THQ Investor briefing: Dark Millenium Online to cost $50 million, uDraw sale projections up

In a call to investors, THQ revealed eyebrow-raising development costs for Dark Millenium Online, and outlined plans for its profitable Wii peripheral, the uDraw tablet.

Gamasutra reports chief financial officer Paul Pucino predicted development costs of $50 million for Dark Millennium Online.

While refusing to comment on subscriber numbers necessary to recoup such costs, Pucino said he expected the MMO to generate revenue for up to eight years, and to be profitable over that time frame.

On a happier note, Pucino said the company now expects to have sold 1.7 million uDraw units by the end of the financial year.

The Wii peripheral is said to be generating "software-like" profit margins, and THQ are considering allowing third-party development for the device.

The CFO outlined THQ's financial strategy over the next few years, treating the year drawing to a close as an "investment" period to be followed by two years of growth thanks to well-spaced AAA franchises.

Pucino commented that THQ hoped to mebrace emerging digital markets, including distribution methods like IPTV, and to reduce focus on licensed titles.