[servus45678981]

That is bullshit. You always need the hardware, most need a server. There is a difference between programs and applications - ffmpeg for example is not an app, but a program.

[xg15]

Of course you do - but it's not a development cost per platform for any other platform except apple. If you already have a PC (which even for hobbyist devs can be taken for granted), then developing for any additional platform will not incur additional costs - except for apple.

[geraldwhen]

I don't have a PC. I have a mac. If I wanted to do serious game development, I would be forced to buy a PC, if for no other reason than testing.

This is just the cost of development.