Table Of Contents
- A Deep Dive Into The Top 5 Most Expensive Video Games
- 1. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) ? Budget: $265 Million
- 2. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) ? Budget: $250 Million
- 3. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) ? Budget: $175 Million (Excluding Marketing Costs)
- 4. Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) ? Budget: $200 Million (Including Marketing Costs)
- 5. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) ? Budget: $175 Million
- The Costs And Rewards Of Creating Expensive Video Games
Breaking The Bank: A Look At The Top 5 Most Costly Video Games
Last Updated on: September 20th, 2024
Video games have come a long way since the early days of Pong and Space Invaders. The gaming industry has exploded into a multi-billion dollar one, and the budgets for creating games have grown just as rapidly. While some players are wondering, ?Where can I play solitaire for free??, others readily lay out a tidy sum for exclusive gaming experiences. In this article, we’ll explore the top five most expensive video games ever made. So buckle up, grab your controller, and get ready to discover the biggest budget gaming hits of all time.
A Deep Dive Into The Top 5 Most Expensive Video Games
1. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) ? Budget: $265 Million
Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. With a budget of $265 million, it’s likewise the most expensive game ever made to date. GTA V features an enormous open world with a highly detailed and realistic recreation of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the San Andreas Fault.
One of the reasons for the high budget was the game’s extensive marketing campaign. Rockstar Games spent a massive amount of money on advertisements, promotions, and public relations to generate hype for the game’s release. GTA V was a commercial and critical success, selling over 120 million copies worldwide and receiving numerous awards and nominations.
2. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) ? Budget: $250 Million
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, developed by Infinity Ward was released in 2009 and had a budget of $250 million, making it one of the most expensive games ever made. It features single-player and multiplayer modes with various maps and realistic graphics. Besides the top-notch gameplay, the extensive marketing campaign also contributed to the high budget of the game.
Modern Warfare 2 proved to be commercially successful, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. This success led to several sequels and spin-off titles, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot.
3. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) ? Budget: $175 Million (Excluding Marketing Costs)
Projekt Red?s Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red, was released in 2020 with a budget of $175 million. It is a futuristic, open-world role-playing game set in Night City, a fictional metropolis located in the Free State of California. One of the reasons for Cyberpunk?s high budget was its extensive development period, spanning over eight years.
Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was plagued with issues, particularly on older gaming platforms. The game faced criticism for its numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, leading to a public apology from CD Projekt Red and refunds being offered to dissatisfied players. Nevertheless, Cyberpunk 2077 was still a commercial success, selling over 13 million copies worldwide within its first month of release.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) ? Budget: $200 Million (Including Marketing Costs)
Bioware?s Star Wars: The Old Republic was released in 2011 with a budget of $200 million. It?s a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the Star Wars universe. The Old Republic features a deep and engaging storyline. Players can choose to play as one of eight different character classes, each with a unique storyline. The game’s world is also highly detailed, with various planets to explore and factions to interact with.
The high budget is largely explained by the extensive voice acting, with over 200,000 lines of dialogue recorded. Plus, the game featured a massive marketing campaign, with trailers, teasers, and promotions. Despite the high budget, The Old Republic faced some criticism for its subscription-based payment model, which was later changed to a free-to-play one.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) ? Budget: $175 Million
Last but not least, Red Dead Redemption 2, developed and published by Rockstar Games, was released in 2018 with a budget of $725 million. It is an open-world action-adventure game set in the Wild West era of the late 1800s. One of the factors contributing to RDR?s high budget was its massive scale and attention to detail. The game’s world is incredibly vast and detailed, with a realistic ecosystem and dynamic weather system. Another significant factor contributing was its extensive development period.
Upon release, RDR 2 was widely praised for its immersive world, compelling story, and polished gameplay mechanics. It received numerous awards and nominations, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2018.
The Costs And Rewards Of Creating Expensive Video Games
In conclusion, the video game industry continues to evolve, with games becoming more expensive to develop as they become more ambitious and complex. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how developers balance the cost of creating ambitious games with the need to create a fun and engaging experience for players. One thing is certain: the most successful games will always be those that capture the hearts and minds of gamers, regardless of their budget.
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