Red Dead Redemption 2 has biggest opening weekend in entertainment history

Rockstar’s Wild West adventure game, Red Dead Redemption 2 has achieved the biggest opening weekend in entertainment history. Yes, in entertainment history. Movies, music, books – everything.

To be perfectly honest, this shouldn’t comes as much as a surprise – Rockstar games are incredibly popular. While Red Dead Redemption 2 had the biggest opening weekend in entertainment history, the studio’s previous game – Grand Theft Auto V – still holds the record for three-day retail sell-through.

In other words, Red Dead Redemption 2 grossed $725 million over three days, while Grand Theft Auto V managed over $1 billion. Respectively making them the second and first highest grossing entertainment launches in history.

Want some more facts? Well, luckily we’ve got some.

Red Dead Redemption 2 had the:

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Biggest opening weekend in retail sell-through across all entertainment releases
Second biggest launch (three days) in retail sell-through across all entertainment releases
Biggest entertainment launch of 2018
Most pre-ordered full game ever on PlayStation Network
Biggest day one full game sales ever on PlayStation Network
Biggest first three days full game sales ever on PlayStation Network

Those are some pretty impressive numbers and reflect the quality of the game. In our review of Red Dead Redemption 2, we referred to it as the Game of the Year – a sentiment that has been echoed across the press.

While this success should be lauded – especially as video games are not held in the highest esteem by mainstream culture – we shouldn’t just blindly praise Rockstar without acknowledging the company’s recent controversy.

It started in a Vulture profile of Rockstar founder, Dan Houser. He said that the team “were working 100-hour weeks” and this led to a huge backlash from staff, as well as the media.

It’s been nearly a decade since I parted from Rockstar, but I can assure you that during the GTA IV era, it was like working with a gun to your head 7 days a week. “Be here Saturday & Sunday too, just in case Sam or Dan come in, they want to see everyone working as hard as them.” https://t.co/TaQS5LnaAa

— Job J Stauffer (@jobjstauffer) October 16, 2018

While not every post about Rockstar working conditions was negative, many were. And this shouldn’t be the case.

With the company breaking sales records, they’re undoubtedly making enough money to look after their staff better.

Basically, congratulations on Red Dead Redemption 2’s accomplishments, Rockstar. But treat your people better – you can afford it.

Story by Callum Booth

Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting (show all) Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC. Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too. Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.