For a while now theRead Dead Redemption 2community has maligned the lack of updates (both news and content) from developer Rockstar Games. It has been so long that many fans have begun making memes and jokes about the wait and whether Red Dead Redemption Online might ever get new content.
But while there has not been anything official from Rockstar Games, rumors and leaks suggest there might be a reason for thelack of Red Dead Online updates. And if these rumors are true, the waiting might be worth it.
While nothing is confirmed, the strongest rumor is that aRed Dead Redemptionremakeis in the works for current-gen (and potentially next-gen platforms). There has been speculation that RDR might eventually come to PC for a long time, but that never happened. However, now it seems Rockstar is ready to give the fans what they want.
What makes this different than just a simple port or remake is that this will allegedly be added toRed Dead Redemption 2. The foundation for addingRed Dead 1content intoRed Dead 2has been in the game since it launched, with players able to visit familiar landscapes from the prior game. Whenplayers first saw Mexicoand a few other notable locations, the assumption was that they would eventually factor into Red Dead Online, but instead, they have gone relatively unused.
A remake ofRed Dead Redemptionwould be a massive undertaking for Rockstar Games and is potentially what is keeping the Red Dead Online team so busy. If it is real, then the remake could also make up for the lack of meaningful updates to the game.
Another possibility for the lack of Red Dead Online updates is a potentialnext-gen port forRed Dead Redemption 2. Rockstar Games has already confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5 is making the leap to PS5 and Xbox Series X when the consoles launch holiday 2020, any many are wondering if Red Dead Redemption 2 will get the same treatment.
Granted,Grand Theft Auto 5is one of the best-sellingand most popular video games of all time, and even thoughRed Dead 2was well-received and sold well, it pales in comparison. Still, if Rockstar plans to keep supporting Red Dead Online through future updates (whenever they release), then it would make sense that the game moves onto PS5 and Xbox Series X as well.
Like a hypothetical remake, next-gen ports would also occupy a lot of development time, as the studio tries to take advantage of the new consoles’ increased power. The hope is that these ports would be more than just the PC version running on new hardware, but even that would be an improvement for console.
Gamers could find out relatively soon if next-gen ports ofRed Dead Redemption 2are in the works at theXbox Series X event in July. Much like Rockstar chose to revealGTA 5at the PS5 gameplay event, it could share the wealth by debutingRDR 2during the Xbox stream.
Rockstar Games Could Announce Both
It’s also possible that both projects are in the works and are keeping Rockstar Games busy. Next-gen ports seem like a given but whether or not the rumors about a remake are true is up for debate. There is evidence to support both sides, including a product listing for three different Rockstar games (GTA 5,RDR 2, and the remake).
On the flip side, it’s also possible that Rockstar Games has simply dialed back its support for Red Dead Online. That would be the most disappointing outcome for fans and active players, but it wouldn’t be entirely unexpected.Red Dead Redemption 2releasedalmost two years ago and at some point, developers need to move onto new projects.
