WTF Bungie? Where's The 500 Million At In Destiny?

CraigheadPro And LUGO Entertainment discuss where the 500 million dollars went when developing Bungie’s Destiny. Apparently it wasn’t put in the graphics or content. It’s clearly not exactly a standard MMO. Me And LUGO are seriously wondering just what happen over there Bungie?

[Intentions]

Pretty sure the 500 million was for the whole franchise not on one game.

[qwerty676]

this, and a lot of that is for marketing.

[bouzebbal]

exactly, i think Destiny has always been thought as a franchise of X episodes. Add to the marketing campaign to that. I think we'll see one episode every second year.

[darthv72]

Wouldnt the marketing (or percentage of it) come from Sony and the deal they made for exclusive advertising?

That is something that is usually negotiated when deals are made. If Sony is fronting the ad $$ then Activision didnt have to pay anything. They are the publisher so their angle is all around promotion and sales.

Bungie is the real talent in making the game and yet they only get a portion of the proceeds. Publishers get the lions share.

[sonarus]

its impressive that they recovered their investment in one day. Crazy for new ip. Its a pretty solid game though

[XBLSkull]

Yep, 500M for a trilogy or more.

[SilentNegotiator]

Just report the article as fake. The entire premise is ridiculous; they're asking, 'where did (part of the) funds, that weren't even supposed to be spent yet, go to?'

We have known that the 500m was for several games, marketing, etc for a very long time. This article has no merit.

[AndrewLB]

This is what happens when private companies make the mistake of spending money in the same undisciplined way our government does.

and btw... the $500 million is for THIS game and the coming DLC. It's not for the development of a trilogy. I don't know where people got that idea.

[DVAcme]

All true, plus there's also the expansions coming, not to mention the servers that had to be put up for the game. Apparently they're regional servers, cause every time I play I see loads of Puertorican players. Either there's so many that I always see some online or it's a regional server that has Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

[DOMination-]

Developers are salaried just like you and me and they'll probably fet bonuses after a successful release. The idea of them sitting on millions in reserve cash is novel but if they always work with a publisher like nearly all do then there is no need.

TThe publisher will agree a contract in advance with the developer and that will include money to pay everyone during the cycle. This is also why lots of people move after games release.

[PX54]

Given it's an always online game i'm guessing a lot of money went into making sure the servers could handle the pre-order sales and maybe even a few years more. Bungie would know from the success of Halo what they'd need to ensure a smooth online experience and to have this set up from launch would have cost a fair bit - rather than gradually building it up over time.

[harrisk954]

Yep... what they have positioned as a "10-year" game cycle.

[redwin]

I don't see this as a 10 year game, but I would love to be proved wrong. I'll be very happy if they keep me interested until summer.

[Chaoticmoon]

@Redwin The game itself isn't supposed to last a whole 10 years, the WHOLE FRANCHISE is, also Destiny could keep you busy for a bit if you pick up the expansions.

[llxKonanxll]

Do we really want a game cycle for 10 years?? look how well that's turned out for COD.

[kaizokuspy]

@llxKonanxll

Why are you even comparing this to COD? COD is not an exploration and pvp game mixed with looting and forcing you to be social. COD is also handled by multiple developers. They don't add anything new except killstreaks. This games been out how long? When they add new subclasses, possibly a job system, new multiplayer modes, new planets, new loot, raise the level cap and what not, how will you complain? Look at Borderlands. Their DLC can be beat in 2 days or less with really no reason to replay it. Destiny's will cover a much broader scope and not everything will be paid DLC, some will just be updates that we will get for freeeeeee. More naysayers who compare to games that are Halo, COD, and other games it isnt trying to be. Destiny is Destiny. It's own game. If you want Halo, go play Halo, you want COD go play COD, you want a brand new IP with a familiar feel, good control, and fun times with your friends, then play Destiny.

[Garethvk]

Exactly. It was for marketing, design, DLC, and stuff already in the works. It should be $500 million invested in the franchise to date.

[Palitera]

The lack of content is the main business-design for Destiny. It's not for lack of money that the game is so barebones. It is radically design as a DLC vending machine, that's why you only have 5 SP maps to play at through dozens of "different" missions.

And yes, we know you don't believe they spent 500 millions on this.

[BlackTar187]

I disagree that this game is barebones. I'm enjoying it alot and have yet to scratch the surface of the content.

[geddesmond]

I'm guessing most of that went on marketing which created all the hype for a game I haven't even played yet as I'm still waiting for the download transfer to finish. Only 76% left to go after 4 hours yay.

You would think they would let you play the game after a certain amount was downloaded like every other game this generation. But no, Bungie had to be awkward about it. This game better be good or I'm going back to buying games when they go on sale.

[Scatpants]

You should have preloaded. Also, get faster internet.

[geddesmond]

@ Scatpants.

My pay day at work is Thursday. Last week was the first week in a month so I had rent to pay. Pre loading wasn't a option. Secondly I have the fastest internet my area can get. Why is Destiny the only game where I have to fully download especially when the big feature this generation was not having to download games fully before playing?

[gamer7804]

the paul mcartney song...

[SSJBen]

No man's sky is not even a fraction of that budget and has more content than Destiny.

What a joke.

[Owvi]

It'll probably have more content than most games. What's your point..?

[porkChop]

No Man's Sky is entirely procedurally generated. Meaning the developers didn't do a whole lot of work creating that universe, it created itself. You cannot compare that to painstakingly creating multiple planets, maps, etc entirely by hand and from scratch.

[ShowGun901]

no mans sky looks awesome, but so far, ive been dissappointed by every "procedurally generated" game ive played... you see elements repeated over and over, its like someone just quilted the would outta premade parts...

[deafdani]

Sure, compare a procedurally generated game to a traditional game to make a point regarding game content.

Makes sense. Especially since No Man's Sky isn't even released yet...

-.-

[SSJBen]

@porkChop

You're contradicting your own comment.

So the devs for No Man's Sky didn't do a lot of work, but with Destiny, Bungie has 500mil budget and numerous delays, but all we have at launch are 4 planets with the same monsters.

These planets aren't even THATTTT big to begin with either.

So?

[3-4-5]

Sensationalist article from the U.K. ? Never! lol

[Bobby Kotex]

Just another ignorant article. What do you expect on the N4G front page?

[Jaqen_Hghar]

IT'S A 10 YEAR PROJECT! How have people not gotten this message yet? There won't be a bunch of sequels coming or anything like that. You'll get expansions for years and years as the game expands. Bungie has been very clear on this from the start. They intended from the start for this to be a long-term deal. No Destiny 2 (at least not for awhile), no Game of the Year edition (unless they do yearly updates with the past expansions tacked on for $60), and the money went into future content and advertising of course.

[Trolltroll]

Why do we have to pay for the DLC content if the 500mil was spent on future DLC. In 10 years we will not likely have even our "next gen" consoles given the average life is 6-8 years. I am down if they give the content that is missing for free. But this is Activision we will be paying for everything. I hope you are having fun playing that "advertising" they spent their mony on.

[BinaryMind]

And correct me if I'm wrong, but Activision puts $100 million into marketing each Call of Duty game. They probably put the same amount into Destiny.

[JsonHenry]

Marketing ate half of it I think.

[CKPan]

Franchise? DLC or Destiny 2? pretty sure they're gonna charge for those.

[Muzikguy]

It's very misleading when companies talk like this. I generally don't believe it, good rule of thumb I like to go by. I haven't seen the $1billion that MS supposedly invested into games. These two examples are perfect. They say their initial amounts over a certain timeframe. That time can always change and the end result is less than what they stated it to be. I haven't seen $1B worth from MS (could be Azure and high cost of "exclusive" rights I know) and if this 10 year plan for Destiny doesn't pan out then the $500 million would be less too. They just want to talk big numbers and get people excited. Just another way to hype. I'm sure Destiny will be great, these are just my thoughts.

And off topic: this is comment #700! I'm going to remember it forever......

(What was I just doing?)

[Ozmoses]

don't forget servers require money as well....

[mrpsychoticstalker]

It all went to support the marketing campaign and relationship/partnership they have with Sony.

[Ron_Danger]

You don't have to tie a double knot to keep your foil hat in place. Seems like it's in extra tight and cutting off circulation.

[Kivespussi]

Hah, Sony paid them for the partnership. This money went mostly to markering and maybe to DLC content

[Gamerbeyond]

lol sony is only making money off the consoles they sell and this game will push alot of ps4's.

[Magicite]

and some to you.

[Revengeance]

Better Sony than Micro$oft

[SnakeCQC]

I thought it was supposed to be over the cycle of this game.

[philm87]

Yeah people seem to miss the point that they're going to be adding a lot to the game, doing weekly events etc.

[morganfell]

gamersftw.co.uk needs to shut up. Worthless opinions from whiners do nothing form gaming. Not getting a click from me.

http://www.gamespot.com/art...

[UnwanteDreamz]

People dont understand that the expansions arent your run of the mill map packs.

[JeffGUNZ]

@ Unwanted

Exactly brother. They are worded as EXPANSIONS, not DLC that we typically get. The expansions will open up new planets, new gear, new weapons, etc. Not 4 maps from Crucible.

[FsterThnFTL]

Hookers, lol.

[Dannycr]

When these "critics" say that it is not exactly an MMO I just disregard their opinions entirely.

NO ONE said this was an MMO, it was not marketed as one or even hinted as one. It just means that you:

1- Don't know what an MMO is.
2- Didn't play the beta.
3- Don't anything about game genres.

Most of these negative reviews state that the game sucks because it is not an MMO.

[pinkcrocodile75]

Sorry Danny but thats a huge amount of generalisation.

Even this site has mentioned Destiny with "A combination of both Openworld MMO and FSP" many times, you may have even quibbled over it before. I'd have a look but to be honest I'm too busy to care.

If you're going to bitchslap someone make sure you are on solid ground, which I have to point out... you are not!

That said I love Destiny, got it for my X1 and it's brilliant, I'm a slow player and take my time and I'm enjoying it.

It's not an AWESOME game in opinion but it is very good.

[MysticStrummer]

It's still not an MMO. Articles and comments repeat misinformation on this site all the time. See mrpsychoticstalker above as an example.

[Kribwalker]

Definitely not bungies best game. It's good, I'm level 4 now, and it does seem to be getting better, but I'll be playing a re-master of bungies best game this November in halo 2

[Dannycr]

Care to explain why they use the: It's not an MMO in a negative light, then? I guess you missed the entire point of my comment. A lot of the articles talking about negative stuff are using the "it's not an MMO card" when the game was CLEARLY not an MMO and Bungie NEVER tried to make it look like one. It's you who are assuming something it's not. That's your fault, not Bungie's.

By that logic, let me accuse Mario Kart for not being a realistic driving simulator.

[pinkcrocodile75]

@Dannycr - Calm down man, you sound like you are going to explode!

From what I've read on sites like this one, they refer to it as a quasi hybrid of mmo meets fps.

THIS IS WHAT I'VE READ MIND

After playing it for a while I can most certainly see ELEMENTS of what they are on about.

That said, it's not one thing or another IT IS a quasi hybrid game with MMO and fps elements in it.

If YOU had to define Destiny what would you call it, how would YOU define it?

This is MY opinion, what is YOUR'S?

[Dannycr]

Let me clarify two things:

1- I'm not mad. My response doesn't even have a hint of anger. You assumed I was/am mad.

2- You are still missing the point of my comment and talking about the complete opposite. What does "my definition of Destiny" have to do with the fact that people are taking score points off of the game because it's not an MMO?

A game that has "elements" of a genre does not make it THAT genre. It just has elements. So let me ask you again the question that you did not answer: why are they using the "It's not an MMO" statement in a negative light when the game was never advertised as a MMO game?

[pinkcrocodile75]

@Dannycr

To answer your question, I have absolutely no idea. However, if you read my previous post I said;

"After playing it for a while I can most certainly see ELEMENTS of what they are on about.

That said, it's not one thing or another IT IS a quasi hybrid game with MMO and fps elements in it. "

So as a point of fact I'm agreeing with you that the game DOESN'T fall into one category or the other.

I still have no idea why MMO's have a negative generalisation to some of the gaming media. I don't play them myself, I'm more of a platform / driving / fps kinda gamer, always have been.

To answer my question, Do you agree with MY assessment of the game?

PM me as I have filled my bubbles... and thats not a euphemism :D

[ThatOneGuyThere]

its an online FPS with features ripped from MMOs. (instances, quests, looting, parties, etc.) And its an absolute blast to play. Also, its REALLY well polished. Theres little things you notice if you're looking that just adds up to creating a very unique and immersive environment for a shooter. Walking on the moon, you can see your footprints as well as the footprints of your fireteam in the moon dust. the way the light reflects off guns, and your visor, etc. Just really great. This is my favorite game this gen, and thats even after playing a ton of Diablo 3.

[ShowGun901]

destinys amazing! feel free to add me on PS4 and we can hit up the crucible!

[ThatOneGuyThere]

I'm so terrible at the PVP. I need to level up some more first.

[stormswrath]

Don't see how anyone can disagree with this statement. Especially the first part. The people in the video kept using the old republic and other mmos to compare destiny to but this game is not an mmo. You would think as journalists they would know that but their video just seems to be a rant for all the wrong reasons.

[hello12]

Its not a 500 million game. I think they're hoping to keep the game going for years by DLC and, that should rise the production costs. They have two dlc's already planned, and its clear this game, was build with DLC in mind. Keep releasing dlc with more planets and new stories.

[SteamPowered]

There is a very good chance you will have to pay for the Dlc. This will add more revenue to the $500mil they already spent. So I would have to agree with the author, there really isn't a lot of content for the money it took to develop. I don't really care for a 10 year cycle if I have to pay for Dlc every few months to keep it fresh.

[blib]

Same place most of the money goes for all AAA dev houses. Bonuses for idiots who don't even game. Support Indies!

[philm87]

People might support indies if they liked the games..... there's a few good indie games I like personally but they're few and far between. The dated graphics put most people off I think. Stick it to the man is on of the best made indie games I played, loved it.

[Army_of_Darkness]

Indie games were a good time waster on phones and tablets but when they showed up on consoles way beyond the $1.99 price range, it's gonna definitely take a little more effort for me to purchase it... For example child of light, excellent game and worth the $15 I paid for.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

i have a problem with the "retro" cop out. At least get someone to draw some nice looking 16bit art. Enough of this 8bit trash. Its lazy. Games on the Genesis looked REALLY great sometimes. I would like more of that. I love 2d game play, but not when its half assed.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

people DO support indies. Look at minecraft...you just have to make a GOOD indie with broad appeal. The nature of the indie game is to generally appeal to smaller audiences with specific artistic tastes.

[SpinalRemains138]

Cocaine and hookers indeed.

[SliceOfTruth888]

O I don't know maybe its the amazing graphics,maybe it was the huge marketing campaign, maybe its the flawless launch of an online only game? Oooo yeah a terrible gaming website article...my mistake

[_LarZen_]

Gamers complaining...that's new.

[ironmonkey]

10/10 in my books they did an awesome. The art approach to this game is my kind of style. Almost halo 4 like.

[ThatOneGuyThere]

it kills halo though. But the style you can see where it comes through. I love the gunplay. It feels...right.

[Fishy Fingers]

People really need to drop the "$500m", that was the contract and investment into the franchise. The game itself didn't and wouldn't of cost anything like that sum.

[Forn]

There is very little content at launch imo, which means that money has gone toward everything Activision and Bungie is planning as far as dlc over the next 10 years, which was expected, and quite dissapointing. Let the milking begin!

[Ark_]

As far as I know:
The 500 Million are a budget for 10 years, 4 games and a yearly big expansion. On top it's for everything marketing related. Planned economy at its finest with a strict contract.
(There are interesting details, like a 25 Million Bonus for Bungie, if the game gets a 90+ on gamerankings.)

It's a lot of money on the line and they will push for success in every way. That's not a bad thing per se, but a lot of pressure. And you can't prescribe love for a game ...

[CerealKiller]

Its in the future DLC.

[gamertk421]

So far I'm somewhat unimpressed, but maybe it's playing through much of the same content for the 3rd time. It doesn't have that wow factor that immerses you into the game's universe. You can bet I'll keep looking for the hook, though, at least for the next few weeks.

[stormswrath]

It would have been nice to have different areas even if on the same planet but with enemy difficulty ramping up it still provides me with a reason to keep playing including loot and I love the strikes and can't wait for the raids. I agree though that going through the same areas is kind of a bummer. The only negative thing I would have to say about the game really.

[Godmars290]

Advertising.

[theshredded]

75% went to marketing

[bunfighterii]

Destiny is OK. Probably rivalling Watch Dogs as the most disappointing game of the year so far, given the hype it got.

[CrowbaitBob]

I would love it if all life's disappointments were as enjoyable as Destiny.

[DevilishSix]

In all fairness the 500 million number floated around is deceiving. A good portion of that has been in marketing the game for the last couple years. Then consider Bungie has a larger development team with hundreds of people, there is a new engine, and 5 years development time. So The money is there it's just not all on screen.

[KuroKazuma]

Destiny 1, 2, 3
DLCs
Ads

there is the money

just wait 10 years, and discuss again

[Dan_scruggs]

Rage 2 - Destiny

[a411411]

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[gedden7]

"Pretty sure the 500 million was for the whole franchise not on one game."

UMMMM Yeah for the advertising... You can't tell me this game isn't close to a halo clone.. Umm it is made by the original creators of Halo. So same feel, engine and core AI. Most of the development costs went to the artists instead of the designers/programmers... And of course the Advertising!! 6 hours to complete??? Geezzzz.. This game should be SOOO big it should dwarf Skyrim.. Think about it...

[SonyMontana]

Thanks for pulling facts out of your bung hole to try and prove a false point.

[Ryuk_2007]

A quick google search would have gotten you your answer Mr. Journalist.

[CrowbaitBob]

"Apparently it wasn’t put in the graphics"

I always love this complaint. How much does a graphic cost exactly?

[SonyMontana]

Talk about journalists out of the loop. Activision already stated it's a $500 million budget for the 10 year franchise.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

Perfect example yet again of the daily clickbait articles these lame wannabe writters write
and yet again everyone falls for it, dont you see their making fun of you by clicking or talking about it. Just stop.
And I know I replied too, just had to get it out there

[TransientDreamer]

I'm curious what credentials (aside from just playing games) these guys have that make them experts on the subject.

[ScaryMonkey]

Last time I checked the game was called Destiny, not Find The Budget.

[my-proxy]

I dont care how much or little its cost to make a game. If it has hours of fun content i can play solo or with friends ill drop the cash to buy it. Simple :)

[cell989]

I've played it for only 2 hrs so far, work is hectic. I will say the graphics aren't all that,I don't like the floaty feeling you get when running, feels like my character is weightless. The guns so far are not impressive, still too soon to judge, I shall continue playing it

[windblowsagain]

100k for gold knives for crew.
100k for gold folks
50k for gold spoons, 25k for small ones.

A car each.
Holidays all round.

Best programmers get houses.

Not much left to go around.

Obviously I'm kidding. The spoons were more expensive then listed.

Think the 500mill is for along time and advertising.

[nix]

nowadays i just read the headline and i know it would be some unknown site writing some stupid things.

[vahnDragon]

grouundlessvahn is my youtube channel name are doing this again talking about sales for a video game. like sales matter, it really don't remember two worlds 1 that game sales where great, however the humiliation of knowing this was bad the same night of playing the game people took it back the next day

[Profexxion]

My understanding is that DESTINY is the 10 year plan, not Destiny 1-3 or something. This isn't that type of title and they've been pretty open about that. Expansions are the key here and we already know of two. That 500 million (half for advertising most likely) will go to expansions further down the line, unlocking more levels, classes, story missions, etc. They'll also be spending money consistently balancing the game and keeping daily events fresh. So yea the title of this article makes me thing "idiots" immediately.

[jegheist2014]

10 years people lol your worried its gonna turn into cod people play wow and its 900 gazillion expansions r not bored of it.

what they need to make after this is an borderlands mmo kinda like this but level caps up to level 60 or 70 lots of expansions and its free to play if u have plus no monthly subscription keep it in vein of b2p not p2p ill be in bliss foreva hopefully 2k sees this game gets idea to do borderlands game like this shows bungie this is how u do content lol

[MGSmarioPRO]

Is like the ibeats, 80% spend on marketing. Many times more important than the product in the sale.

[ScorpiusX]

Don't think the game it self had a budget of 500 million think that's over the duration of the 10 year deal if correct . I don't know why anyone thinks one game would cost 500 million to make .

[Soldierone]

My question is why is Destiny suddenly being called an MMO? It wasn't even listed as an MMO until it released.

Sure it has a tiny bit of aspects in that regard, but it isn't an MMO so don't expect it to play like one. It's more or less a "co-op" title, like Payday, with an open world attached to it. You want pure MMO then go play Defiance.

If you ask me, a game like this will eat up that type of budget on back end stuff. Marketing, servers, updates, future needs, etc... A game doesn't need to be visually amazing to be good.... There are plenty of games that look brilliant yet play like total crap because back end stuff was ignored.... aka Battlefield.

[objdadon]

I just checked this site for a sec and nothing has changed! Lol! Just a bunch of complaining as usual. Well.....back to destiny!!!!!! They need me in the crucible!

[gigoran]

I have not read something this stupid for a really long time. If writing about video games is this guys job, he should probably rethink this career.

[e-p-ayeaH]

There will be loads of DLC for this one obviously.

[swishersweets20031]

for a small fee of 59.99. the milking begins.

[Tedakin]

Destiny.... One mission repeated 9000 times. And why do we even need different ships? You don't even control or fly them. You just watch them in the load screen. Pointless. Overall it's just an okay game in my opinion. And the PVP is no fun at all.

[Parasyte]

Can someone remove this bullshit article please?

[audiophile101]

wow i absolutely love this review! these guys got it right on.

HUge budget but just an average game.

GTA V had a smaller budget and the quality was thrrough the roof. yeah sure some people didnt like the story but i loved it cuase it just got better and better right to the end.
PLus amount of NPC's that all have lines that can be entertaining. the world looks gorgeous even for an older system release.

So happy i didnt pick this up like the rest of the gullible people out there

[moomoo319]

I have just lost all interest in gaming journalism at this point and even much of the community.
It is just always cynical, entitled, and ungrateful for the work developers put into their games.
My friends and I think Destiny is a fantastic game and contender for game of the year. We rather play it than question activision's budget allocation and complain all goddamn day.

[crimsonguard]

yes i have to agree, its getting to the point for me where i don't even want to read opinion,review, pieces on games anymore. with so much of this type of spam,there is no good sites anymore, unless someone knows some?

[Fastandslow]

This post is stupid its a Series not just one game

[swishersweets20031]

They went to the Jordon Belfort school of business, and ordered 26,000$ on sides that cured cancer. The rest was on hookers and blow and more hookers and blow.

[spoonard]

So, am I hearing them right? They honestly think that Bungie and Activision sunk $500 MILLION dollars into the game we were given? How do either of those numbskulls maintain any type of consistent non-troll audience?

$500 million goes to marketing, dlc/expansions, and sequels IN ADDITION to the main game. Where was it ever stated by a member of Bungie/Activision that $500 million dollars was spent on what we were given??

[HanCilliers]

Who approved this crap

[Maxor]

Exactly my thoughts on Destiny.

[Manubiggs]

It was a side comment by obby Kotick saying that it would probably be an inevstment of 500 Million over 10 years for 3 games

[hkgamer]

did they say they were making 3 games? i thought this game was the only one with expansions throughout its life?

[Clown_Syndr0me]

90% of that probably went on marketing and paying companies to over hype the game, else no one would of bought the mediocre game it turned out to me.

[hkgamer]

im guessing the 500 million is for the game throughout its whole life cycle.

dev costs for so called 10 years.

marketing

server costs.

[gano]

Well marketing does consists of paying reviewers, and some people on here
to hype said game.
To all those who like it enjoy.

[rapidturtle]

It's for the big sign they have in Times Square.

[darthkai]

500 million dollars...
Still no split screen...