GameSpasm

Gallery: Red Dead Redemption - Outlaws to the End (DLC)

The jokes were pretty easy when “Red Dead Redemption” was announced… “Grand Theft Horse” cynics called it. “Yet Another Doomed Western” was another popular phrase.  

Today, we can wipe those snarky asides away and call it something else: A bonafied hit. Take Two Interactive Software reports that it has shipped 5 million copies of the game so far – and it’s so bullish on the title that it’s raising its fiscal forecast for the year.

It’s worth noting that’s copies shipped, not sold. Publishers often send substantial quantities of games to retail in order to make them appear to be hits, then are less boisterous when those are returned. That doesn’t seem likely with “Red Dead Redemption,” though. Interest in the game remains high – and analysts say their spot checks with retailers around the country show there’s still a big audience buying the game.

“Red Dead Redemption” probably won’t end up being nearly as big as a “Grand Theft Auto” release, but given the interest and sales of the title, it’s a safe bet that planning is already underway for the sequel.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t take five years for the next version to make it to retail shelves, as it did with this one.

Not familiar with the game? Embedded after the break is the 30-minute film that aired on Fox on May 29, made entirely from in-game cut scenes and assets.