‘Call of Duty’ Spending Shocks the Gaming World

In a recent court filing, Activision’s Patrick Kelly shared some surprising details about the development costs for three Call of Duty games released between 2015 and 2020. These figures are among the highest ever disclosed in the gaming industry.

For instance, ‘Black Ops III’ (2015) was developed by Treyarch over three years with a team of hundreds, costing over $450 million throughout its lifecycle. This game has sold 43 million copies.

Similarly, ‘Modern Warfare’ (2019), developed by Infinity Ward over several years, incurred development costs exceeding $640 million and has sold 41 million copies.

The most expensive among them, ‘Black Ops Cold War’ (2020), was created by Treyarch and Raven Software over several years with a large creative team, costing over $700 million in development. This title has sold 30 million copies.

These figures were revealed in a December 23 court filing as part of Activision’s response to a lawsuit concerning the 2022 school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The lawsuit alleges that the shooter was influenced by games like Call of Duty. Activision has denied any connection between gaming and gun violence.

It’s worth noting that these development costs are significantly higher than those of other major games. For comparison, a 2023 court filing from Sony indicated that ‘The Last Of Us Part II’ (2020) had a development cost of around $220 million, a figure considered substantial at the time.

These revelations highlight the immense financial investment required to produce top-tier video games in today’s industry. The disclosed budgets for these Call of Duty titles are among the largest ever reported, underscoring the franchise’s prominence and the resources dedicated to maintaining its success.

While these numbers are extraordinary, they provide insight into the scale and ambition behind the development of major video game titles. The gaming industry continues to grow, with increasing investments reflecting the demand for high-quality, immersive experiences.

As we learn more about the costs associated with producing these games, it becomes evident that creating a successful title involves substantial financial commitment, extensive development time, and large creative teams. These factors contribute to the overall gaming experience that we enjoy today.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!