Grand Theft Auto 5 could be the most expensive video game ever created with an estimated budget of £170m, according to a new report.

The Scotsman claims that "the game's development and marketing budget of £170 million" makes it "the equivalent of blockbuster films".

Though the split between marketing and development hasn't been defined, if accurate, the launch budget pits GTA 5 as one of the most expensive games ever made.

In comparison, 2009 release Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is estimated to have launched to a $200m (£127m) development and marketing budget.

The report also claims that GTA could sell 25 million copies within the first 12 months, racking up sales of £1bn.

GTA 5 is expected to break opening week sales records in the UK, with first week sales expected to pass the 2 million milestone achieved by current record holder Call of Duty: Black Ops.

According to a previous report, UK retailers have been allocated a huge 3 million units for the game's launch next Tuesday, September 17.

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Source: scotsman.com