Is GTA 6 the Costliest Game Ever Developed?

Grand Theft Auto VI is generating immense excitement as one of the most eagerly awaited video games ever, with its release planned for 2025. Rockstar Games has a reputation for creating high-budget, intricately detailed, and ambitious games that set the standard in the industry. Despite the long 12-year wait since the last installment, the studio is committed to exceeding expectations, even if those expectations seem unattainable. The rumored budget for GTA VI reportedly rivals that of major film franchises, raising eyebrows and expectations.

In recent years, the costs associated with game development have soared, with AAA titles frequently sporting budgets comparable to Hollywood blockbusters. For instance, Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 supposedly came with a staggering price tag of $300 million, surpassing the budget for No Way Home (not including marketing). GTA VI is on track to be the most extreme example yet.

Rumored Budget of $1-2 Billion: A Record-Breaking Figure

Potentially Exceeding Ubisoft’s Total Value

According to Insider Gaming, the budget for GTA VI may reach an astonishing $1-2 billion—a figure unprecedented in gaming history. While budgets over $300 million have become somewhat common, GTA VI is poised to break all records. Even if we spread this budget over the seven years in development, it still amounts to an eye-popping total.

The financial investment in this game is greater than that of many entire companies. For example, Ubisoft, a leading player in the gaming world that has faced its share of financial challenges, had a market valuation of $1.72 billion as of March 21, 2025, as reported by Stock Analysis. If the budget for GTA VI indeed approaches $2 billion, it could surpass the financial worth of Ubisoft, the powerhouse behind popular franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

Comparing GTA VI’s Budget to Previous Installments

Significantly Outpacing GTA V’s Budget

To put things into perspective, the GTA series started with humble beginnings, with the original game costing $1-2 million in 1997. Subsequent iterations had modest budgets: GTA 2 came in at $3-4 million, GTA 3 at $5 million, and Vice City and San Andreas at roughly $10 million each. GTA IV represented a major leap forward at $100 million, which was then dwarfed by GTA V‘s $250 million budget. Adjusting for inflation, this puts it closer to about $340 million today, which, while still massive, could represent only a fraction of GTA VI‘s estimated budget.

Regardless of how it compares, Rockstar seems confident that Grand Theft Auto VI could achieve the status of the largest game launch in history. While the expectations are incredibly high and may feel impossible to meet, Rockstar’s history suggests that GTA VI will be a remarkable title. What remains to be seen is whether it will truly necessitate such an extravagant budget and whether it can recoup its investment.

Sources: Insider Gaming, Stock Analysis