The source for the $22m amount in Wikipedia [1] actually gives that amount as just the licensing cost, which fits the $20-25m figure given in the game's Wikiped

The source for the $22m amount in Wikipedia [1] actually gives that amount as just the licensing cost, which fits the $20-25m figure given in the game's Wikipedia article, from a few other sources. It appears that the Wikipedia list is assuming there were actually no development costs that were significant compared to the licensing. [1]: https://www.avclub.com/howard-scott-warshaw-1798208406 https://www.avclub.com/howard-scott-warshaw-1798208406 [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial_(video_game)#Development https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial_(vi...