The anticipated release of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is set for late 2024, following the record-breaking development cost of over $700 million for Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War. This figure, revealed in a legal document, highlights the escalating budgets in the franchise, surpassing previous titles like Black Ops 3 and Modern Warfare. Despite high production costs, sales numbers tell a different story, with Cold War selling only 30 million copies.
The Call of Duty franchise is renowned for its blockbuster game releases, with Activision consistently pushing the envelope each year. As we look forward to the anticipated release of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 by the end of 2024, it’s worth noting that an earlier installment, Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War, racked up an astonishing development cost exceeding 700 million dollars, making it one of the most expensive games ever produced.
The Eye-Popping Budget of Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
Creating a high-quality video game demands significant investment, encompassing both technical development and extensive marketing efforts. Journalist Stephen Totilo from Game File disclosed this staggering figure in a report by Patrick Kelly, the franchise head. This information was uncovered in a legal document related to a lawsuit filed against Activision last May, linked to a tragic incident at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022.
This report sheds light on the financial aspects of various Call of Duty titles, notably highlighting Call of Duty Black Ops 3, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War. The development costs for these titles were 450 million dollars for Black Ops 3, 640 million dollars for Modern Warfare, and an eye-watering 700 million dollars for Black Ops Cold War! It’s important to note that these figures exclude marketing expenditures. Despite their hefty price tags, sales figures do not always reflect equal success.
According to the same document, Black Ops 3 sold 43 million copies, Modern Warfare sold 41 million units, while Black Ops Cold War trailed behind with 30 million copies sold globally.
The Most Expensive Video Game Ever Made
As we trace the evolution of production budgets for Call of Duty games, it’s clear that Activision has been increasingly willing to invest substantial sums into its flagship franchise. The 700 million dollar price tag for Black Ops Cold War certainly places it among the most costly games in history. However, it’s concerning that sales do not seem to keep pace with such elevated costs; the more a game costs to produce, the less it appears to sell.
Currently, details surrounding the budget for Call of Duty Black Ops 6 remain under wraps, and it is doubtful Activision will disclose full financial details. Given the extensive resources earmarked for this anticipated title, which aims to make a significant impact, it wouldn’t be surprising if its budget exceeds that of Black Ops Cold War, although this remains speculative.
As it stands, the title that holds the record for the highest development and marketing costs is Genshin Impact, with a staggering total of 900 million dollars, which includes 100 million for development and 200 million annually for ongoing maintenance. Other notable mentions include Star Citizen at 600 million, Cyberpunk 2077 at 400 million, and Grand Theft Auto V at 265 million.
In just a few days, we can expect the arrival of the second season of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty Warzone, which promises to address several ongoing issues, including the persistent problem of cheaters in the game. Meanwhile, players eagerly await these updates while the cheaters seem to be left with little to do.