They say the Wild West holds tales as old as time and if you listen closely, the talks of a Red Dead Redemption remaster or remake are catching fire.
The acclaimed 2010 game, Red Dead Redemption, by Rockstar San Diego, is a benchmark in genre-defining ventures, and news of its revival has had the gaming world on the edge of our saloon seats. Speculation around a remaster of this iconic game has been fueled by recent ratings updates in Korea, inside sources, and predictions of an imminent official announcement.
Colin Moriarty, former IGN editor and owner of Last Stand Media, corroborated this rumor on an unreleased episode of his podcast, Sacred Symbols, stating that a Red Dead Remaster is indeed in the works. Moriarty went on to hint that an announcement could be imminent, possibly in August.
Twitter aside, according to @longislandviper on Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast, Colin has heard rumblings about Red Dead Redemption remaster from sources.
I cannot share the podcast until it’s made public, cheers @GTAman51 for giving me a heads up on it! pic.twitter.com/KvWuHvPO0y
— Ben (@videotechuk_) July 1, 2023
However, all this excitement is tempered with a dash of concern. Gamers haven’t forgotten the criticism Rockstar faced over the remasters of the original Grand Theft Auto games. After the GTA Trilogy’s launch led to unanimous industry criticism for its plethora of bugs, fans are understandably wary about the fate of a Red Dead Redemption remaster. Rockstar is likely eager to avoid another fiasco and hopefully, they have learned from their past mistakes.
As early as last year, there were rumors that plans for the remaster had been shelved, as Rockstar chose to focus on Grand Theft Auto 6 instead. Despite the reports, Moriarty maintains Rockstar never canceled the Red Dead Redemption Remaster. In light of the GTA Trilogy disappointment, Rockstar has likely approached a new developer and given the remaster more time to be polished to perfection.
A remaster would bring millions of new players, allowing them to experience the complete journey of John Marston. Given that the original game sold over 15 million copies and continues to be relevant even today, a remaster could undoubtedly be a financial success for Rockstar.
The original game, with its emotionally-charged story of John Marston and the Van der Linde gang, holds a special place in gamers’ hearts, despite being unavailable on modern PlayStation consoles and PC. This classic game was never released for PC, a fact that has stoked demand for a native port.
As fans eagerly await an official announcement, one can only speculate about what the Red Dead Remaster may bring to the table. Some predict the remaster may serve as a consolation prize for a Grand Theft Auto VI trailer or announcement. It’s a plausible theory, given the fact that the new GTA title is hinted at for a 2024 or early 2025 release.
If these rumors prove true, it could be one hell of a ride back into the Wild West. So buckle up, gamers. The wild, wild west may be calling us back sooner than we think.
