Destiny 2 and the Fascination of Microtransactions - The Massive Revenue of the Destiny Franchise in Detail

30 May 2023, 21:00 / by Fabian Rossbach
Destiny 2 and the Fascination of Microtransactions - The Massive Revenue of the Destiny Franchise in Detail

The Success Story of Destiny 2

Since its release in November 2017, Destiny 2 has achieved enormous success. Of particular interest is the revenue generated through microtransactions (MTX), which according to the LinkedIn profile of Matt Welsh, former Global Associate Consumer Marketing Manager at Activision, amounted to over 160 million US dollars between November 2017 and February 2019. This period marked the peak of Destiny's success, with the highest post-launch expansion in the franchise's history.

It is important to note that Matt Welsh only worked on this project briefly and therefore may not be aware of the entire MTX revenue. The figures mentioned refer only to the peak of the game a few years ago. Nevertheless, this impressive revenue demonstrates the importance of microtransactions for games like Destiny 2.

Microtransactions in the Gaming Industry

Microtransactions are small purchases made within a game that allow players to acquire cosmetic items, in-game currencies, or other advantages. They have become an important source of revenue for many developers and publishers in recent years. Particularly in games like Destiny 2, which often follow a "free-to-play" model or regularly add new content, microtransactions are often the main source of income.

Bungie and Activision: The Split

The Destiny franchise was developed by Bungie and originally published by Activision. However, in 2019, the two companies split, and Bungie pursued a self-publishing model for Destiny. This was because Destiny was Bungie's first new console franchise after the successful Halo series, and the company aimed for greater independence.

The Gameplay of Destiny 2

Destiny is a multiplayer first-person shooter game set in a mythical science-fiction world. The game offers a shared multiplayer world with elements of role-playing games and is divided into PvE (Player versus Environment) and PvP (Player versus Player) game types. Players can engage in various activities such as missions, strikes, raids, or PvP matches to improve their characters and obtain new equipment.

The Future of Destiny 2

Despite the split from Activision, Destiny 2 remains a popular game among gamers worldwide. Bungie has announced that they will continue to release new content and updates for the game to keep players engaged. With the introduction of the self-publishing model, it is likely that microtransactions will continue to play an important role in financing Destiny 2 in the future.

Destiny 2 remains a prime example of how microtransactions can contribute to the success of a game. The impressive revenue figures show that the developers have managed to build a loyal fan base while also being financially successful through MTX sales. It remains to be seen how the game will continue to evolve in the coming years and whether microtransactions will continue to play a significant role.

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