Sony recently revealed the staggering development costs of two of their highly anticipated games, The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West. According to court documents, both games had budgets exceeding $200 million and required a substantial number of employees to create. However, the documents also revealed inadequate redaction, leading to the disclosure of sensitive information.
The Last of Us Part II, known for its divisive reception, involved around 200 full-time employees and had a budget of $220 million. The development spanned over 70 months, beginning in 2014 and ending with its successful launch in 2020. On the other hand, Horizon Forbidden West, another first-party PlayStation release, cost $212 million to develop, with a team of over 300 developers. This game even received additional downloadable content called Burning Shores earlier this year, which likely incurred additional expenses.
These revelations emerged as part of a trial between Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sony submitted these documents to emphasize the significance of AAA (triple-A) gaming and to make a case for securing Call of Duty’s presence on PlayStation consoles, even looking ahead to the next generation in 2028. Sony argues that the absence of high-quality games like Call of Duty on PlayStation could lead to a loss of players to rival consoles.
Typically, game development is shrouded in secrecy to avoid leaks and build anticipation. Consequently, these documents provide a rare glimpse into the investment of time and money required for AAA development. However, despite the immense costs, success is never guaranteed, as expectations are high and the industry continues to evolve beyond standard features like ray tracing. Fortunately, both The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West have proven to be profitable ventures for Sony, with Horizon Forbidden West boasting sales of 8.4 million units as of May.
It’s worth noting that the documents were partially redacted, leaving some uncertainty about whether the mentioned numbers include marketing expenses. Additionally, game studios often outsource work to other developers, further inflating the budget. The high costs associated with game development often discourage companies from taking risks and encourage them to rely on existing intellectual properties through sequels, remakes, or adaptations into other media forms.
Sony recognizes the immense value of successful AAA titles in cultivating long-lasting engagement with players. Many players invest hundreds of hours each year in their favorite AAA games. In particular, Sony sees Call of Duty as a critical component of PlayStation’s competitiveness, given its massive user base and the significance of robust multiplayer experiences within the franchise.
In contrast, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed his desire to eliminate console exclusives. However, he acknowledges that Sony PlayStation, as the dominant player in the market, has utilized exclusives such as God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us to establish a competitive advantage. Nadella believes that software should be accessible on as many platforms as possible, but he cannot change the current circumstances due to Sony’s strategic approach. Xbox had previously agreed to license Call of Duty to its competitors through a ten-year contract, which Sony declined.
Both The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West are currently available to play on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
