While many Chinese developed MMOs don’t have the development budgets of AAA titles developed in the West, The Duke of Mount Deer Online from ChangYou proves there are exceptions. Based around a novel by Louis Cha, the game has been developed by 400 Chinese developers over four years, later helped by 200 Korean developers over two years, in addition to 260 hours of in-game 3D animation, motion capture costs, voice over talent and theme songs, all of which really adds up.
The cost for developing Duke of Mount Deer Online stands roughly at $71.9 million now! Adding in various other miscellaneous cost factors, the total amount could rise up till $80 million, writes ‘Cinderboy.’ Some costs not added include the massive amount poured into marketing the game. An example includes the upcoming movie based on the game, Dreaming of Duke of Mount Deer where one of China’s biggest period actor, Hu Ge, is roped in to helm the titular character, Wei Xiaobao aka Duke of Mount Deer.
Source: MMO Culture
