Home Gaming Is Bioshock Infinite the most expensive game ever made?

Is Bioshock Infinite the most expensive game ever made?

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23

Biomoney

According to unnamed (and quite possibly invented) analysts at the New York Times (via Destructoid), Bioshock Infinite could well be the most expensive game ever made; yes, even more than GTA IV and Gran Turismo 5.

“The estimated cost of the project is upward of $100 million, not including marketing expenses, which could add another $100 million,” analysts said over at NYT.

Add in a sizeable marketing budget (that may or may not include some kickbacks IGN’s way) and the total expenditure on BioShock Infinite could easily be $150, or even $200 million; shadowing the ludicrous budgets that games like Grand Theft Auto IV ($100 million), Gran Turismo 5 ($80 million) and Shenmue ($70 million) have enjoyed.

If this is true – and I have some serious doubts – then much of that money was probably wasted on things like the game’s ill-fated multiplayer, and multiple script rewrites to keep people happy. I also doubt that the game, as good as it may be, would be able to recoup those sorts of expenses. Ken Levine himself thinks it’s a load of nonsense:

 

For what it’s worth, the game’s first review is available; yes – exclusively to IGN. They’ve awarded it a 9.4, saying that:

“BioShock Infinite is a brilliant shooter that nudges the entire genre forward with innovations in both storytelling and gameplay. It trips over itself in a couple of spots, but not in any way that should keep you from embracing it with your utmost enthusiasm.”

The game is out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 next week; Tuesday 26 March.

Last Updated: March 22, 2013

23 Comments

  1. umar bastra

    March 22, 2013 at 15:05

    ZOMG …. So say it is true and bioshock infinite is a huge pile of fudge … and doesn’t sell well not even making up for half of that, or maybe even half then they lost over 50 million? ….

    Reply

  2. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    March 22, 2013 at 15:19

    200mil? This sounds like a job for!…. THE HYPE TRAIN!

    Reply

    • OVG

      March 25, 2013 at 07:52

      ROFL

      Reply

  3. Wyzak

    March 22, 2013 at 15:20

    I would be very sceptical of buying a game with only one reviewer allowed to review it.

    Reply

  4. Purple_Dragon

    March 22, 2013 at 15:31

    I’m sorry but 200mil means you’ve fucked up somewhere and possibly in more than one place. It reminds me of coders who don’t do any optimization.

    Seems like overkill spending that much money on a game and marketing.

    Even 100mil is crazy man.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 22, 2013 at 15:46

      I actually thought the exact same thing. I hope this isn’t true, because that only means their studio is terrible at budgeting. Also, an additional $100 million for marketing should worry us. I’m going to wait and see what other reviewers say, this fish has a funny odour.

      Reply

      • mornelithe

        March 22, 2013 at 19:09

        Agreed, only shit games should require a marketing push of that magnitude (*cough* CoD *cough*).

        Reply

        • Tbone187

          March 25, 2013 at 09:05

          COD references are getting lame…people should move on really…

          Reply

          • Kromas

            March 25, 2013 at 09:48

            Onward to Battlefield!

          • mornelithe

            March 26, 2013 at 08:25

            Tough shit? CoD is both reviled and loved by the masses. If you’ve got a problem with it, I suggest you find another hobby until CoD’s laid to rest.

          • Tbone187

            March 26, 2013 at 08:46

            Doesn’t change the fact COD references are getting lame, does it?? Every single article on any game that’s remotely a shooter gets a reference,,,I think deep down you’re the biggest fan but don’t wanna admit it…I suggest you be more imaginative in your trolling…

          • mornelithe

            March 26, 2013 at 16:17

            Suggestion noted, and summarily discarded. I personally, don’t care what you think. You’re entitled to your ignorant opinion, and I’m entitled to mine. I say ignorant because you have no idea what pisses me off about CoD. Your own words. You know nothing about the history of the franchise, and couldn’t care less to educate yourself on it. Blissful ignorance is your right, just as hating a game is mine.

            I WAS the biggest CoD fan (though CoD 1 and 2 are still amazing), until 3, then I ended my relationship all iterations that followed, and I will never go back.

        • Sir Captain Rincethis

          March 26, 2013 at 09:06

          Said like a sir. And have to disagree with you Tbone187, if people STOP with their opinions/criticisms we will ALL be CoD thinking nerps. I value having a different opinion.

          Reply

          • mornelithe

            March 26, 2013 at 16:21

            Bingo!

    • Matthew Holliday

      March 22, 2013 at 18:37

      sounds like the whole bus lane cash cock up all over again.
      “here, have this tender.”

      Reply

  5. Purple_Dragon

    March 22, 2013 at 16:11

  6. HvR

    March 22, 2013 at 16:59

    Board room conversation:
    Member1: Gawd but it is shit…
    Member2: Yip, it is a disaster.
    Member3: What do we do now?
    Member2: same thing thing we did with the Free State websites, slap a ridiculous price tag on it and hope everybody think it is good.

    Reply

  7. Skyblue

    March 22, 2013 at 20:24

    IGN are tonsils

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      March 22, 2013 at 20:25

      In case you’re confused, tonsils are completely and utterly fucking useless

      Reply

      • Sir Captain Rincethis

        March 26, 2013 at 09:08

        What!? I thought through the removal of said useless item we were guaranteed jelly and ice cream!

        Reply

  8. OVG

    March 25, 2013 at 07:53

    Priceless.

    Reply

  9. Tbone187

    March 25, 2013 at 09:02

    I’ve grown out of these fantasy-esque shooters ages ago but I’m willing to give this a go…

    Reply

  10. CypherGate

    March 25, 2013 at 09:19

    Might as well have made the movie of the game with that money.

    Reply

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