The lights are on
We knew that video game budgets were getting high, but even we were a bit surprised by some of the numbers Digitalbattle.com came up with when it compiled a top 10 list of the most expensive games ever produced. Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV topped out the list.
We don’t know how accurate some of these numbers are, but we’ve seen similar lists in the past that seem to corroborate this info. GTA IV hit the number one slot with a supposed budget of $100,000,000. Since the game was in development for more than three years and had around a 1,000 people in the credits it wouldn’t be too shocking.
The rest of the list is has a few surprises, however:
2. Gran Turismo 5: $80 million3. Shenmue, $70 million4. Too Human, $60+ million5. Metal Gear Solid 4, $60 million6. Halo 3, $55 million7. APB, $50 million8. LA Noire: $50 million9. Final Fantasy XII: $48 million10. Killzone 2: $45 million
Given the rising costs of production and inflation it’s only a matter of time before someone surpasses that number, but it could be a long while before another game tops the list. Could it be GTA V? Anyone want to place bets?
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Too Human, the subpar game for the 360, cost more than $60 million??? Ouch. I'm also quite surprised that some of the RPG games like Mass Effect and Fallout 3 aren't up there. Now I'm curious to see what some of the less expensive ones are.
I predict Peggle :-P
Wow, did it turn a profit? How the hell did Halo 3 cost $55 million with mediocre tech and the exact same gameplay as Halo 2?
Cool article. I've often wondered about this. I remember hearing that Sega would've have needed everyone who owned a Dreamcast to buy Shenmue twice just to break even. I think its really cool they made such a huge game knowing they wouldn't make money. One of my all time favorites. Should've made the top 200 GI!
wow... you gotta love statistics
How have they complied costs for games that are still being developed, like LA Noir and GT5?
"compiled" oops
@Joshua Winter
Not by what they actually spent, necessarily, but by their budget.
I guess quantity does mean quality in the case of GTA IV, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Halo 3, and FF XII. I would say that the budgets was well justified by the results.
Too Human was a largely disappointing game. I hate that such a vast amount of resources were invested.
I'm surprised Uncharted 2 is not on this list.
Interesting.
Here's the list of games with their Metacritic scores
1. Grand Theft Auto IV: $100 million - 98/100
2. Gran Turismo 5: $80 million - Not Released Yet
3. Shenmue, $70 million - 89/100
4. Too Human, $60+ million - 65/100
5. Metal Gear Solid 4, $60 million - 94/100
6. Halo 3, $55 million - 94/100
7. APB, $50 million - Not Released Yet
8. LA Noire: $50 million - Not Released Yet
9. Final Fantasy XII: $48 million - 92/100
10. Killzone 2: $45 million - 91/100
So, 5 of the games on that list garnered scores over 90, 1 game almost hit a 90, 1 got below a 65, and 3 of them haven't been released yet. I'd say the high budgets, for the most part, have led to great results.
Silicon Knights must be HURTING after Too Human. Wow. That is just brutal. Also surprised by APB, considering it doesn't even have a release date yet, right? L.A. Noire looks unbelievable though. This months GI story blew my mind.
GTA being the most expensive but felt like it was a rushed game not as nearly as fun as GTA SA
Hahaha, Too Human cost 60 mil?
As expensive as GT5 was to make it's actually already paid for. GT5 prologue generated more than 100 million bucks so I'm guess ing that's why Sony is letting take their sweet time. As for the rest of them it goes to show you that delays really do hurt games. I'm was surprised that Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain didn't make the list. Wonder how much they cost.
Also Shenmue should still be no. 1. Considering inflation it must have cost more than GTA 4.
Did everyone else do the same thing I did upon seeing this list?
"Too Human... 60+ Million... OUCH!!!"
If you think GTAIV felt "rushed" or "not as fun" as GTA:SA (my least favorite in the series), it's fair to say that you didn't "get" it. It's a shame that you can't see evolution when it's happening, but hey some people would rather a bunch of pointless mini-games than some of the strongest story writing in gaming.
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HAHAHA *dead*
there I just died laughing at Too Human, what a colossal waste. Then again those expenses are spread out over 10+ years I guess.
Other than that, the biggest surprise on the list to me is Shenmue; not a bad game but it seems odd for a sleeper like that to have such a huge budget. Not sure if it paid off in profits, but probably in the rabidity of the fan base.
And yeah, I'm kinda surprised that something like Mass Effect (1 or 2) isn't up there, but so much the better for them Bioware I guess.
Not at all surprised to see GT5, FFXII, MGS4 or Halo 3 on there. Then again I do think H3 was a baby step better in some ways (tech) than H2, and a big step back in several other ways.
P.S. anytime I read a comment from someone who likes GTA, but not GTAIV, I immediately think "xenophobe."
100mil and they couldn't make driving fun...
$100,000,000??? I knew much time and effort was put into the game, but I thought another game would've topped it. Also, that's a huge blow after making Too Human, they spent so much money and it didn't even turn out great.
I really want to get into game design :}