How Much Does It Cost to Make a Video Game?

The cost of developing a video game has been the most debated topic for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring developers looking to enter this dynamic field. The global game market is showing a rapid increase. By 2027, the video game industry is projected to generate $360 billion, according to Statista. The question of whether to invest or not has become more crucial than ever.

Cubix, as a game development company, knows that developing a game is no longer a linear process; it requires a collaboration between developers, engineers, UI/UX designers, sound engineers, artists, gameplay architects, storytellers, game testers, and character designers. Due to this complexity, the cost of game development varies significantly and can be influenced by multiple factors. The cost can range from $20000 for a simple video mobile game to over $200 million for a AAA console title. In this guide, we will discuss all factors that might affect the video game development cost and how much budget you should keep in mind before hiring a company.

Development Cost For Different Types of Video Games

Estimating the cost of video game development requires a comprehensive understanding of the various resources, technical expertise, and time for each genre. Below is the detailed cost breakdown for multiple game genres. typically evaluated by any experienced video game development company.

Game Development Cost For AAA Video Games

Developing a AAA video game requires a combination of cutting-edge graphics, cinematic storytelling, and massive gameplay mechanics. The typical time span for an AAA title is usually 2 to 3 years, but it can extend even longer depending on the complexity of the project.

To build a basic-level AAA game, the team typically includes front-end and back-end developers, 2D game concept artists, 3D animators, UI/UX designers, graphic designers, and Game testers. In more advanced cases, it also requires professional AI programmers, cinematic directors, level designers,s and live-ops specialists. The studio may hire 10 to 15 core human resources; the number can grow significantly as the project expands.

• Estimated Total Cost: $300 million and $500 million

Mobile Game Development Cost

As compared to the AAA project, mobile game development costs require fewer resources and have a shorter timeline. Developing a mobile game is affordable for startups and small teams. A basic mobile game can be developed within  6 to 12 months, with 8 to 10 team members. The timeline and team size can increase depending on the complexity of the features and visuals.

Choosing a platform for mobile game development is very critical for the game’s cost. Developing an iOS or Android app can influence the cost because it includes extensive programming languages, development tools, device fragmentation, app store fees, etc. The potential user base of Android is higher than iOS, so the development cost may be slightly lower for Android. Initially, developers launch the game on a single platform and run a market test, then refine gameplay before committing to cross-platform. 

• Cost for a Simple 2D Casual Game: $10,000
• Cost for Large Scale 3D or Multiplayer titles: $300000+

PC and Console Game Development Cost

PC development costs are higher than mobile games. Both PC and Console games do share similarities, and there are key differences as well. PC games are typically built for a broader audience, while Console games appeal to a mainstream audience. For a basic console or PC game to develop, it may take around 12 months with a team of 7 to 10 members. These numbers can increase or decrease depending on game mechanics, fidelity, or cross-platform deployment. 

• Console Game development cost:  $200,000+
• PC Game Development Cost:  $50,000 to $500,000
  

AA Game (Mid-Tier) Development Price

The middle ground between indie and AAA games is AA games. These games typically need approximately 12 months to build and have a team of 8 to 9 members. The project timeline can be extended if the project is more complex than usual AA games.

These games usually target a very niche market, focusing on dedicated player communities. This allows developers to experiment with unique game mechanics, character building, and gameplay styles while controlling cost. For the success of the AA game, digital distribution platforms play a critical role in providing global reach. 

• Estimated Total Cost for basic: starting from $80,000

Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMO) Budget

In the genre of video game development, MMOs require more extensive resources and complex forms than any other games. MMs require large, multi-disciplinary teams of technical programmers, creative artists, Visual designers, script writers, etc. Even a basic MMO game requires a team of 15 to 20+ team members, and the project has an estimation of 1.5 to 2 years or more.

• Estimated Total Cost for MMO:  $1M to $200M+
  

Specific Components in Game Development Cost

Cinematics and 3D Animations

This includes everything from the movement of characters to the high-end cinematics. The cost can vary depending on the animation’s styles, complexity, and duration of the project. The cost can increase with character development, realistic facial expressions, big crowds,  and more physical effects. 

• Basic 3D animation:  $5,000 to $15,000 per minute.
• Mid-range quality: $15,000 to $50,000 per minute
• High-end/cinematic quality: $100,000+ per minute
• Top-tier/broadcast quality: over $500,000 per minute.
  

UI/UX Design

UI/UX design is essential for a smooth gaming experience, as it increases player satisfaction and retention. Costs can fluctuate based on the complexity of the interface, the target platform, and the visual depth of design elements. Advanced AI analytics can simulate different player demographics, interaction patterns, and accessibility, helping developers optimize navigation and enhance usability.

• Cost of AAA game UI/UX prototyping and wireframes: $30,000 to $100,000 
• Cost for Simpler games like poker apps: $2,000 to $5,000

2D Concept Art Building

2D concept art sets the tone, style, and mood of the game and lays the foundation of the visual identity for characters, environments, and UI elements. It influences the downstream stages of game development, from modeling and animation to level design. Costs depend on the level of detail, the number of iterations, and the artist’s experience.

• Basic sketches: $50 to $150 per piece.
• Detailed digital concept art: $300 to over $1,000 per piece.
• Full concept sets:  of $2,000 to $5,000
  

Audio Design

In video games, audio isn’t just a background element; it defines the game’s atmosphere, shapes immersion, increases emotional engagement, and improves overall game experience. The audio budget can vary depending on whether the game studio is creating original compositions, using stock tracks, or licensed music.

• Small indie games: $3,000 $20,000 for 30 45 minutes of music.
• Mid-tier games: $20,000 $60,000 for 1 2 hours of music.
• AAA games: Over $60,000 for 2+ hours of music.
  

Design Level and Environment

Art and engineering are required to create an immersive video game. If the game is more detailed and interactive than usual games, it needs a larger budget allocation.  Key drivers of the budget include map size, asset density, and visual fidelity.

• Cost for an indie game: $10,000-$20,000+
• Cost for an AAA title:  $1,000,000  
• Cost for mid-level game:  $25,000 and $80,000+

3D Modeling

In video game development, character creation is one of the most technical and costly areas. Building a character from scratch goes through multiple stages, such as initial concepts, topology cleanup, texture painting, shader work, rigging, skin weighting, and performance optimization for gameplay. The cost can vary depending on these factors. 

• Indie game (all modeling needs): $50,000  $300,000
• AA game: $300,000  $800,000
• AAA game: $300,000  $1,500,000+

Engines and Core Technology

Choosing a game engine directly influences the development cost, as the game engine forms the technical foundation of any project. The licensing model a studio selects defines its costs, workflow flexibility, and long-term scalability. Engine choice shapes both production efficiency and the final visual quality of the game.

Unity

2D games, simple 3D, mid-scope mobile games:  $40,000  $300,000
Large 3D, multiplayer, advanced mobile/PC titles: $300,000  $900,000

Unreal Engine 5

Small 3D/visual projects: $80,000  $400,000
AAA-quality graphics, complex gameplay, multiplayer: $400,000-$2,000,000

Godot

2D, stylized 3D, indie-scale projects: $25,000  $120,000
Larger Godot games still cheaper due to engine simplicity: $120,000 – $250,000

CryEngine

Mid to high-end realistic 3D games: $100,000  $500,000
AAA visual fidelity, large open worlds: $500,000  $1,200,000+

Custom Engine

In-house engine from scratch + game creation: $200,000  $1,000,000

Advanced engines supporting networking, physics, tools: $1,000,000-$3,000,000+

Factors That Affect Video Game Development Costing

Game Development and  Production

Game development takes a lot of time and money for the entire project. It requires multiple specialized departments to collaborate for months or years to create the game. The production cost involves everything needed to build the game, from early gameplay prototyping to finalizing the product. This includes coding costs, designing 2D and 3D visuals, designing gameplay mechanics, composing music, adding sounds, and ultimately testing the game. This fundamental phase requires a significant financial investment.

Team Size & Their Expertise

One of the most important cost factors is the budget for the team itself. Video game development requires skilled specialists to handle various tasks: Programmers work on technical systems, artists create visual assets, designers craft levels and missions, writers build the script, and engineers optimize the game to run smoothly and bug-free. A video game can take years to complete, and the studio has to pay salaries over a long period. The longer the development cycle, the higher the total salary cost.

Software, Hardware & Tools

Behind every video game, there are many technical tools that studios must purchase, license, or maintain. These include game engines, animation tools, texture software, simulation systems, and audio production tools. Hardware is equally important, such as powerful computers, testing devices, servers, and platform development kits. These are all necessary and cannot be avoided. Developers cannot test, build, or deploy games without this software and hardware.

Marketing and Promotion

Marketing and promotion start as soon as the game enters the production phase. Before launch, studios run awareness campaigns, teasers, concept reveals, and create promotional assets. This includes investment in influencer marketing, showcasing early builds, participating in expos, and presenting demos at gaming events. At Cubix, we start marketing before launching because we believe that it is strategically essential and financially significant.

Game Scope & Scale

The amount of game content forms the entire structure of the game. It includes levels, missions, assets, animations, sound effects, environments, and narrative. More immersive video games that offer an open-world adventure require the continuous creation of maps, missions, and an extensive asset production pipeline.

Licensing & Intellectual Property

Video game development requires legal permission and licensing for brands, franchises, and cultural icons. Companies pay licensing fees using popular characters, celebrity likenesses, registered logos, well-known sports leagues, historical brands, and high-profile fictional universes. The more valuable and recognizable the license, the higher the financial investment.

Post-Release Support & Updates

Modern games require ongoing optimization, live seasonal content, and meaningful updates. This includes bug fixing, stability patches, balancing adjustments, new levels, fresh events, cosmetic content, expansions, and feature updates. Long-term post-release support becomes an essential but expensive phase of the game’s lifecycle. 

Top Video Games: Development Costs and Revenue

GTA V

An open-world crime game consisting of three protagonists. This game is one of the top-selling games. The game offers multiplayer, online, and different mods. Players explore Los Santos city, from high-speed chases to unparalleled player choices.

• Estimated Cost: $270 million
• Revenue Generated: $8 billion

Call of Duty- All Series

A battleground game that offers adrenaline, shooting, and multitasking at the same time. The game offers immersive and realistic graphics. Call of Duty is also famous for its missions, villains like Makarov, and forces of heroes like Captain Price and Soap McTavish.

• Estimated Cost: $250 million
• Revenue Generated: $30 billion

Player Unknown Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBG Mobile)

Player Unknown Battlegrounds Mobile, famously known as PUBG, is considered an AAA game due to its high production and battle skills. Its massive success led to full-scale development by PUBG Corporation (a subsidiary of Krafton), making it one of the most influential battle royale games in the industry. 

• Estimated Cost: $70 million
• Revenue Generated:  $13 billion
  

Final Thoughts

Producing a video game is expensive, depending on its complexity, platform, and technology. From AAA titles to indie games, and from the thousands of dollars to well over $500 million by 2030, the costs vary greatly. AI development, real-time rendering, and cloud gaming are just some of the contributing factors to the growing expenditures.

Game pricing remains a mystery due to competitive secrecy, fluctuating development expenses, and changing monetization trends. Some developers find innovative means to keep costs in check, but others are behind the curve. Platform choice: iOS games, Android games, mobile games, PC games, or blockchain games are central to budgeting and success.

In the end, creating a game involves meticulous planning, talented developers, and proper technology. Regardless of whether you are creating a 3D game, a multiplayer game, an RPG game, a PvP game, a web game, a browser game, a Unity game, an Unreal Engine game, or even an NFT game, knowledge of the financial side is the secret to having a successful gaming project. especially when supported by a professional PvP game development service.

Share your details with Cubix experts, and we will calculate the cost of your new game.