A new report reveals that Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War has set a record as the most expensive video game ever developed.
According to Game File’s January 7, 2025, report, the game’s development cost reached an astonishing $700 million, surpassing the budgets of other major titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5.
Call of Duty Leads in Development Costs
The report highlights the following costs for major games:
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War: $700 million
- Red Dead Redemption 2: $540 million
- Grand Theft Auto 5: $265 million
Other games, such as Genshin Impact, are rumored to have higher budgets, but their official figures remain undisclosed.
GTA 6 Rumored Budget
Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to have a budget of $1-2 billion, which would make it the most expensive video game ever made.
While Rockstar Games has not confirmed these figures, the game is expected to set new industry standards.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has hinted that GTA 6 will be one of the most ambitious projects in gaming history. Fans will have to wait for the official launch to learn the true development cost.
For now, Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War holds the record, giving GTA 6 a high bar to surpass.
