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Report: Multi-Platform Development Budgets Soar

Gavin Ogden's picture

By Gavin Ogden

January 13, 2010

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According to a study carried out by analyst group M2 Research, average multi-platform development budgets have risen to $18-$28 million.

M2 Research reports (via Develop) that an average budget for a multi-platform title can range from $18-$28 million while single-platform development costs can reach as much as $10 million.

Triple A titles are reported to regularly break the $40 million barrier. Sony’s Gran Turismo 5 budget is tipped to be at $60 million and it’s said that Modern Warfare 2's budget clocked in at $50 million.

Last year Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said that he expects the cost of developing a high profile next generation title to double. "The next generation is going to be so powerful that playing a game is going to be the equivalent of playing a CGI movie today," the executive said.

Ben_Lathwell's picture
On January 13th Ben_Lathwell said:

I struggle to see why Modern Warfare 2 demanded such a massive budget.

I mean we all knew there was never a risk of it not making the money back, but surely a sequel on the same consoles shouldn't cost that much to develop.

I would guess a lot programing can be re-used, so the largest costs would be art working, MW2 is a pretty game but not $40 mil pretty

toadwarrior's picture
On January 13th toadwarrior said:

I would say it's wasted cash. Costs should come down over the life of a console. But they're probably pissing away money on things like hollywood voice talent which doesn't actually make a better game.

SaintJude's picture
On January 13th SaintJude said:

It makes sense then to keep the this generation going as long as possible. The costs are getting ridiculous!

Alex Walker's picture
On January 13th Alex Walker said:

I'd love there to be an equivalent of something like the Blair Witch Project, which cost around $750,000, and yet grossed $248,639,099.

Braid has shown that a comparatively small budget can still lead to critical acclaim, and has been 'very profitable' according to Jonathon Blow.