Red Dead Redemption 2 shows why Rockstar needs to expand beyond the genres of the Red Dead and Grand Theft Auto franchises.
Rockstar is best known for his Grand Theft Auto and redemption of the red dead franchises. Both series leave players in a huge open world in a fictional America full of details, Easter eggs, strange encounters and even references that suggest that games can share a reality.
However, Rockstar’s latest game, Red Dead Redemption 2, shows some of the reasons why Rockstar may need to embark on a new IP. Even if a new series is developed and still in the same open-world format that players expect from the developer, there are some good reasons for Rockstar to leave GTA and Red Dead behind that Red Dead Redemption 2 brings in focus.
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Rockstar genre games
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes on the Western genre without barriers. The game manages to have a compelling and engaging story driven by characters within a world that is still deeply invested in a single genre. In addition to making occasional references to his own place in Old West mythology through references to Arthurian legends in Red Dead 2, the game is also filled with strange and wonderful encounters from alien spaceships to conscious robots that remind players that Rockstar is interested in playing with the genre, pushing it to its limit and creating worlds that look real.
Although it is more obvious in Red Dead 2, Grand Theft Auto does a similar job with Americana, addressing gangster films, over Fast and furiousaction-style movies and Hollywood itself in its fast-paced satirical world. Both series resemble genre films, exploring the genres themselves as much as the characters in them. Although rumors about Grand Theft Auto 6 gained momentum last week thanks to a leaked email, supposedly about GTA 6, the developer also spoke in the past about the difficulties in assuming GTAThe mark of satire in the modern political climate without alienating fans.
Rockstar After GTA and Red Dead
The real question is whether or not Rockstar has anything to say about Westerns as a genre after Red Dead Redemption 2, or Hollywood and American thrillers after five Grand Theft Auto games. While the studio could probably find more to say, the deep investment that both series have in exploring and satirizing their respective genres raises the question of whether a Rockstar game addressing a new genre could be a richer vein for the developer.
Rockstar has branched out before, with games like Bully and LA Noire. Red Dead Redemption 2 it was a monumental achievement in terms of the scale and depth of the design of the world, an achievement that will be difficult to overcome. However, by launching into an entirely new genre in terms of scenery, history and visual, if not gameplay, Rockstar could pioneer an entirely new IP to spiritually succeed its favorite fan franchises. This would allow us to deliver the same open-world gameplay and satirical edge, but with a story that is not retained by previous episodes or mired in expectations.
It is unlikely, however, that Rockstar will be willing to step aside redemption of the red dead or Grand Theft Auto still. This may prove to be a greater risk in the long run if Grand Theft Auto 6 is unable to live up to fan expectations or if Red Dead Redemption 3 fight to live up to the second game. For now, the studio can afford to put all its eggs in two baskets, but diversifying to explore other genres using its trademark style can ensure that it remains a top player, even after those franchises eventually lose strength.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is now available for PC, PS4, Stadia and Xbox One.
