WOW! $100 Million
 

Recently, a client authorized webmasterlabor.com to research (and publicize info on forums re) massively multiplayer online games. Specifically, we are looking at handling the project management of a possible World of Warcraft-type MMOG. A company we recently contacted said that it costs $50M to $100M to develop. Anyone know if this is true? Are there any existing solutions that can be licensed or customized?

Here's the email:

Hello,
Our company specializes in online multiplayer games. If you are total serious about this project and expect to $1 to $2 Million dollar and have a timeline of 2-3 year to complete this project please contact (EDITED). This is a HUGE project as you know and something like WoW or EQ2 took over 3 years to build and cost about $50-100 Million each. So to build one on a smaller scale $1 - $2 Million is a very reasonable budget. So if you have any questions please contact (EDITED).

What did you think it would cost... fiddy bucks?

I don't know about you, but I really have a hard time with clients/partners who cannot speak proper English.

Most of the time, you'll end of explaining things 10 times - And they still won't get it.

Btw, this is pretty interesting:

http://hardcodedgames.com/mmpgamedev...-warcraft.html

that email sounds like a joke... who the hell emails you about a 1-2 million dollar deal?

if you are looking to make good money developing games you are heading in the wrong direction.

I was going to say that too.

Not only does the email look incredibly amateurish and informal, but an email? :1orglaugh

i sale money in nigeria

You should talk to Marc De... he could tell you...

heheheh cheap ass :P

Crazy money for everything these days!

www.runescape.com rules them all

Seriously - my son & all his friends + my husband LOVE runescape - they are paying members too.

Yeah, the email was a waste of time. Anyway, I have no illusions that it will be dirt cheap but was hoping that costs can be scheduled on a staggered basis as the project is grown modularly. Still looking for existing packages/sources. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Great find of an awesome blog. Thanks!