[mmcconnell1618]

I think video game success is probably distributed like startups. Maybe 1 in 10 will have real success, a few might break even or make a little and most will end up never making enough to cover the costs to create. The work is massive and the pay off is not guaranteed. Creating a video game by yourself is not for the money, it's because you're driven to create the idea you see in your mind.

[mritchie712]

I'd think it's closer to 1 in 100 then 1 in 10 that break even.

[mattnewton]

If “break even” is “I made back costs” and not “I made back opportunity costs” - most game devs could have made many multiples contracting, or even working those hours at Starbucks.