Gears of War 2 had a $12 million development budget

[Slimebeast]

JEDE3 said:

Slimebeast said:
I refuse to believe Gears 2 only cost $12 million.

I estimate $150,000 x 60 people x 2 years = $18 million minimum, which doesn't include engine licensing(since it's in-house) or marketing. A $18 million budget should roughly cover other small middle-ware licenses and China outsourcing though.

no where in the overview does it say 60 people were working on the game for 2 years... also... 150k? why?

150k because the gross salary to each guy is 70-80k

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23264

But then you have to add pension, health insurance and other costs that the employer pays in addition to the 70-80k that goes directly into the employees pocket - so add another 20-30K = 100k

The rest 50 K is other costs for a software house and game development that you average out on each employee man year - rent, facilities, administration, technology, hardware, sound engineering equipment, research costs, plastic tools and models, photography, print&paper, office upkeep and furniture, materials, travels, lawyers, registration, outsourcing - easily 50k per employee on average.

Sum: $ 150k

You are right about the full 60 guys necessarily don't working full 2 years though.