We all await the arrival of GTA 6 – the ultimate sequel to the blockbuster that was GTA 5 almost a decade ago. After two teaser trailers and loads of leaked details, it is evident that GTA 6 seems to have all that it takes to break new records in the entertainment industry. However, such a record-breaking product usually costs a lot and for GTA 6, nothing changes.
Based on rumours and industry insiders, Grand Theft Auto 6 could set back its developer, Rockstar Games, by a hefty figure of up to $2 billion. Yes, you read that right – $2 billion. As pointed out by several media reports, Rockstar Games’ upcoming video game has amplified the development costs higher than what it took to make the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building!
And based on what the trailers have shown so far, it seems that the game could end up being as iconic as the skyscraper, marking a major milestone in the world of video games.
Why are people comparing GTA 6 to Burj Khalifa?
Let’s put numbers into perspective.
– The Burj Khalifa, which is the world’s tallest building, was completed in six years at a cost of approximately $1.5 billion. The building stands tall at 828 meters and ever since its launch in 2010, has remained the tallest building on this planet. This does not account for the inflation, though.
– In contrast, GTA 6 has reportedly been in development for over 13 years, with a release date now set for May 26, 2026. This extensive investment covers game development, global marketing, and future content updates. Based on GTA 5’s lifecycle, this title is expected to last at least 13 years, if not more. The overall costs have exceeded $2 billion.
Is $2 billion worth it for a video game?
If you were to consider Rockstar Games’ response, it would be a resounding yes. The Grand Theft Auto franchise is what has kept Rockstar Games afloat at a time when other gaming studios have shut shop or changed ownership. The previous title, GTA 5, came out in 2013 and earned $1 billion in revenue within three days of its launch! That is considering GTA 5 being restricted to the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles at launch. The game was subsequently released on PC, the PS4/Xbox One generation and the PS5/Xbox Series X/S generation.
What kept GTA 5 going was the basic concept of its gameplay and the continuously refreshed gameplay content of GTA Online. Add to the fact the highly detailed world and meticulously crafted mission, GTA 5 engaged players in its realms for hours. Hence, despite the arrival of newer and technically advanced AAA video games, GTA 5 continues to score high for Rockstar Games.
While Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed the $2 billion budget for GTA 6, industry insiders consider the colossal figure plausible given the rumoured scale and complexity of the game. GTA 6 is expected to feature an even larger, hyper-realistic open world with advanced AI for smarter in-game characters, cinematic-quality graphics, and a detailed, emotionally rich storyline.
With a female protagonist, Lucia, at the helm, bringing the angle of a love story (with the secondary protagonist Jason) to the plot, critics expect GTA 6 to sell like hotcakes. With a rumoured price of $80 per copy, experts predict a total revenue of $7 billion within 60 days of the game’s launch.
