After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires • Hacker News Board

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#21

Post by datalopers » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:34 PM UTC

TacticalCoder wrote: post #18

datalopers wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are they? 300,000 units * $30 = $9M - 30% Steam tax = $6.3M in a single year take out federal taxes (just gonna call it 36% and ignore SFJ/MFJ), leaves them about $2M each. I'm sure they're some sort of a legal entity in WA state and will owe the b&o tax too. They deserve it absolutely but $2M each does not put them in a position of "fuck you" [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfeXqHFmPI

That's 300 000 units in 7 days since launch if I understand it correctly. Even if we consider (I don't know if that's true or not), that theses 7 days are going to be the best ever for them that's still only 7 days.

Week1 sales is a decent predictor [1] of Year1 revenue. They'll probably do about 1M unit sales by Christmas 2023.

[1] https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/steam-the-state-of-long...

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#22

Post by jujube3 » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:37 PM UTC

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

> They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory

Sure it seems that way now, but what happens when a volcano appears under their house and it floods with lava? Or they go to war with the elves?

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#23

Post by agentwiggles » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:37 PM UTC

As of right now, and barring any future misfortune, this is a great feel-good story for any engineer. These guys brought their passion to life and created something unique and special that has been meaningful to thousands upon thousands of people over the last 20 years. It feels great to see them succeed in this way, and I hope they can continue to work on this for as long as they enjoy it. Congrats to Zach and Tarn, wishing them all the continued success.

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#24

Post by ilyt » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:38 PM UTC

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

Not with american healthcare, could burn thru that pretty quickly.

...which was entire reason for Steam release in the first place

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#25

Post by opportune » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:38 PM UTC

datalopers wrote: post #6

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

Are they? 300,000 units * $30 = $9M - 30% Steam tax = $6.3M in a single year take out federal taxes (just gonna call it 36% and ignore SFJ/MFJ), leaves them about $2M each. I'm sure they're some sort of a legal entity in WA state and will owe the b&o tax too. They deserve it absolutely but $2M each does not put them in a position of "fuck you" [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfeXqHFmPI

If they’re smart they hopefully have incorporated and will only need to take money out of the corporation to pay themselves to cover their expenses. So they won’t pay tax on the full amount up front and will have most of the money pretax for future business expenses

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#26

Post by bulbosaur123 » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:38 PM UTC

datalopers wrote: post #6

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

Are they? 300,000 units * $30 = $9M - 30% Steam tax = $6.3M in a single year take out federal taxes (just gonna call it 36% and ignore SFJ/MFJ), leaves them about $2M each. I'm sure they're some sort of a legal entity in WA state and will owe the b&o tax too. They deserve it absolutely but $2M each does not put them in a position of "fuck you" [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfeXqHFmPI

They should incorporate an LLC and do some legal loopholes to keep more of that $$$

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#27

Post by theptip » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:39 PM UTC

datalopers wrote: post #6

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

Are they? 300,000 units * $30 = $9M - 30% Steam tax = $6.3M in a single year take out federal taxes (just gonna call it 36% and ignore SFJ/MFJ), leaves them about $2M each. I'm sure they're some sort of a legal entity in WA state and will owe the b&o tax too. They deserve it absolutely but $2M each does not put them in a position of "fuck you" [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfeXqHFmPI

$2m in the bank is enough to easily draw $100k/yr from interest, which fits the GP’s “set for life if we make wise choices” IMO. That is way above median income in wealthy countries. Assuming you don’t try to live in SF!

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#28

Post by jdhn » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:39 PM UTC

Congrats to them! Very rare to see people who follow their dreams no matter what their field become millionaires.

On a side note, I feel like I should like Dwarf Fortress, but every time I look at it, it seems completely daunting.

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#29

Post by ilyt » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:39 PM UTC

tibbydudeza wrote: post #12

I hope they can handle this unlike Notch (Minecraft) - reckoned becoming a billionaire overnight ruined his life.

It looks more like it showed that he's an asshole to entirety of the world. Ruining he did of his own

Re: After 20 years the Dwarf Fortress devs have to get used to being millionaires

#30

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 10:41 PM UTC

datalopers wrote: post #6

TrevorJ wrote: post #2

They are definitely in 'set for life if we make wise choices' territory. In another month I'm betting they will be in 'set for life even if we make foolish choices' territory. I'm really happy for them. They really stayed true to their passion and I'm happy to see them rewarded for this.

Are they? 300,000 units * $30 = $9M - 30% Steam tax = $6.3M in a single year take out federal taxes (just gonna call it 36% and ignore SFJ/MFJ), leaves them about $2M each. I'm sure they're some sort of a legal entity in WA state and will owe the b&o tax too. They deserve it absolutely but $2M each does not put them in a position of "fuck you" [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfeXqHFmPI

[deleted]