One thing you can conclude from this list of 10 most expensive video games ever made is that sometimes high costs yield higher rewards. It’s not easy to make a video game. One of the major factors you have to consider is the costs for making one. The video games included in this list are Triple A franchises that are celebrated throughout the world. When making a game you’d have to consider resources and compare them to how much you’ll have to spend in comparison with how much you’ll get on the market. Because of this money becomes more of an issue especially as time goes on.
You’d also have to consider competitors and how you’d have to take a step up in terms of gameplay, graphics, function, features, etc. You’d have to hire a lot of staff to make an ambitious project work. Despite that, it may still require years of testing, tweaking, polishing and testing again. Some video game companies even hire professional actors, musicians, writers and game developers in order to make the best game possible. Even big movie franchises that turned out to be video game franchises probably have the same amount of costs when it comes to production. Take the example of The 25 Best Star Wars Video Games of All Time.
The video games listed here are based on how much was spent to make and market them while taking into account 2015’s inflation. Let’s find out more as we go through these 10 most expensive video games ever made:
10. Disney Infinity
One of the best features of Disney Infinity is the fact that you can build your own world. You can even play in your creation or check out creations from other users. It’s not cheap to put in game features that allow flexibility while still retaining the stability of a game. Include the fact that the game produces miniatures of famous Disney and Marvel characters to be used for the game. This makes Disney Infinity cost $101 million.
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9. Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar had this way of testing new and experimental features using some of their other games. This was to check how people would react before they would put it on one of their leading franchises. Red Dead Redemption is arguably the best open world RPG emulating the life of someone in the Wild West. It also cost $108 million to make.
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8. Max Payne 3
After Rockstar got a hold of the Max Payne franchise, they worked hard in rebooting and improving the game with the use of new technology. The popular noir game was received well despite the fact that it was probably one of Rockstar’s biggest and most intensive games during its release. The cost of Max Payne 3 overall was about the same as Red Ded Redemption.
7. Too Human
Too Human didn’t receive as much popularity compared to other games in this list. The reason that Too Human costs around $110 million to make is because that it was in “development hell” for around 10 years. It switched developers, switched consoles, and then was finally acquired by Microsoft and released during 2008. The story is set around Norse Mythology with a cybernetic twist.
6. Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV marked Rockstar’s return to a numbered Grand Theft Auto and the game received numerous awards and high reviews. Rockstar had succeeded in maximizing the capabilities of consoles at the time and showed features that other games had not even tried yet. The cost for making the 4th installment was around $110 million.
Let’s go through more games as we continue this list of 10 most expensive video games ever made.
5. Destiny
Destiny marks the first new franchise from Bungie after they left behind Halo. The game is set on another mythical science fiction world. What makes the game very popular now is Bungie’s implementation of the MMORPG scheme that blends seamlessly with the game. Many players give positive reviews of the online experience. The cost of making Destiny is at $140 million.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Old Republic was BioWare’s first attempt at an MMORPG. BioWare was more notably known for its successful RPG franchises like Knight of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. The game received a lot of hype leading up to its release. Problems during its initial launch however thinned expected subscriber numbers and the game eventually became free-to-play. The cost of making this MMORPG was $210 million.
3. Final Fantasy VII
If there was one Final Fantasy that put Squaresoft (now Square Enix) on the map it would be Final Fantasy VII. Final Fantasy VII would push the company over the top in popularity and would also give birth to the JRPG franchise in the West. What’s surprising about this game is that it was made during 1997 and costs for making this game were above any other during its time. Considering inflation, Final Fantasy would’ve costed $213 million.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar continues its trend of expensive productions with the most ambitious game they’ve released so far in Grand Theft Auto V. The game had a larger city, better gameplay, more features, better graphics and everything else you can think of that would increase its cost to $268 million.
1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Of all the Call of Duty games ever made, the Modern Warfare series would probably be the most memorable and acclaimed out of all. Modern Warfare 2 would continue where the first game finished though this time at a higher cost for production. The cost of making the game would now amount to $275 million.
This has been the list of 10 most expensive video games ever made. Try one of these games out and see the difference for yourself.
