> No bullshit, devs willing to devote 80, 100 hours per week, no management overhead as they KNOW what they are going to do.

Yes, I think nowadays there is rightly a reluctance to do this sort of thing without either an ownership stake or very high compensation - neither of which are common in the gaming industry.

Agreed, although I'd say it's a different type of ownership they had, a better type. Not only did they own the company legally, they also got to make the games they dreamed for. Today, one might be able to lure some technical person with stocks and options, but he or she wouldn't be that devote if he or she does not love the products (that much)

> ...and Golden box that usually takes years to develop.

If we're talking about the Gold Box series; were those long development times?

7-ish games in 4ish years doesn't seem too bad, and the the engine evolved with each game.

Wait I thought the first game was developed in 2 years ... I must be wrong somehow.