Video Games: how does something intangile and cybernetic cost money to make?

i was just curious, but someone is going to have to explain it to me how it costs money to make a video game.



i mean in the real world, supplies is what im guessing costs money, but in the computer graphics world, how is the money used, electricity? i mean other than people's salaries.



games now cost like 15 million dollars to make. if i draw something on paint in wont cost me anything(obviously its more complicated) but really, how is designing something on a computer using up money?Video Games: how does something intangile and cybernetic cost money to make?
While renting (or purchacing) office space and providing electricity and other utilities does figure in, the two main costs are salaries and purchasing the hardware needed.



You say "other than people's salaries" as if you think that is a minor detail. Most professionally made and marketed games take a team of over 100 people 2 years to make. Final Fantasy 12 was 200 people working for 5 years. And remember, these people are professional programmers and 3D artists; they aren't getting paid minimum wage. Experienced computer programmers can easily pull in over $100K per year.



By your same logic, it shouldn't cost anything to make a book.Video Games: how does something intangile and cybernetic cost money to make?
It isnt just electricity to make a game. It takes many many people working together to accomplish such a work of art as a game. You need programmers, you need model makers, you need people who write good story lines, you need level designers, you need computers that can render all of this as well. so you tell me...you think all these people and all of this equipment work for free? HELL NO! BTW you drawing something in paint isn't an effing game bro, its just a drawing.