As video games get bigger and bigger, video game budgets get bigger and bigger, too. But what’s games have the biggest budgets?
The sticky part of video game budgets is that some developers will not confirm the actual budgets, and there is some speculation in these numbers. But here, according to website DigitalBattle.com, here are the hugest of the huge:
10. Killzone 2: US$45 million
Most estimates put the budget at $45 million, but higher estimates put the budget at over €41 million or $56 million.
9. Final Fantasy XII: $48 million
The game’s budget was $48 million — without marketing costs. As Digital Battle points out, there are rumors that Final Fantasy XIII had a 50 percent higher budget.
8. L.A. Noire: $50 million
Tom Crago, the president of Game Developers’ Association of Australia, cited Noire as “one of the most expensive games in development today”. Developed in Australia, Noire has been given a massive budget.
7. APB: $50 million
In development for five years now, the game officially has a budget of 50 million.
6. Halo 3: $55 million
According to Digital Battle, the budget was in the neighborhood of $55 million, excluding the $200 million Microsoft spent on developing the game.
5. Metal Gear Solid 4: $60 million
Digital Battle puts the budget at $60 million, which it says was shared between Konami and Sony. The game was in development for four years.
4. Too Human: $60 million plus
Eons in development, platform and engine switching. Too Human was too expensive.
3. Shenmue: $70 million
This Dreamcast game held the most expensive game budget record for almost ten years.
2. Gran Turismo: $80 million
In development for over 5 years, the official budget was $60 million. In 2008.
1. Grand Theft Auto 4: $100 million
Top 10 most expensive video games budgets ever [Digital Battle]
