PlayStation’s Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part II Development Costs Revealed

During the ongoing Microsoft and FTC court hearings, key information about PlayStation’s first-party games like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part II have been mistakenly revealed due to redactions that didn’t do much in keeping the information hidden.

As brought up by The Verge Senior Editor Tom Warren, the document revealed important information despite being redacted. Since it was done with a pen/sharpie, the figures redacted were still visible. The documents were pulled out shortly after the discovery.

In the document, the following pieces of information were revealed about PlayStation’s first-party titles:

  • Horizon Forbidden West cost around $212 million and was developed in 5 years by around 300 full-time employees.
  • The Last of Us Part II cost around $220 million and was developed over 5 years by around 200 full-time employees.
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It’s not often that information like this is revealed to the public, whether intentionally or by mistake, and it just goes to show how much resources are put into making blockbuster AAA games like Horizon Forbidden West that are played and beloved by many. Add marketing and miscellaneous expenses, and these figures could really balloon.

5 years, on average, is a long wait to play another game from these big PlayStation studios, and delays due to unforeseen circumstances are surely not factored in yet. Do you prefer smaller games with a faster turnaround time?

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