There’s been a fair bit of debate over just how successful Bungie’s Destiny will end up being. Some want it to fail. Others believe Destiny’s success is good for the industry as a whole. Still, considering Activision’s half a billion Dollar gamble there’s a lot at stake. Only the game hasn’t cost anywhere near $500 000 000.
The whole thing started when Activision boss Bobby Kotick revealed that Activision was making a significant investment in Destiny.
“If you’re making a $500 million bet you can’t take that chance with someone else’s IP,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told the Milken conference. “The stakes for us are getting bigger.””
Of course, that includes marketing, packaging and long-term infrastructure and team building. The game itself hasn’t cost quite that much. And that’s over the entire 10 year life span that Activision’s hoping Destiny will live over. It’s a long term investment.
“For marketing you’d have to ask Activision people, but for development costs, not anything close to $500 million,” Bungie’s Pete Parsons told GameIndustry International in an interview. “I think that speaks a lot more to the long-term investment that we’re making in the future of the product.”
“We’re pouring everything it takes into Destiny to ensure it meets our fans’ expectations, and our own,” Bungie’s Eric Osborne added in the same interview. “Activision is, too. But the budget for Destiny, including associated marketing costs and pizza Wednesdays, is nowhere near 500 million dollars.”
According to some analysts, Activision could even make its money back within the first year; Cowen Research analyst Doug Creutz believes that Destiny could sell as many as 15 million copies, bringing in $600-900 million at retail. I think he’s being perhaps a little optimistic. but judging from the excitement from those who played the alpha, I think it’ll end up doing pretty well.
Last Updated: July 1, 2014
oVg Panzaboye
July 1, 2014 at 11:05
“We’re pouring everything it takes into Destiny to ensure it meets our fans’ expectations”
Spiderman and Transformers can suck donkey ears.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:30
Don’t be like that, they met fans’ expectations with those franchises. Everyone expects movie tie-ins to be crap. 😛
ToshZA
July 1, 2014 at 11:42
Problem is that the last 2 transformers games weren’t crap. They raised the bar, then didn’t meet that bar. Not even close.
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 12:35
So a day one purchase for you?
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:16
HAHAHAHAHA DAT HEADER!!!!!
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:16
BWHAHAHAHAHAHA DAT ALT TEXT!!!!!!!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:19
Both very so lulz
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:22
Oh yeah, cracked me up massively. Dat face, dat pose, dat text, much win
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:17
I call PC implementation, 2015 Q1
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:27
I call “not going to happen”.
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:33
Care to make a wager? Loser has to play a crap game?
I’m saying it will come to PC
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:39
I’ve already played DNF haha
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:42
I haven’t. So we have my punishment. What will be your one?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:56
A:CM for all. and to be technical, you called Q1 2015 ;P
Kromas
July 1, 2014 at 11:49
Aliens:Colonial Marines. DNF was just way overhyped and was not necessarily crap. Or at least it was a nice expensive nostalgia trip.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:54
I actually didn’t mind it that much, had its moments. I’ll never call it good though.
Sageville
July 1, 2014 at 12:14
Agreed, I’d also add “Pfft!”
FoxOneZA
July 1, 2014 at 12:03
Suddenly, everyone including EA, wants to be friends with the Master Race :/
Charles Du Plessis
July 1, 2014 at 11:21
$500 million = $500 000?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:21
What’s a few zeroes between friends? 😉
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 12:37
Depends what you do with them?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 12:42
Nothing? 😉
Admiral Chief Fairburne
July 1, 2014 at 11:22
Probably the same joke that my employer is pulling on my payslip…
Sageville
July 1, 2014 at 11:25
I put it to you that the header is still correct.
Charles Du Plessis
July 1, 2014 at 11:28
Vaild point sir
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:28
Technical point, well spotted.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
July 1, 2014 at 11:21
Missing a few zeroes?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2014 at 11:21
This game looks really cool, and I hope it is, but the hype is getting too strong.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
July 1, 2014 at 11:22
What I learnt from this article: Geoff still makes me laugh, even though he flunked maths at school.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 1, 2014 at 11:48
Worst asian ever.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
July 1, 2014 at 11:52
LOL!
FoxOneZA
July 1, 2014 at 12:04
This article was brought to you by Zim Geoff.
The Geoff from Zim.
Dutch Matrix
July 1, 2014 at 11:37
Geoff just proved that he is dumber than our beloved president, the honourable Jacob Zuma… At least Zuma battled with a number worthy of being called a tongue twister.
Sies Geoff! 😛
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 1, 2014 at 11:48
jassis. I left out quite a zero there.
Rince&Shitity
July 1, 2014 at 12:35
Header win
Jonah Cash
July 1, 2014 at 14:40
Pre ordered and put the money in my online wallet for it, not taking any chances with this one!! I must have it again!!! Can’t wait for the Beta, I am ready………..