It’s not common for publishers or developers to reveal how much they earn from their games. However, Pearl Abyss has now provided a glimpse into its financial books and announces that the MMORPG Black Desert Online has generated approximately 2 billion euros since its release in 2014.
How much have players spent on BDO? On the occasion of its 8th anniversary, the MMORPG has revealed even more figures: To date, 55 million players have registered on all platforms. This would mean that each player, on average, would have spent around 36 euros.
The reality will look different, as Black Desert Online will also have some whales who have invested several thousand euros into the game. This balances out other players who have spent less money on the MMORPG.
Furthermore, it does not mean that all 55 million registered players have invested at all in the MMORPG. It is possible to register an account without owning the game.
BDO has a new PvP mode, which is explained here:
Is 2 billion euros a lot? With revenues of 2 billion euros, Black Desert Online is not necessarily at the top of the highest-earning MMORPGs, but there are some representatives in the genre that have earned less. Here are some examples to help you better assess the 2 billion euros:
- SWTOR generated about 920 million euros in revenue from 2011 to 2020.
- World of Warcraft, regarded as one of the most successful MMORPGs, achieved a revenue of 13 billion euros in 2022.
- The highest-grossing MMORPG is Dungeon Fighter Online. By 2022, it is said to have generated a revenue of 18 billion euros.
Thanks to Steam, we know that Black Desert Online was ranked behind many other MMORPGs in 2022. The Elder Scrolls Online, Lost Ark, and Final Fantasy XIV were all genre representatives that managed to generate more revenue on Steam in 2022 than Black Desert. This could suggest that BDO has seen its best years behind it.
Black Desert is one of the most played MMORPGs on Steam, but it might still be flying under your radar. In December 2023, it ranked 5th among the Steam MMORPGs with the most players.
Black Desert Online celebrates its 8th anniversary
Why did the developer reveal these figures? Pearl Abyss published the data on the occasion of Black Desert Online’s 8th anniversary. The celebrations are accompanied by some events. Console players can look forward to the Scholar class on March 6, and players of the mobile version will receive the Drakania class on March 12.
Additionally, there are login bonuses, new events, and titles for each year you have played BDO. Other MMORPGs are also celebrating their anniversaries this year. Did you know that WoW is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year? These 10 games are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2024 – How many of them have you played?
