What is a AAA Game: Inside Top-Tier Game Development
Some games cost more to make, some less. Some require large teams, and others can be done with a couple of enthusiastic individuals. Some are backed up by big publishers, and others are not. These basic things draw a line between small, humble titles and blockbusters aiming at millions of copies sold. The latter belongs to the AAA category. What is an AAA game, and why is it so hard to make one? Read today’s article
What is a AAA game in the modern industry?
If you are into the gaming industry, you are familiar with its categorization. Some titles are labeled AAA; some go with one “A” less; some are called indie. What is the main difference between these categories? What is a AAA game, and what distinguishes it from other types? AAA games feature advanced technology, high production values, extensive content, professional voice acting, and substantial marketing campaigns. What is considered a AAA game often includes titles from well-known franchises released on multiple platforms, offering players immersive and expansive experiences supported by ongoing updates and downloadable content. This is what AAA is all about. This explanation barely scratches the surface of the game development process, so let’s dive deeper!
What is a AAA game really all about?
A Triple A title immediately tells you a bunch of facts. First, you will likely find video game industry giant publishers behind it (Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, etc.). Secondly, the budget of an AAA game has at least eight figures, allowing for substantial financial investment in every stage of its development. Thirdly, it takes years to develop, involving extensive pre-production, where the initial concept is created, detailed game design, storyboarding, and meticulous planning. This lengthy AAA game development process ensures that you can expect a polished and immersive experience in terms of gameplay, supported by high production values such as professional voice acting, motion capture, and original music scores.
Every AAA video game is a massive project brought to life by many talented individuals who work in one big studio. Multiple AAA game studios sometimes work on the same project for various reasons. For example, one team does great single-player campaigns, while another specializes in multiplayer battles. Like so, last year's installment in the Call of Duty series – Vanguard – was developed by Sledgehammer Games in cooperation with Raven Software, Beenox, and High Moon Studios. The good old Zombie mode is the merit of Treyarch.
The more ambitious the project is, the larger the budget is required. To illustrate the concept of a AAA game, comparisons to the movie industry are often made. Like Marvel or DC blockbuster films, AAA computer games demand substantial financial investments. Is this investment worthwhile? Given the potential for significant profits, cultural impact, and the creation of iconic franchises, many argue that the substantial investment is justified. These games possess the ability to captivate audiences and generate considerable revenue.
When executed with a marketing strategy efficiently allocating funds to generate interest, the expected profits from such a game often justify the costs. For instance, Microsoft’s Forza Horizon 5 was projected to achieve $118 million in gross revenue before its release in November. With 4.5 million players on launch day, the game's success was evident, especially considering the premium pricing of various game editions above the standard $60.
Every AAA video game is a massive project brought to life by many talented individuals who work in one big studio. Multiple AAA game studios sometimes work on the same project for various reasons. For example, one team does great single-player campaigns, while another specializes in multiplayer battles. Like so, last year's installment in the Call of Duty series – Vanguard – was developed by Sledgehammer Games in cooperation with Raven Software, Beenox, and High Moon Studios. The good old Zombie mode is the merit of Treyarch.
The more ambitious the project is, the larger the budget is required. To illustrate the concept of a AAA game, comparisons to the movie industry are often made. Like Marvel or DC blockbuster films, AAA computer games demand substantial financial investments. Is this investment worthwhile? Given the potential for significant profits, cultural impact, and the creation of iconic franchises, many argue that the substantial investment is justified. These games possess the ability to captivate audiences and generate considerable revenue.
When executed with a marketing strategy efficiently allocating funds to generate interest, the expected profits from such a game often justify the costs. For instance, Microsoft’s Forza Horizon 5 was projected to achieve $118 million in gross revenue before its release in November. With 4.5 million players on launch day, the game's success was evident, especially considering the premium pricing of various game editions above the standard $60.
Most publishers ask for multiple versions of the game to maximize profits: for previous and current generations of consoles separately and for PC. This ensures they capture a wider audience, including those who haven't yet upgraded their consoles. Some titles only appear on dedicated platforms, sparking interest in specific consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. This is the go-to tactic for Sony, with most of their AAA titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Uncharted, God of War, Horizon series, and others. These exclusive projects boost console sales and create a unique identity for the platform. By leveraging the unique hardware features of their consoles, these games offer optimized performance and incredible gameplay experiences that can’t be matched on other systems.
However, we must point out that some of Sony’s exclusives have become available on Microsoft Windows after a while. Today, you can play God of War (2018) and Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) on your PC with no problem. This strategy is a reasonable solution for making an extra profit on older games because all they need is just a good port to shine again on the new platform and reach a broader audience. Additionally, this approach helps maintain interest in the franchise and attracts new fans who may not own a PlayStation console.
Why are AAA games so difficult to make?
In today’s reality, even highly hyped AAA games can fail because they don’t live up to gamers’ expectations, have serious performance issues, or just have tons of untested bugs. Sometimes, even trusted and beloved studios can lose credibility after an awful release. From the player’s point of view, it is understandable – when paying $60 or more for various packages and buffed versions of the game, you expect them to be polished. Developers may rush releases to meet deadlines, resulting in unfinished products. This can lead to backlash, poor reviews, and a tarnished reputation. The rise of social media and instant feedback means that word of these issues spreads quickly, making it crucial for developers to prioritize quality and player satisfaction.
To understand why AAA titles are so challenging to produce, it is essential to consider the fundamental aspects of their development. A significant portion of the budget is allocated to staffing. Developing a Triple A game requires a highly skilled professional team. Compensation for these developers includes their salaries and comprehensive benefits packages encompassing healthcare, insurance, overhead costs, bonuses, and taxes. The overall cost varies based on the specific roles within the team, such as designers, managers, animators, coders, and testers, with senior staff and team leaders commanding higher compensation due to their expertise and responsibilities.
The development team for AAA games is extensive, often comprising hundreds of professionals with diverse expertise. This includes the core development team and specialists in audio design, motion capture, and user experience. AAA video game developers rely on state-of-the-art technology and tools, such as high-end graphics, sophisticated AI systems, and advanced physics engines, and also incur substantial marketing and promotion expenses to build anticipation and reach a global audience, all of which significantly drive up the overall budget. Overall, AAA game development cost is driven by the need for:
AAA projects typically involve large teams. For example, the development team for Call of Duty is estimated to consist of approximately 500 individuals, highlighting the extensive scale of these projects. As Activision’s primary revenue generator, it is reasonable to infer that smaller franchises have fewer developers dedicated to them. The development of a major game usually spans years. Longer development times translate to increased expenses, mainly due to the costs of salaries, tools, and resources. Some games encounter significant delays, extending their development timelines considerably. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077 took nine years to progress from its announcement to its release in digital and physical stores, highlighting the substantial challenges and financial pressures inherent in AAA game development.
To understand why AAA titles are so challenging to produce, it is essential to consider the fundamental aspects of their development. A significant portion of the budget is allocated to staffing. Developing a Triple A game requires a highly skilled professional team. Compensation for these developers includes their salaries and comprehensive benefits packages encompassing healthcare, insurance, overhead costs, bonuses, and taxes. The overall cost varies based on the specific roles within the team, such as designers, managers, animators, coders, and testers, with senior staff and team leaders commanding higher compensation due to their expertise and responsibilities.
The development team for AAA games is extensive, often comprising hundreds of professionals with diverse expertise. This includes the core development team and specialists in audio design, motion capture, and user experience. AAA video game developers rely on state-of-the-art technology and tools, such as high-end graphics, sophisticated AI systems, and advanced physics engines, and also incur substantial marketing and promotion expenses to build anticipation and reach a global audience, all of which significantly drive up the overall budget. Overall, AAA game development cost is driven by the need for:
- large, skilled teams;
- advanced technology;
- high production values;
- extensive marketing campaigns, making the production of these titles a highly complex and expensive endeavor.
AAA projects typically involve large teams. For example, the development team for Call of Duty is estimated to consist of approximately 500 individuals, highlighting the extensive scale of these projects. As Activision’s primary revenue generator, it is reasonable to infer that smaller franchises have fewer developers dedicated to them. The development of a major game usually spans years. Longer development times translate to increased expenses, mainly due to the costs of salaries, tools, and resources. Some games encounter significant delays, extending their development timelines considerably. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077 took nine years to progress from its announcement to its release in digital and physical stores, highlighting the substantial challenges and financial pressures inherent in AAA game development.
Large teams require office space to work in. If a game studio is based in the USA or another country with high rental costs, this can add a substantial amount to the budget. The cost of office space per employee can significantly increase overall expenses, further impacting the financial requirements of AAA game development. Furthermore, apart from hands on deck and places, AAA game developers will also need tools – both physical (powerful PCs, monitors, consoles, chairs) and digital (specific software, engine license, extra technologies like Bink or Havok), which all contribute to the escalating costs. The final price of all those things depends from game to game.
Additionally, including voice actors, particularly well-known Hollywood actors, can substantially increase the budget. Hiring such talent not only aids in promoting the game but also incurs significant costs due to their high fees. A respected composer like Hans Zimmer (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) or Jeremy Soule (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) will add more expenses to the already hefty budget. And there are still so many other little costs to factor in, like the following:
Then, there is another giant money sink: marketing. Even gems require big marketing budgets. It is not uncommon for AAA games to allocate nearly as much to marketing as to development. For example, the first installment in the Destiny series had a combined production and marketing budget of $500 million. Marketing budgets often account for tens of millions of dollars, encompassing advertising across multiple platforms, hiring PR firms, and creating high-quality trailers. Overall, including all expenses, a AAA game can cost at least $60 to $80 million, and sometimes more, depending on the project's scope and ambition.
Additionally, including voice actors, particularly well-known Hollywood actors, can substantially increase the budget. Hiring such talent not only aids in promoting the game but also incurs significant costs due to their high fees. A respected composer like Hans Zimmer (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) or Jeremy Soule (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) will add more expenses to the already hefty budget. And there are still so many other little costs to factor in, like the following:
- Motion capture;
- Localization;
- Certification fees;
- Game ratings.
Then, there is another giant money sink: marketing. Even gems require big marketing budgets. It is not uncommon for AAA games to allocate nearly as much to marketing as to development. For example, the first installment in the Destiny series had a combined production and marketing budget of $500 million. Marketing budgets often account for tens of millions of dollars, encompassing advertising across multiple platforms, hiring PR firms, and creating high-quality trailers. Overall, including all expenses, a AAA game can cost at least $60 to $80 million, and sometimes more, depending on the project's scope and ambition.
A few issues with AAA games
Large budgets call for substantial profits. An investor would only fund a product with the promise of significant returns. Consequently, most AAA games are designed to appeal to the mass market, incorporating diverse gameplay elements, appealing graphics, and engaging storylines that resonate with a broad demographic.
In addition, many games employ various monetization techniques such as microtransactions (e.g., bonus skill points in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided or extra consumables in Dead Space 3) and loot boxes (e.g., new skins for heroes in Overwatch or new players for teams in recent FIFA games). These strategies can generate significant revenue streams. While some titles integrate these methods effectively, providing optional enhancements without affecting core gameplay, others face challenges.
It is essential to acknowledge that creating large-scale projects is an immense undertaking that requires flawless execution. Proper monetization strategies also demand careful planning and consistent engagement with the community to balance financial goals with player satisfaction.
Investing significant funds in a game project that may fail involves implementing risk mitigation methods. These are not traditional insurance policies but rather strategic decisions in game development. Established studios tend to avoid significant risks when developing sequels or prequels to critically acclaimed and financially successful titles, as the potential financial loss is too substantial. To mitigate risks, these studios often conduct extensive market research, player feedback sessions, and beta testing to ensure new installments align with player expectations.
Innovations and experiments are generally reserved for new intellectual properties (IPs) by experienced creators and are carefully calculated risks. The adage "If it works, don’t break it" is evident in many Ubisoft franchises. For instance, recent FarCry and Assassin’s Creed installments follow established formulas with minimal changes and incremental improvements. This approach acts as a form of "insurance," safeguarding substantial investments by adhering to proven, successful strategies while maintaining profitability and appealing to their dedicated fanbase.
In addition, many games employ various monetization techniques such as microtransactions (e.g., bonus skill points in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided or extra consumables in Dead Space 3) and loot boxes (e.g., new skins for heroes in Overwatch or new players for teams in recent FIFA games). These strategies can generate significant revenue streams. While some titles integrate these methods effectively, providing optional enhancements without affecting core gameplay, others face challenges.
- Large-scale promises are often difficult to fulfill, sometimes resulting in AAA games being released in an unfinished state, which can lead to player frustration.
- Including extensive downloadable content (DLC) and paid content, such as season passes, can be disconcerting for players who have already invested a considerable amount in the game.
It is essential to acknowledge that creating large-scale projects is an immense undertaking that requires flawless execution. Proper monetization strategies also demand careful planning and consistent engagement with the community to balance financial goals with player satisfaction.
Investing significant funds in a game project that may fail involves implementing risk mitigation methods. These are not traditional insurance policies but rather strategic decisions in game development. Established studios tend to avoid significant risks when developing sequels or prequels to critically acclaimed and financially successful titles, as the potential financial loss is too substantial. To mitigate risks, these studios often conduct extensive market research, player feedback sessions, and beta testing to ensure new installments align with player expectations.
Innovations and experiments are generally reserved for new intellectual properties (IPs) by experienced creators and are carefully calculated risks. The adage "If it works, don’t break it" is evident in many Ubisoft franchises. For instance, recent FarCry and Assassin’s Creed installments follow established formulas with minimal changes and incremental improvements. This approach acts as a form of "insurance," safeguarding substantial investments by adhering to proven, successful strategies while maintaining profitability and appealing to their dedicated fanbase.
Such stagnation can lead to a perception of repetitiveness in large games. Without significant gameplay innovations, some publishers have faced criticism for releasing similar titles with minimal changes each year. The FIFA series is a prime example of this strategy. The game maintains consistent mechanics and gameplay elements, which, while not highly innovative, continue to be profitable and attract new players. This demonstrates that specific genres can rely on stable mechanics to appeal to their dedicated fanbases and remain successful. However, balancing innovation with familiarity remains crucial to sustaining long-term engagement and avoiding player frustration.
Despite some challenges, the AAA market continues to produce exceptional titles. There are many fantastic titles with astounding attention to detail, clever usage of basic mechanics, mind-blowing stories, and amazing graphics. These games push the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive entertainment. Let’s look at some of the most hyped triple-A games of recent years that have set new standards for the industry. Titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 have captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing the potential for innovation and excellence in AAA game development.
Notable AAA games
For our list, we picked five games with the highest rankings from the last five years. Each is a top AAA project that generated tons of hype long before its official release.
RDR 2 is a work of art and a significant improvement to the first part (also a great game). This Wild West simulator offers all kinds of activities like hunting, fishing, robbing, crafting, and questing in carefully replicated landscapes of America at the very beginning of the XX century. Players can explore a vast open world, visit countless towns, play poker and blackjack, and live the life of a bloodthirsty outlaw or dedicated peacemaker, experiencing the rich, dynamic environment and detailed storylines that make the game so immersive.
Red Dead Redemption 2 competes on par with another major Rockstar hit game – Grand Theft Auto V – as one of the best titles of the modern age. The studio managed to create a polished product that is fun to play and enjoyable to be in. The game's main story is nothing short of genius and easily beats any other Rockstar plot to date. RDR2 offers a complete package of activities that make it one of the best single-player experiences in the action genre.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
RDR 2 is a work of art and a significant improvement to the first part (also a great game). This Wild West simulator offers all kinds of activities like hunting, fishing, robbing, crafting, and questing in carefully replicated landscapes of America at the very beginning of the XX century. Players can explore a vast open world, visit countless towns, play poker and blackjack, and live the life of a bloodthirsty outlaw or dedicated peacemaker, experiencing the rich, dynamic environment and detailed storylines that make the game so immersive.
Red Dead Redemption 2 competes on par with another major Rockstar hit game – Grand Theft Auto V – as one of the best titles of the modern age. The studio managed to create a polished product that is fun to play and enjoyable to be in. The game's main story is nothing short of genius and easily beats any other Rockstar plot to date. RDR2 offers a complete package of activities that make it one of the best single-player experiences in the action genre.
Horizon Forbidden West (2022)
Horizon Forbidden West is another perfect sequel to a solid triple-A game. Just like Horizon Zero Dawn (the first part of the series), it deserves to be called one of the most beautiful games of the current generation. The AAA developers significantly enhanced the combat system and open-world mechanics and added new activities, characters, and things to do. As a result, the new and improved Horizon looks even more beautiful and livelier.
Gameplay-wise, it is a classic open-world action adventure where you will deal with unusual enemies like cyber T-rexes. However, the story also plays a major role in this one, so you will have to travel and discover new mysteries of the lavish post-post-apocalyptic universe
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Before its release, Cyberpunk 2077 was a dream game with extraordinary settings and various super cool features. It has been 9 years since the first announcement of the public appearance on the market. The game had significant remakes, some features never made it to the final build, and quality control could have been better. CD Projekt Red would end there, and you would be fitting if the game was not exceptional.
Due to the pressures associated with release dates and ambitious goals, the company released a product that needed to be fully optimized at launch. Nonetheless, the game has achieved recognition for its ambitious scope and has been regarded as a significant achievement in the AAA game development industry. It offers immense free-roam opportunities to explore the vast territories of Night City and beyond, combined with RPG elements that many other open-world games lack. An intriguing story with Keanu Reeves alongside your character makes the ride even wilder. The visuals are stunning, although you will need an RTX-ready GPU to see the game's full potential.
Death Stranding (2019)
Have you ever wondered what a post-apocalyptic delivery simulator will be like? If you have, then compare your vision with Hideo Kojima’s. In his Death Stranding, you take control of Sam Bridges, tasked to carry packages between distant locations and reconnect people throughout the destroyed wasteland of the USA. Each delivery is a quest and requires planning: how much cargo you should take, which tools will be necessary to traverse the area, what side quests are near, and so on. In this game, some constructions created by other players remain in your world so that you can use them to your advantage.
Death Stranding is about connecting people – both physically and mentally. It raises many different questions and dilemmas we face in our real lives – about isolation, family relationships, parenting, and the progressive self-destruction of humanity. It is not easy to comprehend and is not something you would expect from a walking simulator. But next-level writing and level design, amazing graphics, and the involvement of multiple Hollywood stars like Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Lea Seydoux make Death Stranding an unforgettable and profoundly impactful experience.
Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
It is no secret that all the latest Forzas have dominated the arcade-racing genre. No wonder the Forza Horizon 5 is the racing king, especially among AAA computer games. FH5 made it to the top in 2021 with the most extensive open-world map in the series, letting you climb volcanoes and scale ancient temples in Latin America and offering an unparalleled variety of driving experiences and breathtaking scenery.
The beauty of Forza Horizon 5 is its flexibility. It has both single-player and multiplayer modes that allow you to compete in various thrilling racing challenges, including battle royale! The collection of cars is impressive, as always, plus you can customize them with different sprays, body kits, engines, and more, providing endless personalization options and keeping the gameplay fresh.
Finding partners for AAA end-to-end development
To make a blockbuster game, you need a huge budget and a AAA game company that knows how to utilize those funds effectively. The creation process might take years—2 or 3 at least—so it is better if all the job is done “under one roof” by one experienced studio with a proven track record. Such colossal endeavors require precise planning, foolproof management, and seamless coordination between various departments to ensure everything goes according to plan and meets high-quality standards.
Argentics provides services covering all stages of the game development process, from concept creation, complete game design, and art production to programming, testing, and release support. Our studio has an extensive portfolio of gaming projects that proves our expertise in game dev, and we can guarantee the quality of the final product. We prefer working closely with our clients to maximize production efforts and provide precisely what is needed, ensuring clear communication, adaptability, and a deep understanding of client needs. Our commitment to excellence helps us deliver top-tier results efficiently and effectively.
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