Rockstar Games, a powerful combination of publisher and developer, has created some of the most celebrated video game franchises ever. Undoubtedly, their most renowned and cherished franchise is Grand Theft Auto, which they have meticulously built over the years into an entertainment giant. However, a close second in terms of success and popularity is Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption series, which has achieved its own monumental triumph.
Making its debut in 2010, the first Red Dead Redemption arrived at a crucial moment in Rockstar's journey, following closely after the success of GTA 4. It served as a testament to the extent of Rockstar's open-world formula, ultimately influencing the design of GTA 5. Notably, Red Dead Redemption's online mode greatly influenced GTA 5's online mode, becoming an essential component of Rockstar's business model. Unfortunately, Red Dead Redemption 2 struggled to replicate this success. Consequently, the public's attention will be fixed on the online mode of a potential Red Dead Redemption 3, necessitating Rockstar to deliver an outstanding experience from the very start.
Red Dead Redemption 3's Online Mode Needs to Do Better
Red Dead Redemption 2 had an incredible start, capturing the attention of the world. The hype leading up to its release was unmatched, and the excitement only grew when the reviews came pouring in. It received praise from all corners, with its captivating story, compelling characters, enjoyable gunplay, engaging side activities, and immersive setting. When fans finally got their hands on the game, it not only met their expectations but surpassed them in many ways. This anticipation only intensified with the upcoming release of Red Dead Online.
As mentioned earlier, Red Dead Redemption came out between Grand Theft Auto 4 and 5, combining elements from both games in its online components. While GTA 4 introduced Rockstar's online sandbox, Red Dead Redemption improved upon it in numerous ways. Although the map occasionally felt lacking in activities and had long loading screens, nothing compared to the thrill of hunting down rival gangs of players and chasing them across the vast map. In 2010, Red Dead Redemption's online mode provided an unparalleled experience, serving as the foundation for Rockstar's highly successful GTA Online.
GTA Online has become one of the most financially successful pieces of media in the entertainment industry over the past decade. Building upon the foundations set by GTA 4 and Red Dead, GTA Online provides players with a vast open world to explore and engage with others, offering numerous side activities and missions. The immense triumph of GTA Online has naturally led Rockstar to desire replicating its success with Red Dead Redemption 2's online mode.
Unfortunately, upon its release a month after Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Online did not live up to the expectations of fans in terms of immersive gameplay. The initial launch of Red Dead Online suffered from a lack of content, and although Rockstar eventually released updates with additional missions and open-world activities, it was too little too late, resulting in a significant drop in player numbers. Rockstar halted major support for Red Dead Online in July 2022, while GTA Online continues to thrive. To regain the trust and confidence of players, Rockstar must ensure that Red Dead Redemption 3's online mode is exceptional right from the start, demonstrating that it has learned from the mistakes of its predecessor.