Most expensive games of the 2010s
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tops this ranking with over $640 million, ahead of Lost Ark (over $85.4 million) and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain ($80 million). Development budgets from court filings, publisher reports and serious press. 11 games ranked.
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Which one cost more to make?
| # | Game | Number | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Call of Duty: Modern WarfareDevelopment costs over the full life cycle | over $640 million | December 2024 | Game File |
| 2 | Lost ArkDevelopment budget ("more than 100 billion won"), unspecified scope | over $85.4 million | November 2019 | Pulse (Maeil Business News Korea) |
| 3 | Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom PainReported development cost (unclear scope) | $80 million | September 2015 | The Independent |
| 4 | Shadow of the Tomb RaiderProduction cost only: $75–100M range (excluding ~$35M promotion) | over $75 million | May 2018 | GamesIndustry.biz |
| 5 | Gran Turismo 5Total development cost estimated by the producer (over 5 years, before launch) | $60 million | November 2009 | Gamasutra |
| 6 | RiftDevelopment cost stated by Trion Worlds’ CEO | over $50 million | August 2010 | Develop |
| 7 | Duke Nukem ForeverFounders' own money spent by 3D Realms (excluding Gearbox) | over $20 million | December 2009 | Wired |
| 8 | Planet CoasterDevelopment cost (≈ £6M, excluding £1.5M marketing) | $8.1 million | June 2018 | Variety |
| 9 | A Way OutDevelopment funding provided by EA (EA Originals program) | $3.7 million | June 2017 | VentureBeat |
| 10 | MagickaDevelopment budget (approx.) | $400,000 | August 2011 | Game Developer (Gamasutra) |
| 11 | The ForestInitial development budget | $125,000 | November 2018 | Gamasutra |
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