How Much Did GTA 6 Cost to Make?

Q: How much did GTA 6 cost to make?

Rockstar hasn't disclosed it. Analyst estimates reported in May 2026 put it at $1-1.5 billion.

Q: When did GTA 6 start development?

Reportedly around 2014. Rockstar publicly confirmed development in February 2022.

Last updated: September 23, 2026

Rockstar and Take-Two have never published GTA 6’s budget. Analyst estimates reported by Business Insider in May 2026 put development at roughly $1 billion to $1.5 billion. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick declined to give a number and only said “it was expensive.”

GTA 6 budget: what’s known

Official budget	Not disclosed
Analyst estimate	$1–1.5 billion (reported May 2026)
“$2 billion” claims	Viral, unverified
GTA 5 (2013) for comparison	Reported ~$265 million including marketing

How long has GTA 6 been in development?

Year	Milestone
~2014	Development reportedly begins after GTA 5’s re-release
Feb 2022	Rockstar confirms the next GTA is “well underway”
Dec 2023	Trailer 1
May 2025	Trailer 2 and first delay
Nov 2025	Second delay to Nov 19, 2026
Nov 2026	Launch — roughly 12 years after work reportedly began

Why GTA 6 costs so much

Rockstar’s biggest, most detailed open world yet, with the state of Leonida and Vice City
Thousands of developers across Rockstar’s studios over many years
Full motion and performance capture for a large cast
Licensed music across many radio stations

Will GTA 6 make its money back?

Almost certainly. GTA 5 has sold around 230 million copies and remains one of the best-selling games every year. Analysts expect GTA 6 to recover its budget within days of launch.

FAQ

How much did GTA 6 cost to make?

Not officially disclosed. Analysts estimate $1–1.5 billion.

When did GTA 6 start development?

Reportedly around 2014. Rockstar publicly confirmed it in February 2022.

Is GTA 6 the most expensive game ever made?

If the estimates are right, it’s among the most expensive ever. There’s no official figure to compare.