Top 10 Most Expensive Games Ever Made & Their Production Costs

In entertainment, video games are usually large projects created from scratch, which require a great deal of time, imagination, and money. The most expensive game ever made so far is worth $500 million, production and publicity costs included. In recent years, video game budgets have increased tremendously. Specific titles fetch prices that are as high or higher than those of major film productions. Let’s look at the world of expensive video games; we’ll see just how much capital it takes to create these delightful experiences for esteemed players. Let’s see which is the highest-budget video game in gaming history.

Developers: Ascendant Studios
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Released: August 22, 2023

Immortals of Aveum is a first-person shooter where magic takes center stage. Players step into the shoes of Jak, a battlemage tasked with saving a world in peril. The game offers 25 different spells, categorized into three colors—red, blue, and green—each with unique offensive and defensive capabilities. With a talent tree featuring over 80 nodes, there’s room for plenty of customization. Developed with Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers a visually rich experience. Completing the main campaign takes around 12–16 hours, but full completion on harder difficulties stretches that to roughly 25 hours.

Source: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/immortals-of-aveum/immortals-of-aveum/characters

The game received a mixed reception. While the Xbox Series X/S version was generally more favorable, the PC and PlayStation 5 versions struggled due to technical problems. Despite the high-quality visuals, the issues negatively impacted the player experience.

Commercially, the game didn’t meet expectations. Released in late August 2023, Immortals of Aveum faced tough competition from titles like Armored Core VI and Starfield, which affected its sales. By mid-September, Ascendant Studios had laid off nearly half its team. In April 2024, the studio implemented further furloughs due to ongoing financial struggles.

Although the game faced challenges, it was nominated for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project at the 22nd Visual Effects Society Awards.

Developers: Lightspeed & Quantum Studio (Tencent Games)
Publishers: Tencent Games, Level Infinite
Platforms: Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows
Released: June 15, 2023

Undawn, developed by Lightspeed & Quantum Studio, was among Tencent's most daring ventures ever. The game involved more than 300 developers and had a significant budget of US$140 million. First introduced in March 2021, the game caught the spotlight through a trailer in May 2023 showcasing actor Will Smith. The game came out on June 15, 2023, on Android, iOS, and Windows platforms, with Garena managing the release in Southeast Asia in the same month.

Source: https://www.undawn.game/cis/

Taking place in a futuristic world after a catastrophic event, Undawn is a role-playing game focused on survival that combines elements of player versus player and player versus environment. In the game, players are confronted by mutated creatures and other survivors. Designed using Unreal Engine 4, the game features a dynamic world with weather systems and real-time survival mechanics that impact how the game is played. Players' hunger and thirst levels must be kept up as well. They can customize their characters and use resources smartly to live in this harsh environment.

Despite its lofty goals and extensive publicity efforts, Undawn struggled to gain momentum. According to Appmagic, the game had performed below expectations by early 2024, making only $287,000 in revenue for the month. Despite considerable investment and the involvement of a well-known celebrity, Tencent's anticipated commercial success was still not achieved.

Developers: Bungie
Publishers: Activision
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Released: September 9, 2014

In Destiny, players become Guardians, protectors of humanity’s final sanctuary in a vast science fiction world. The plot centers around the goal of fixing the Traveller, a mystical celestial entity needed for mankind's survival. The game requires players to jump between planets, undertake missions, join missions, and team up for three-player raids to hunt alien enemies. It offers PvE and PvP modes of play. Expansions such as The Taken King and Rise of Iron added new content and features that prolonged the game's lifespan.

Source: https://socs.binus.ac.id/2021/12/07/the-art-of-game-destiny/

After achieving success with the Halo series, Bungie developed Destiny to blend first-person action and RPG elements in a shared-world shooter. Game developers used Tiger Engine to enable real-time lighting and dynamic environments. Nevertheless, the engine's high demand for resources hindered progress, leading to extended rendering times for even minor adjustments. Bungie boosted the game's performance on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, achieving a resolution of 1080p and ensuring it ran smoothly on both platforms.

Upon release, Destiny received a top critic rating for its gameplay mechanics and top-notch visuals. Yet, the feedback on its narrative structure and reliance on grinding was varied. In spite of these criticisms, the game experienced substantial commercial success, making more than $325 million within its initial five days. Its impact on the live-service model paved the way for future games in the industry. Destiny received multiple accolades, such as the BAFTA for Best Game, and set the stage for its sequel, Destiny 2, released in 2017.

Developers: Striking Distance Studios
Publishers: Krafton
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Released: December 2, 2022

The Callisto Protocol is a survival horror game created under the leadership of Glen Schofield, the creator of Dead Space. Based on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, gamers guide Jacob Lee, a spacecraft commander who crash-lands and is detained in a maximum-security compound. A strange sickness transforms the prisoners into terrifying monsters, causing Jacob to struggle for his life. The game mixes exploration, resource management, and fierce combat within a limited, atmospheric setting.

Source: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-callisto-protocol--season-pass

Work began in 2019, with the original idea based in the PUBG world. Nevertheless, it transformed into a unique intellectual property with a focus on providing a cutting-edge horror experience. Constructed with Unreal Engine 4, this game utilizes the capabilities of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, using advanced lighting, 3D audio, and haptic feedback for an immersive experience. Schofield aimed to create the most frightening game imaginable for the latest gaming systems.

Although The Callisto Protocol had impressive production values and new features in visuals and sound, it still received varied reviews. Although the atmosphere and technical accomplishments were lauded, a few individuals believed that the gameplay lacked sufficient innovation. Sales did not meet Krafton's expectations, but the game's horror design was still considered a significant accomplishment in the genre.

Developers: Infinity Ward
Publishers: Activision
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows
Released: October 28, 2022

For its cutting-edge gameplay and inventive mechanics, Modern Warfare II won praise from critics. They noted the smoother gunplay, enhanced AI, as well revamped Gunsmith system, which allowed deeper customization. The campaign, while intense, faced some criticism for its brevity. Even after launch, the game’s multiplayer mode, packed with new features, kept players engaged. Despite a controversial mission, with a cost to make exceeding $200 million, the game became a commercial success. Within 24 hours, it sold 4.7 million copies.

Source: https://www.thumbstix.co.uk/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-review/

Development began in 2008 using the IW 4.0 engine, building on the foundation of Call of Duty 4. The team was inspired by real-world conflicts, creating a grounded yet intense narrative. The multiplayer beta was rigorously tested in-house, ensuring balance and smooth gameplay. Teasers started rolling out in early 2009, generating massive anticipation. Post-launch, two DLC packs introduced new multiplayer maps, including remastered fan favorites.

The plot revolves around Task Force 141, led by Captain Soap MacTavish, as they hunt down Russian ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov. Players experience the action through multiple characters, including Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson and Private James Ramirez. The global conflict plays out across dramatic set pieces, blending tactical action with emotional intensity, while the multiplayer expands on what made the previous installment a hit.

Developers: Guerrilla Games
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Released: February 18, 2022

Work on Horizon Forbidden West started in 2018 after the positive reception of Horizon Zero Dawn. Having a video game budget of over $212 million, the project became one of Guerrilla Games' most ambitious. During its height, more than 300 developers were employed on the game, enhancing the game world and perfecting gameplay features.

Introducing new traversal tools, underwater exploration, and enhanced melee combat aimed to deepen the player experience. The Decima engine powered the game, pushing the visual quality to new levels, particularly on the PlayStation 5. Features like haptic feedback, 3D spatial audio, and near-instant load times leveraged the console's advanced hardware. Despite these innovations, equal attention was given to ensuring the PlayStation 4 version performed smoothly, preventing significant disparity between platforms.

Source: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/horizon-forbidden-west-complete-edition

In Horizon Forbidden West, players control Aloy. She's a hunter and skilled woman who embarks on a journey to uncover the source of a mysterious plague. In a post-apocalyptic version of the American West, hostile rebels and mechanical creatures keep everyone on edge. Shieldwing glider allows for seamless traversal of the open world, and underwater exploration adds entirely new dimensions to the environment. The vast, living world encourages players to experiment with various combat and exploration strategies, making each encounter feel unique.

Many praised Horizon Forbidden West, especially for its impressive graphics, seamless combat system, and detailed game world. Including side quests focused on character development was notable, providing players with a stronger, more intimate link to the narrative. However, some critics believed that the story, specifically Aloy's character development, did not break new ground as expected.

However, the game was very successful, and none of these criticisms stopped it. As of April 2023, over 8.4 million units had been sold, solidifying its position as one of the top-selling games on PlayStation. The release of The Burning Shores expansion in 2023 enhanced the game's immersive landscape by adding new areas and tougher challenges.

Developers: Naughty Dog
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Released: June 19, 2020

The Last of Us Part II immerses players in a grim post-apocalyptic world as a blend of action, adventure, and survival from a third-person perspective. Ellie's harrowing journey takes her through the ruins of a once-great civilization. Players traverse dangerous environments like abandoned buildings and dense forests. At the same time, exploring the apocalyptic surroundings, they encounter hostile humans and infected creatures. Combat is flexible, allowing players to switch between guns, improvised weapons, or stealth at will. The player can choose his approach in any situation, as they can battle head-on with enemies or try to sneak around and escape their notice. The game’s control alternates between Ellie and Abby, with a brief sequence where players control Joel.

Source: https://www.videogamesarebad.co.uk/posts/the-last-of-us-2

The game's development started in 2014, right after the release of The Last of Us Remastered. Neil Druckmann, the creative director, led the project, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences to shape the themes of revenge and retribution. This time, Naughty Dog aimed to tell a compelling story and to push the technical limits of the PlayStation 4, which led to a final cost of $220 million.

The game faced difficulties during its release. Initially planned for earlier this year, the release was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, upon its release on June 19, 2020, The Last of Us Part II was met with acclaim and debate. Both critics and players praised the game's graphics, acting, and mechanics. However, the storyline received mixed reviews. Some fans enjoyed its daring narrative, while the plot's direction put others off. Yet, in terms of progress, the performance was flawless. The game utilized all of the PlayStation 4's power, providing one of the most visually impressive experiences of the generation.

Despite its story's controversy, the game set sales records by surpassing four million copies in just one weekend. It won more than 320 Game of the Year trophies, showcasing the team's hard work and commitment. The combination of a narrative that could stand side-by-side with any Hollywood work, smooth gameplay, and technical capacity ensure that The Last of Us Part II stays forever in gaming history as a landmark for future generations.

Developers: Insomniac Games
Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Released: October 20, 2023

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an action-adventure big-budget game. Set in the busy avenues of New York City, the third installment in the acclaimed series follows the exploits of Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they face dual threats to the metropolis. Kraven the Hunter has transformed Manhattan into his game preserve, stalking prey through the urban jungle. Meanwhile, a sinister symbiote known as Venom has affixed itself to Peter, warping his mind and fueling his dark impulses. The two heroes must subdue these harrowing villains with their powers and partnership tested as never before.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2023/10/16/marvels-spider-man-2-ps5-review/

The gameplay continues the mechanics of its predecessors, allowing players to swing through the city as either Peter or Miles. Both characters have unique abilities, along with new web gadgets, unlockable suits, and Peter's symbiote suit, which adds fresh dynamics to combat. Besides the main storyline, players can complete side missions and explore the open world while switching between the two Spider-Men for specific tasks.

In 2021, it was back in business with a lineup of returning aces like creative director Bryan Intihar and voice actors Yuri Lowenthal and Nadji Jeter. Kraven (voiced by Jim Pirri) and Venom (played by Tony Todd) were among the newcomers who added exciting new dimensions to the cast.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was exclusively released on PlayStation 5. The game quickly gained critical acclaim for its storytelling, character depth, and gameplay. It became PlayStation’s fastest-selling first-party title, with over 2.5 million units sold in the first 24 hours and over 11 million by April 2024.

Developers: CD Projekt Red
Publishers: CD Projekt
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
Released: December 10, 2020

Cyberpunk 2077 stands as one of the most ambitious and certainly one of the most expensive games ever created. This action RPG places gamers into Night City, California's futuristic, radiant world. The player kicks things off in this dark future as V, a hired soldier whose fate changes drastically when a bio-chip is implanted within them, housing the digital essence of Johnny Silverhand, a renowned rockstar and revolutionary voiced by Keanu Reeves. As V and Johnny's personalities clash, their quest for survival transforms into a complicated battle for control, leading them to form a reluctant alliance to save V's life.

Source: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/cyberpunk-2077

The game's development started after The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine was released. It was a monumental effort. CD Projekt Red grew its team to more than 500 developers. It partnered with companies such as Digital Scapes, Nvidia, and QLOC and recruited Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith as an advisor. The significant level of teamwork and the game's expansive scale led to its increasing development expenses.

Even though it was eagerly awaited, the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was tainted by major technical issues. A well-received narrative, aesthetic depth, and visual splendor were overrun by pervasive bugs and lagging performance, particularly on older consoles. The notoriety swelled such that Sony removed the game from its digital storefront for half a year. In response, CD Projekt faced class-action lawsuits, which eventually settled at $1.85 million. Since then, the developers have laboriously patched apparent flaws and streamlined operations, redeeming much of the initial reception's lost favor through persistent updates. The reinstated vision shines brighter for having weathered rocky waters.

Developers: Cloud Imperium Games
Publishers: Cloud Imperium Games
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Released: Ongoing (initial release planned for 2020, but the game is still in development as of 2024)

Star Citizen is often regarded as a groundbreaking project in gaming, but it's also known for having the most expensive game budget ever. Since 2011, Cloud Imperium Games has developed this ambitious multiplayer space trading and combat simulation game. After starting strong with an effective crowdfunding campaign that brought in more than $300 million, the project's development cost has now exceeded $656 million, with added financial backing from private investors.

Source: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/07/star-citizen-creator-calls-bullshit-on-feature-creep-and-over-ambition/

The project has experienced significant growth. However, the obstacles have also increased. Although Star Citizen has been in development for over ten years, no official release date has been announced, making backers and players wonder when they can expect to play a complete version. And even though modules such as the Persistent Universe have been revealed, showing how gameplay will look in practice, there still isn't a fixed date on which people would say, "This game is finally finished".

Star Citizen aims to blend aspects of space simulation, first-person shooters, and MMO genres, providing a variety of gameplay styles throughout its modules. The setting of the game takes place in the 30th century in a made-up universe known as the United Empire of Earth (UEE), emphasizing player involvement and a constantly changing economy.

Despite the persistent challenges, Star Citizen continues to be one of the most ambitious and well-financed games currently in progress. Having never-before-seen budgets for a video game, the game draws interest from fans and doubters, all eager to see if it will deliver on its commitments.

While the official figures for these games aren't fully confirmed, they deserve recognition for their massive budgets and significant influence in the gaming world.

1. Grand Theft Auto V, developed by Rockstar North, is rumored to be a 206-246 million US$ venture. The game has a sprawling open world set within San Andreas, a fictional state in California. Players follow three separate characters—Michael, Trevor, and Franklin—as they undergo criminal heists and navigate modern life chaos. Like its predecessors and imitators, but better, GTA V entertains players in novel ways. With its satirical take on American culture and immersive gameplay, it has become something of a modern classic.
2. Another masterpiece from the Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 2, is estimated to have cost approximately 206 million US$. In its resplendent portrayal of the dying days of frontier America, this game follows Arthur Morgan and his desperate battle for survival while trying to hold fast to the loyalty of those who stand behind him. Owing to its vast, open world and rich narrative, the game has been unanimously positioned as a standard-setter of gaming greatness.
3. Halo 5: Guardians, by 343 Industries, is said to have cost anywhere from 160-206 million US$ to produce. The story of the game follows Spartan Locke, who must find Master Chief. Spanning various planets in battle, the narrative explroes themes of loyalty, trust, and heritage.

In gaming, there are undoubtedly legends—games that cost millions to create but earned even more, becoming iconic in the industry. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Citizen stand out for their immense budgets and massive ambition. Destiny and Horizon Forbidden West demonstrate how high production costs can lead to monumental success. However, there are also cautionary tales like Undawn and Immortals of Aveum, which struggled to meet sales expectations despite their huge investments, struggled to meet expectations based on reviews top critics.

The line between a blockbuster and a flop is often thin, but if you aim to become the next legendary game, it all starts with building the right team. Argentics offers the expertise, experience, and passion to turn your vision into reality. From concept to final product, our team works closely with you to ensure every detail is perfectly crafted. Partner with Argentics to bring your vision to life and ensure your place among gaming’s greatest hits!