The Wild West has officially conquered the small screen. According to new data, the mobile port of Rockstar Games’ classic Red Dead Redemption has surpassed 10 million downloads since its release in December. However, the breakdown of these numbers reveals a stark divide in how mobile gamers are accessing the title.
The Netflix Effect
Data provided by analytics firm Sensor Tower (via The Game Business) indicates that the overwhelming majority of these 10 million downloads come from the version included with a Netflix subscription.
The standalone premium version, which carries a hefty price tag of $39.99, has seen significantly less traction. Reports suggest this version has generated approximately $500,000 in revenue, equating to fewer than 20,000 copies sold. This disparity highlights the immense power of value-added subscription services in the mobile market, where high upfront costs for "console-quality" ports often deter casual players.
Netflix Co-CEO Gregory Peters addressed the game's performance during a recent earnings call, citing "really positive results" and comparing its trajectory to the previously successful GTA Trilogy titles on the platform. With the GTA Trilogy recently leaving the service, Red Dead Redemption now stands as the flagship Rockstar title for Netflix Games.
Franchise Milestones
The mobile success contributes to an even larger milestone for the series. Take-Two Interactive recently reported that the Red Dead franchise has now sold over 110 million copies worldwide.
While Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to be a sales juggernaut—shifting another 3 million units in the last quarter alone—the re-release of the original game on mobile, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S appears to have had a more modest commercial impact outside of the Netflix ecosystem. Based on the 3 million unit growth of the sequel and the total franchise figures, analysts estimate the re-release of the first game has sold fewer than one million units across all platforms since December.
A Polished Port
Despite the lopsided sales figures, the mobile port itself has been well-received. Following its launch, where it topped Apple App Store charts in the US within 24 hours, the game has received several updates to iron out performance issues and polish the experience for touch controls.
As the lines between console and mobile gaming continue to blur, Red Dead Redemption serves as a case study for the industry: players are eager for AAA experiences on their phones, provided the barrier to entry is low.
For more on the history behind the game, check out Professor Tore C. Olsson’s book, "Red Dead's History," which explores the real-world events that inspired the franchise.
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