Hype Train: The Math

[lexilogo]

DISCLAIMER, PLEASE READ: This post is not meant to make any kind of direct point regarding Overkill's DLC practices. Please bear that in mind.

Ok, let's do the math. How much money would Overkill make from the Hype Train event if we reached Paydaycon? (Special thanks to Steam User Buffy for providing US dollar prices for the DLC on these very same forums)

The minimum amount of cash Overkill would make would be a result of everyone purchasing the Completely Overkill 4-Pack to fuel the Hype Train to its destination would be $2,142,500. The maximum amount of money they'd make would be if everyone purchased a heist DLC, which would make them a massive $13,980,000. We can assume the actual profit will be somewhere slightly over the aforementioned minimum.

The actual cut of how much game companies get from sales on the Steam service isn't known, as it's rumoured to vary between title to title. Many agree it's somewhere between 10-40%, so I'm going to put it at 25% (For lack of a better statistic).

So, that puts Overkill's assumed profits at about $1,606,875. Then, we factor in the $250,000 being given away at Paydaycon, which puts it at $1,356,875. And now, the cut Starbreeze will get.

Once again, I'm estimating this. I'm also assuming the profit cut is being made after the giveaway has been factored in (Dammit, Overkill! Give me all your financial records!). I'm going to make the assumption that Starbreeze take 40% of Overkill's profits, making Overkill's total profit at $1,017,656.25.

Last I heard, Overkill had 49 employees. Averaging their wages at $10,000 a month (Mostly because that's considered quite low wages in the game programming industry), that means the total profit is enough to keep Overkill Studios fully operating for a grand total of 2 months.

Make of that nonsensical gibberish what you will.

[Mother_Flowers]

TL;DR please?

[Vali Riversong]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

TL;DR please?

Yes please do that, also place it in the start of the post.

[lexilogo]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

TL;DR please?

Once again, this wasn't really meant to make any kind of real point.

Nevertheless, the Hype Train should keep Overkill staff fed for 2-3 more months. That'll probably be the fact most people debate over with these replies.

[hirou]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

TL;DR please?

The profits from Hype Train event are enough to pay salaries in OVK for a grand total of 2 months. People keep shouting that devs are rolling in cash...

[ninja crouton]

Yep. Don't forget about the cost of advertising, any small fees they get, etc. Makes them make even less money than people think. I did the maths the day it came out and I got about 750k profits if they make exactly the limit. Not that much profit for a company really.

[Mother_Flowers]

Originally posted by lexilogo:

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

TL;DR please?

Once again, this wasn't really meant to make any kind of real point.

Nevertheless, the Hype Train should keep Overkill staff fed for 2-3 more months. That'll probably be the fact most people debate over with these replies.

I can't be bothered to copy & paste all of the links but Starbreeze made a profit from Payday 2 in the first 6 days from Pre-Orders alone! And Overkill are not an indie game company.

[hirou]

If you want to dedicate yourself to more accurate predictions, there's Starbreeze press release, which may contain some financial info http://starbreeze.com/2014/11/starbreeze-ab-publ-delarsrapport-1-juli-30-september-2014/

I think Steam cut is much lower, at least google lists it as ~30% http://www.quora.com/Valve-Corporation-1/What-percentage-does-Steam-keep-from-sales

This still amounts to 6 months worth at max, and we're likely to underestimate actual expenses of the company

[hirou]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

I can't be bothered to copy & paste all of the links but Starbreeze made a profit from Payday 2 in the first 6 days from Pre-Orders alone! And Overkill are not an indie game company.

I keep wondering why people continue to make an example of it, while simultaneously expecting free content. You do understand that if Starbreeze would NOT make a profit, we wouldn't have ANY free updates at all?
And mind that it was a year and a half ago, I doubt the sales of the base game is anywhere near what they were at lauch.

BTW, you're the first to mention word "indie" in this topic. Just... why?

[Mother_Flowers]

Originally posted by hirou:

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

I can't be bothered to copy & paste all of the links but Starbreeze made a profit from Payday 2 in the first 6 days from Pre-Orders alone! And Overkill are not an indie game company.

I keep wondering why people continue to make an example of it, while simultaneously expecting free content. You do understand that if Starbreeze would NOT make a profit, we wouldn't have ANY free updates at all?
And mind that it was a year and a half ago, I doubt the sales of the base game is anywhere near what they were at lauch.

BTW, you're the first to mention word "indie" in this topic. Just... why?

Because from what i've read in this thread people are saying that the Overkill staff e.c.t need to eat. Their not an indie company so that's not really a valid agrument, it's not like their poor.

[hirou]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

Because from what i've read in this thread people are saying that the Overkill staff e.c.t need to eat. Their not an indie company so that's not really a valid agrument, it's not like their poor.

...I don't understand you, are you saying that only indie developers need to eat? Do you understand the concept of "salary", "profits" and "cost of living"? Do you think that Starbreeze will continue to support Overkill even if PD2 is a financial loss?

Also, "they're", not "their". I honestly can't understand how people can make this mistake.

[Vali Riversong]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

Originally posted by hirou:

I keep wondering why people continue to make an example of it, while simultaneously expecting free content. You do understand that if Starbreeze would NOT make a profit, we wouldn't have ANY free updates at all?
And mind that it was a year and a half ago, I doubt the sales of the base game is anywhere near what they were at lauch.

BTW, you're the first to mention word "indie" in this topic. Just... why?

Because from what i've read in this thread people are saying that the Overkill staff e.c.t need to eat. Their not an indie company so that's not really a valid agrument, it's not like their poor.

So once you're no longer an indie company you no longer need to eat? /jk

[gia]

10k is too much of a salary, doubt the 49 employees earn that (hire me ovk)

[Mother_Flowers]

Originally posted by hirou:

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

Because from what i've read in this thread people are saying that the Overkill staff e.c.t need to eat. Their not an indie company so that's not really a valid agrument, it's not like their poor.

Also, "they're", not "their". I honestly can't understand how people can make this mistake.

It's called rushing.

[Forest Wife Olivia]

Originally posted by Mother_Flowers♠★:

Originally posted by hirou:

I keep wondering why people continue to make an example of it, while simultaneously expecting free content. You do understand that if Starbreeze would NOT make a profit, we wouldn't have ANY free updates at all?
And mind that it was a year and a half ago, I doubt the sales of the base game is anywhere near what they were at lauch.

BTW, you're the first to mention word "indie" in this topic. Just... why?

Because from what i've read in this thread people are saying that the Overkill staff e.c.t need to eat. Their not an indie company so that's not really a valid agrument, it's not like their poor.

They are not poor, but they do require a form of income. To say that they require donations is rediculus, but to say that they are already filthy rich is quite right either. Its more a middle ground situation.

[Ashley]

Don't forget office costs. The building they work in won't be free. There is also Lions game lion working for them now.