BottledSpringWater - of course an 'arcade' game can be over $200,000 - you do realize these games are coded using the same programs, the same way a game like Halo 3, or Super Mario Galaxy, right? Games cost time to make, which if your hired as a programmer, or anything associated. The difference is the fact that N+ cost about 1/100th (or 1%) of what a big PS3 or X360 game cost.
outlawuron - N+ will be on DS/PSP, but that version of N+ wasn't created by the same studio that the XBLA version was - N+ for X360 was made by MetaNet, the creators of N, and Klei Entertainment helping with other aspects of the game (as they've had experience with making XBLA games). N+ for DS/PSP isn't out yet (slated for a 3/15/08 release). N+ for PSP/DS is being made by SilverBirch, and published by Atari.
As for a breakdown of various "requirements" for a game making it's cash back on XBLA. Remember: Microsoft takes 30% of any given game's revenue on XBLA to cover it's costs (and sale of XBL Points via retailers). More is taken if Microsoft assists in coding the game (in which some games are sent to MS to basically be made, whilst the original IP holder pockets 50% of the income).
| Production Cost | LTD Sales needed @ $5 USD | Req. Wk 1 Sales @ $5 | |||
| $125,000 | 35,714 | 1,785 | |||
| $214,000 | 61,142 | 3,057 | |||
| $500,000 | 142,857 | 7,142 | |||
| LTD Sales needed @ $10 USD | Req. Wk 1 Sales @ $10 | ||||
| $125,000 | 17,857 | 892 | |||
| $214,000 | 30,571 | 1,528 | |||
| $500,000 | 71,428 | 3,571 | |||
LTD Break Even = 18 months.
Week 1 Sales = 5% of LTD Sales of 18 months.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
