Bungie's Destiny beta test sets record for new console games, Activision claims

Nearly as many gamers played through Old Russia in the Destiny beta test as the real-world population of St. Petersburg.

The beta for the new massively multiplayer sci-fi shooter attracted more than 4.6 million unique players before it ended Sunday, which Activision claims smashed the record for next-generation consoles. Destiny, the newest title from the developers of the Halo franchise, will go on sale Sept. 9.