The Ultimate Guide to 2023's Costliest Gaming Experiences

Highlights

Gaming can be an expensive hobby, with DLC and microtransactions costing players several times more than the original game.

Certain games have an abundance of downloadable content (DLC), resulting in steep prices. Games such as Cities: Skylines, War Thunder, The Sims 4, and DCS World serve as prime instances of games offering costly DLC options. However, the title that takes the trophy for being the most expensive game is Train Simulator Classic, as the comprehensive experience can amount to approximately $11,291 due to the immense quantity of DLC available.

Gaming can either be a budget-friendly or an expensive hobby, depending on the individual and the games they choose to play. Savvy gamers who are patient can find great deals during sales and promotions. However, some players may end up spending multiple times the original game's cost on DLC and microtransactions. This can pose a problem for those who want to play a game that has been around for a few years, as they may have to spend a significant amount of money just to catch up. In fact, there are games where players have spent hundreds of dollars on DLC alone.

Even if we exclude things like loot boxes, microtransactions, premium currencies, and the excessive number of skins in Dead or Alive 6, there are still some astonishingly high DLC prices. Many gamers often mention Destiny 2 as a game with a large amount of DLCs, but if we remove duplicate items, the total cost is "only" 379.91. While this is still more than six times the standard price for AAA games at launch, it pales in comparison to some other games on the market. There are a few titles where players may end up with a five-digit price tag if they decide to play them in 2023.

5 Cities: Skylines on PC ($425)

The title of the fifth most expensive game in 2023 belongs to Cities: Skylines by Colossal Order Ltd. and Paradox Interactive. Released in 2015, this city-building game capitalized on the disappointment of SimCity in 2013 and became immensely popular. While the base game is priced at $29.99 on Steam and $39.99 on consoles, the PC version's 62 DLCs bring the total cost to $425.40. It is expected that the Xbox and PlayStation versions will catch up in a few years once all the DLCs are ported over.

In terms of individual DLCs, most of them are reasonably priced. Three DLCs are even free, and the additional in-game radio stations are sold for only $3.99 each. The game offers a wide range of DLCs priced at $4.99, which provide players with numerous new buildings and decorations based on specific themes like Art Deco and Japanese train stations. The majority of buildings and map DLCs fall in the range of $5.99 to $7.99. The more expensive DLCs, priced at $12.99 and $14.99, not only introduce new features but also include additional buildings. The higher price is justified by the extensive amount of content they offer. On a positive note, the upcoming release of Cities Skylines 2 will give gamers the chance to join from the beginning.

4 War Thunder ($918)

War Thunder, developed by Gaijin Entertainment and released in November 2012, continues to maintain an active and thriving community even after more than a decade. This vehicular combat game offers a diverse selection of vehicles, such as planes, tanks, ships, helicopters, and more, from different time periods ranging from World War II to the modern era. However, due to the extensive time span, the game's downloadable content (DLC) has accumulated over the years, resulting in a hefty price tag of $917.73 for players seeking a comprehensive vehicle collection.

In contrast to Cities: Skylines, War Thunder's DLC selection is relatively smaller, yet many of its DLCs carry a significant cost. The most expensive DLCs as of October 2023 include the USS Arkansas Pack, Su-39 Pack, F-4S Phantom II Pack, MiG-21bis “Lazur-M” Pack, and MiG-23ML Pack. These packs not only include the featured vehicles but also provide a 20-day premium account and a substantial amount of premium currency. It is likely that the combination of these additional benefits contributes to their substantial price of $69.99 for War Thunder players.

There is additionally a selection of packs priced at $64.99, as well as two packs priced at $49.99 that offer similar features. The majority of the remaining downloadable content (DLC) introduces two to four vehicles from the WW2 era for a particular country, with prices ranging at $9.99 or below.

3 The Sims 4 ($1,164)

Released in 2014, The Sims 4 represents the latest addition to EA and Maxis' series of social simulation games, at least until Project Rene is released. In 2017, the base game transitioned to a free-to-play model, while its subsequent profits have relied on downloadable content (DLC). This social simulation game continues to maintain its popularity, boasting over 70 million players, as reported by EA. However, newcomers should be prepared to make a substantial investment to enjoy the complete gaming experience, as the 73 available DLCs come at a combined cost of $1,164.28.

2 DCS World ($3,400)

The Sims 4 DLCs are categorized based on their size and price. There are three categories available. The first category consists of 15 full-sized Expansion Packs priced at $39.99 each. These packs offer new neighborhoods, houses, and a variety of exciting features such as pets, clubs, expanded Sim interactions, and more. The second category includes smaller Game Packs priced at $19.99 each, which provide content that revolves around a specific theme. Lastly, the third category consists of several Stuff Packs priced at $9.99 each, offering themed Furniture and Lots. Additionally, there are numerous Kits priced at $4.99 each, which add a few additional Clothes, Furniture, and Rooms.

Rocksmith 2014 Edition – Remastered is poised to claim the title of the second most expensive game to join in 2023, surpassing DCS World. This innovative game enables players to connect their actual electric guitar to a computer or gaming console. With an impressive selection of downloadable content (DLC) worth approximately $6,787, it provides players with an extensive library of songs. However, Ubisoft intends to remove Rocksmith 2014 from the market on October 23 due to expiring music licenses, limiting the opportunity for new players to indulge in this unique experience.

Meanwhile, DCS World remains a prominent and ever-present force in the gaming industry. Developed by Eagle Dynamics in collaboration with The Fighter Collection, Digital Combat Simulator offers a series of authentic combat flight simulators. Notably, various air forces, including those of the United States, Ukraine, and France, have utilized DCS for training purposes. Regrettably, the high level of realism provided by this simulator has also attracted individuals who exploit it to fabricate combat footage.

DCS World is a modular version of the game, accessible to the public as a free-to-play game. The initial release encompasses the WWII American P-51 Mustang and the Cold War-era Soviet Su-25 "Frogfoot." Nonetheless, players have the option to expand their experience by downloading additional aircraft, maps, and missions through paid DLC. As of October 2023, there are a total of 199 DLC options available, accumulating to a cost of precisely $3,400.73 for a complete hangar.

1 Train Simulator Classic ($11,291)

DCS World truly distinguishes itself as a simulator rather than a mere game by its meticulous attention to detail in replicating the distinctive performance and flight characteristics of each aircraft. Furthermore, its modular design allows for collaborations with other simulation developers, resulting in a diverse range of downloadable content (DLC) options. Consequently, the varying prices of these DLCs can be attributed to the unique features and complexities they offer. For instance, Campaign DLCs typically fall within the $10 to $15 range, while Maps are priced between $40 and $55. As for new aircraft, they range from $15 up to $80.

Train Simulator, developed by Dovetail Games, has been evolving since its launch in 2009. With each significant update, it receives a new title, and the current version, known as Train Simulator Classic, was released in April 2022. Over the past 13 years, the game has amassed an impressive collection of downloadable content (DLC), with a staggering 720 pieces available exclusively on Steam as of October 2023. The combined value of all the DLC amounts to approximately $11,291, but the Classic version includes several DLCs that can also be purchased separately. Due to periodic sales, prices for different items may vary significantly. Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of $11,000 is truly astounding.

The costliest downloadable content (DLC) for Train Simulator Classic comprises new routes, priced between $19.99 and $42.99, with most falling within this range. The pricier routes also include additional trains. DLC focusing solely on locomotives typically sells for $19.99, though some are available for under $10. Additionally, each Scenario Pack recreates a specific real-life train route during a particular era and is usually priced at $9.99. However, despite seemingly reasonable prices, the extensive amount of DLC can accumulate to a sum as high as that of a pre-owned vehicle.