Red Dead Redemption released in 2010, and is regarded as one of the best open-world games of all time by many. With the equally impressive Red Dead Redemption 2 receiving higher praise in a lot of respects, the case for a remake of the original title is easy to make.
That being said, the likelihood of a Red Dead Redemption remake is low with the current climate of the industry, especially from Rockstar Games. With the huge success of other ventures and the resources they necessitate, combined with recent controversies surrounding Rockstar's remakes and remasters, the company might be dissuaded from a Red Dead remake despite how lucrative it could be.
Rockstar's Recent Remaster/Remake Controversy
In a very high-profile event, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which contained remasters of the classic titles Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and San Andreas. While the title garnered a lot of hype in the run-up to its release, fans were vocally disappointed with the state in which The Definitive Edition launched. With a more cartoonish graphical style going against what many were initially expecting and the abundance of glitches in The Definitive Edition, many believe the title was a rushed disservice to what were otherwise iconic Rockstar titles.
Considering how heavily controversy around The Definitive Edition permeated the discourse around remakes and remasters, Rockstar may be less likely to dedicate resources to these ventures in the future, especially due to the already lucrative nature of its flagship titles. With Grand Theft Auto 5 selling well over 160 million copies over its near-decade on the market, the need for Rockstar to remake older games from a financial perspective is practically non-existent.
That being said, Rockstar recently gave the green light for remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2, providing hope for the possibility of a Red Dead Redemption remake too. It is worth noting that the Max Payne remakes are being developed by Remedy Entertainment in an agreement with Rockstar, alleviating the resources spent by the latter company significantly, and this move could be replicated for a Red Dead remake.
The Desire For a Red Dead Redemption Remake
Of all the titles in Rockstar's iconic catalog, there are not many that come close to the fan desire for a remake as Red Dead Redemption. Building upon the more rudimentary core gameplay of 2004's Red Dead Revolver, Red Dead Redemption provided fans with the most holistic and detailed representation of the Wild West that gaming had ever seen.
A dedicated fanbase for the title developed, with it receiving a positive and lasting critical reception for its gripping story and immersive world. Although fans remain to this day, the more recent release of Red Dead Redemption 2 has ignited a desire for the original title to be remade. In classic Rockstar fashion, Red Dead 2 exceeded expectations and excelled beyond its predecessor in terms of crafting visceral combat and a detailed open world. With the game engine for Red Dead 2 being lauded, many long-terms fans are clamoring for a remake that uses the more advanced assets of the latest installment.
The Feasibility of a Red Dead Redemption Remake
In this way, a Red Dead Redemption remake may actually be easy for Rockstar, relatively speaking. Not only has the detailed Red Dead 2 created a base of reusable assets that fit the aesthetic of the original game, but there are huge swathes of Red Dead content that are essentially remastered already.
Red Dead Redemption 2 shares a lot of its map with its predecessor, so much of the original area of New Austin has already been fully re-textured with higher fidelity assets. The improved horse riding mechanics, rag doll system, and more intelligent AI of Red Dead Redemption 2 could also be used for a remake, greatly reducing the workload that would otherwise be required for this task.
Moreover, a Red Dead remake could satiate fans by referencing the beloved protagonist of Red Dead 2, Arthur Morgan, who is not mentioned whatsoever in Red Dead Redemption despite the massive role he plays within the Van Der Linde gang. A bog-standard remake of the first game would already receive praise and commercial success given its history, but a remake that addresses some inconsistencies and plot holes in the original game would surely be even more popular.
Despite rumors that Rockstar has lost interest in a Red Dead remake, the desire for such a title is clearly present. Considering this remake could expand upon the game's original story logically, it seems obvious that a remake would be very profitable for Rockstar, especially when considering how many of the necessary assets already existing.
Red Dead Redemption is available now for PS3 and Xbox 360.
