Why Rockstar's Bold Move Into Call of Duty Territory With Red Dead Redemption and GTA Could Revolutionize Gaming

Highlights

Rockstar Games has achieved immense success in the video game industry with its Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, both critically and commercially.

Rather than sticking to a release pattern similar to Call of Duty, where Rockstar alternates between GTA and Red Dead, it is important for them to avoid franchise fatigue and the risk of losing unique titles such as Bully and L.A. Noire. Despite the immense popularity of GTA and Red Dead, it would be beneficial for Rockstar to venture into creating more standalone titles that can provide fans with varied and unforgettable gaming experiences.

Rockstar Games, with 24 years of experience in the video game industry, has undoubtedly achieved remarkable success. Originally known as DMA Design, the company launched the iconic Grand Theft Auto franchise in 1997, which has since become one of the most popular and influential properties in the entire entertainment industry. Additionally, Rockstar's relatively newer Red Dead Redemption series has garnered a devoted fan base and is highly regarded within the gaming community. Fans eagerly await a remake of the original 2010 game.

Not only have these franchises received critical acclaim, but they have also achieved significant commercial success. GTA 5 alone has reportedly generated over $7 billion in lifetime revenue, selling a staggering 185 million copies worldwide. The inclusion of microtransactions has further contributed to their impressive financial performance. Despite the immense profitability of the GTA and Red Dead franchises, Rockstar Games recognizes the need to continue pushing boundaries and not simply rely on past achievements.

Rockstar Shouldn't Fall Into a Call of Duty-Like Cycle With Red Dead and GTA

The Call of Duty franchise has adhered to a consistent release schedule, without skipping a yearly installment since 2005. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the series followed a cyclical pattern with the alternating releases of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and their respective sequels. Although Call of Duty: Ghosts broke this cycle, the era of Modern Warfare and Black Ops releases represented a prosperous time for the franchise, and it appears that this era may be returning.

More recently, the Call of Duty franchise has introduced some variation by including releases from Sledgehammer Games in addition to those from Infinity Ward and Treyarch. However, with the recent announcement that Sledgehammer is developing 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, it seems likely that the franchise is reverting to its familiar pattern, potentially rotating between the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series once again. While this is a shrewd business decision, as these two franchises consistently generate high sales, it could also result in a detrimental level of franchise fatigue, a cycle that Rockstar Games should definitely avoid.

Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption are Rockstar's most popular and successful franchises. It would make sense for Rockstar to alternate between these two franchises, with the possibility of Grand Theft Auto 6 coming after Red Dead Redemption 2. While this cycle wouldn't be the worst scenario, it could lead to franchise fatigue and prevent fans from experiencing more unique titles.

Although they are infrequent, Rockstar's standalone titles like Bully and L.A. Noire are highly cherished by fans. While not as commercially successful as GTA and Red Dead, they are just as memorable and offer a distinct gameplay experience. If Rockstar adopts a repetitive pattern with GTA and Red Dead similar to Call of Duty, it may limit the opportunities for future games like Bully and L.A. Noire.