Take-Two CEO Defends Red Dead Online, Says GTA Comparisons Skew Perceptions
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has publicly addressed criticism surrounding Red Dead Online, pushing back against claims that Rockstar Games missed the opportunity with the western-themed multiplayer mode. In a recent statement, Zelnick refuted the narrative that the online component has been a failure, arguing that it remains a successful project despite the absence of major content updates in recent years. The executive pointed to the massive single-player success of Red Dead Redemption 2 as evidence that discussions about “unrealized potential” are misguided.
Zelnick argued that perceptions of Red Dead Online have been heavily shaped by comparisons to GTA Online, which has become one of the most profitable service-based games in the industry. According to the Take-Two CEO, if the company did not own the Grand Theft Auto IP, critical assessment of the Red Dead series would be entirely different. He emphasized that Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold over 85 million copies worldwide, making any suggestion of failure a misreading of the franchise’s actual performance.
Rockstar has largely ceased developing major content for Red Dead Online since the Blood Money update was released in 2021. Despite this reduction in post-launch support, the game continues to maintain a substantial player community, with reports indicating that approximately one million players still log in weekly. Meanwhile, fans have persistently criticized Rockstar for the lack of additional content. Players have also been requesting a full 60 FPS upgrade for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for years, though the company has yet to respond.
With the immense success of Red Dead Redemption 2, discussions about a potential third installment have gained momentum. Former Rockstar writer Dan Houser has previously hinted that a third game will “likely come out,” though no official announcement has been made by the company. As the debate over Red Dead Online’s legacy continues, the franchise’s overall health remains strong, and the possibility of a new entry keeps fans engaged. That said, until Rockstar makes a formal move, Red Dead fans will have to wait for any concrete news on the series’ future.
