7 Most Expensive Online Games in the World

The gaming industry is booming right now with the rising popularity of e-sports championships. The technological and creative developments in the sphere also mean advancements in the gaming sphere. Innovations have led to the success of various gaming businesses, even outside online gaming. Starting with online games, technology has also influenced traditional gaming like bowling and the new addition of escape games.

The introduction of VR gaming and virtual gaming has been a turning point for online gaming as it has increased the number of active gamers and paved the way for further development in virtual gaming. Wild Goose Escapes, for example of most expensive virtual items are pioneers virtual escape room experiences for anyone above the age limit irrespective of their experience. 

7 Most Expensive Online Game to Play

Mobile-friendly and online games have also seen unprecedented investment during the pandemic. Streaming services have also led to more investment in this sector. The gaming industry needs a lot of money to develop and sustain these online games. But due to large-scale investment, online games have seen immense growth in their development process.

Here is a list of the 7 most expensive online games in the World:

• Grand Theft Auto V

Cost: $265 million

Game Scenario: Grand Theft Auto V is a 2013 action-adventure game. It is the seventh installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise created and developed by Rock Star Games. This is a single-player story following the three protagonists; retired bank robber Michael De Santa, Gangster Franklin Clinton, and drug dealer- gunrunner Trevor Philips who try to attempt a heist under a corrupt state government successfully. This game is also set in San Andreas, and this GTA installment is a profitable inclusion in the GTA universe after Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008.  

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Cost: $250 million

Game Scenario: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a 2009 first-person shooter game developed by Infinity Ward and distributed by Activision. It is the sixth installment in the Call of Duty series and a sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The game follows a multi-national special forces unit called the Task Force 141, commanded by Captain Soap MacTavish, and the mission is to hunt Vladimir Makarov, leader of the Russian Ultranationalist party, and also the U.S. Army Rangers from 1st Battalion/75th Ranger Regiment who are defending the Washington, D.C. area from a Russian invasion. Sergeant Gary Sanderson of the 141 and Private James Ramirez of the Army Rangers are the main playable characters, with Captain MacTavish becoming playable later in the game. Although the development cost was relatively low, around $50 million, the marketing cost alone accounted for around $200 million. 

• Star Wars: The Old Republic

Cost: $200 million

Game Scenario: Star Wars: The Old Republic was developed by Bioware Austin in 2011, and it basically follows the Star Wars universe in this multiplayer online role-playing game. The game follows the story shortly after the establishment of peace between the 4. re-emergent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. The game also features eight classes with three-act storylines, which are revealed after each level. Players join either the Republic or the Sith, but players may also possess a morality at any point along the light/dark spectrum. It is one of the industry’s most expensive games ever developed and successfully established. 

• Final Fantasy VII

Cost: $145 million

Game Scenario: Final Fantasy VII is a 1997 game developed by Square for Play Station. The game’s story follows mercenary Cloud Strife, who joins an eco-terrorist organization to stop a world-controlling megacorporation from using the planet’s life essence as an energy source. The game sends Cloud and his allies (including Aerith Gainsborough, the key to saving the World) in pursuit of Sephiroth, a former member of the corporation who is trying to destroy the planet. This game is, to date, the costliest version of the game, with the Final Fantasy VII remake costing almost half this budget.  

• Destiny

Cost: $140 million

Game Scenario: Destiny is a 2014 online multiplayer game developed by Bungie. They are currently self-owned but were previously published by Activision. The game features a multiplayer “shared world” in a mythic science fiction setting. Players will take on the role of a Guardian, who are the protectors of Earth’s last safe city. They have a power called Light that helps them protect the city from different alien races. Guardians will also help revive a celestial being called the Traveller while journeying to different planets to investigate and destroy the alien threats.  

• Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Cost: $135 million

Game Scenario: Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a 2018 action-adventure video game developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix. This game follows the game a year after the 2015 Rise of the Tomb Raider game. Lara Croft is traveling through the tropical regions of the Americas to the legendary city of Paititi. All the while battling the paramilitary organization Trinity, exploring open hubs, and doing all she can to stop a Mayan apocalypse.  

• Halo 2

Cost: $120 million

Game Scenario: Halo 2 is a 2004 first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and playable on Microsoft Xbox. It is the second installment in the Halo franchise and a direct sequel to Halo: Combat Evolved. Halo 2 took place in the 26th century when humans developed slip spaces to colonize all the other worlds under the command of the UN. Aliens known as the Covenant have attacked Humans as a sacrifice to their Gods- The forerunners. The only saving grace is the last remaining slipspace. The players may assume the role of the human chief and alien arbiter. 

Conclusion

The gaming industry, in all its forms, is a booming business. Excessive capital is being invested in the sector to develop better and more innovative games to produce the best gaming experience.

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