Red Dead Online Proves That GTA’s Blueprint Isn’t a Guarantee

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has publicly dismissed the idea that *Red Dead Online* was a missed opportunity, emphasizing instead that it was a “massive franchise” in its own right. While the multiplayer component of *Red Dead Redemption 2* did not achieve the same level of success as *GTA Online*, Zelnick argues that it still delivered “immense success and longevity.” The game, launched in 2018 and significantly expanded in 2019, saw a steady flow of updates until 2022, when development resources were redirected toward *GTA 6*. Despite its three-year run and some promising moments, *Red Dead Online* never managed to steal a significant chunk of the player base from its older sibling.

What Happened

*Red Dead Online* was always seen as a bold experiment—Rockstar’s attempt to build a robust multiplayer world in the same mold as *GTA Online*. However, it struggled to match the latter’s dominance. While *GTA Online* has been a cash cow since its 2013 launch, *Red Dead Online* faced an uphill battle from the start. It had to compete with a game that had already built a massive, loyal player base and a well-established ecosystem. As Rockstar shifted focus to *GTA 6*, updates to *Red Dead Online* slowed, and the game faded from the spotlight.

Zelnick, in an interview with the Ian Games Network, acknowledged the challenge *Red Dead Online* faced. He noted that without *GTA* as a dominant brand, *Red Dead* would be seen as a major success. But in the shadow of *GTA*, it was inevitably compared to a juggernaut. That comparison, he argues, doesn’t make it a failure.

Confirmed vs Speculative

What is clear is that *Red Dead Online* did not achieve the same level of financial or cultural impact as *GTA Online*. It was, however, profitable and long-lasting. Zelnick claims it was “worth a punt,” and that it likely generated revenue Rockstar wouldn’t have otherwise earned. The game also demonstrated that even with high-quality development and a strong brand, success is not guaranteed when competing with an established online title.

What remains speculative is whether more support or resources could have changed the outcome. Zelnick himself acknowledges that it’s debatable whether Rockstar could have made *Red Dead Online* a bigger hit, even with more investment. The game may have been fighting a losing battle from the start, given the entrenched dominance of *GTA Online*.

Why It Matters For FiveM And GTA RP

For communities and developers in the *GTA* space—especially those involved in FiveM and *GTA RP*—*Red Dead Online* serves as a cautionary tale. It shows that even with a strong IP and a dedicated team, building a successful online game is not just about following a proven formula. The *GTA Online* model is powerful, but it’s not a guaranteed blueprint for success.

FiveM developers and server operators often look to Rockstar’s titles for inspiration, but *Red Dead Online* highlights the importance of originality and differentiation. Simply replicating the *GTA Online* experience won’t be enough to stand out. Communities must innovate and build unique experiences that can attract and retain players in a crowded market.