As usual, the stars of the big budget world represent the brass ring for most businesses. But in a business that is hit-based, the more low budget approach can be a higher percentage shot…

“Jennings points to the ballooning costs of MMORPGs — World of Warcraft is estimated to have cost $40 million to $50 million to develop, and while Age of Conan cost just $25 million, the game is having retention issues, largely because the budget wasn’t big enough, he says. By contrast, he notes, small companies produce low-budget web-based MMOs like Club Penguin and RuneScape that post far higher profits.”

…not to mention yield higher percentage profits.