Sony's Unintentional Data Leak Reveals Development Costs of The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West

Confidential information regarding the development of two blockbuster games inadvertently made public by Sony's data leak.

In a surprising turn of events, Sony has accidentally revealed confidential information about two of its highly-anticipated games, The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West.

The leak occurred as part of the legal proceedings surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, where Sony had to present documents and statements opposing the purchase. Unfortunately for Sony, these documents inadvertently disclosed crucial details about the development timelines and costs of their own games.

Horizon Forbidden West’s Development Cost and Timeline

Through the leaked documents, it has come to light that Horizon Forbidden West, the eagerly awaited sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, had a development cost of $212 million. The game’s development began in 2017, meaning it underwent five years of meticulous work and creative efforts.

Fans of the Horizon series can now appreciate the magnitude of the resources and time invested in bringing this captivating open-world adventure to life.

Sony did great job on the document redactions… not 🙃 https://t.co/aPQgk9JU8L pic.twitter.com/5rJQbZbbd0

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) June 28, 2023

The Last of Us Part II’s Cost and Development Duration

The leak also exposed the development cost and timeline of The Last of Us Part II, the critically acclaimed sequel to the post-apocalyptic masterpiece. According to the disclosed information, the game had a budget of $220 million and went into development in 2014.

This means that the highly anticipated title underwent an extensive six-year development journey, showcasing the dedication and craftsmanship poured into its creation.

Implications and Availability of the Games

While the inadvertent disclosure of such confidential data is undoubtedly a cause for concern within Sony, it is crucial to remember that the true value of these games lies in the immersive experiences they offer to players.

Both The Last of Us Part II and Horizon Forbidden West are available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, ensuring that fans can enjoy these monumental titles regardless of their development costs.

PlayStation 5 owners can take advantage of the enhanced features and performance specific to the latest generation, while PlayStation 4 users can still delve into these remarkable worlds through backward compatibility.

Moving Forward

As Sony addresses the consequences of this data leak, it serves as a reminder of the immense effort and investment required to bring blockbuster games to fruition. The inadvertent revelation of development costs and timelines should not overshadow the joy and excitement these games bring to millions of players worldwide.

The gaming community eagerly anticipates the release of Horizon Forbidden West and eagerly awaits future projects from the talented teams behind these remarkable titles.

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