The Most Expensive Video Games Ever Made: Was It Worth the Investment?
Few entertainment industries move as much money as video games. And with every new console generation, player expectations continue to rise. This has led to some games surpassing $300 million, even $500 million, when marketing is included—making them massive financial bets.
So, the big question is: Were these investments really worth it?
Games with astronomical budgets
Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive games ever produced:
- Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V): with an estimated cost of $265 million, it became one of the most profitable games in history. Rockstar recovered its investment within 24 hours of its 2013 release.
- Cyberpunk 2077: developed by CD Projekt RED, the game’s total cost—including marketing—surpassed $300 million. Despite a troubled launch, it eventually stabilized and recovered much of the investment thanks to patches and a successful Netflix anime series.
- Star Citizen: this is a special case. Still in development, it has raised over $600 million via crowdfunding without a final release. It’s the most expensive game ever—and it’s still not out.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022): Activision poured more than $300 million into development and promotion. Despite mixed reviews, it became one of the year’s top-selling titles.
Do these games make the money back?
In many cases, yes—but not always. Games like GTA V and Modern Warfare are part of well-established franchises, making their success more predictable. Others, like Anthem or Forspoken, had massive budgets too but failed to meet sales expectations.
The challenge lies in balancing technical innovation, tight deadlines, and powerful marketing to justify those massive costs.
What will be the next “GTA VI”?
With blockbuster budgets now the norm, the question isn’t if another game will cross the $300 million mark—but which one will break the next record. All signs point to GTA VI as a historic milestone. Current estimates suggest its total cost (including marketing and long-term content) could surpass $1 billion.
Other contenders like The Elder Scrolls VI, The Witcher 4, and upcoming Marvel games are also expected to demand massive investments. But will these titles match GTA V’s commercial success, or collapse under the weight of their own hype?
The industry is ready to keep raising the stakes—but in this game, spending big is only half the battle. Delivering matters more.
