7 Most Expensive Video Games to Produce

Video games have undeniably come a long way since Pong and PlayStation. The industry was projected to reach €356.70 billion in 2023, with billions of users and enthusiasts worldwide. We already have countless games to choose from and enjoy! But did you know that producing every video game takes a massive budget?

CCC International listed seven of the most expensive video games ever produced, and we’ll share how they succeeded in reaching many fans across the globe. Clue: game translation and localization and customer support!

Key Takeaways:

• The industry has gone a long way since the days of Pong, and it’s projected to have 3.04 billion users by 2027. Now, expensive game consoles, such as those from Sony and Microsoft, require a high budget for production.
• A high-budget video game may cost a fortune to produce, but the right localization and customer support can bring it worldwide success.
• The most expensive video games ever produced include the classic Final Fantasy VII, Battlefield 4, and Shadow of The Tomb Raider.

Table of Content:

• History of Video Games
• The Challenges of Game Development
• The Most Expensive Video Games to Produce
• CCCI – Professional Game Translation and Localization

Video game development has been around since the 1950s. British professor A.S. Douglas created OXO in 1952; we now know it as tic-tac-toe. The earliest game, Tennis for Two, was developed by William Higinbotham in 1958. The actual origin of modern video games began with the release of Spacewar in 1962, and this introduced concepts such as artificial intelligence, physics, and three-dimensional graphics.

It was in 1967 when “The Brown Box” was released. This console allowed players to choose from games like table tennis and shooting. It later evolved into the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972, and this became the first commercial console. Some of the first most notable games include Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Flight.

The industry crashed in 1983 but recovered shortly after in 1985. Nintendo and Sega were the big names at this time, producing games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Console wars became a thing in the 1990s as Sony got into the mix with its PlayStation console.

3D gaming started with the release of Virtua Fighter in 1993, allowing for more realistic gaming experiences. The industry continued to grow, and we are now in the modern age of gaming, with powerful game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. By 2027, there will be 3.04 billion users and gamers, and game developers must continue to push the limits of gaming.

Gamers can simply enjoy any game, whether the best indie RPG games or the most expensive game consoles, without usually thinking about the efforts involved in game development. However, developers face several challenges, from developing the game engine to creating all the characters and objects.

Creating a game takes millions of dollars, and this does not include marketing costs. Here are eight common challenges of game development:

1. Determining the Right Goal: Choosing the right goal for the game is vital to ensure it will reach its intended audience. This step includes setting a budget and timeframe, as well as researching trends in the industry.
2. Keeping Serious Games Fun: A game must be fun, exciting, and challenging. An action or sports game should have realistic graphics, and a puzzle game should have enough levels and difficulty.
3. Deciding the Right Genre and Platform: Developers must choose their game’s genre and what platforms it will be available on. PC, mobile, console, or VR platforms have different development requirements.
4. Listening to the Players’ Opinions: Developers should always seek feedback from players to identify areas they can improve. It will help them create a better and more enjoyable game.
5. Not Developing More Than Necessary: Creating too many features or objects can lead to a bloated game, which may ultimately fail. Developers should focus on the essentials and keep their games simple yet engaging.
6. Collecting the Right Data: Developers must collect the correct data to ensure their game succeeds. It includes collecting analytics, feedback from players, and game performance metrics.
7. Convincing the Target Group: Developers must create games that appeal to the target audience. It involves understanding the players’ preferences and creating content that will captivate them.
8. Reaching the Target Group: Developers must also find ways to reach their target audience. It includes creating effective marketing campaigns, using social media, and word-of-mouth advertising.

Why are expensive video games expensive? Because of all these complex steps and processes that developers must go through! A high-budget video game for the most valuable game consoles typically takes multiple teams of developers, artists, and other professionals to create.

Pro Tip: If you want to develop a game, start small and expand once you have a thriving base. Expensive games don’t always equal success! Creating a great game that appeals to players takes time, effort, and resources.

We’ve heard of expensive retro games such as Super Mario Bros, Super Mario 64, The Legend Of Zelda, Sonic The Hedgehog, and many more. But what are some of the most expensive video games ever made? Here are seven of them:

Based on scope and interactivity, Red Dead Redemption 2 is definitely one of the most impressive games ever made. The game is about the story of a bandit who must survive in the Wild West, set in a fictionalized United States representation in 1899. Regarding details, Rockstar Games put in an insane amount of effort to create a visually stunning world! The large open-world game released in 2018 cost around $540 million, with the developers committing eight years of their lives to the project.

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world game from CD Projekt Red, released in 2020. With its futuristic setting, the developers had to create a unique world with which players could explore and interact. Cyberpunk 2077 is set in a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification. The game cost around $316 million, an incredible amount for a single title!

The development of Grand Theft Auto V started in 2008 and was released in 2013. Rockstar Games has been known for creating iconic games, and this was no exception. Insanely detailed graphics? Check. An immersive storyline? Check. And with a budget of $265 million, the budget and dedication absolutely paid off. It made $1 billion in its first three days!

Note: These budgets include marketing and other expenses. The cost for the development of each game may vary. Generally, the most expensive video games are AAA titles, with budgets ranging from tens to hundreds of millions

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a first-person shooter developed by Infinity Ward and released in 2009. A global conflict with the return of the Operators of Task Force 141? Sounds like a hit to us! The high-budget game had an estimated budget of $250 million. Incredibly detailed, with an engaging story and great gameplay, no wonder why it was so successful.

Shadow of The Tomb Raider was developed by Eidos Montreal and released in 2018. It was the third installment in the rebooted version of the classic Tomb Raider franchise. It’s always irresistible to play as the archaeologist Lara Croft. In this game, she attempts to stop the mysterious group Trinity, and the game cost around $135 million to make. Gamers praised its beautiful graphics and engaging story.

In 2013, EA Digital Illusions CE released the first-person shooter game Battlefield 4. The action blockbuster is the thirteenth installment in the Battlefield Series, blurring the line between game and glory for the ultimate entertainment. The game cost around $100 million, guaranteeing players a “glorious chaos of all-out war!”

Final Fantasy VII by Square Enix is a classic and one of the most influential games ever. It was released in 1997 with an estimated budget of $45 million and another $100 million for marketing alone. Many said the graphical jump between Final Fantasy VI and VII alone was worth the investment and seemed like there was no limit to the game’s possibilities.

Yes, a high-budget video game means better graphics, smoother controls, and an immersive storyline. Besides the impressive visuals, localizing and translating the game into multiple languages is also essential. Why? Because you want to get the message across to all your players, no matter where they’re playing.

CCCI provides professional game translation and localization services and game customer support, ensuring your game reaches the widest audience possible. With our experienced translators and editors, you can expect high-quality work delivered on time, every time. We’ve worked on multiple game localization projects, allowing audiences like Muslim countries to participate in the gaming industry.

Like you, we’re bewildered by the high costs of some video games. But after seeing the results, we understand why game developers make these investments. With CCCI’s localization services, you can ensure your game reaches a global audience and succeeds in the long run. Contact us today!