Take-Two boss refutes Red Dead Online “missed opportunity” allegations, as RDR2 passes a huge sales milestone

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has defended Red Dead Online against criticism that it represents a missed opportunity for the company. In a recent interview, Zelnick stated that the multiplayer component “has been immensely successful and long lasting,” pushing back against player sentiment that Rockstar Games has neglected the online mode in favor of Grand Theft Auto Online.

Red Dead Online launched alongside Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018 and received regular major content updates for several years. However, development significantly slowed, with the last major content expansion—Blood Money—releasing in July 2021. Since then, Rockstar has shifted focus to monthly events rather than substantial new content, leading many players to view the mode as abandoned compared to GTA Online’s continued support.

Zelnick’s defense points to Red Dead Redemption 2’s impressive commercial performance as evidence of success. The base game has surpassed 85 million copies sold worldwide, suggesting the overall package—including Red Dead Online—has achieved strong commercial results despite community frustration over stalled development.

The CEO’s comments highlight a disconnect between official metrics and player perception. While the sales numbers are undeniably strong, ongoing player discussion continues to focus on the lack of substantial updates to Red Dead Online, with many fans comparing it unfavorably to the extensive live-service support that GTA Online receives.

Take-Two boss refutes Red Dead Online “missed opportunity” allegations, as RDR2 passes a huge sales milestone

Sources