The wildest video game budgets can't hold a candle to GTA 6

image via Engadget

August 29, 2026, 10:30 PM

• •The article says analysts estimate Grand Theft Auto VI's budget at more than $1 billion, with some estimates around $1.5 billion.
• •It compares GTA VI's projected cost with disclosed budgets including Horizon Forbidden West at $212 million, The Last of Us Part II at $220 million, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at more than $700 million over its life cycle.
• •The piece argues that larger teams, longer development cycles, extensive testing, and live-service support have pushed modern game budgets sharply higher.
• •It notes GTA V made $800 million on its first day and has generated roughly $10 billion in total revenue, helping explain Take-Two's willingness to fund GTA VI heavily.
• •The article also highlights labor concerns, citing reports of crunch at Naughty Dog and Rockstar during development of major blockbuster games.

The article argues that Grand Theft Auto VI is on track to become the most expensive entertainment product ever made, with analyst estimates exceeding $1 billion and in some cases reaching $1.5 billion. It explains that modern blockbuster games now require huge multidisciplinary teams, years of development, extensive testing, and sometimes ongoing live-service support. The piece compares GTA VI with other costly games such as Horizon Forbidden West, The Last of Us Part II, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Star Citizen while also pointing to GTA V's massive long-term revenue. It also says escalating scale has worsened labor pressures, citing crunch allegations and long working hours at major studios including Rockstar and Naughty Dog.

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