'Red Dead Redemption 2' Release Date Rumors: Take-Two Open To Battle Royale

An alleged leak from earlier this week suggested that “Red Dead Redemption 2” will arrive with its own Battle Royale game mode. The CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the company that owns Rockstar and 2K Games, spoke recently during an earnings call and shared his thoughts on the success of Battle Royale in video games.

Battle royale-style of competitive online multiplayer has become quite popular recently thanks to the success of games like “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds” and “Fortnite: Battle Royale.” Since that style of online gameplay is popular, it’s now expected that other video game companies will simply follow suit.

“I would just observe that someone else's success is really interesting and we are obviously informed by what our competitors do. But our goal is to be as innovative as possible,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said (via GameSpot). “And titles, even really good titles that are derivative, never seem to do as well as innovations that are unexpected.”

Zelnick used the 2010 “Red Dead Redemption” as an example, stating that it became a financial and critical success despite the fact that everyone thought it wouldn’t be successful. “It had been an awfully long time since a Western-themed video game had come out. Rockstar took a massive creative risk and the result was extraordinary,” the CEO said.

Zelnick believes that both Rockstar and 2K aren’t interested in being derivative with their new games. However, the CEO also acknowledged that if its fans wanted battle royale in one of its upcoming new games, the company will definitely consider bringing it to them. “Of course we play in the world and we’re informed by what’s going on. It is our job to bring consumers what they want,” he said.

Zelnick neither confirmed nor denied if “Red Dead Redemption 2” will have a Battle Royale mode, but it does look like Take-Two is pretty open to adding it. It was leaked earlier this week that the “Red Dead Redemption” sequel will have at least three online game modes: Battle Royale, Revive and Survive, and Money Grab. The authenticity of the leak still remains unknown.

“Red Dead Redemption 2” was delayed to an Oct. 26 release date for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Zelnik says that the team behind the game is “confident” that the game won’t be delayed again and that the October release date will be kept.

"The entire focus of this organization is on delivering the highest quality entertainment experiences of any kind,” Zelnick said (via ComicBook.com). “More often than not, we feel proud that we're able to do that. All of our labels are focused on releasing a title when they reach that apex of effort and perfection. And in this instance, Rockstar Games felt more polish was required, and naturally we are in favor of that decision [to delay ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’]. The date of October 26 is set, and I am confident that will be the release date. We are incredibly excited about it.”