We’re running this one up the flagpole: Red Dead Redemption 2 has allegedly sold a huge number of copies since launch. According to Insider Gaming, and citing Take-Two’s latest earnings report, Rockstar’s western epic has now reached roughly 89 million units sold since it released in 2018. Take this with a pinch of salt, but if true this is a major milestone for a game that continues to move copies years after launch.
What Was Reported
Per Insider Gaming, the headline number to watch is 89 million units sold of Red Dead Redemption 2 since its 2018 release. The piece frames that total as “nearly crossed the threshold of 90 million units,” and highlights that GTA5 remains a far larger seller — described as “well over 200 million copies sold” — putting Rockstar in the rare position of operating two enormously successful franchises.
Numbers At A Glance
- Red Dead Redemption 2: ~89 million units sold since launch (per Insider Gaming citing Take-Two)
- GTA5: Described as “well over 200 million copies sold” (per Insider Gaming)
- Only two other titles have reportedly broken the nine-figure mark: Tetris and Minecraft (per Insider Gaming)
The Source & Credibility
Insider Gaming says the figure comes from Take-Two’s latest earnings report. Earnings reports are primary financial documents, so if Insider Gaming is accurately relaying Take-Two’s numbers, that boosts credibility. That said, we always recommend caution when seeing round-number reporting like “nearly 90 million” — numbers can be updated, and phrasing like “nearly crossed the threshold” leaves room for interpretation.
How Much Weight To Put On This
We consider a couple of things: Take-Two is the publisher tied to Rockstar, so their earnings report is the proximate source noted by Insider Gaming. But until Take-Two’s statement is read directly by you or us, “according to Insider Gaming” is the responsible attribution. In other words: promising, but verify if you need ironclad confirmation.
What It Could Mean
If the 89 million units figure is accurate, it underscores a couple of trends that are already visible in the headline numbers. First: Red Dead Redemption 2 remains a long-tail seller years after release. Second: Rockstar now has multiple titles that sit among the top sellers in video game history, joining the likes of Tetris and Minecraft as nine-figure sellers — and keeping GTA5 far ahead at “well over 200 million” copies.
There’s also a competitive angle mentioned by Insider Gaming: with Take-Two and Rockstar apparently focused on the release of GTA6 on November 19th, attention and resources may tilt toward that launch. If GTA6 follows GTA5’s trajectory, it could quickly reshape best-seller rankings and challenge where Red Dead Redemption 2 sits on the all-time list. We’ll be watching how those dynamics play out in subsequent Take-Two disclosures.
For readers interested in how platform shifts and market moves can affect long-tail sales, our piece on the US Console Market explores wider industry vulnerability — a useful frame of reference when thinking about how big launches can change sales curves. We’ve also been tracking stories around platform ports and viability in pieces like Starfield Switch 2, which may be relevant when publishers consider extending a title’s lifecycle.
Why This Matters
Whether you love the game or think Rockstar has peaked, an 89 million-unit milestone — if true — is a reminder of how big tentpole games can be financial anchors for publishers. It’s also a marker of Rockstar’s cultural reach: fewer titles ever approach nine-figure sales, and being in that conversation twice is notable.
Finally, consider the competitive ripple effects. Major releases like the upcoming GTA6 launch (noted by Insider Gaming) can quickly redraw sales hierarchies. If you’re tracking industry momentum, publisher strategy, or gaming culture at large, keep an eye on subsequent financial reports and any direct Take-Two statements that confirm or refine these numbers. As always, we’ll flag updates the moment they land — but for now, Red Dead Redemption 2 sitting at roughly 89 million copies sold is an impressive benchmark worth watching.
