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Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power Cost $5.4 Million, Is Short Because Developers Run Out Of Money

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Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power has just been released and a number of gamers complained about the game’s length. Therefore, Frozenbyte decided to shed some light on how much the game actually cost, and what was the team’s initial plans.

As Frozenbyte claimed, Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power Cost cost $5.4 million, nearly triple that of Trine 2. And in order to realize its original vision, Frozenbyte would need at least $15 million.

“Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power has ended up costing nearly triple that of Trine 2 – over 5.4 million USD. We have squeezed everything we could into the game, there’s nothing left on the table. We initially had a much longer story written and more levels planned, but to create what we envisioned, it would have taken at least triple the money, probably up to 15 million USD, which we didn’t realize until too late, and which we didn’t have.”

Frozenbyte concluded that even though it was not able to fulfil its vision, it’s still proud for Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power as it offers around 6-7 gameplay hours.

“The finished Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power game might not be as long as we hoped initially, but something we are very proud of nonetheless, and generally around 6-7 hours is what we think new players will spend with the game on average.”

Do also note that Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power was self-founded by Frozenbyte, something that basically explains the trouble this indie studio faced while creating this beautiful game.

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  • Akirascreaming

    B U L L S H I T

    • HAL 9000

      A G R E E !

    • 7thGuest

      Why do you think it’s bs?

      • Akirascreaming

        Cause you have to be an idiot to believe that lie

        • 7thGuest

          Riiiight… But then again, why do you think that they are lying?

        • Primey_

          You’re dodging his question.

          • Akirascreaming

            I m dodging idiots

          • Edwin Obando Chacon

            Intelligence is chasing you but you are faster.

    • John Mellinger

      So when dev’s are being honest it’s BS? What about all the dev’s who charge you $59.99 for 8 hr garbage games that are garbage PC ports?

      You should be so lucky a Dev like this is for PC gaming.

      • Akirascreaming

        There are no honest devs anymore, forget it even cs project f##ked up and lied, there is no hope there is only despair

        • Russell Collins

          Someone needs a hug

        • Dave_c

          then the solution is. don’t play game.

  • texasranger

    And it’s the worst in the series. I guess that they didn’t implement some abilities because they were short on money? There is no fire/frost arrow, there’s only one weapon for knight, mage can’t create planks, just box. One box.

    Not to mention that the pseudo-3D makes platforming hard and irritating sometimes. It’s a good game, but has more issues than previous installments.

  • Martin

    Haha they HAD to blow their budget by introducing sh**ty 3D segments in their 2D plataformer. Good riddance.

  • Reza Gerami

    I bought it from GOG on release day, haven’t played it yet but I can honestly say I’d prefer if they would keep their great 2.5D-formula instead of going 3D. But I’m sure the game itself is still great so I will play it eventually (I have a lot of other games to beat before I give it a go)

  • Primey_

    Recently requested for a refund after buying this. It’s a real shame because trine 1 and 2 were so good

    • Anaron

      Is it really that bad?

      • Primey_

        It’s not bad but I just don’t think it’s worth the current price and I’m not fond of the 3D feature. Will purchase if it ever goes on a good sale

  • John

    lol, what liars. they sold out and rushed a cash grabbing squeal and got called out on it.

  • Foxiol

    This is what happens when “you fart bigger than your as*”.

    If you can’t afford to do something just don’t do it or do what you did before or as some companies do, make a prototype (which seems this is the prototype) or a different type of game which costs less so you can use that money (hopefully if it sells) to make the bigger one.

    Is a shame that they tried to do something really cool, I mean the idea of the 3D world is great but there are problems with cameras and such.
    The worst thing is the narrative in Trine 3, I loved how the story was told in Trine 1 and 2, also the character progression as how it helped to keep advancing through levels without the need of replaying those levels. It was way better structured than this game.

    This was a great concept but far from well executed. Graphics still are amazing and some mechanics are really cool with the archer. But I miss those different type of arrows, the hammer, the mage and its “mega cheats” (multiple boxes), etc.

    Hope people won’t ask for refunds since yet they delivered a level editor with it and with time some cool levels are going to be made.
    Also we better help them rather than give them our backs, these guys could make something great before and they sure can do it again.

  • Umair Khan

    I’ll play it myself and if it’s good then, I don’t mind if it’s shorter.

  • Adrián Alucard

    Where’s the problem? That’s the duration of the previous games (that i really disliked)

  • How come nobody saw the typo in the title. Ran*

  • John Mellinger

    I have had this game since early access. I am pleased with the finished product. And for $19 on steam people should just STFU. I mean really you cry baby pieces of #(@(!

    Sure if you beat this game is 4/5 hours okay I get it. But the majority of games don’t have this lvl of detail and are generic piles of garbage that last 6/8 hours and you just spent $59.99.

  • Mmmm it’s sad when you hear something like this but honestly the developers had options to fund it otherwise.

    They could’ve kickstarted the 3rd one which hopefully would’ve been more successful than early access.

    As such the game costing 5.4 Million seems a little ridiculous, yes game development is extremely expensive but I’m trying to figure out how they blew the budget if they already were using their own engine, possibly a majority portion was possibly due to them upgrading their engine for the 3D segments.

    As such I do wish them success , hopefully this doesn’t put them under and hopefully they’ll keep afloat to possibly see a Trine 4 or even a Trine 3 Extended edition with what the missing stuff they intended.

  • Byronic Fate

    Estimated costs on things like kickstarter will get better as more people pave the way. For independent groups, it’s not an easy thing to mark down.

  • Well, if thats the case.. its not really their failt is it? They had that much money, so they made what they could with it. You cant wish for something that doesnt exist even.

  • Oscar

    One word: Crowdfunding….

  • Trinity

    My question is where are the reviews on this game? Seem oddly missing from all typical main sources to date (ie. metacritic, IGN, Gamespot, etc).

  • Edwin Obando Chacon

    I think Ill wait to see if some Workshop levels could fill the lack of “official” content. Sadly people is refunding because “campaing only last 4 hours” but they still buy COD and BF games with 4 hours campaings at 59.99$….

  • Uhuru N’Uru

    There’s not a problem with a game being short by design. The problem is this was longer by design. Then abruptly shortened due to poor management and running out of money.
    The other issue is bad game mechanics and general failure of the 3D system. Changing a successful 2.5D SPP (Sidescrolling Puzzle Platformer) to 3D SPP was bound to fail with an uncertain budget. It rarely if ever works, even fully funded.

    As to the funding, it wasn’t self funded at all. It was crowdfunded using the worst method available. Steam’s Early Access where Valve take their 30% cut from each purchase and no sales mean no dev funds.
    Kickstarters 10% cut from backers funds is better but not ideal. It’s all or nothing in 30 days approach leads to the reduction of realistic totals, to ensure the target is reached.
    Both have there uses for new and unknown indie devs.

    Trine 3 was an ideal candidate for independent crowfunding. That would have allowed the setting of a project startup target, without the time limit. Combined with an open development structure with backer alpha feedback. That would have made it clear that 3D was unnecessary and unwanted.

    Basically learning from the model so successfully pioneered by CIG with Star Citizen, with all the advantages of an existing franchise and receiving 100% of backers funds.

    The $15 million could have been raised or more likely a lesser target to make the 2.5D Trine 3 most fans want to see.

  • amircheme

    They have spent most of that money for an ATTRACTIVE feature but definitely NOT ESSENTIAL. I rather play 2D with a well-written story and more depth in gameplay.