GTA 6 development cost is over $1 billion, says IGN

The much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has emerged as the costliest video game production ever. The development of GTA 6 has reportedly cost over $1 billion, as per a report by IGN. This revelation bears testament to the huge investment Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive , its parent company, have made to bring to the gamers what promises to be a seminal title. The game’s ambitious scope and high consumer expectations have driven this historic budget.


GTA 6 development budget surpasses $1 billion, according to IGN

There's been a lot of speculation that #GTA6 has cost over $2 billion. However, it's just over $1 Billion according to @IGN. 💰

Source IGN pic.twitter.com/uDrRhDVcGk

— CentralGamingHub (@CGHchannel) May 15, 2025

IGN's report illuminates the magnitude of investment in GTA 6, as it is verified that the development cost exceeds $1 billion. This ranks GTA 6 among the costliest games ever produced, indicating Rockstar's determination to set standards through quality, innovation, and offering an engaging gaming experience. The investment caters to years of research and development, cutting-edge technology, a huge open world, and considerable creative efforts.


Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent firm, has insisted that the steep price is warranted due to the complexity of the game and desired returns. The firm sees the investment as a requirement for realizing the creative goal without compromise so that it can surpass player expectations and establish new standards for the gaming industry.


Background, development timeline, and industry impact


Although the ramp-up in formal development is underway in 2020, market analysts believe GTA 6 has been in some early stage of development for more than this. Take-Two anticipates GTA 6 being the most highly anticipated entertainment property in history, and its trailers are already setting records for views and engagement. The second trailer gained over 475 million views in 24 hours, the biggest video launch of all time.


The large budget and extended development cycle emphasize Rockstar's commitment to producing a game that breaks boundaries. But the cost also emphasizes the risk of contemporary AAA game production, whereby delays and huge investments often result in fiscal pressures.


Take-Two has justified delaying GTA 6 until May 2026, noting that more time is essential to produce a final product with high standards. In the meantime, industry analysts note that the investment is an indication of confidence in GTA 6's success and its potential to make a lot of money when it hits the market.


GTA 6's over-$1 billion development cost, as quoted by IGN, is a new milestone in the budgets of video game productions. This colossal investment indicates the ambitious desire from Rockstar to create a groundbreaking gaming experience and the growing scale of contemporary game development. As with great costs, there are risks involved, yet Take-Two and Rockstar are confident that GTA 6 will be worth the investment and become an industry landmark title.


Also Read: GTA 6: Key takeaways from Take-Two’s latest earnings call