Randy: "I am sorry there was a misunderstanding. The absolute sincere truth is that I don’t want anyone to pay any more than they should or are comfortable with and I always work with the intent and hope that a customer always feels they got the better end of the deal no matter what they pay. The actual context was that a guy replied to a post about Borderlands 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2 was warning me that if the price ends up being $80, the game will fail. What I was trying to do was explain that it wasn’t my call but that if a $10 price increase does happen (since that’s obviously where the industry is going), it will be okay and that Borderlands 4 will be okay because it’s a great game and there are a lot of fans who will see the value and want it."
Lighthouse Games, the AAA Leamington Spa-based studio formed in 2022 by Playground Games co-founder and former studio head Gavin Raeburn, has revealed it's developing a "disruptive" driving game and secured additional investment from Tencent to make it happen.
I feel sorry for this guy and his newly formed studio.
He left XGS and Playground to pursue his multi platform dreams just to find out next that Xbox will be making games for every single platform. Smh.
I don't think it's any of that. Im sure hes heard of Xbox multiplat approach but wanted to do their own thing anyway. He has complete freedom and direction. This game could be a break out hit and join Larian Studios Baldurs Gate and Clair Obscure Expedition 33 a more independent studios.
"I would say we're not building Horizon. If I wanted to build Horizon 6, 7 and 8, I would have stayed at Playground"
He didn't want to keep making Horizon. Try reading any article before giving a nod to Microsoft.
I'm glad studios are breaking off from big pubs and doing their own thing.
Making games that are player lead and games that devs want to make and play themselves. This is how it was in the 90's 2000's even early 2010's. That's part of the reason why gaming was better back then. With more independency in the industry we'll have more creative games. Not this formulaic dopamine reward driven systems. But engaging, dynamic and most importantly organically fun to play. Not manufactured fake fun like how it is these days.
Rant over it'll be probably be awhile till we see their game but here's hoping it's good.
Mario Kart World is the series’ biggest shake-up yet, and producer Kosuke Yabuki explains how the Switch 2 helped make it possible.
Thomas Mahler: "Since it's quite bananas that a lot of players still do not understand the economy behind game development, I thought it'd be best to just break down a real example of a really successful first-time developer who managed to make a deal with a publisher. "
I wouldnt call a game that costs 10 million to make and had over 30 people from different companies working on it an indie game.
Seriously, no.
its an independent studio that is not owned by any big studio or publisher. what else would you call them?
Indie means independant PLUS low budget.
Say I'm a billionnaire and decide to fund my own game with a $20M budget, is it an indie game just because I don't call a publisher? Dev costs increase yeah, but $10M is hardly indie
Game development expenditures have exploded since the old days, Terry. Office space, hiring computer techs, game development equipment and art direction all have insane costs now.
Regardless the expenses are still there. If every indie studio had a success like Stardew Valley, they wouldn't be begging big time publishers, crowdfunders and investors to cover development costs. Alas most don't.
I don't get it..
He starts with 10M cost for the game excluding marketing and continues to detract "other"costs...
Why are the costs of storefront, engine etc not included in the 10M?
CEO makes CEO noises.
If he takes a 1 million dollar bonus every year the game is being made and the game took 5 years to be made, the "cost" isn't 10 million, it should be 5 million.
It's just more magical accounting. This industry is replete with it.
@Santouryuu
Yeah, it's weird. On top of that, he subtracts engine, tax from HIS own money, but this should be put on the publisher (or at least be split, 50%/50% or how they agree), because they're benefitting from the sales as well. On top of that, he makes it look like he didn't get a cent, but he (and his team) was paid the salary the whole way through, with bonuses and stuff. Probably rent for the office was taken care of as well and licenses/devices too.
And also, he acts like his games' average price was $10 (by the way, if the game cost $10 million, who decided to sell it for $20?! Sounds idiotic), which is ridiculous, popular indie games don't do 50% discount right after release and the most of the sales are done a few months after release (according to the publishers). As an example, look at Rimworld, Dwarf Fortress, Factorio, Kenshi, they either didn't have 50% discount yet or had it years after the release.
Also, he acts like the game was only sold on Steam, but that's false. And Microsoft, i'm more than sure, didn't take 30% from them (because it's a game published by them on their platform).
The only thing this tells me is that someone is trying to manipulate us and you shouldn't work with Microsoft if you want to remain sane.
because thats what he has to HAVE RIGHT NOW to develop the next game (engine, tax andso on)
Yes xbox of course did not have the 30% tax but then again he is just making a hypothetical, I am pretty sure their game did not sell exactely 20millions ^^
Its not the cost of storefront. Your game made 20million but from those 20million the store takes 30%. Steam took 30% from the 20million you made. got it?
If you make 20million in sales Steam takes 6 million.
So you only get 14millions. Then you have to pay back what you owe the publisher, so 10millions in devcost and 2million in marketing.
So you are left with 2millions.
From the 2millions of pure profit 70% goes to the publisher and 30% to the developer (depending on your contract)
So you are left with 600k to pay for your next game, for now.
lots of numbers but very clearly put
Really enjoy the Ori games, but the studio head has always been an insufferable dickhead. Those costs aren't included cause he's miserable and full of shit.
*clears throat*
I think you mean "real fans don't buy it"
It will sell well because it’s Borderlands, but I’m not getting it Day 1 now. I’ll happily wait and buy something else.
He just had to open his mouth, I don’t know why they don’t see how much of a PR disaster he is.
Makes me wonder why people like this lead games and franchises that are beloved. Dude just needs to shut up and never speak their opinions on social media lol. Just chill and enjoy your life with the 7 figure salary you get bud.
There's nothing to buy because there's no apology here except for how WE "misunderstood" what he so clearly typed out.
Yea like we’re just dumb consumers that don’t understand PR damage control. Hey Randy, if you cared about the fans you’d fight against this stupid price hike… oh wait…