Strauss Zelnick, the chief executive of Take-Two, has defended the performance of Red Dead Online against claims that it represents a lost opportunity. He insisted that the title has been “immensely successful and long lasting.”
As the multiplayer component of the 2018 title Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Online has seen a shift in support over the years. While Rockstar Games initially provided substantial updates, the last major expansion arrived with the Blood Money update in July 2021. Since that period, the developer has stuck to a schedule of monthly events. Although the Strange Tales of the West update last year provided a surprise that led many to hope for more significant content, no further major expansions have arrived.
This lack of development has led to a widespread belief among the community that the game does not receive the same level of attention as GTA Online, the multiplayer mode for 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V. This sentiment was reinforced by a recent data theft by hackers, which suggested that GTA Online far outstrips Red Dead Online in both player numbers and revenue. Fans were not particularly shocked by these findings, often citing the long gaps between content updates and the ongoing issues with griefing in the game.
Questions remain regarding whether Red Dead Online could ever have reached the heights of GTA Online, or if it should be viewed as a missed chance for Take-Two. During a recent interview ahead of the company’s latest financial report, Zelnick rejected this idea by highlighting the massive sales figures of Red Dead Redemption 2.
“So let me be clear,” he began, “there is literally nothing about Red Dead selling 85 million units that could signal a missed opportunity. And Red Dead Online has been immensely successful and long lasting.”
Zelnick suggested that the perception of the game might be different if it were not being compared to the massive success of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
“I think if we didn’t have Grand Theft Auto here at our company, then people would just talk about the fact that we have this massive franchise in Red Dead, which we do and of which we’re very proud,” he said. “I actually personally think Red Dead is just amazing and I love engaging with it. And I think the reason it continues to sell is that it’s just spectacular entertainment. It’s beautiful and it feels very up to date despite the fact that it’s not a new title.”
Take-Two’s recent financial reporting confirmed that Red Dead Redemption 2 has surpassed 85 million copies sold. This milestone means the game has moved past Wii Sports to become the third best-selling video game in history, trailing only Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto V, which has reached a staggering 230 million copies. Even though GTA V has sold 145 million more units than Red Dead Redemption 2, the Wild West epic remains one of the most successful games ever made.
Nevertheless, the decision to prioritise GTA Online over Red Dead Online is unlikely to satisfy the latter’s fanbase. The leaked data indicated that Red Dead Online maintains just under 1 million weekly players, which is a significant figure for any live service game. It remains a large, active platform that continues to function without meaningful new content.
The continued popularity of Red Dead Redemption 2 also makes the lack of a 60fps patch for modern consoles difficult for players to understand. There has been long-standing pressure on Rockstar to upgrade the game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Despite various rumours suggesting an update is being prepared, the title remains locked at 30fps on current-generation hardware.
Speculation regarding a Red Dead Redemption 3 is common, and many see it as an eventual certainty. Dan Houser, a co-founder and former lead writer at Rockstar Games, mentioned late last year that a third instalment “will probably happen.” Similarly, Roger Clark, who voiced the protagonist Arthur Morgan, stated in 2023 that he was “certain” a third game would arrive “one day,” though he noted he did not know when that might be.
Even Jack Black has weighed in on the subject, sharing which character he would like to portray if a third game is ever produced.
For the time being, Rockstar’s primary focus is on the release of GTA 6. It is possible that once the launch and the subsequent updates for GTA Online are settled, the company might return to its Wild West series, potentially bringing a refreshed version of Red Dead Online with it.
