Take-Two’s $1–2 Billion GTA VI Budget Could Be Recouped in Days
TTWO•Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto VI development budget is estimated at $1 billion to $2 billion, roughly matching the Burj Khalifa’s $1.5 billion construction cost. Analysts expect GTA VI to recoup those development costs within days of its November 19 launch as early sales reportedly exceed projections.
1. Estimated Development Costs
Grand Theft Auto VI’s development budget is believed to fall between $1 billion and $2 billion, making it the most expensive title in the studio’s history. Take-Two Interactive has never disclosed exact figures, so this range relies on industry analyst estimates of combined production, marketing, and staffing expenses.
2. Burj Khalifa Cost Comparison
The Burj Khalifa’s construction cost totaled approximately $1.5 billion between 2004 and 2010, placing the skyscraper’s expense in the same ballpark as GTA VI’s development budget. This parallel has fueled comparisons between the game’s production scale and one of the world’s most iconic engineering projects.
3. Recoupment Projections
Analysts project that GTA VI could recoup its full development costs within days of its November 19 launch, driven by strong pre-orders and early sales momentum. Unverified sales data suggest the initial purchase rate is already surpassing prior forecasted figures for the franchise.
4. Unverified Higher Estimates
Social media posts claiming a $3 billion to $5 billion GTA VI budget stem from extrapolations of payroll data at the Rockstar North studio. These figures likely overstate actual costs by conflating multi-year salary totals with dedicated project spending.
