Hey there! As an avid Destiny fan and business analyst, I‘ve crunched the numbers to give you the full breakdown of how much money Destiny 2 has generated since it launched. In total, Destiny 2 has brought in over $1.2 billion in revenue and continues raking in hundreds of millions each year through expansions, season passes, and in-game purchases. Let‘s take a closer look at where all these massive earnings are coming from!
Following the Money: Destiny 2‘s Key Revenue Sources
When Destiny 2 transitioned to free-to-play in 2019, direct game sales stopped being the main revenue driver. Instead, Bungie kept revenue flowing through:
- Major Expansions – Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen. Typically $40 each.
- Season Passes – Offer new activities and rewards. $10 per 3-month season.
- Eververse Store – Sells cosmetics, emotes, boosts. Items range from $2 to $15.
By providing exciting new content and vanity items for dedicated players, Bungie incentivizes them to keep spending money. These revenue streams have proven extremely profitable.
Destiny 2 Earnings Timeline and Milestones
While Bungie keeps specific figures private, analysts estimate Destiny 2 revenue by year:
| 2017 | $401 million |
| 2018 | $328 million |
| 2019 | $378 million |
| 2020 | $331 million |
| 2021 | $521 million |
Some major milestones:
- Total franchise revenue topped $1 billion in 2019
- 2020 saw over $300 million despite no major expansion release
- 2021 was the biggest year yet with around $500 million earned
2022 and beyond are looking even more profitable with Sony now backing development.
Destiny‘s Value Demonstrated in Bungie Acquisition
Sony decided to shell out $3.6 billion to acquire Bungie in January 2022. This massive deal shows Destiny‘s astronomical value. Bungie has around 900 employees, so the studio likely generates over $200 million in revenue annually. For Sony, bringing Destiny‘s revenue in-house was well worth the price tag.
Owning Bungie also gives Sony control over a proven talent factory and access to Destiny‘s huge audience as they expand PlayStation‘s library. The acquisition was as much about investing in future potential as it was about near-term earnings.
By the Numbers: Sales Performance Highlights
Across all platforms and both Destiny 1 and 2, total franchise sales exceed 155 million copies. The series has topped charts year after year:
- Destiny 1 was 2014‘s #2 console game based on revenue
- Destiny 2 had 2017‘s biggest console launch, selling over 1.2 million copies in its first week
- As of 2021, Destiny 2 sold over 50 million copies across all platforms
Destiny 2 also continues to have an active player base. Recent engagement metrics show:
- 1.5 million monthly active users on average
- 788,000 daily players on average
- Over 42 million registered users in total
The game still ranks among the most played titles on Xbox Live, PSN, and Steam.
What‘s Next? Expect Destiny 2 Earnings to Keep Growing
Bungie has stated they plan to support Destiny 2 for at least the next several years. There‘s no Destiny 3 currently in development.
Based on the game‘s stellar track record, I forecast Destiny 2 revenue will keep climbing as Bungie releases more expansions, seasons, and in-game content. Support from Sony also allows them to nurture Destiny 2 for the long haul.
Looking at industry growth forecasts, projections put Destiny 2 earnings at over $600 million annually by 2025. And if a Destiny 3 ever does get announced, that would propel sales to new heights!
So in summary, Destiny 2 has already made over $1.2 billion, continues raking in hundreds of millions each year, and still has tremendous upside remaining. Bungie struck absolute gold with this franchise – the big numbers prove Destiny has earned its status as a true gaming legend.
Let me know if you have any other Destiny money questions! I could talk stats all day.
