Red Dead Redemption released to retailers in the UK today, and with the launch of the Western-themed open-world action game comes news that those selfsame retailers are having a difficult time holding onto copies (specifically PlayStation 3 copies) of the title.

“Massive” shortages of Red Dead Redemption have hit stores, with blame being put on manufacturing problems and delays, and some reports even going as far as to say that a sunken cargo ship is the reason that consumers simply can’t get their hands on the game in the region.

Mixed reports have been coming out of retailers in the UK, such as GAME, HMV, Tesco, Asda, Argos, Amazon, The Hut, Play.com and Shopto.com, that to varying degrees, demand for Red Dead Redemption has been incredibly high, while some stores have already sold out completely.

ShopTo.net CEO Igor Cipolletta told videogame consumer website CVG today:

“With regard to Red Dead PS3 we confirm that there is a massive shortage in the market although fortunately this has not affected ShopTo and our customers.

“We have been working closely with [Rockstar] with regard our day one pre-orders and have managed a successful day one ship of both normal and limited versions. None of our customers’ pre-orders have been cancelled - unlike some places.

“I’m not aware of any cargo ship that sunk! However, we have been informed that was a manufacturing delay and should be back to normal in the next few days.”

Chart Track’s sales round-up is going to be extremely interesting on Monday…

Source: CVG