What Video Games Cost the Most to Make?
The video game industry is a multi-billion-dollar market, with many game development studios investing significant amounts of money and resources into creating immersive and engaging gaming experiences. But what are the most expensive video games to make? In this article, we’ll explore the top 8 most expensive games to develop, and provide some insights into what makes them so costly.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 – $540 million
Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely considered one of the most expensive games ever made. With a development budget of $540 million, this Western-themed open-world game took over seven years to complete and features a vast, detailed open world, complex characters, and engaging storylines.
Key facts:
- Development time: 7 years
- Development budget: $540 million
- Number of staff: Over 1,000
- Number of lines of code: Over 200 million
2. Cyberpunk 2077 – $316 million
CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 is another highly expensive game, with a development budget of $316 million. This futuristic RPG features a vast open world, complex characters, and a deeply engaging storyline, and took over seven years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 7 years
- Development budget: $316 million
- Number of staff: Over 500
- Number of lines of code: Over 100 million
3. Grand Theft Auto V – $265 million
Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most successful games of all time, and its development budget of $265 million was a significant investment. This open-world crime game features a vast, detailed world, complex characters, and engaging storylines, and took over five years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 5 years
- Development budget: $265 million
- Number of staff: Over 1,000
- Number of lines of code: Over 200 million
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – $250 million
Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is another highly expensive game, with a development budget of $250 million. This first-person shooter features fast-paced action, complex characters, and a rich storyline, and took over three years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 3 years
- Development budget: $250 million
- Number of staff: Over 200
- Number of lines of code: Over 50 million
5. Shadow of the Tomb Raider – $135 million
Eidos Montreal’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the latest installment in the Tomb Raider series, and its development budget of $135 million was a significant investment. This action-adventure game features a vast open world, complex characters, and engaging storylines, and took over three years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 3 years
- Development budget: $135 million
- Number of staff: Over 150
- Number of lines of code: Over 30 million
6. Battlefield 4 – $100 million
DICE’s Battlefield 4 is another highly expensive game, with a development budget of $100 million. This first-person shooter features fast-paced action, complex characters, and a rich storyline, and took over three years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 3 years
- Development budget: $100 million
- Number of staff: Over 200
- Number of lines of code: Over 20 million
7. Final Fantasy VII – $45 million
Square’s Final Fantasy VII is a classic RPG that features a vast open world, complex characters, and engaging storylines. Its development budget of $45 million was significant for its time, and the game took over four years to complete.
Key facts:
- Development time: 4 years
- Development budget: $45 million
- Number of staff: Over 100
- Number of lines of code: Over 1 million
8. Star Citizen – $415m+
Cloud Imperium Games’ Star Citizen is a highly ambitious spaceflight simulator that features a vast open world, complex characters, and engaging storylines. Its development budget is estimated to be over $415 million, making it one of the most expensive games ever made.
Key facts:
- Development budget: $415m+
- Development time: Ongoing
- Number of staff: Over 500
- Number of lines of code: Over 50 million
In conclusion, the video game industry is a significant investment, and developing a game can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. These figures are a testament to the complexity and scale of modern game development, and the importance of creating engaging and immersive experiences for players.