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 set new industry benchmarks, with development budgets reaching staggering heights. Three titles – Black Ops 3, Modern Warfare (2019), and Black Ops Cold War – saw investments ranging from $450 million to a jaw-dropping $700 million. This surpasses previous records for the franchise, with Black Ops Cold War leading the pack.
The sheer scale of these budgets underscores the escalating costs inherent in AAA game development. While indie games often thrive on smaller budgets secured through crowdfunding, the demands of blockbuster titles continue to grow exponentially. While games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us Part 2 are known for their substantial development costs, they are dwarfed by these newly revealed Call of Duty figures.
According to a December 23rd California court filing, Activision's Patrick Kelly, head of creative for the Call of Duty franchise, detailed the financial investments. Black Ops Cold War, exceeding $700 million, stands out, selling over 30 million copies after years of development. Modern Warfare (2019), with a development cost exceeding $640 million, achieved even higher sales, reaching 41 million copies. Even Black Ops 3, the "least expensive" of the three at $450 million, significantly surpasses the $220 million budget of The Last of Us Part 2.
Black Ops Cold War: A $700 Million+ Milestone
The budget for Black Ops Cold War represents an unprecedented high in video game development, surpassing even Star Citizen's substantial $644 million investment. This is particularly noteworthy considering Star Citizen's extensive crowdfunding campaign spanning 11 years, while Black Ops Cold War's funding came solely from Activision.
The trend of escalating budgets is undeniable. Comparing the $40 million budget of Final Fantasy VII in 1997 (then considered massive) to today's AAA game costs highlights the dramatic shift. Activision's recent disclosures serve as compelling evidence of the ever-increasing financial pressures within the modern video game industry. The implications for future titles, such as a potential Black Ops 6, are significant.
