Gavry
10-27-2010, 11:09 PM
As version 1.5 is about to come out, and Justg has revealed that Auction slots are going to cost 10 plat each, I though it may be worth talking about how much stuff really costs.
I'm using Australian prices, as that's where I live.
Lets get down to the numbers.
To purchase 75 plat costs $12.99.
That equates to $0.17 per plat.
The recently launched Alien Oasis 3 map cost us 20 plat each, so that's $3.46.
Lets assume there are currently 2,000 active players in the game, I think this is actually a little high. If everyone were to purchase that map set, it would result in $6,920 of revenue.
Now, as its an iTunes purchase Apple get their 30% off the top, $2,076, leaving $4,844 for Spacetime.
Here in Australia we pay an IT developer about $100,000 per annum. That equates to around $48 per hour. If just one developer were to work on Alien Oasis 3 at that rate he would have to complete the job in under 101 hours (2.5 standard working weeks) to cover just his wages. Obviously this wouldn't include office space, electricity, etc.
I hope this helps people to understand the actual revenue this game is currently producing and consequently, stop the posts about how we are all being ripped off each time a new update is released, and how much money Spacetime is rolling in.
On the flip side, I don't want this to act as an influence on Spacetime to increase prices either. The obvious solution for Spacetime to increase revenue, is to increase its user base. Move from 2,000 to 200,000 active users and the revenue from a new map pack that sells for 20 plat goes from $4,844 to $484,400. Now that's a good profit.
It is a real fine line between keeping the current user base and trying to maximise profits. If we all try and understand both sides I'm sure everyone will be as happy as possible.
I'm using Australian prices, as that's where I live.
Lets get down to the numbers.
To purchase 75 plat costs $12.99.
That equates to $0.17 per plat.
The recently launched Alien Oasis 3 map cost us 20 plat each, so that's $3.46.
Lets assume there are currently 2,000 active players in the game, I think this is actually a little high. If everyone were to purchase that map set, it would result in $6,920 of revenue.
Now, as its an iTunes purchase Apple get their 30% off the top, $2,076, leaving $4,844 for Spacetime.
Here in Australia we pay an IT developer about $100,000 per annum. That equates to around $48 per hour. If just one developer were to work on Alien Oasis 3 at that rate he would have to complete the job in under 101 hours (2.5 standard working weeks) to cover just his wages. Obviously this wouldn't include office space, electricity, etc.
I hope this helps people to understand the actual revenue this game is currently producing and consequently, stop the posts about how we are all being ripped off each time a new update is released, and how much money Spacetime is rolling in.
On the flip side, I don't want this to act as an influence on Spacetime to increase prices either. The obvious solution for Spacetime to increase revenue, is to increase its user base. Move from 2,000 to 200,000 active users and the revenue from a new map pack that sells for 20 plat goes from $4,844 to $484,400. Now that's a good profit.
It is a real fine line between keeping the current user base and trying to maximise profits. If we all try and understand both sides I'm sure everyone will be as happy as possible.