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Activision's Destiny Boasts $500 Million In Sales To Stores
Activision likes to go big on its franchises, and it looks like Destiny is set to join the company's elite ranks alongside Call of Duty. Activision says that Destiny has sold more than $500 million worldwide to stores.
While revenue to stores and through bundles isn't as impressive as the amount actually sold through to consumers, there's no doubt that Destiny is big business for Activision. Eric Hirshberg, Activision CEO, says the game is "the highest-selling day one digital console release in history." Hirshberg didn't cite specific numbers, but if this is correct it certainly indicates that the game and the franchise has a very bright future.
The $500 million figure is also relevant because it's what Activision has said Destiny would cost factoring in marketing, packaging, royalties, and other costs.
In an interview with Game Informer early this year (issue 249), Hirshberg explained the company's philosophy of betting big on a small number of franchises. "I think sometimes publishers take the false security in having a wide slate and having a game in every single category," he said. "If you do fewer things, you can generally focus on them more and hopefully make them better."
"The ambition and the scope of [Destiny] require that. In order to do it right, there's only one way to do it. You have to go big."
Our Take:
Destiny has the potential to sell through to the $500 million mark and beyond. Regardless, it's a long-term investment that will continue to pay off for future titles now that the initial groundwork has been laid to get the IP off the ground.
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