Forspoken by Square Enix Could Have Incurred a Production Cost of Over $100 Million
The development of Forspoken, Square Enix’s triple-A title previously known as Project Athia, has been revealed to have cost over $100 million. While such a figure may seem high, it is not uncommon among big releases in the gaming industry. However, the lacklustre sales performance of Forspoken has put into stark relief the high stakes and risks associated with triple-A game development.
Development Costs of Forspoken
The disclosure of Forspoken’s development cost comes from the lead writer of the game, Allison Rymer, who revealed on her LinkedIn profile that she spearheaded the story behind the game, which cost over $100 million to make. This number may seem high, but it is not unusual for big-budget projects in the gaming industry. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Callisto Protocol can cost upwards of $150 million, with budgets allocated towards development and marketing.
Lacklustre Sales Performance
Despite its high development cost, Forspoken has not performed well in the market. Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda confirmed this during a recent financial presentation, stating that sales had been “lacklustre“. This poor performance has raised questions about the sustainability of modern game development, where huge financial investments are made into individual titles that may not perform well in the market.
Impact on Companies
The performance of individual titles can have a huge impact on their companies. In the case of Forspoken, developer Luminous Productions has announced that it will be closed down and merged with Square Enix. With the long development time for Final Fantasy 16, it can be assumed that the budget for Square Enix’s signature title is even higher. This raises concerns about the financial risks and sustainability of triple-A game development.
The high development cost of Forspoken and its lacklustre sales performance highlights the risks and high stakes associated with triple-A game development. While huge investments are made into individual titles, their performance in the market can have a significant impact on their companies. As game development costs continue to rise, it is important for companies to carefully evaluate their investments and consider the long-term sustainability of their business models.
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