Borderlands 2 Now the Third Highest Pre-Ordered Game in Take-Two History

During Take-Two's annual earnings conference call, the publisher has revealed that Borderlands 2 is now officially the third-highest pre-ordered game in Take-Two history.

The only games ahead of Borderlands 2 at this point are Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Not a bad lot to be in for Gearbox Software's upcoming FPS-RPG hybrid, no?

Unfortunately, no specific sales figures were revealed; though it's worth pointing out that Borderlands 2 being the third-highest means it beat out the likes of BioShock, Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire and the other big franchises in Take-Two Interactive's stable to jump this far ahead.

It seems Borderlands 2 has now matured into a mega-franchise for Take-Two that can stand toe-to-toe with the other big holiday games, no? If this continues — as we're still a month and a half away from Borderlands 2's release — and the game makes a strong retail outing, I'm guessing Borderlands 3 is all but an inevitability.

Borderlands 2 is scheduled for release on September 18 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Are you one of the many who helped Borderlands 2 in securing that third spot? Could it eventually be Take-Two's de-facto shooter?