Call of Duty: Development Costs Soar

Record-Breaking Call of Duty Budgets: A Look at the Rising Costs of AAA Game Development

Recent disclosures reveal that Activision's Call of Duty franchise has shattered previous budget records, with development costs for some titles reaching a staggering $700 million. This surpasses even the famously expensive Star Citizen. Black Ops Cold War, topping the list at over $700 million, highlights the escalating financial investment required for modern AAA game development.

The sheer scale of AAA game production is undeniable. Years of development, immense manpower, and significant financial resources are all necessary ingredients. While indie games often thrive on smaller budgets secured through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, the AAA landscape operates on a vastly different scale. Blockbuster titles consistently break previous cost records, dwarfing even those considered expensive just a few years ago. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us Part 2, while costly, pale in comparison to the recently revealed Call of Duty figures.

According to a December 23rd California court filing, Activision's Patrick Kelly (head of Call of Duty creative) revealed the budgets for Black Ops 3, Modern Warfare (2019), and Black Ops Cold War. Black Ops Cold War's development cost exceeded $700 million, a figure achieved despite being financed solely by Activision, unlike Star Citizen's crowdfunded, 11-year development, which cost $644 million. Modern Warfare (2019) followed with a budget exceeding $640 million, while Black Ops 3, the lowest of the three, still boasted a $450 million budget—more than double the $220 million spent on The Last of Us Part 2.

Black Ops Cold War's $700 Million Budget: An Industry Milestone

Black Ops Cold War's budget represents an unprecedented high watermark in video game development, surpassing even Star Citizen. This starkly illustrates the ever-increasing financial commitment required to create top-tier gaming experiences.

Considering the escalating trend, it's fascinating to speculate on the potential budgets for future installments, such as Black Ops 6. The industry's financial trajectory is clear. For instance, Final Fantasy VII's $40 million budget in 1997, considered massive at the time, now seems minuscule compared to current AAA game costs. Activision's recent disclosures serve as undeniable proof of the exponentially rising costs within the video game industry.