"I think that the point is that the developing costs are not that important with high enough sales volumes or big enough projects."
Except that wasn't his claim. He claimed that GTA would generate more money on the HD systems with no proof other than the assumption that... actually I don't think he gave a concrete reason why.
"Think of the alternative Wii platform: $16-20M for the development of a big project, that means a final total cost of average $143M versus the $190M of the HD+PC version. Game returns more about $15-$18 per sold copy. To rake the same profit ($222M) you would need to sell for $365M/(75%*$17.5) or about 28M copies on Wii alone. Plus the Wii platform doesn't offer the same degree of opportunity for DLC profits."
But you are assuming the marketing will have to be equal cost, instead of lesser since it's one system. I think we can assume a budget of $50-$70 million for marketing.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs
