GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Expensive Games Ever Made

Highlights: Most Expensive Games Ever Made Statistics

  • "Grand Theft Auto V" is the most expensive game ever made, costing $265 million to develop and market.
  • The development cost of the game "Star Wars: The Old Republic" was approximately $200 million.
  • Rockstar Games' "Red Dead Redemption 2" cost around $150 million to make.
  • The massively multiplayer online game "Final Fantasy VII", made by Square Enix, cost up to $145 million in 1997.
  • "Destiny", developed by Bungie, had an overall budget of $140 million.
  • The sequel, "Destiny 2", had a similar budget of $140 million.
  • Square Enix's "Final Fantasy XV" cost $137 million to develop.
  • Rockstar North's "Grand Theft Auto IV" had a development and marketing cost of $100 million.
  • The game "Max Payne 3" cost Rockstar Games $105 million to make.
  • Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed III" had a budget of around $100 million.
  • The making of "Too Human" by Silicon Knights cost an estimated $100 million.
  • "Disney Infinity" had a budget of approximately $100 million.
  • Sony's "Shadow of the Colossus" was re-made with a budget of $63 million in 2018.
  • "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" cost Bethesda Game Studios around $85 million to develop.
  • The production cost for "Cyberpunk 2077" was reportedly $121 million.
  • The cost of developing and marketing the game "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" was around $81 million.
  • Electronic Arts' game "Dead Space 2" was made with a budget of about $60 million.
  • The game "Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" was developed and marketed with a budget of $80 million.
  • The creation of the game "Halo 2" by Bungie cost around $40 million.
  • The creation of Naughty Dog's "The Last of Us Part II" reportedly cost over $100 million to develop, making it one of the most expensive games in history.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

The world of video games has evolved significantly over the years, transforming into a multi-billion dollar industry that captivates audiences of all ages. With advancements in technology and a growing demand for immersive experiences, game developers are pushing the boundaries to create bigger, better, and more visually stunning games. However, such grandiose undertakings often come with a hefty price tag. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of video game production costs and explore the most expensive games ever made. Get ready to be amazed by the staggering budgets that have been invested in creating these masterpieces of interactive entertainment.

The Latest Most Expensive Games Ever Made Statistics Explained

“Grand Theft Auto V” is the most expensive game ever made, costing $265 million to develop and market.

The statistic reveals that the video game “Grand Theft Auto V” holds the distinction of being the most expensive game ever created, due to its extensive development and marketing costs totaling $265 million. This exceptionally high budget highlights the significant investment made by the developers and publishers to produce and promote the game. Such a substantial financial commitment underscores the ambition and scale of “Grand Theft Auto V,” cementing its position as an industry powerhouse and a benchmark for the cost of game production.

The development cost of the game “Star Wars: The Old Republic” was approximately $200 million.

The statistic states that the development cost of the video game “Star Wars: The Old Republic” was estimated to be around $200 million. This figure represents the amount of money invested in various aspects of the game’s creation, including game design, programming, art and graphics, sound production, marketing, and other associated expenses. The cost provides insights into the scale and complexity of the project, highlighting the significant financial resources allocated to developing and producing the game.

Rockstar Games’ “Red Dead Redemption 2” cost around $150 million to make.

The statistic “Rockstar Games’ ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ cost around $150 million to make” represents the estimated financial investment made by the video game developer, Rockstar Games, in the production and development of the game ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’. The figure of $150 million indicates the amount of money that Rockstar Games allocated towards various aspects of game development, such as coding, graphics, motion capture, voice acting, marketing, and other associated expenses. This statistic highlights the significant monetary investment required to create and market a high-quality, AAA title like ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’, and suggests the commitment of resources necessary to produce a successful and immersive gaming experience for players.

The massively multiplayer online game “Final Fantasy VII”, made by Square Enix, cost up to $145 million in 1997.

The statistic states that the development and production of the popular multiplayer online game called “Final Fantasy VII” by Square Enix reportedly incurred a cost of $145 million in 1997. This figure highlights the substantial financial investment made by the company in creating and launching the game. This suggests that Square Enix deemed the game to be a significant and potentially profitable venture, considering the substantial resources allocated to its development.

“Destiny”, developed by Bungie, had an overall budget of $140 million.

The statistic states that the video game “Destiny” developed by Bungie had a total budget of $140 million. This means that throughout the development process, Bungie invested this amount of money in various areas related to the game, including personnel salaries, marketing, research and development, game design, and distribution. Having a substantial budget like this suggests that Bungie was committed to creating a high-quality game with advanced features, detailed graphics, and immersive gameplay experiences. It also indicates that Bungie had confidence in the potential success of the game and was willing to allocate significant resources to ensure its quality and overall appeal to gamers.

The sequel, “Destiny 2”, had a similar budget of $140 million.

The statistic “The sequel, ‘Destiny 2’, had a similar budget of $140 million” indicates that the production budget for the video game follow-up, ‘Destiny 2’, was approximately the same as the previous installment. In this case, the budget was $140 million. This statistical information provides insight into the financial investment made by the game developers to create and promote the sequel. It suggests that maintaining a similar budget for ‘Destiny 2’ was deemed necessary to achieve similar production values, gameplay features, and marketing efforts as its predecessor.

Square Enix’s “Final Fantasy XV” cost $137 million to develop.

The statistic states that the development cost of the video game “Final Fantasy XV,” produced by Square Enix, amounted to $137 million. This figure represents the estimated expenses related to the design, programming, production, marketing, and other resources utilized during the development phase of the game. The cost is a significant investment required to create and bring the highly anticipated game to fruition, encompassing various aspects of game production.

Rockstar North’s “Grand Theft Auto IV” had a development and marketing cost of $100 million.

The given statistic states that Rockstar North, a video game development company, invested approximately $100 million in the development and marketing of their game titled “Grand Theft Auto IV.” This figure represents the total amount of money spent by the company during the process of creating and promoting the game. Development costs typically include expenses related to designing and programming the game, while marketing costs encompass activities such as advertising, promotions, and public relations aimed at generating awareness and sales for the game. The high cost suggests that Rockstar North invested significant resources in ensuring the success and profitability of “Grand Theft Auto IV.”

The game “Max Payne 3” cost Rockstar Games $105 million to make.

The statistic “The game ‘Max Payne 3’ cost Rockstar Games $105 million to make” represents the financial investment made by Rockstar Games in the development and production of the video game “Max Payne 3”. This figure indicates the total amount of money spent by the company on various aspects such as game design, programming, graphics, voice acting, marketing, and other expenses associated with creating and releasing the game. The $105 million represents a significant investment made by Rockstar Games to guarantee the quality and success of the final product.

Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed III” had a budget of around $100 million.

The statistic states that the video game titled “Assassin’s Creed III,” developed by Ubisoft, had a budget of approximately $100 million. This indicates the amount of money that Ubisoft invested in the production and development of the game. Budgets of this magnitude are typical for high-profile and complex projects in the entertainment industry, such as video games. The large budget suggests that Ubisoft anticipated a significant return on investment and had high expectations for the success of “Assassin’s Creed III.”

The making of “Too Human” by Silicon Knights cost an estimated $100 million.

The statistic states that the development and production of the video game “Too Human” by Silicon Knights incurred an approximate cost of $100 million. This figure represents the estimated expenses involved in various aspects of creating the game, such as designing, programming, artwork, sound, marketing, and other associated expenses. This statistic highlights the significant financial investment made by Silicon Knights in bringing the game to market, indicating the scale and complexity of its production process.

“Disney Infinity” had a budget of approximately $100 million.

The statistic “Disney Infinity had a budget of approximately $100 million” refers to the estimated amount of money that was allocated for the production and development of the video game Disney Infinity. Budgets in the entertainment industry, particularly for large-scale projects like video games, cover various expenses such as salaries for the development team, marketing and promotional activities, licensing fees for intellectual properties, production costs, and other associated expenses. In the case of Disney Infinity, the budget of $100 million suggests a significant investment made by Disney to create and promote the game, indicating the resources allocated and the level of ambition for the project.

Sony’s “Shadow of the Colossus” was re-made with a budget of $63 million in 2018.

The statistic indicates that Sony’s video game titled “Shadow of the Colossus” underwent a remaking process in the year 2018, with a significant investment of $63 million. This budget was likely dedicated to various aspects of the project, such as redesigning the game’s graphics, enhancing gameplay mechanics, and possibly promoting the game’s release. This substantial investment suggests that Sony aimed to deliver an improved and visually appealing gaming experience to attract a wider audience or cater to the demands of existing fans of the original game.

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” cost Bethesda Game Studios around $85 million to develop.

The statistic indicates that the development cost of the video game “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” for Bethesda Game Studios amounted to approximately $85 million. This figure represents the financial resources invested by the studio in various aspects of the game’s creation, such as programming, artwork, sound design, marketing, and other related expenses. It highlights the significant financial commitment required to bring this highly acclaimed and popular game to market.

The production cost for “Cyberpunk 2077” was reportedly $121 million.

The given statistic states that the production cost for the video game “Cyberpunk 2077” is estimated to be $121 million. This figure represents the total amount of money disbursed or invested in the development, creation, and marketing of the game, including expenses related to technology, design, programming, art, sound, and other associated costs. The production cost signifies the financial resources allocated to bring the game to completion, and it serves as an indication of the scale and complexity of the project.

The cost of developing and marketing the game “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” was around $81 million.

The statistic “The cost of developing and marketing the game ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ was around $81 million” refers to the estimated amount of money that was spent in total for the development and promotion of the popular video game. This figure includes expenses related to designing and creating the game, as well as marketing and advertising efforts to promote it to potential consumers. The $81 million represents a significant investment made by the game’s developers and publishers in order to bring the product to market and maximize its chances of success.

Electronic Arts’ game “Dead Space 2” was made with a budget of about $60 million.

The statistic states that the video game “Dead Space 2” developed by Electronic Arts was created with a budget of approximately $60 million. This figure represents the estimated amount of money invested in various aspects of the game’s production, including salaries for developers, artists, and other team members, as well as expenses for technology, marketing, and distribution. A high budget like this suggests that the game was likely designed to provide players with a high-quality and immersive experience, featuring advanced graphics, sound design, and gameplay mechanics.

The game “Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain” was developed and marketed with a budget of $80 million.

The statistic presented states that the video game “Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain” was created and promoted with an estimated budget of $80 million. This figure represents the amount of money invested by the developers and publishers to design, produce, and market the game. The budget covers a wide range of expenses, including salaries for developers and artists, software and hardware costs, marketing and advertising expenditures, as well as any other expenses associated with the game’s creation and release. The $80 million budget signifies the significant financial investment made to bring this game to the market.

The creation of the game “Halo 2” by Bungie cost around $40 million.

The statistic ‘The creation of the game “Halo 2” by Bungie cost around $40 million’ represents the estimated amount of money invested by the game development company, Bungie, in the production of the video game “Halo 2.” This figure includes expenses related to various aspects of the game creation process, such as game design, programming, artwork, sound engineering, marketing, and distribution. The cost provides an indication of the magnitude of financial resources required to develop a highly anticipated and technologically advanced video game like “Halo 2.”

The creation of Naughty Dog’s “The Last of Us Part II” reportedly cost over $100 million to develop, making it one of the most expensive games in history.

This statistic highlights that Naughty Dog’s video game, “The Last of Us Part II,” was developed at a considerable cost of over $100 million. This substantial investment positions the game among the highest budgeted and most expensive productions in the history of gaming. The significant financial commitment underscores the ambition and scale of the project, indicating a sophisticated and immersive gaming experience that aims to captivate players with its intricate design, rich storytelling, and cutting-edge technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of gaming has seen some truly mind-boggling amounts of money being spent on game development. From massive open-world adventures to cutting-edge technologies, developers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The statistics revealed in this blog post highlight the astronomical costs associated with creating these masterpieces, with budgets that rival those of Hollywood blockbusters. While these figures may seem staggering, they also showcase the incredible dedication and ambition of game developers to provide players with unforgettable experiences. As technology continues to evolve and gaming becomes an increasingly popular form of entertainment, it is likely that we will continue to see even higher budgets in the future. The gaming industry is undoubtedly a lucrative and ever-expanding market, where investment can lead to massive rewards. Whether you enjoy gaming or not, the statistics speak for themselves – creating the most expensive games of all time is no small feat.

References

0. – https://www.www.latimes.com

1. – https://www.www.techradar.com

2. – https://www.www.gamespot.com

3. – https://www.kotaku.com

4. – https://www.www.techspot.com

5. – https://www.en.wikipedia.org

6. – https://www.www.inverse.com

7. – https://www.www.guinnessworldrecords.com

8. – https://www.www.nytimes.com

9. – https://www.www.syfy.com

10. – https://www.www.bbc.com

11. – https://www.www.laughingplace.com

12. – https://www.www.sportskeeda.com

13. – https://www.www.forbes.com

14. – https://www.www.polygon.com

15. – https://www.www.gamasutra.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!