
Game 27 Feb, 2025
The cost of making a video game varies widely, ranging from a few thousand dollars for indie projects to hundreds of millions for large-scale AAA titles. According to Statista, the global report is expected to reach 321.8 billion in 2025 and expand at a CAGR of 8.76% until 2027.
As technology grows, the cost of video game development is also rising day by day. Developing a game can be complex, but it requires planning, skilled professionals, and a well-managed budget. The cost of game development can vary on different factors such as the scope of the game, platforms, development team size, and graphics quality.
Developing a game is not that difficult anymore. With a perfect team and the hiring of the best developers, you can build your dream game. When making a video game, developers should ensure that the gameplay has attractive and engaging graphics. They should focus on optimizing the performance of the game.
While developing the game, developers should also focus on optimizing the performance to have a seamless gaming experience. Optimizing a game will reduce lags, improve frame rates and FPS, and minimize bugs and glitches that can affect the gaming experience.
Reports and trends highlight that:
The cost of developing a game has always remained unknown. While other businesses openly share their turnovers and budgets, the gaming industry keeps its budgeting a secret. This secrecy exists because of numerous factors, including competitive edge, varying development expenses, evolving monetization trends, and the complexity of modern game development. As a result, the question “how much does it cost to make a video game” continues to puzzle both aspiring developers and industry watchers alike.
The expense of game development is always a closely held secret within the video game industry. Unlike other forms of entertainment, where budgets are usually revealed, video game studios rarely disclose their games’ real financials. The reasons behind this secrecy are numerous, ranging from competitive edge to volatile development expenses, changing monetization schemes, and the sheer complexity of contemporary game development.
Factors why game pricing has remained a mystery:
One of the primary reasons for game pricing secrecy is the dynamic nature of development. The costs change with unexpected setbacks such as delays, personnel turnover, and technical challenges. Also, contemporary games demand ongoing updates, expansions, and live-service support, adding to the overall cost. To make a game, AI-powered game development, ray tracing, cloud gaming, and cross-platform compatibility are projected to add 20-30% to development costs over the next decade.
Reports and trends highlight that:
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Ultimately, game pricing is a secret because studios require flexibility, control over the market, and room to adjust to changing technology and player expectations. Although some numbers leak out in the long run, few complete financial scenarios of game development are ever made public. As technology advances, many developers are finding new ways to make a video game more efficiently, while others struggle with rising costs to make a game that meets modern standards.
Market research indicates that:
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To make a video game, we have to understand that every game’s pricing is different, which brings us to the common question — how much does it cost to make a video game? The answer depends heavily on the type of game and the platform where it will launch. For example, developers mostly release mobile games on iOS or Android, while web games, including NFT games, may launch on platforms like Infinity or Unity, each with its own pricing structure. The cost also varies based on whether the game targets mobile, PC, console, or blockchain platforms. Choosing the right platform plays a crucial role in both budgeting and the overall success of the gaming project.
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To make a game popular, platforms for game development are:
iOS game development has several benefits, especially in terms of revenue and performance optimization. Apple users are more spendable; hence, paid games and in-app purchases are more profitable and useful to make a video game. The iOS platform is well optimized with fewer device fragments, making it easier for developers to develop high-quality games without the fear of performance loss on various devices.
Read More: How Much Does it Cost to Build an iOS App?
Android (Google Play Store) is accessible globally, thanks to the platform`s widespread adoption. It offers the freemium model to test the game before purchasing it and offers monetization options, including in-app purchases, which allow developers to maximize their revenue. Google provides tools to help across different screen sizes and game levels.
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Huawei’s app gallery is also emerging as Google Play store services are banned in some regions like China. It offers seamless performance with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). Huawei actively supports developers by offering promotional incentives, revenue-sharing benefits, and marketing assistance, making it an attractive option for expanding a game’s reach beyond traditional app stores.
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Steam is the largest platform for PC gaming, with hundreds of AAA and indie games. It is the biggest PC game digital distribution site, with thousands of AAA and independent games. It offers developers access to a gigantic global player base, community features like Steam Workshop and forums, and robust monetization tools. Steam’s developer platform, Steamworks, features functionality like achievements, cloud saving, and in-game purchasing. However, Steam charges a 30% share of revenue, which is unfavorable for some developers.
Market research indicates that:
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The Microsoft Store supports publishing games on Windows PCs, Xbox, and even cloud gaming via Game Pass. It fits perfectly within Microsoft’s ecosystem with cross-platform play, Xbox Live functionality, and Game Pass support for greater visibility. Though smaller in user base compared to Steam or Epic Games Store, Microsoft offers improved revenue-sharing terms (up to 88% in some instances) and visibility into a more integrated Windows gaming population.
Market research indicates that:
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Epic Games Store is a Steam rival, which prides itself on its developer-centric revenue share (88% to devs, 12% to Epic). The store features exclusive game discounts, a carefully curated storefront, and regular free games, drawing in millions of players. Epic also offers funding potential with its MegaGrants initiative, assisting in funding indie devs and studios in making their games. The store is less feature-rich than Steam, though, with less community engagement and fewer social features.
Statistical data highlights that:
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HTML5 is a widely used technology for building browser games with the ability to build cross-platform games without the need for plugins. It can handle 2D and low-end 3D games and is usually paired with JavaScript frameworks such as Phaser and Three.js. WebGL, a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 3D graphics directly in browsers, allows developers to build high-performance games that run natively in web browsers with the advantage of GPU acceleration for silky smooth rendering. HTML5 and WebGL collectively drive current web games running on desktops and mobile platforms.
Statistical data highlights that:
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Facebook Instant Games is a platform through which developers can build lightweight, HTML5-based games that can be played directly on Facebook and Messenger without the need for downloads. The games are very social, taking advantage of Facebook’s user base for interaction through leaderboards, challenges, and multiplayer. Monetization opportunities include in-app purchases and advertising, and it is an excellent option for casual game developers wanting to target a wide audience.
Statistical data says that:
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Kongregate is a stand-alone browser-based game hosting website with a thousand games. It has monetization systems for the game developers, too, including ads, in-game purchases, and virtual currency. Kongregate used to be extremely community-centric in its days but has been focusing increasingly on blockchain and mobile gaming in recent times.
Statistical data says that:
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Itch.io is a platform that has a distinctive attractiveness to independent games, and it enables the designers to sell and distribute elastic-priced games. It is greatly utilized by independent game developers to deliver their experimental and specialist games. Itch.io, in contrast to the conventional stores, provides developers with complete control to determine the price, split the shares, and even the distribution, which has been a success for independent game developers.
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Ethereum is the longest-standing blockchain utilized in gaming and NFTs, extensively used for decentralized applications (DApps) because of its high security and large group of developers. Some blockchain games utilize Ethereum’s smart contracts to manage asset ownership on the game and NFT minting. High gas prices and network congestion are critical issues that prompt developers to use Layer 2 solutions in most cases.
Statistical highlights that:
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Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is also a quicker and cheaper option compared to Ethereum. BSC supports fast transactions with lower fees and offers NFT and game applications without facing Ethereum’s scalability problems. It is also EVM-compatible, and developers can easily port Ethereum-based games to BSC with little modification.
Statistical data says that:
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Unity uses a versatile and widely used engine and is especially popular for AR/VR game development. It can make 2D and 3D games for various platforms, such as Android, iOS, and Windows. Unity is known for being easy to learn and uses the C# language.
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Unreal Engine is a powerful game development engine powered by Epic Games. It is especially famous for its 3D games because of its physics, lighting, and real-time rendering capabilities.
Read More: How much does it Cost to Develop a Game in Unreal Engine?
Go dot engine is a software that helps developers to create 2D and 3D games with ease. It supports C# and C++ for more advanced development. It is lightweight and friendly and is also great for 2D, indie, and mobile, but it also has growing support for 3D game development.
Market research indicates that:
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When asking how much does it cost to make a video game, the answer depends on several factors, including experience level, location, and project complexity. There are also different ways to hire a game developer, you can work with freelancers, build an in-house team, or partner with outsourcing studios. Below is a brief overview of game developer costs across different regions and experience levels.
Reports and trends highlight that:
Imagine that a team of 10 outsourced developers is working on your game. The studio has estimated a development timeline of six months. Assuming each developer makes a game and earns an average of $30 per hour, works 8 hours per day, and follows a schedule of 20 working days per month, we can calculate the total cost as follows:
(30×8)×(10×30)×6=$432,000
After making the game, the next step is to market your game to attract gamers and tournament players. Whether it’s an indie or AAA game, marketing your game is a very crucial role if you want to capture a big audience.
Marketing a game launch from pre-launch hype to post-launch community engagement. Some key marketing techniques include.
The official figures for how much it costs to create a video game are not released by companies. Costs can be quite different based on the genre, with available estimates providing good insights. If you require certain cost information for a game, Cubix can help with providing accurate estimates.
These games are relatively simple and require a smaller budget due to limited assets and mechanics.
Puzzle and arcade games rely more on engaging mechanics than high-end graphics, making them cost-effective to develop.
These games require complex mechanics, AI development, and expansive gameplay elements.
Due to their intricate design, simulation and strategy games demand extensive playtesting and AI refinement, increasing overall costs.
FPS games require high-quality graphics, physics engines, and multiplayer capabilities, making them one of the most expensive genres.
Many FPS games, especially AAA titles, invest heavily in 3D modeling, realistic animations, and online multiplayer infrastructure.
Reports and trends highlight that:
As technology improves, game development costs will only go down. AI, cloud computing, and development software will get better, enabling smaller teams to create quality games across various platforms like iOS, Android, PC, and web browsers. Blockchain technology and NFT adoption growth will open up new avenues for monetization and player interaction that will influence the development of NFT games and blockchain games.
The integration of advanced AI tools and advanced configuration has made video game development cost-effective and more accessible. AI has made a revolutionary change in gaming.
Statistical data highlights that:
The role of AI in game development is getting more day by day. It helps not only in game development but also in making it more affordable. AI has transformed the process of game-making and game creation by making repetitive work automated. AI tools assist in the development of game assets, level designing, and testing, which reduces time and labor expenses. As a result, iOS game development, Android games, mobile game development, and video game development became faster and more affordable.
Statistical data highlights that:
When making a game, developers can now outsource their parts projects and development costs. This has become a major advantage in making a game, especially for independent studios looking to develop mobile games, browser games, and multiplayer games without excessive overhead.
According to statistical data:
When you want to make a mobile game, whether it’s a mobile game, PC game, or multiplayer game. You have to figure out first whether you want to make an Indie game or a AAA game. Both have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and drawbacks, affecting everything from budget to creative freedom.
Indie games are typically developed by small groups or solo developers without getting support from any major publishers. Indie games are usually full of innovations, creativity, and artistic impressions rather than large-scale production. Despite these challenges, indie games have gained immense popularity, especially with the rise of digital distribution platforms like Steam, itch.io, and the Nintendo eShop.
AAA games are made on large-scale production with high budgets, larger production, and expert teams of developers. AAA games have high graphics and professional voice actors. These games are backed by major publishers such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Sony, and Microsoft. Due to their high production cost, the game expects to generate huge revenues, and developing a AAA game is not a short story. Making a AAA game can take several years, requiring large teams of designers, programmers, artists, and writers.
Making an indie game and an AAA game are completely different processes in terms of budget, team, and resources. If you’re making a mobile game, PC game, or other game, the cost can vary significantly based on the complexity of the technologies and production scale.
Developing an AAA game can be very expensive and time-consuming, requiring a large team of graphic designers and audio teams.
Some of the well-known AAA games are:
An open-world crime game consisting of three antagonists. This game is the top-selling game this year. The game offers multiplayer, online, and different mods. The game offers Los Santos city, from high-speed game chases to unparalleled players’ choices. The cost of developing this game was $270 million, and it made a revenue of $8 billion.
A battle ground game that offers adrenaline, shooting, and multi-tasking at the same time. The game offers immersive and realistic graphics. Call of Duty is also famous for its famous missions, villains like Makarov, and forces heroes like Captain Price and Saop Mctavish. The development cost of Call of Duty was $250 million and did a revenue of $30 billion.
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. The development cost for PUBG was $70 million, and they made a revenue of $13 billion from in-game purchases and downloads.
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Some of the well-known Indie games are:
A multiplayer social deduction game where crewmates complete their tasks and have to find who is the imposter among them. It features colorful astronauts in space-themed maps with emergency meetings and voting.
It is a sandbox game developed with endless possibilities. The game consists of blocky graphics and mechanisms. The game offers three modes: creative, survival, and hardcore, with every mode offering new challenges.
The game starts with a plane crash, stranding the main player on an unknown, mysterious, and deserted island. The island is home to cannibals watching your shadows and every move. To survive, the gamers have to build shelters, hunt food, and craft weapons to fight.
Statistical highlights:
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 for 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.
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