In the world of video games, Rockstar Games is akin to a mythical creature. Its well-known propensity for unpredictability has often stumped industry pundits and fans alike. So, when clues suggest that a remaster of the revered classic, Red Dead Redemption, may be on the horizon, excitement intermingles with cautious skepticism.
A remaster of Red Dead Redemption will have to look a lot better than the backwards compatible version of the game on the Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X that’s available to play in 4K at the moment.
Red Dead Redemption is a game that needs no introduction. It’s a masterful piece of storytelling set in a vast open world that’s not just visually stunning but deeply immersive. A testament to Rockstar’s creative prowess and ambition, the game established itself as a standalone titan in a world dominated by Grand Theft Auto. Its sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, was even better, further solidifying its reputation as boasted an even more layered world filled with breathtaking realism. Fans have been longing for a return to the original, equipped with the technical advancements of its successor, but five years have passed without any solid confirmation from Rockstar. However, recent developments suggest that their prayers might soon be answered.
The first tangible sign of a remaster came earlier this summer. After years of whispers and conjecture, a new version of Red Dead Redemption was rated in South Korea, which only happens when a publisher submits a game to the rating board. A former IGN journalist, Colin Moriarty, supported this revelation, asserting that he had seen evidence of the remaster’s existence and hinted at a possible unveiling as early as August.
To add more fuel to the fire with the circulating rumors of Red Dead Redemption remastered/remake, Rockstar have decided not include the Xbox 360 version in the last two special promo sales since April 2023. pic.twitter.com/4DjPyemPxg
— Ben (@videotechx) July 13, 2023
Not to mention, Take-Two Interactive recently hinted at this possibility, with a remaster of Grand Theft Auto 4 possibly coming out within months as well.
Now, Twitter user videotechx has further fuelled the speculation by pointing out an unusual trend: Rockstar hadn’t included Red Dead Redemption in any online sales since April, a departure from its past practice. Simultaneously, other Rockstar titles continued to enjoy promotional spotlighting, making the omission of this beloved game peculiar.
At first glance, this might seem like a minor detail or a simple oversight. However, taking into account the disappearance of Red Dead Redemption from PlayStation Now prior to its transition to PlayStation Plus Premium, these oddities may be a sign of something much larger. Could Rockstar be discouraging purchases of the current game in anticipation of a remastered version? Only time will tell.
To further add intrigue to the mix, a quick search for “rdr1 Xbox sale” reveals a distinct lack of discounts compared to its counterparts, including Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V. This pattern isn’t unprecedented in the gaming industry. For instance, Dark Souls Prepare to Die edition remained full price for over a year before it was delisted and subsequently replaced by a remastered version.
Adding to the pile of evidences is the observation made by several avid Rockstar fans. They noted that Rockstar games – Max Payne 1 & 2, RDR, Midnight Club, Bully, GTA 4, to name a few – have a synchronized sale pattern. The lone exception? Red Dead Redemption, which conspicuously absent from the discounted lineup in both May and July.
Admittedly, this is a departure from Rockstar’s unpredictability that fans have come to know. However, the evidence isn’t at all easy to ignore and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they may be preparing to delist Red Dead Redemption ahead of a remastered re-release.
Nevertheless, amidst these teases and suggestive happenings, we must remember Rockstar’s history of leaving fans guessing. After all, rumors of a sudden release of Red Dead Redemption 2 persisted for years before the game finally made its grand appearance.
Hence, it’s advisable to remain cautiously optimistic about the possibility of a Red Dead Redemption remaster. With all signs pointing towards it, anticipation runs high. Will Rockstar surprise us with a stunning remastered version of this much-loved classic, or are we reading too much into a series of coincidences? As always, with Rockstar, expect the unexpected.
If nothing else, the release of remaster of Red Dead Redemption, and possibly even Grand Theft Auto 4, will help tide fans over until Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out whenever Rockstar feels like it’s ready to release it.
