What is funny is that the money it takes to make MMOs doesn't have to necessarily be that high. It's one of the industries, like mine (music) where you can bs your salary to a range that if you actually took those skills to other industries your salary would DRASTICALLY drop.
Talent industries (entertainment, sports, politics

are always the screwiest (word?) when it comes to finances.
The thing about these industries is that it's the only places you will get epic wins and epic failures.
MJ's Thriller vs Costner's Waterworld for example.