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How many people are still playing Destiny?

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hundredsandthousands

Destiny may not exactly be a critical success. For some, it’s one of the biggest disappointments of the year. That, however, hardly matters. What’s really important is that people are still playing it, a month on. It might surprise you just how many are.

“Pioneering something new is never easy,” said Bungie community manager David Dague, otherwise known as Deej to the internet.  “When we see the raw numbers, it’s easy for us to say that the destination was worth the journey.”

And those raw numbers tell us that 3.2 million people are still playing Destiny daily and that those people are putting in an average of 3 hours per day. According to Bungie:

  • Destiny averages 3.2 million players each and every day!
  • Average playtime is still right around 3 hours a day, even on weekdays, one month after launch.
  • The average player plays Destiny 1.8 times a day.
  • The average player has played Destiny 20.9 times.
  • Over the past three weeks, we’ve had more players online in Destiny than we did during the same span for Halo 3 and Halo: Reach, combined.

3.2 million still people playing after month on isn’t bad at all. You do also have to realise that 4.6 million played the beta, and though Activision’s not released real sales figures, estimates put Destiny sales at around 6 million, so there’s been up to 50% drop-off in the first month. That’s probably quite a bit more than Bungie had hoped.

Still, I know I’d still be shooting everything if I didn’t have other gaming commitments. Bungie may have gotten quite a few things wrong with Destiny, but they certainly did something very very right.

Last Updated: October 13, 2014

123 Comments

  1. oVg

    October 13, 2014 at 11:11

    All this free 100% correct Data Farming. 343 Studios are watching in glee.
    Always on DRM pitch being recycled at Microsoft Halo HQ as we speak. Followed up by HALO TV TV TV TV TV TV TV.

    Reply

    • Guild

      October 13, 2014 at 11:19

      So I take it you are going to get a PS4 and internet now?

      Reply

      • oVg

        October 13, 2014 at 11:22

        I have a PS4 because it does not need internet. Not even a day 1 activation patch required.
        Put the game in and press start. Still on version 000.1 and all works just the way I want it to. Play games.All this DLC redeem codes for skins and shit I just throw in the bin.
        Old traditionalist gamer.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Underleyened

          October 13, 2014 at 11:26

          Hear hear.
          I had my PS3 for a year before someone told me that it has wifi. I had no idea.

          Reply

          • CAE9872

            October 13, 2014 at 11:42

            LOL

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 11:44

            Had a friend that also didn’t know. He shat himself when he found out he didn’t need a LAN cable.

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:46

            I never updated anything because I thought the LAN cable is just too much effort. A friend looked after my house one weekend and everything was updated the Monday. Felt a bit like an idiot.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 11:58

            I’ve done very very silly things as well, it happens 🙂

        • Guild

          October 13, 2014 at 11:27

          Rince told me otherwise and how much you enjoyed online when you got the chance to play. I think it’s time you got internet. Come and join the present….then at least you can complain like everyone else I know when the internet is down and how crap our telecom infrastructure is 😛

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            October 13, 2014 at 11:28

            Indeed. He LOVED Borderlands 2 multiplayer!

          • Guild

            October 13, 2014 at 11:28

            I knew it

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:29

            Everyone loves Borderlands 2 multiplayer. I’m sure even #foreverSP Trevor secretly loves it.

          • RinceThis

            October 13, 2014 at 12:10

            hahaha Where is he?!

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 12:13

            Hiding another corpse?

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 11:37

            Then he’ll love Destiny. It’s true.

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 11:30

            lol I have to admit, nothing better than getting wasted on a saturday afternoon with the Borderlands possie.
            I am too afraid that my OCD mixed with social gaming will result in a newspaper article the likes of a starved dead Korean gamer found in another internet cafe.

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:31

            You’re Korean? Wow, I never saw that. 😛

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 11:31

            Something everybody told Geoff… never 😛

          • Guild

            October 13, 2014 at 11:45

            I got OCD as well but my wife and daughter have managed to bring it under control. I think you need to join us on Destiny, especially the PVP.

          • RinceThis

            October 13, 2014 at 11:52

            hahahahah

        • MiddleCyril

          October 13, 2014 at 12:05

          Good for you, my Xbone works 100% for me too, just the way I like it.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            October 13, 2014 at 12:06

            But you need a day one patch, so if you don’t have internet, it wouldn’t work for you…

          • MiddleCyril

            October 13, 2014 at 12:07

            Thats why I said for me, quite selfish I know but I like playing with friends online and having coms that work from the comfort of my armchair without inviting the masses over. It is 2014 and in my mind the way gaming should work for me and my buddies.

        • sktzo

          October 14, 2014 at 00:33

          Who doesn’t have internet your on it right now…..

          Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      October 13, 2014 at 11:49

      Are you saying that we all went from “screw online DRM” to “DESTINY R AWSUM”?

      Reply

      • oVg

        October 13, 2014 at 11:53

        Yip. If they don’t want the consoles to have 24hour check in then we just make HUGE budget AAA games with always on DRM flood the market.

        I bet you all a muffin that the new HALO SINGLE player will only work on-line.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Underleyened

          October 13, 2014 at 11:54

          Blueberry, thanks. (just in case you’re wrong)

          Reply

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 11:55

            Blueberry is for WINNERS.

          • Sageville

            October 13, 2014 at 12:19

            No Banana!

  2. Gavin Mannion

    October 13, 2014 at 11:14

    No one would have wanted a drop of any sort but I think the people eagerly anticipating Destiny’s death are going to be waiting a long time.

    I’m still in love with the Strikes and would love to get good enough to go on a raid.. still not a fan of the crucible but the story DLC can’t come soon enough.

    Reply

    • oVg

      October 13, 2014 at 11:15

      If Borderlands is anything to by, Gearbox are still releasing keys 2 years after launch.
      But I think THE FLOAD of the next Halo hype train is going to blow all other on-line shooters away.

      Reply

    • Captain JJ Underleyened

      October 13, 2014 at 11:16

      I must agree. I think Destiny is going to hold out for pretty long. I haven’t gotten around to even checking a video of it, but I like the idea behind it. Backlog aside, I probably would’ve gotten into this one early on.

      Reply

    • Guild

      October 13, 2014 at 11:21

      I am glad that Destiny is doing so well still. Especially with all the doomsayers and people who continue to run it down even when they haven’t played it.

      Now we need to get you on the PS4 team so we can do the raid. I think the clan has got 2 teams now running the raid each week.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 13, 2014 at 11:36

        Yes do it!

        Reply

    • Sageville

      October 13, 2014 at 11:28

      I’ve already bought the Expansion Pass. So i’m putting my money on the game having legs.

      I do feel some tweaks could be implemented to make the current content last longer.

      Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        October 13, 2014 at 11:31

        Oh yeah there are definitely problems, some real big ones as well.. But the game is a massive endeavour and a lot of it is done so well.. they just need to continue tweaking and it will continue to succeed

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 13, 2014 at 11:36

      I’m also not the crucibles biggest fan, me and @Sageville:disqus managed to beat the weekly nightfall strike. The rewards are worth it.

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 13, 2014 at 12:18

        Yeah, you get that buff and @hammersteyn:disqus gets an exotic helm, while I get the consolation prize of a legendary.

        But seriously, that nightfall strike is going to be uber hard if it doesn’t have a sneaky “Avoid damage” hidey place.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 13, 2014 at 12:23

          It’s called tactics.

          Reply

          • Nikola

            October 13, 2014 at 14:19

            It’s called exploitation and from what I hear you tend to do this a lot in Destiny;)

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 14:26

            Hmph, I deliver results. On another note, hows that raid auto rifle? The only bad thing is the lack of any impact damage. Chews nicely through shields though.

          • Nikola

            October 13, 2014 at 14:29

            Whatever cheater;)….I am loving that rifle will have it fully upgraded today, yeah impact is low but with that rate of fire plus if you add that stability perk on it it’s very hard to miss so it puts out some good damage oh and it should do quite a bit of damage ot the oracle’s as well with that upgrade..btw since you never on the clan page raid tommorow 20:30 you in? rest have confirmed.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 14:34

            I’m always there. 🙂

          • Nikola

            October 13, 2014 at 14:35

            I’ve noticed that…

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 14:38

            I need to tie a string to my finger or keep the clan page open.

    • Jedi Consular Kromas

      October 13, 2014 at 11:55

      People predict MMO deaths all the time. As far as I am aware SWTOR and GW are still running and those two were said to die a few months after release. Hell I think the only MMO that is gone for good is SW:Galaxies.

      Reply

    • Dark

      October 13, 2014 at 12:19

      Now that Rage is over we are going to have to Start some strikes again. What LVL are you Gav?

      Reply

      • Daric

        October 13, 2014 at 20:38

        Warhammer is over.

        Reply

  3. Ryanza

    October 13, 2014 at 11:15

    Destiny is lacking a compelling story. So people are grinding away to find that special weapon or armor. You know get your money’s worth.

    Year ago I bough an Erykah Badu album. I didn’t know who Erykah Badu was and I thought what shit is this I bought. But I spend money on that album and I will damn well like that album. Now I like it.

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      October 13, 2014 at 11:39

      Erykah Badu is good – but it is a bit of “mood music” meaning you have to be in that mood to listen to it.

      Reply

  4. Thats_how_I_Troll

    October 13, 2014 at 11:25

    Does real life count as playing Destiny?

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Underleyened

      October 13, 2014 at 11:28

      Well, if you believe in destiny then you’re just going along for the ride, aren’t you? 😛

      Reply

      • Thats_how_I_Troll

        October 13, 2014 at 11:30

        But isn’t that what Destiny is about? Being taken for a ride ;p

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Underleyened

          October 13, 2014 at 11:31

          lol

          Reply

    • oVg

      October 13, 2014 at 11:33

      The narrative is just as pointless 😛

      Reply

  5. Nikola

    October 13, 2014 at 11:29

    I play this game each and every day and that for me has not happened in a very long time for a game to keep me this entertained for this long is brilliant, I play maybe two to 3 hours a day max then move onto a different game. I think the game will be around for a long time with constant new content updates new raids and strikes people who already love the game will come back to it.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    October 13, 2014 at 11:34

    “The average player plays Destiny 1.8 times a day” FIX YOUR SERVERS

    Reply

    • Nikola

      October 13, 2014 at 14:20

      LOL!! True though:(

      Reply

  7. Fnuik

    October 13, 2014 at 11:36

    My wife and bro bought me a white destiny edition ps4 just yesterday. Havent played alot but love it!

    Reply

    • Jac7

      October 13, 2014 at 11:38

      Marry your wife again and get your brother a woman just like yours!

      Reply

      • Fnuik

        October 13, 2014 at 11:40

        Haha I told her yesterday its funny how awesome gifts can make you even more in love.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Underleyened

          October 13, 2014 at 11:41

          I got Shadow of Mordor yesterday from my gf for our 8 year anniversary. I can confirm this. 😉

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 11:42

            I buy my own stuff because I’m 4EvarSp
            *and I cry myself to sleep at night. Dammit stop typing what you’re thinking*

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:44

            It’s been 8 years and I still can’t figure out how I managed to get someone. And apparently it has nothing to do with the eyeliner.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 11:45

            *Drives to Clicks to take my eyeliner back

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:53

            LOL.
            Clicks. Such a noob. 😉

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 13, 2014 at 12:08

            XDXDXD
            Red square?

          • Fnuik

            October 13, 2014 at 11:47

            8years! Jees boet. Time to marry? I’ve been married for almost 4years now and I don’t even know my wife 8years

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:51

            It is time, I agree.
            We actually know a few couples who met, got married and divorced, while we were together.

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 13, 2014 at 12:09

            I heard Trevor is married….his wife just doesn’t know yet……..

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 12:10

            LOL
            Trevor is many things that many people don’t know about.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 13, 2014 at 21:00

            She doesn’t know she’s my wife yet either. But she will, oh yes… she will.

          • Mossel

            October 13, 2014 at 13:06

            My gf and I are having our 8 year anniversary in December…also no pressure for me! lol

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 13, 2014 at 13:29

            O_O

          • Spaffy

            October 13, 2014 at 11:56

            8 yrs? She’s Italian, thus obviously hot, and for some reason clearly cares for you.
            Marry that girl man!

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 11:56

            Your logic is unquestionable. And accurate.

          • Spaffy

            October 13, 2014 at 11:58

            If my wife bought me a game, I’d marry the shit out of her.
            Oh, wait…

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 12:09

            So basically its a trial separation period 😛

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 13, 2014 at 12:39

            Oh snap!

          • Thats_how_I_Troll

            October 13, 2014 at 13:01

            Refresh…

    • Hammersteyn

      October 13, 2014 at 11:38

      Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah you lucky sob! I really love the look of the white PS4.

      Reply

    • Sgt. M

      October 13, 2014 at 13:06

      Lucky Bastard! You found yourself a good one.
      #foreverSP

      Reply

  8. Double-O-Six and a half

    October 13, 2014 at 11:37

    Not playing it, in fact I stopped about two hours in… Character was at L10… Haven’t played it since. I know I’ll probably get hated on here, but I really felt let down by the game. Did NOT enjoy it at all… One of my biggest gaming let downs of the year…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 13, 2014 at 11:41

      The hype for this game wasn’t even remotely justified. But because it was Activision and Bungie plus the inclusion of Peter Dinklage and all the genres mixed people were sure that it was going to be the next best thing since sliced bread. It kinda is but we only got a slice of bread not the whole loaf. I think give it a years time then check it out again.

      Reply

      • Jaded_Reprobate

        October 13, 2014 at 11:43

        I think the concept is the next best thing… i just think they stuffed up on the delivery of said concept… the idea behind the game has the potential to be huge… maybe some1 will come along and take this new genre (because that’s basically what it is) and make it what it’s supposed to be

        Reply

      • oVg

        October 13, 2014 at 11:59

        Not many people even know about the music.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9-5Bu9XRN4

        Reply

        • Cadis Etrama Di Umar

          October 13, 2014 at 12:03

          Destiny’s music is SO GOOD

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 12:04

            Music really makes such a huge difference to a game.

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 12:06

            COD MW 2 will always be my favourite.

            Hans Zimmer can get those goose bumps pumping.

            While Nobuo Uematsu gets the tears rolling.

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 12:09

            MW2 was flippen memorable.
            At the moment I’m loving Valiant Hearts’ soundtrack.

          • Mossel

            October 13, 2014 at 13:09

            Yeah man! Bastion’s soundtrack was amazing for me! Has some sick blues licks and then some pure badass drum n bass!

          • oVg

            October 13, 2014 at 12:04

            Yip, I think Paul is smoking pot again 🙂

          • Cadis Etrama Di Umar

            October 13, 2014 at 12:23

            lol people don’t seem to realize that pot leads to some of the greatest music ever

          • Captain JJ Underleyened

            October 13, 2014 at 12:23

            I just get a lot of weird echo when I sing into a pot.

          • Cadis Etrama Di Umar

            October 13, 2014 at 12:28

            Thanx captain literal 😛

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 13, 2014 at 12:53

            XDXDXDXDXD

          • Mossel

            October 13, 2014 at 13:08

            Exhibit A: Bob Marley. xD

        • Hammersteyn

          October 13, 2014 at 12:10

          nice!

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 13, 2014 at 12:10

          Does his ex wife also own half of this? 😛

          Reply

    • McFancypants HD 3.0

      October 13, 2014 at 12:00

      No hate…for realsies.

      I mean, each to their own and all that jazz. Personally, I think it’s fantastic. Sure, I’m aware of its faults, but it’s a fun game and for that, it’s got my vote.

      Although, I’ve been distracted by watching my stories for the past few days, so I haven’t played Destiny in nearly a week *gasp!*

      Reply

  9. CAE9872

    October 13, 2014 at 11:41

    Can I ask – how does one work out that users:
    The average player plays Destiny 1.8 times a day.
    The average player has played Destiny 20.9 times.

    I don’t get that stat?

    Reply

    • Viking Of Divinity

      October 13, 2014 at 11:43

      language is odd: Should be LOGS IN 1.8 times a day, and over the lifespan, the average is 20.9 sessions.

      Reply

      • CAE9872

        October 13, 2014 at 11:45

        Yeah that would make more sense.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 13, 2014 at 11:43

      Like I said, fix the servers. It would probably be way less than 1.8 if people weren’t kicked out every now and then.

      Reply

      • CAE9872

        October 13, 2014 at 11:44

        Only thing I can think, is if you look at the PS4 “Whats New” thingy, you will note it sometimes says “CAE9872 played Destiny 5 times” and I am like “No I didn’t I played it ONCE”. Still a stupid stat!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 13, 2014 at 11:46

          I struggled two days after buying Destiny to get it working. I saw the same with my name which was lies because I couldn’t even log in!

          Reply

          • Aries

            October 13, 2014 at 12:16

            Im still struggling to get in, so i just left the game altogether for now

          • Hammersteyn

            October 13, 2014 at 12:25

            Jeez sorry to hear that, obviously you’ve tried everything as well by now. They did patch the game recently to fix some of the problems but I still get kicked out a couple of ties daily.

          • Aries

            October 13, 2014 at 12:52

            I get kicked to orbit alot, that irritates me mostly

        • Captain JJ Underleyened

          October 13, 2014 at 11:48

          I’ve apparently played 34 hours of Neverwinter on Steam.
          I’ve played an hour actually. But for the other 33 hours it did try to connect to the server a lot. Needless to say I’m not bothering with it anymore.

          Reply

  10. Sergio ?????

    October 13, 2014 at 11:46

    I am glad I have not bought Destiny. 😉

    Reply

    • Spaffy

      October 13, 2014 at 11:48

      So are we 🙂

      Reply

      • Dark

        October 13, 2014 at 12:25

        lol

        Reply

  11. Mark Treloar

    October 13, 2014 at 12:39

  12. Sir Rants A Lot Llew

    October 13, 2014 at 14:08

    3hours avg?

    Is this a sign of younger players not being overly interested or a sign that Destiny has more mature players who have other responsibilities?

    Reply

  13. HisDivineOrder

    October 13, 2014 at 14:08

    The real numbers for any game that approximates an MMO is not a month in. It’s two months in, especially when the months are at the end of the year at the same time the (Holiday) Deluge hits. Wake me when they’ve still got millions playing after Call of Duty releases…

    Reply

  14. Terry Bogard

    October 14, 2014 at 01:22

    If there were any major problems (thus far) then they would be the percision bounties. (EX headshots with a specific weapon) Now if they made it so you had to make specific kills with certain weapons only and non headshot then they might have something. It’s like who cares if you shoot someone in the head? I think making a kill should always be the bottom line and not where you shoot the enemy. Another peeve is the lack or amount of varying weapons and basic swag out there. Shouldn’t there also be weaponry and armor with just as varied bonus skills (dance moves, melee weapons, certain types of ammo won’t hurt you.) and overall look for the fun of it? Shaders and items style wise shouldn’t have to cost you basic sanity fighting for them. If one grinds for an item it would be preferable that it do a bit more than advertized or at least cost less because getting it (OUCH)… Also it is hard enough getting into a good fireteam were people won’t ditch when they have gotton the items they want and just bail afterward. So to bungie… NO MORE HEADSHOT b.s. MAKE GAINING SWAG MORE DIVERSE. and ABOVE ALL DO NOT LET PEOPLE DITCH ON THEIR TEAM WITHOUT SOME MINOR PENALTY. (this penalty should be simple no strike or crucible specific match,mission, etc. for 5 to 10 minute cooldown. If you do not wish to help go do something else but you can’t restart again that fast without some consiquence for being a douchebag.)

    Reply

  15. ICUP

    October 14, 2014 at 05:23

    NO I fucking quit this game tonight, I’m sick of playing crucible matches over and over on the same fucking maps for hours while gaining currency at a glacial pace. I don’t even know why I was doing it in the first place. The standard pvp balances lvl difference, there is literally no point in chasing after those fucking numbers.

    Reply

  16. Jonah Cash

    October 14, 2014 at 06:50

    Still playing daily!! Had to take a break on the weekend though…. My PVR was almost full so had to sort that out!!!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 14, 2014 at 08:19

      Was pretty quiet last night…

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        October 14, 2014 at 08:37

        I saw that, but I still put in about 2 hours…. You are already on level 21 with your Warlock???? WOW!!!!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 14, 2014 at 08:39

          24 😛

          Reply

  17. Mike

    October 15, 2014 at 15:02

    Everyone’s right about the story being bland and all the other stuff. But there is something that is addicting to that game and I can’t put my finger on it

    Reply

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