Video games cost money to make. Lots and lots of money. Everyone knows that the major releases from all the big boys have budgets that go up into the millions, at a bare minimum. Which is why it is often assumed that smaller, indie games cost far less. Some even believe they cost nothing to make.
Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth. An excellent example is Gordon Midwood, creator of the recently released Derrick the Deathfin for the PlayStation Network. Kotaku recently explained how producing the game has put him in debt to the tune of £40,000, which is $63,000 American.
To help finance Derrick, Midwood resorted to personal loans, borrowing money from his dad, even credit cards. In the end, he states:
"It's entirely possible, or indeed by the looks of things at the moment 100% probable, that sales will never amount to enough to pay back even a quarter of my personal debts."
One might assume that because Sony was involved that they were able to take care of much of the heavy work, but that's not the case either:
"Sony have been very supportive throughout the process of completing and promoting the game… They loved the concept from the first time we pitched it to them and they have been to very easy to work with since then. The publishing and promoting is on our shoulders though, as we can't afford to pay anybody professional, ha!"
Thankfully, despite his personal finances being in shambles, Midwood is still determined to make games, and is currently planning his next title.