Xbox Addict

Red Dead Redemption Sets Pre-Order Record.

Amazon UK announced today Rockstar’s videogame Western, Red Dead Redemption, has become the biggest pre-order title of 2010. That’s a good sign for publisher Take-Two Interactive, because according to reports, the game rang up a $100 million development and marketing tab.

Given that 2010 has already seen the launch of blockbusters God of War 3, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and Final Fantasy XIII, all of which topped 1 million sales in their March launch month, Red Dead Redemption’s pre-order record is an impressive feat.

"This is undoubtedly the most hotly anticipated videogame of the year so far," Chris Poad, Amazon UK’s videogames director, said in a statement. "Demand has risen significantly over the last week as excitement and buzz around the game has built, making it one of the most successful titles we have seen on Amazon.co.uk this year before it has even been released."

Based on reports, Take-Two and Rockstar will need those pre-order UK sales to carry over worldwide in order to turn a profit on the game. In its glowing review of the game, The New York Times said Red Dead Redemption cost up to $100 million to make and market.

... though this project involved no small leap of faith (and no small expense: between $80 million and $100 million, according to industry executives).

The London Daily Mail also cited "sources" and pegged the title at $100 million, which would rank it among the biggest budget videogames of all time.

Take-Two and Rockstar have not commented on the reports, but if they are accurate, the company would have to sell roughly five million copies of Red Dead Redemption before they saw a penny of profit (based on reports that the average $20 million to $30 million game must move roughly 1.5 million copies to make a profit).