How Much Did Undertale Cost? A Breakdown of the Development and Sales
Undertale, a critically acclaimed RPG developed by Toby Fox, has become a cultural phenomenon since its release in 2015. The game’s unique blend of story, characters, and mechanics has captivated players worldwide, making it one of the most successful indie games of all time. But just how much did Undertale cost to develop, and how much money has it made in sales? Let’s dive into the details.
Development Costs
Undertale was developed over a period of 32 months, from conception to release. The game was created using GameMaker: Studio, a popular game development engine. Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, stated that he had a modest budget for the game’s development, with expenses totaling around $5,000.
Funding and Kickstarter Campaign
To fund the game’s development, Toby Fox turned to Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform. He launched the campaign on June 25, 2013, with a goal of raising $5,000. The campaign was a huge success, raising $51,124 from 2,398 backers. The excess funds were used to improve the game’s audio and visual quality.
Sales and Revenue
As of October 2020, Undertale has sold over 1.3 million copies on Steam, making it one of the best-selling indie games of all time. The game’s sales have been significant, with revenue exceeding $26.7 million.
Takedown Requests and Revenue Growth
Despite facing copyright infringement issues, Undertale has continued to thrive in terms of sales. In 2020, Toby Fox received $24,000 in takedown requests, a testament to the game’s enduring popularity.
Table: Undertale’s Sales and Revenue
| Sales | Revenue |
|---|---|
| Over 1.3 million | $26.7 million |
| Average Daily Sales | 2,500 |
Breaking Down the Costs
Development Costs: $5,000
Marketing and Promotion: $2,000
Equipment and Software: $3,000
Royalties and Licensing: $1,000
Total Costs: $11,000
Returns on Investment (ROI):
| Return on Investment | ROI Percentage |
|---|---|
| $26.7 million | 143% |
Conclusion
Undertale has been a financial success for its creator, Toby Fox, with significant returns on investment. The game’s development costs were modest, and its crowdfunding campaign proved to be a crucial element in its success. While the game has faced takedown requests, its sales have continued to grow, making it one of the most successful indie games of all time.