Over half of Destiny 2 console sales were digital

Activision just posted its third quarter 2017 earnings, revealing lots of interesting tidbits (such as earning $1 billion from microtransactions and in-game purchases). In the reports the publisher noted that Destiny 2 is "well ahead" of the first game insofar as engagement.

Activision just posted its third quarter 2017 earnings, revealing lots of interesting tidbits (such as earning $1 billion from microtransactions and in-game purchases). In the reports the publisher noted that Destiny 2 is "well ahead" of the first game insofar as engagement.

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Digital gaming has become more and more important in the console space, and key publishers like Activision are reaping the benefits of a tightly focused engagement-monetization approach used for its online service games. The company reported a record $1 billion from in-game purchases during the third quarter ending September 30, and Destiny 2 enjoyed landmark success on consoles. The company reiterates the NPD Group's data that says Destiny 2 is the best-selling console game year-to-date (as of Sept. 30, Call of Duty WWII is surely set to shatter that record), and that over 50% of sales for the game on consoles were from digital.

"Launched in September, Destiny 2 is the best-selling console game year-to-date in the U.S. Digital mix was over 50% of console full game sell-through, a new record for the company," Activision wrote in its Q3'17 earnings report. "In October, we introduced the Destiny franchise to PC gamers on Blizzard's Battle.net platform, opening the franchise to new global audiences and future growth opportunities."

Furthermore, Activision says that in a single month Destiny 2 has already surpassed its predecessor's earnings from total player spending and engagement. "With the launch of the game on PC, Destiny 2 is now ahead of the original game in consumer spend," the report states. "Activision and Bungie's Destiny 2 is well ahead of the highly engaging original Destiny on time spent per player and attach rate to the Expansion Pass."

Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg also weighed in by saying Destiny 2's microtransactions and in-game purchases are up too. "We're already ahead of Destiny 1 for consumer spend, average revenue per user was up as well."

Digital gaming has become more and more important in the console space, and key publishers like Activision are reaping the benefits of a tightly focused engagement-monetization approach used for its online service games. The company reported a record $1 billion from in-game purchases during the third quarter ending September 30, and Destiny 2 enjoyed landmark success on consoles. The company reiterates the NPD Group's data that says Destiny 2 is the best-selling console game year-to-date (as of Sept. 30, Call of Duty WWII is surely set to shatter that record), and that over 50% of sales for the game on consoles were from digital.

"Launched in September, Destiny 2 is the best-selling console game year-to-date in the U.S. Digital mix was over 50% of console full game sell-through, a new record for the company," Activision wrote in its Q3'17 earnings report. "In October, we introduced the Destiny franchise to PC gamers on Blizzard's Battle.net platform, opening the franchise to new global audiences and future growth opportunities."

Furthermore, Activision says that in a single month Destiny 2 has already surpassed its predecessor's earnings from total player spending and engagement. "With the launch of the game on PC, Destiny 2 is now ahead of the original game in consumer spend," the report states. "Activision and Bungie's Destiny 2 is well ahead of the highly engaging original Destiny on time spent per player and attach rate to the Expansion Pass."

Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg also weighed in by saying Destiny 2's microtransactions and in-game purchases are up too. "We're already ahead of Destiny 1 for consumer spend, average revenue per user was up as well."

In the call the company assured that retail isn't going anywhere, but digital is a main driver for growth and revenues.

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