Rockstar: Why Did Red Dead Redemption Online Fail So Miserably?

Red Dead Redemption is one of the more beloved titles for gamers. When the sequel Red Dead Redemption 2 was announced the gaming world celebrated. With the success of GTA V Online, Rockstar again swung for the fences with RDR Online, only this time the game came off as bland and boring and had nowhere near as much success. So where did it all go wrong and can they fix it for the next iteration?

Right off the bat, Red Dead Redemption II was fantastic as for as the campaign goes. There was the perfect balance between a great campaign, intriguing side missions, and hidden gems that kept you playing for hours. Unfortunately, none of that transitioned to online play. If Red Dead had a bit of organization and direction with missions you and your group could accomplish, it would’ve changed the game. There were roles like a collector, bounty hunter, or trader. While they had a purpose, they felt as if they were left up to the player’s imagination.

More Games: Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Is A Great Borderlands Spin-off

Where Red Dead Redemption should’ve excelled were classic western staples. Why weren’t players able to build a homestead from a small tent all the way up to a thriving town that excelled based on the path you chose? Imagine if you started a “gambler” role. Your homestead would start with a small tent and card players over wooden barrels and evolve all the way up to a riverboat casino. The more you earn, the more you upgrade your security protection. People could play there and try to cash out or attempt to rob your casino.

Which leads to the next role, why were the bounty roles so limited? The number of players who would wander the map just killing players trying to accomplish this was ridiculous. Players should’ve been able to put a certain amount of bounties out per day. From cash to gold on players’ heads should’ve been a part of the game. Players who signed up as an “outlaw” role should’ve been able to be pursued by the “bounty hunter”. Those who took part in these roles could be PVP while players who just wanted to play with their posse online could focus on missions without interruption almost as a “safe mode”.

More Entertainment: Burning Questions Before Cobra Kai Season 6?

Collecting and hunting should’ve been filler for the larger roles on Red Dead Redemption Online. Why weren’t there more bank robber roles, train robbing, or riverboat casinos? Instead, RDRO focused on Pony Express-style deliveries, horse races, and shootouts. The feel of the old west wasn’t what players expected. For instance, why were there no shootouts at high noon? Instead of a player just riding up on you and killing your mission progress, why couldn’t you challenge them to a duel? Allow the player to accept or decline to not lose mission progress. Not everyone wants to play PVP but still wants online play.

No riverboats, no duels, and a cash system that was completely unbalanced was a recipe for disaster. Red Dead Redemption has the perfect genre for a game of outlaws and bandits and it played it a bit too safe. Hopefully, if Rockstar goes forward with a sequel they can focus more on the good and evil in westerns. If they roll out more of the same, the next online will fail just as well.