•Rockstar Games has publicly rejected reports that Grand Theft Auto VI cost $1.5 billion to develop, while declining to disclose the game’s true production budget ahead of its November release.
The studio made the comments when speaking to Bloomberg, dismissing a figure that had circulated widely in gaming media and been compared to the cost of building Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper. However, Rockstar stopped short of confirming any specific number for how much was invested in bringing the game to market.
With years of development behind it and multiple studios involved—including a Los Angeles-based division focused exclusively on NPCs—alongside scores of employees, the final cost is expected to be substantial. The studio anticipates GTA 6 will quickly recoup its expenses and begin generating significant profits for Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive.
The game has reportedly already sold more than 5 million copies through preorders, generating over half a billion dollars in revenue. That figure is projected to rise toward 25 million preorders by launch day, potentially pushing total sales up to $2 billion. These projections are not guaranteed, however—Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has publicly noted that preorders do not equate to confirmed sales.
Beyond the base game, Rockstar is reportedly generating revenue even before GTA 6’s official launch through its $400 collector’s edition, a merchandise-only box of branded swag that went up for preorder a few weeks ago and has proven popular with fans.
While Rockstar has not officially discussed an online multiplayer component for the game, it is rumored to launch in 2027. GTA Online reportedly generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually, suggesting that GTA 6’s version could be similarly lucrative—though questions remain about whether it can draw players away from the existing mode.
Valve veteran Chet Faliszek recently suggested this transition might prove difficult, noting that many GTA Online players are heavily invested in their accounts and may hesitate to abandon a virtual space they have built over several years.
GameSpot
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