They made bank, but don't tell the tax man.
Red Dead Online

Take-Two sent out a boastful press release earlier today on behalf of Rockstar Games. Perhaps you've heard of them? In it they offered high praise for the sales accomplishments of Rockstar Games.

Apparently Rockstar broke some sales records thanks to a couple of games called Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Perhaps you've heard of those?

Over the course of the past decade, Rockstar says that Grand Theft Auto V was the best selling game of the past decade. Red Dead Redemption 2 was apparently the best-selling game of the past four years. Combined, the two titles have sold more than 150 million units around the world. Though still technically impressive, that doesn't mean 150 million units have sold to the public. This just means 150 million units have shipped to retailers since the games launched.

In addition, GTA Online apparently broke "multiple audience records" following the release of the Diamond Casino Heist update. Red Dead Online also saw a new peak player count after the Moonshiners update came out.

You should probably realize by now that some of these impressive feats do have some asterisks next to them. For instance, Grand Theft Auto V is considered the best-selling game of the past decade in terms of dollar sales in the United States. It also earned the Game of the Decade nod from the BBC.

The details about GTA Online breaking multiple audience records is a bit more muddy. Rockstar says that GTA Online "has had its biggest series of back-to-back updates ever in terms of player numbers, with new records set in December and the quarter ending December 31, 2019." However, they do not specify what those numbers are. Whatever they are, they are due largely to the release of the Diamond Casino & Resort update in July 2019 and the Diamond Casino Heist update in December 2019.

When it comes to the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption 2 became the "top-selling title of the last four years in U.S. dollar sales." This is according to the NPD Group. Just as the case was with the GTA Online player numbers, Rockstar did not specify how many players Red Dead Online hit when it reached "a new peak in player numbers in December" following the Moonshiner update. They then apparently topped those mysterious December numbers in January.

Combined, Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 have sold-in more than 150 million units. The total online audience for these two titles "is now its biggest ever."

In an effort to thank their community and fans, Rockstar is giving out some nice freebies to those playing GTA Online and Red Dead Online. Here are the details about what you can get in each game.

GTA Online will feature bonus cash of up to GTA$2,000,000 in its biggest cash giveaway yet. Starting on January 30, players can earn GTA$1,000,000 simply by playing before February 5and will be able to earn another GTA$1,000,000 by playing between February 6 and February 12.

Red Dead Online players will receive a series of gifts including free access to select roles, special role item giveaways and more, including:
  • The Gunslinger’s Cache: Play between January 28 and February 3 to get a Free Schofield Revolver, a Reward for 1 Free Varmint Rifle and The Devastating Ammo Bundle
  • The Bounty Hunter’s Kit: Play between February 4 and February 10 to get a Reward for a Free Bounty Hunter license, 25 x Bolas, and a 25 x Tracking Arrows.