How Much Would it Cost to Make a Browser-Based Game?

gactrainer

Okay, so approximately how much would you think it would cost to make a Browser-Based game.

 

Perhaps one with a little map like in the game Crystal Saga, though it wouldn't be so vast and the map wouldn't be the main feature of the game; just a map so the players could inteact with.

 

Players would be able to go on the map to go to horse shows or get their horse groomed(it would be a horse-game.)  And then, when not on the map, it'd be simple. Auctions they could put their horses in, Direct Sales, etc.

 

I'd just like a little quote on what price range you would approximate this idea to be? 

hazy

Originally posted by gactrainer

Okay, so approximately how much would you think it would cost to make a Browser-Based game.

 

Perhaps one with a little map like in the game Crystal Saga, though it wouldn't be so vast and the map wouldn't be the main feature of the game; just a map so the players could inteact with.

 

Players would be able to go on the map to go to horse shows or get their horse groomed(it would be a horse-game.)  And then, when not on the map, it'd be simple. Auctions they could put their horses in, Direct Sales, etc.

 

I'd just like a little quote on what price range you would approximate this idea to be? 

$10,000 or $10 or $0 or $1,000,000...

CalvinAMi

Hazy is exactly right.

Perfect calculations on costs and stuff.

The figures are solid and fact based.

Start saving up to pay those DEVs !!!

alloin

depending on how much and what exactly you want, 1.000 -> 20.000$, maybe more.

i could do it for 20-30k

siemenscx

I knew a website where you can choose and hire a company wich will create you a browser game, website or whatever you want, you just add how much money you can spent on the project and companys offer you, you just choose the one. If I remember right it was about 10-20 k $ for a web browser game, depending on it's complexity. If I will found it I will post it here. But hey do you have so much money? And I dont think it's worth it.

Gorilla

With full voice acting and cut scenes close to $150 million. Without those excesses probablly about $50k (as long as you don't use an incomplete and undocumented build of the hero engine).

Loktofeit

Originally posted by gactrainer

Okay, so approximately how much would you think it would cost to make a Browser-Based game.

Perhaps one with a little map like in the game Crystal Saga, though it wouldn't be so vast and the map wouldn't be the main feature of the game; just a map so the players could inteact with.

Players would be able to go on the map to go to horse shows or get their horse groomed(it would be a horse-game.)  And then, when not on the map, it'd be simple. Auctions they could put their horses in, Direct Sales, etc.

I'd just like a little quote on what price range you would approximate this idea to be? 

List the work you can do yourself and figure manhours at whatever rate you feel your work is worth.

Then list all the tasks you'll need to contract someone for, and get estimates/quotes for their work.

 

That would help you figure out what it would cost to make it. To make it fun or run well is another ball of wax altogether. We won't even get into billing, maintenance, marketing, debugging, support and future content.

 

Here's a site you might be interested in, though : http://pbbgdev.com/

mmoboby

I can tell you a great game like Laya http://www.playdox.com costs more that 100k   

 

MarL

Just like all games advertising and customer support will be your biggest expenses.

kjempff

The question is invalid without any details, so the answer would be between 0 and infinity.

Probably very hard to find any info about total game costs as it is sensible information for a company.

Could be great if anyone could give any *reliable* information about stardard setting games like ....

Drakensang, Various Flash games etc.

 

Then you might make an educated guess by comparing with what you are trying to achieve.

I guess basically it is: funding + talent = output

 

additional info.

I coded a few proof-of-concept setups which took about a weeks work (testing that the game mechanics would work, could perform, usefull libs etc) - Problem for me comes with graphics & sound, that I would have to outsource and so far its been hard to find anyone talented and bloody expensive (for one person who arent prepared to go full in). It is guessing, but could be for a simple horse game (assuming your targeting kids and teens), that the graphics will be your biggest development expense.

 

anemo

Costs time, money is just an easy exchange medium.

As for servers that becomes easy: 

http://www.ec2instances.info/  an addition $10 to $40 for bandwidth.

http://www.rackspace.com/cloud/cloud_hosting_products/servers/pricing/  an additional $20 to $50 a month

Or you could spend about $300 a month for T1, and somwhere between $1000 and $10,000 for your first server(s)

Pretty much if spending some $500+ dollars a month to get complained and B@#%#ed at by your players doesn't sound compelling you aren't thinking things through.

_______________

Essentially the rule for all expensive things holds true here.

If you don't know how much something costs, you're too broke to buy it.

waynejr2

look at realm of the mad god.

kjempff

Originally posted by anemo

If you don't know how much something costs, you're too broke to buy it.

Excellent point.

 

About server/connection cost (if any such is even needed), I think is a minor detail.