An anonymous source (is there any other type?) has told GamesIndustry.Biz that the development costs for Microsoft’s next-gen console, codename Durango, are double the cost of developing for the Xbox 360.
The sharp increase in cost is due to the higher polygon counts and better textures.
“I’m having to double my budget for models,” said the source who is working on ‘a sequel to an earlier title that appeared on Xbox 360 and PS3.’
We shall just pause while you all try and work out the mystery game –  my money is on GTAV. Everyone had a think? Good, let’s continue.
So, next gen games are going to cost more to make, how will publishers recoup the costs? Well there are rumours of both Sony and Microsoft ‘locking’ a game to a console, effectively killing the pre-owned market. Subscription models such as Call Of Duty Elite may be another way to generate revenue.
Whatever happens, consumers are going to have to pay for the increased cost of game development. I doubt we will be paying £80 per title, perhaps £65 per game?
Source: GamesIndustry.Biz
An-dz
im pretty sure its went up £10 every generation if i remember right, i know most PS2 games where £30 on day one, PS3 – $40 so next gen £50?
Crocadillian
As cc_star put it, I call BS.
When creating 3D models for games, you build a high-polygon model that far exceeds the polygon count a model should have in some cases, then you use Normal Maps, which create the illusion of additional geometry, and create a low-polygon version of the model. It would only take 3D modellers more time in creating the low-polygon model, as it would now be able to contain more polygons than the last-generation models, if they need to at all, and to unwrap it for texturing.
If a studio doesn’t have high enough resolution textures, that’s the only area where I can really understand a higher budget is needed, but double the budget is BS still :l.
aerobes
If anything, I think game prices will either go down or stay the same. I definitely don’t see them going up because gamers are already a bit put off with the dawn of online passes and the second hand market being washed up.
iiekka
well i already refuse to pay 40 quid for 4-6 hours of gameplay, so if they kill off preowned they’ve lost 1 console sale before they even come out. ill stick with my PSone PS2 games and trusty old wow.
Kaminari
With all the bullshit recently pulled out by publishers and manufacturers, I can tell you with a gloomy confidence that the Video Game Crash of 2013 is just around the corner — right in time for the 30th anniversary of the previous one.