GTA 6 could potentially claim the title of the most costly video game ever developed, surpassing previous records. While video game development routinely demands tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, the estimated budget for GTA 6 could soar into the billions!
In recent decades, video games have evolved into an immensely popular form of entertainment, captivating not only children but also adults. It’s a far cry from the skepticism voiced by Michael Moon, an official representative of the board game maker Milton Bradley, who famously dismissed video games as a passing trend back in 1977. Instead of fading, this “fad” has experienced explosive growth, with the video game industry estimated to have been worth well over $200 billion in 2022, according to a report by Grand View Research.
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GTA 6
Present-day video game development involves costs that can reach the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the upcoming GTA 6 could overshadow even these staggering sums with an estimated development cost potentially reaching billions of dollars.
While official figures remain undisclosed, it is estimated that the development cost of GTA 5, released in 2013, fell between $250 million and $300 million, encompassing both development and marketing expenses. This figure is already astounding for a video game, yet Rockstar Games has not only recouped these costs but has generated a reported revenue of nearly $8 billion worldwide. GTA 5 has also secured its place as the second-best-selling video game of all time.
Nonetheless, the development expenditures for GTA 6 are predicted to surpass these figures, with reports suggesting a budget ranging from $1 billion to $2 billion. As of now, the most expensive game in development is Star Citizen, which has already incurred expenditures exceeding $500 million. Should these leaked figures hold true, GTA 6 would not only become the most expensive video game ever but also one of the most costly forms of media ever created. This revelation emerged via @GTAVInewz in a post on X, speculating that GTA 6 could potentially be “the most expensive entertainment product of all time.”
The implications of this leak have sparked speculation about the game’s price, with some reports suggesting that copies of GTA 6 could carry a staggering price tag of $150. While most video games today are priced at $59.99, the latest AAA titles for current-gen consoles often command $69.99. Game editions vary, with the standard version including only the game itself. Higher-priced editions typically offer various add-ons, such as exclusive skins, maps, weapons, in-game currency, and other content.
Upon hearing this rumor, gamers took to social media to express their dismay, clearly unhappy with the prospect of paying such a steep price for a game. It’s worth noting that Rockstar currently prices its remastered editions of previous GTA games, such as GTA III, GTA Vice City, and GTA San Andreas, at $59.99, making the rumored price of GTA 6 less of a surprise.
