The total cost of the biggest games now reportedly tops $1 billion

News
By published

The information shows a sharp increase over the past five years

Warzone 2 Plunder
(Image credit: Raven Software)

Game development costs can potentially reach $1 billion, when taking into account development, marketing, and promotion.

Last week, a UK government agency ruled against Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard, on the grounds that it would harm competition. Now, after the 418-page report from the agency has been analyzed in detail, there's some fascinating details about game development costs.

Namely, as IGN points out, the CMA report details that some major publishers can spend north of $1 billion on making their biggest franchise games. The report reveals a major AAA game greenlit now might cost $200 million to develop alone, and it's revealed Call of Duty has already ballooned past this, reaching $300 million to develop one game alone.

The CMA's report draws a contrast to game development budgets from just five years ago, which were then estimated to be between $50 and $150 million for the biggest games around. Game development budgets have spiralled over the past five years, the CMA's new report has outlined, to the point where a total budget of $1 billion definitely isn't out of the question.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.