‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Release Date, Latest News: Sequel Due in October Will ‘Shatter Expectations,’ Take-Two CEO Guarantees

“Red Dead Redemption 2” is due to be released in October and anticipation among video game fans is continuously building up. But Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick is confident that the upcoming game was made to “shatter expectations.”

There are several factors why expectations are stacking up for the release of “Red Dead Redemption 2.” First, its predecessor is a great game on its own, which is enough reason for fans to hope that the sequel will be way better than it is. Then there’s the massive market success of “GTA V Online.” Note that both franchises are published by Take-Two and developed by Rockstar Games.

During Take-Two’s Q1 2019 earnings call, Zelnick addressed the things they learned from the success of “GTA V Online” and how they used that in handling “Red Dead Redemption 2.” The Take-Two executive recognized that the success of “GTA Online” can be attributed to several factors, including the continuous flow of “extraordinary unexpected content” from Rockstar Games and the very “robust” nature of online gaming. Zelnick said that even the company was surprised by the massive success they experienced with “GTA V” and “GTA Online.”

Zelnick explained that the response they received with “GTA V Online” will naturally shape the way they handle upcoming titles such as “Red Dead Redemption 2.” However, the Take-Two CEO is also confident that they and Rockstar Games are on the track of doing much more than what the consumers expect.

“And my belief is that ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ will shatter expectations and that the online experience also will be extraordinary, but unexpected,” Zelnick said (via Seeking Alpha). “And my view is that all great hits are, by their very nature, unexpected.”

In previous interviews, Strauss Zelnick showed confidence in the response that “Red Dead Redemption 2” will get. However, he also refused to claim massive success in terms of “Red Dead Redemption 2’s” profitability, saying they will only believe it once it has happened.

“Red Dead Redemption 2” will be released worldwide on Oct. 26 and will be available on the PS4 and Xbox One. But, as reported earlier, some “select content” will arrive first on the PS4 due to an apparent exclusivity deal Sony bagged with Rockstar Games.