

The decorating simulation game Furnish Master achieved significant commercial success during its first year of Early Access on Steam, grossing $787,000. Developed by Alex Blintsov over a two-year period, the project serves as a case study in indie game profitability, having recouped its estimated $85,000 total budget—which includes both direct expenditures and the value of the developer's time—multiple times over.

The financial performance highlights a net revenue of $582,000, resulting in approximately $407,600 in personal earnings for the developer after accounting for taxes, royalties, and platform fees. Sales volume reached 65,800 units, though the title experienced a 17.8% refund rate. This elevated refund activity, which peaked at over 21% during the summer, was attributed to technical issues and design friction within the game's tutorial and progression systems.

Marketing and community engagement played a critical role in the game's trajectory. The title launched with 96,000 wishlists and grew to over 205,000 within the first year. Direct development costs were relatively low, totaling roughly $15,550, with $8,000 allocated to advertising across social media platforms. The game maintains a Very Positive rating on Steam, with 81% of its 589 reviews reflecting player satisfaction. Engagement data indicates a median playtime of 74 minutes, with 55% of users playing for at least one hour and 6% reaching ten hours or more. These results demonstrate the viability of niche simulation titles when supported by strategic wishlist growth and modest, targeted marketing investments.