Call of Duty Reveals Massive Development Budgets

Call of Duty's Astronomical Budgets: A New High for AAA Game Development

Recent disclosures reveal that Activision's Call of Duty franchise has reached unprecedented heights in development costs, with budgets for some titles soaring to an astonishing $700 million. This surpasses even the massive budget of Star Citizen, previously considered a record-holder. Black Ops Cold War leads the pack, exceeding $700 million, highlighting the escalating financial investment in today's AAA game development.

The sheer scale of modern game development is undeniable. While indie games often thrive on smaller budgets, AAA titles demand significantly more resources and time. The costs have steadily increased over the years, eclipsing even the budgets of previously considered "expensive" classics. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us Part 2, while costly, pale in comparison to the newly 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 development budgets for Black Ops 3, Modern Warfare (2019), and Black Ops Cold War. Black Ops Cold War's budget exceeded $700 million, a figure achieved despite being funded solely by Activision, unlike Star Citizen's crowdfunded, 11-year development. Modern Warfare (2019) followed with a budget exceeding $640 million, while Black Ops 3, at $450 million, still dwarfs the $220 million spent on The Last of Us Part 2.

Black Ops Cold War: A $700 Million+ Milestone

The budget for Black Ops Cold War represents an unparalleled investment in video game development, surpassing even Star Citizen's $644 million. This starkly illustrates the industry's evolving financial landscape.

Considering the escalating trend, it's intriguing to speculate on the potential budgets for future Call of Duty titles. The contrast between current AAA budgets and those of earlier games is striking. For instance, the groundbreaking Final Fantasy VII (1997), with its then-massive $40 million budget, now appears minuscule by comparison. Activision's recent disclosures serve as a powerful testament to the ever-increasing costs within the video game industry.