'Grand Theft Auto V' reported to be 'most expensive game ever made'

The next "Grand Theft Auto" game may not be out yet, but it’s already making headlines across the globe as possibly one of the priciest investments ever made by a company like Rockstar Games.

According to a report posted by The Scotsman, Rockstar spent roughly $265 Million for their upcoming new game in the franchise, "Grand Theft Auto V." The sequel, which comes five years after the last installment, sees several improvements and, for the first time, three playable protagonists that players can switch in-between during gameplay. Seeing as how much effort was put into improving the game, the cost alone for developing is substantial.

Rockstar has also marketed the game consistently since the official announcement through numerous trailers and teaser posters leading up to the game’s release date.

Developed for four years, "Grand Theft Auto V" is one of the most anticipated games of the year, aiming to continue a successful franchise that began with the release of "Grand Theft Auto III" for the Playstation 2 on 2001.

The new installment sees players returning to the familiar grounds of Los Santos, which was one of the primary locations featured in the spin-off PS2 title, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." The decision to add three playable protagonists was also inspired off GTA IV’s success and its two episodic content features, "The Ballad of Gay Tony" and "The Lost and Damned." "GTA V’s" theme will focus on criminals looking to “pursue the almighty dollar,” with the main characters working together and performing a series of heists in order to live a better life following the effects of the recession.

With its immense costs and budget to make the game, "GTA V" surpasses the likes of "Star Wars: The Old Republic" (which cost $200 Million), as well as Sega’s ambitious yet lucrative masterpiece by Yu Suzuki for the Dreamcast, "Shenmue." The game has already earned 2.5 million pre-orders for both platforms it will be released in, which means it will most likely make back the money spent on development.

What’s more, VR-Zone has noted that the expense nearly falls on the same level as Walt Disney Pictures third Pirates of the Caribbean film: "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End"—which cost $300 million in total. These figures are still consider estimates, but that’s quite a lot of money to perceive and take in still for a video game alone.

"Grand Theft Auto V" will be released for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 17 worldwide. — VC, GMA News