- By Alex David
- Sun, 18 May 2025 11:44 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
While most games begin their decline within mere months after release, Grand Theft Auto 5 has continued to defy expectations. The game still adds millions to its revenue every quarter over a decade after its 2013 release. Besides the anticipation for GTA 6, Rockstar's enduring sales blockbuster remains a market dominator. Red Dead Redemption 2, despite having a calmer online presence and fewer updates, is now a top-selling title standing alongside GTA 6. The earnings report published by Take-Two confirms the commercial success of both games.
GTA 5 Surpasses 215 Million Units Sold
Take-Two Interactive's financial results showcase the achievement of GTA 5 hitting the milestone of 215 million copies sold globally. Retailing now sits at 210 million, a spike of five million in just three months. The additional five million units claimed in a single quarter has become a norm for the game, consistently outperforming expectations. The value includes supply to retailers instead of direct sales, yet the drop per quarter remains a testament towards the game's endurance.
The achievement of sales in boxes is not the only metric outlining the success of the title. The ongoing revenue streams from microtransactions, updates, and seasonal events tied to GTA Online ensure that active players remain engaged with the game. During an investor Q&A session, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, referred to GTA 5 as “the standard bearer for our industry.” Considering the cultural impact and commercial performance of the title, very few would challenge that statement.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Maintains Momentum
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Rockstar Epic has also performed exceptionally well, selling an additional four million units last quarter. It now sits at a robust 64 million copies sold, earning Red Dead Redemption 2 a spot as one of the highest-selling titles over the past decade, although rather quietly.
According to American sales data compiled by research firm Circana, Red Dead Redemption 2 is now the leading video game in terms of dollar sales over the past seven years. The game may not benefit from constant content additions like GTA Online, but its well-crafted narrative, critical acclaim, and enduring success make it a long-term winner.
The Red Dead Online Disappointment
Even with all the numbers in RDR2, Rockstar fails to garner the interest of their fans in Red Dead Online due to lack of support. The multiplayer aspect has not received any significant new updates and content for several years, resulting in a large portion of the player base to stop engaging with the mode completely. This has, time and again, become a source of irritation for the community, especially when we look at the frequently updated and vibrant GTA Online.
All Eyes on GTA 6
With sales of GTA 5 still surpassing millions every quarter, and Red Dead Redemption 2 maintaining a healthy count of active players, expectations for GTA 6 are none other than some of the greatest expectations set for a single game. The video game industry will keep a close eye on Rockstar is on the moves to the next generation of its most profitable franchise, and thus, the world's strongest contender for the title of a video game experience that can strike gold with its third attempt.