The online mode of Red Dead Redemption 2 is currently being hotly debated. An analyst believes it works like in GTA and will bring in a lot of money.
After the announcement of Red Dead Online, many drew connections to GTA Online. It seems that Rockstar wants to seek the great success of the online mode of GTA 5 also in the western game. This happens through regular updates that continuously give players new incentives to return to the game.
An analyst explains what he expects from Red Dead Online and how it will likely compare to its GTA counterpart.
Red Dead Online with revenues like LoL, not like GTA
The online mode of Grand Theft Auto has been extremely successful in recent years and regularly brought in a lot of money for Rockstar Games. In 2017, GTA 5 even managed to dethrone Destiny 2 as the leading game in digital revenue.
Microtransactions? So far, there are no details on how Red Dead Online will be monetized. However, it is assumed that there will be microtransactions.
Analyst’s assessments: Analyst Michael Pachter from Wedbush Securities also believes in microtransactions. In an interview with GameSpot, he stated that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be a success from a monetary perspective. However, it will not reach GTA’s level. Pachter believes:
- RDR 2 could bring in about $10 per user each year
- If 25 million copies are sold, it could have 10-15 million active users each month
- That would mean an annual income of up to $150 million
- In addition, there are the $60 or more that each player pays for the game
Even if each player only spent $10 a year, the total amount from all players would be significant.
This is just a small part of what GTA Online brings in, but still a huge sum. Pachter says:
I believe RDR Online will definitely be successful. Revenues from GTA Online reached $125 million in the December quarter and are around $100 million in the other three quarters. So GTA Online makes about $400-500 million a year, five years after its actual release.
Same revenues as LoL or Overwatch: He does not believe that Red Dead Online will reach the revenues of GTA Online. However, he considers $10 per user likely, which is roughly what is seen with Hearthstone, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Fortnite.
Other analysts have already stated that Rockstar would never land a bigger hit than GTA Online.
Why Red Dead Online brings in less money: According to Pachter, the setting in the Wild West is not as suitable for microtransactions. It’s “not as irresistible as flying to a nuclear bomb facility in your helicopter, financed by your meth lab.”
How do microtransactions work in GTA Online? Players can purchase in-game currency for GTA Online with real money and use it to acquire cars, helicopters, buildings, and more within the online world.
It is clear that microtransactions are important for online games. Activision Blizzard generated $4 billion in revenues from microtransactions in 2017.
What do we know about Red Dead Online?
- With regular updates, the game world will be expanded and improved
- The online mode will only start in November, after the actual release of Red Dead Redemption 2 on October 26
- Initially, the online mode will run as a beta. “Turbulence” is expected
- You can play in the world with friends or alone
- Access to the online mode will be granted to everyone who owns the game
