The Last Of Us And Horizon Sequels Astronomical Budgets Raise Concerns

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The Last of Us and Horizon sequels have captivated gamers worldwide with their immersive storytelling and breathtaking graphics. However, behind the scenes, the astronomical budgets required to develop these blockbuster video games have raised significant concerns.

Recent disclosures during the ongoing FTC investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard have shed light on the staggering financial investments involved. The poorly redacted document revealed that Horizon Forbidden West had a development budget of approximately US $212 million, with a team of 300 individuals working tirelessly for five years. Similarly, The Last of Us Part 2 boasted a budget of US $220 million, with a dedicated workforce of 200 people over the same duration.

This stark juxtaposition between the scale of investment and the long-term sustainability of the gaming industry raises pertinent questions about the future of such high-budget productions. In this article, we delve into the development costs, the size of development teams, and the concerns surrounding the financial viability of these gaming experiences.

Key Takeaways

Last of Us and Horizon sequels have received worldwide acclaim for their storytelling and graphics
Former PlayStation boss expresses concerns about the sustainability of high-budget games
Last of Us and Horizon sequels required significant financial investments with budgets totaling $200 million each
The size of development teams for these games is substantial, with hundreds of individuals working on them for several years.

Development Costs

The development budgets for the sequels of The Last of Us and Horizon, totaling $200 million each, have raised concerns about the sustainability of allocating such astronomical amounts of money for the production of blockbuster video games.

The Last of Us Part 2 had a budget of $220 million and involved 200 people working on it for five years. Similarly, Horizon Forbidden West had a budget of around $212 million and required 300 employees working on it for five years.

These figures, as revealed in a poorly redacted document during an ongoing FTC investigation, highlight the significant financial investments made in these games.

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has expressed concerns about the sustainability of such big-budget blockbuster games, suggesting that spending $200 million per game is difficult to comprehend and raises questions about the future viability of the industry.

Size of Development Teams

With hundreds of employees involved in the development process, the size of the development teams for the Last of Us and Horizon sequels is noteworthy. According to the leaked document, Horizon Forbidden West had a team of 300 people working on it for a duration of five years. In comparison, The Last of Us Part 2 had a slightly smaller team of 200 individuals also working on it for five years.

These numbers highlight the scale and complexity of these projects, as well as the substantial resources required to bring them to fruition. The involvement of such large teams demonstrates the extensive coordination and collaboration needed to create highly polished and immersive gaming experiences.

The significant size of these development teams also adds to the overall cost of production, further emphasizing the financial investment and risks associated with blockbuster video game development.

Sustainability Concerns

The staggering financial investment required to produce high-budget blockbuster video games necessitates a critical examination of their long-term sustainability. With the development budgets of The Last of Us Part 2 and Horizon Forbidden West each reaching a staggering US $200 million, concerns arise regarding the feasibility of such expenditures.

Shawn Layden has also expressed doubts about the sustainability of these massive budgets, highlighting the challenges of recouping costs and generating substantial profits. The increasing complexity of game development, coupled with rising production costs, poses a significant risk to the industry.

As video games continue to push technological boundaries and demand higher production values, it becomes crucial to find a balance between creative ambition and financial prudence. Ultimately, the sustainability of these astronomical budgets will require innovative business models, effective project management, and a keen understanding of market dynamics.

Conclusion

The disclosed budgets for the sequels of The Last of Us and Horizon have raised concerns regarding the sustainability of big-budget video games.

With Horizon Forbidden West costing around US $212 million and The Last of Us Part 2 having a budget of US $220 million, the immense financial investment required for these gaming experiences is evident.

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has voiced his concerns about the long-term viability of such high costs.

These astronomical budgets emphasize the challenges faced by the industry and prompt discussions on its future.

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Keegan

Keegan is a video game addict. He has spent most of his life playing them and never wants to stop! His favourites are RPG games and adventure games, but he also loves first person shooters. Keegan also enjoys outdoor activities like camping and fishing, which he does with his friends whenever possible.