Video games today are costing developers ten times more to produce than they did 15 years ago, and a new report highlights the jaw-dropping budgets of modern blockbusters. Research by the Epyllion Group has analyzed the financial growth of franchises like Halo and Spider-Man over the last few years, revealing just how much costs have skyrocketed.

The gaming industry has been grappling with significant challenges, including widespread layoffs and studio closures, but one of the most pressing issues remains the ballooning budgets for video game production. According to Forbes, Spider-Man 2 alone required a $300 million budget, reflecting how rising investments have fueled increasingly unrealistic expectations. But how exactly have game budgets changed over the past decade? The answer might surprise you.

The Epyllion Group’s report unveils the staggering rise in game development costs over the last twelve years, showing how the budgets for iconic franchises have increased dramatically. However, while the report provides some accurate data, certain figures rely on independent estimates, meaning not all details are fully verified.

The Soaring Costs Behind Call of Duty, Spider-Man, and Halo

Take Final Fantasy as an example. Back in 2009, the development of Final Fantasy XIII came with a budget of just over €47 million. Fast forward to 2023, and Final Fantasy XVI saw a production budget balloon to €209 million—comparable to the massive resources poured into Red Dead Redemption 2.

The same trend holds true for the Call of Duty franchise. In 2009, Modern Warfare 2 cost under €47 million to make. Six years later, Black Ops 2 had a budget of €71 million, and by 2023, Modern Warfare III saw its costs surge to €550 million, factoring in its campaign, multiplayer, and additional modes (excluding post-launch content).

The Halo and Spider-Man franchises follow a similar pattern. The production of Halo: Infinite reportedly reached $600 million—a figure derived from estimates linked to Microsoft’s legal battle with the FTC—while earlier entries like Halo 4 and Halo 5 cost significantly less, at approximately €120 million and €180 million, respectively. Meanwhile, the second Spider-Man installment saw its budget skyrocket, with Miles Morales and the first Spider-Man costing €145 million and €100 million, respectively.

Despite the enduring popularity of these franchises, the growing costs are outpacing revenues. This has fueled concerns across the industry, especially with games like GTA 6 expected to retail for €80 or even €100—far higher than today’s standard pricing. Many fear this trend could jeopardize the future of gaming as we know it.

Source: 3djuegos