Most Expensive Video Game Budgets Ever

Video games are quickly approaching Hollywood movies in terms of budget size, and often surpass then altogether. In the early 90s, video game budgets were around $100,000. When Doom was released in 1993 it had cost $200,000 and was touted as one of the most expensive games at the time. Today, that barely covers one month worth of production.

So here I have compiled a list of some of the most expensive video game budgets ever.

Grand Theft Auto 4: $100 million

When it comes to sheer production values, sheer amount of features, the details, and no game beats Grand Theft Auto 4. Over 1,000 people worked on the game for over 3 and half years, with a budget of $100 million.

Gran Turismo 5: $80 million

What’s set to become the biggest and greatest racing game in history, Gran Turismo has been in development for over 5 years now, and features over 1,000 cars, each recreated for with extreme realism and perfection in mind. It said that the budget will reach a staggering $80 million.

Shenmue, $70 million

A game which held the record as most expensive game for nearly 10 years, Shenmue’s budget was unheard of at the time of its development which was about a $70 million. But unfortunately the game ultimately disappointed in sales.

Too Human, $60+ million

Too Human faced many issues during its development time. In the middle developers abandoned the engine and started making their own games at a time when the game was almost complete. This added at least another $10 million to the budget.

Metal Gear Solid 4, $60 million

The biggest, pretties and most complex Metal Gear Solid game, one with hours and hours of cut scenes, amazing production values and one of the best visuals at its time, Metal Gear Solid 4 took 4 full years to make, at a price tag of $60 million.

Halo 3, $55 million

The Halo franchise has been so successful for Bungie and Microsoft that they virtually had an unlimited budget on Halo 3, as it had to be the best and most impressive game in almost all aspects when it was released. It pretty much was, at a price of $55 million.

APB, $50 million

APB has been in development close to 5 years now, and Realtime Worlds have often stated that it’s the most expensive game they’ve ever worked on. The official budget is exactly $50 million.

LA Noire: $50 million

It’s no secret now that Rockstar has given LA Noire a massive budget, upwards of $50 million, to create a truly cinematic video game, where most of 1940s Los Angeles has been recreated and is fully explorable.

Final Fantasy XII: $48 million

The Final Fantasy games have been known for their outstanding quality, length and sheer production value. They’ve also been known as some of the most expensive games to have ever come out for like $48 million for FF XII.

Killzone 2: $45 million

One of the most anticipated PS3 titles, and one which has been in development for over four years, Killzone 2′s budget was originally $20 million. It has an estimated budget of $45 million.