Take-Two is following other publishers by “running scared” from Red Dead Redemption 2’s release date.

John Marston’s next adventure isn’t coming to PC on Day One, but the Red Dead Redemption sequel has already done a bang-up job in clearing the October release calendar of competition.

With many expecting Red Dead Redemption 2 to be the fastest-selling game of the year, other publishers have given the game a wide berth. Rockstar’s own publisher is taking steps to ensure none of its own catalogue is cannibalised by the cowboy caper.

“We're running scared too,” said Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick.”I think a healthy degree of paranoia and insecurity about releases is probably a good thing. I'm fond of saying that arrogance is the enemy of continued success.”

Despite hints that Red Dead Redemption would come straight to PC, the PS4 and Xbox One only release is still sure to set fire to the charts. Take-Two are confident that Rockstar’s strong experiences still resonate with millions, using GTA5 and RDR as reminders that single-player experiences aren’t dead yet. But with the outlandish success of the last Grand Theft Auto, Take-Two are careful not to set expectations too high.

“It's hard to expect anything to perform as well as the most profitable entertainment product of all time,” said Zelnick “I don't think that's a realistic expectation. Our hope, and also belief, is that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be an extraordinary creative product and that it will do incredibly well.

“Beyond that I can't say - I don't think anyone can say. We have to release it and see what consumers think.”