Game Development Budgets

[Kromis]

Killzone 2 has been in development for quite awhile now and last I read that this is the most expensive project in Dutch history or something like that. Apparently, it costs over $21 MILLION (the exact amount, I don't know).

I know that Gears of War cost around $9 million and Lost Planet cost around ~$14 million (or something like that) but $21 million for a single game is just insane!

Why don't Microsoft and Nintendo do the same thing? Well, definitely Nintendo because I want some more hardcore games that push the system (waiting for The Conduit) to its maximum potential. Microsoft, on the other hand, they haven't been doing this type of stuff. Sure, they've gotten a lot of games to go multi-platform for their system as well as the PS3 but I'm not sure if they really offer $$$ incentive to get them to come on over. But yeah, that's all they've been doing, just paying to exclusives go multiplatform! Where the bloody hell is the game that actually pushes the 360?

I know business is business and they both want to make a lot of money but God dammit, please satisfy your damn user base! Nintendo, especially, since they're swimming in cash.

Yes, I know times are tough right now but I just want a little something...

 

[blurredvision]

I remember reading rumors that by the time GTA4 was done, estimates put game development costs up towards $100 million. I have no idea how accurate that is, though.

 

[mugs]

You're asking why Microsoft doesn't spend $21 million developing a game? You think Microsoft is not satisfying their user base because they're not spending $21 million a game on development? :laugh:

If a game like Gears of War can be developed for $9 million, why spend more? Microsoft has developed and published plenty of great games, and satisfying their fan base with games is one thing you can't accuse them of. I don't really care how much it costs them to develop the games, I only care if the games are fun.

 

[erwos]

Let's see how KZ2 sells before we pronounce that money well-spent. Remember, ROI-wise, they'd have to sell something like two-and-a-half times what Gears of War did to make it a better investment.

That is to say, spending $10m and selling 2m copies of a game is WAY better, business-wise, than spending $20m and selling 3m copies of a game.

 

[Kromis]

I guess both of you have a point. Seems like this is definitely just a business thing.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Big Budget != Quality.

Gears was cheap since the engine was essentially free.