This Highly Anticipated AAA Title Will Cost Nearly $1 Billion

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A major new video game currently in development is expected to cost almost $1 billion to create and launch. This is a huge investment – far exceeding the typical budget for a large-scale game. While most AAA titles cost around $100 to $200 million, some can reach $500 million. For example, the game Destiny cost around $500 million to make back in 2014. Although development costs have increased since then, a $1 billion price tag is still exceptionally high.

Analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski at Noble Securities estimates that completing The Witcher 4 will cost CD Projekt Red almost $900 million – specifically, around $896.7 million based on current exchange rates. This is a considerable jump from earlier estimates of $588 million. The new total includes both the game’s development and its marketing, with each accounting for half of the overall cost.

The Witcher 4’s Costs Are Staggering

A report from Chrzanowski, dated December 16, 2026, details the plans and expectations for The Witcher 4 and other upcoming projects. As you may know, The Witcher 4 was originally intended to launch in 2026, but it’s now been pushed back to the fourth quarter of 2027. Before the new game arrives, a paid downloadable content (DLC) for The Witcher 3 will be released. This DLC will kick off the full marketing campaign for The Witcher 4. Developed at a cost of $14.5 million, the DLC is projected to generate around $330 million in revenue.

It’s understandable to question why The Witcher 4 might cost around $900 million, especially considering the work that went into The Witcher 3. While The Witcher 3 was successful and required significant investment, its original development cost was only $81 million. Adjusting for inflation, that’s about $110 million in today’s money. That’s still a substantial amount, but it’s far less than the nearly $900 million being projected for the new game. It’s hard to say exactly why costs have increased so much, but it shows CD Projekt Red is investing heavily in The Witcher 4.

It’s no surprise that the next Witcher game is costing a lot to make. The Witcher 3 was a huge success, selling over 60 million copies, and the next installment is likely to be just as popular. With a large and eager fanbase anticipating The Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red is investing heavily to ensure it’s a top-quality game. However, players will have to be patient – the game isn’t expected to be released for almost two years.

What are your thoughts on the budget for the upcoming Witcher 4? Share your opinion in the comments and discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-25 21:17