What’s included in a custom immersive learning project cost?

If you’ve been researching immersive learning, you’ve probably noticed costs can vary a lot. That’s because no two projects are exactly the same but the way those costs break down is actually quite consistent.

Here’s what typically goes into the price of a custom immersive learning project, and how to budget for it with no surprises.

1. Discovery and design

Before anything is built, we spend time understanding:

• Your audience and their real-world challenges

• The skills you need to develop

• The outcomes and business metrics you want to move

This phase results in a scoped design blueprint.
Typical cost share: 10–20% of total budget.

2. Content creation

This includes scenario writing, persona creation, multimedia assets (images, audio, video), and interactivity design.
Typical cost share: 30–40%.
What affects it most: number of scenarios, complexity of branching, and whether content is repurposed or created from scratch.

3. Development

The technical build — coding, integration with your LMS or platform, testing, and optimisation.
Typical cost share: 30–40%.
What affects it most: complexity of features, platforms supported (desktop, mobile, VR), and any AI components.

4. Measurement and refinement

Optional but valuable — post-launch data analysis and iteration based on learner performance.
Typical cost share: often built into hosting/support or billed separately.

Why transparency matters
When you see the breakdown, it’s easier to compare proposals and spot hidden costs. At Totem, we share our full cost structure upfront — no last-minute surprises.

Bottom line:
A custom immersive learning project is an investment in measurable behaviour change. Knowing where the budget goes helps you get the most value from every pound.