Why couldn't Rockstar remake RDR1 on the RDR2 engine?

[Swaggaccino]

Seriously they have the engine and same exact map from the second game and most of the assets from the first game including art design, story, gameplay and voice overs. Literally the only thing they'd have to redo from scratch is the mocap. Seems like like a year's worth of work but they took a year AND THEN SOME for a literal 14 year old port for $50.

Literally Guerrilla Games remade Horizon 1 on the Horizon 2 engine in under a year and nobody asked for that. How is there so much incompetence in the video game industry now?

[PETROL SNIFFER]

cause RDR1 is better than RDR2

[Odd fella]

Because many gamers have low standards, and Rockstar can get away with pushing out the bare minimum for a high price

[Grunbeld]

Costs too much, they'd rather just pay 5 devs to "enhance" for PC.

[WarLyric]

Honestly, it’s baffling that Rockstar didn’t choose to remake Red Dead Redemption using the Red Dead Redemption 2 engine. They had the perfect opportunity to revitalize this classic and give it the justice it deserves. Here’s why this approach would have been the smarter, more respectful option for fans:

1. Technical Foundation is Already There: Rockstar already put years of work into developing RDR2’s incredible engine and crafting the frontier world. They have RDR2’s map of New Austin and several overlapping characters and assets. By reusing these and enhancing the original game with the latest tech, they could have given fans an entirely fresh experience without reinventing the wheel.

2. RDR1 Deserves the Same Care as RDR2: With RDR2, Rockstar set a new bar for immersive open-world gameplay and storytelling. By updating RDR1 with the same engine, they could have revitalized its world and gameplay, ensuring it meets today’s standards for realism and detail. This would also allow RDR1’s story to benefit from RDR2’s realistic AI, weather systems, and updated physics, creating a deeper connection between the two games.

3. Updated Graphics and Mechanics Matter: We’ve seen other studios do this successfully Guerrilla Games updated Horizon Zero Dawn with the Horizon Forbidden West engine, even though fans weren’t exactly demanding it. But with Rockstar, fans have actively wanted an RDR1 remake for years. Enhanced graphics, lighting, and animation could have amplified RDR1’s emotional impact and made the Wild West look even more stunning. Charging $50 for an updated game that includes these would feel much more justified.

4. Leaving Out Online Play Was a Huge Missed Opportunity: Red Dead Online has a strong fan base, and bringing RDR1 online would have added immense value. Fans would have relished a classic Red Dead experience that included a fresh online component set in the original world, breathing new life into a part of the series they love. For a game re-released in 2024, it’s surprising they didn’t add any online feature especially since RDR Online already exists as a structure to build upon.

5. Fan Expectations and Goodwill: Rockstar’s fan base is loyal, but they also expect quality. Giving RDR1 a true remake treatment would’ve shown a level of respect and appreciation for long-time fans. Instead, we’re getting a straight port with no graphical updates, which honestly feels like a cash grab. If they’d made the effort to bring RDR1 up to RDR2 standards, it would have added value and created goodwill among players.

Rockstar had everything in place to make this a standout remake, and fans would gladly pay for that. It’s disappointing that they opted for a quick port at a premium price instead. They missed a major opportunity to elevate Red Dead Redemption into a timeless experience that both old fans and new players could fully appreciate.

[One-HiT KiLLeR]

Because they are busy with GTA 6. And if they make a deal with Groove Street Games to remake it with Unreal Engine 4, they will ruin it.

[muckymucks]

Rockstar wants to spend no money and make all the money. Quality doesn’t matter, only profit matters to them.

[LieutenantPEWPEW]

They could have but then all of the shallow pocket folks would be complaining that that game is a full priced 70 or 100 dollar game in some regions.

[Swaggaccino]

Originally posted by muckymucks:

Rockstar wants to spend no money and make all the money. Quality doesn’t matter, only profit matters to them.

I have a bad feeling about GTA6.... I guarantee it'll be hit with the woke virus, single player will be heavily tied into online where every gun or car will be locked behind endless grinding or shark cards, and also it'll be super buggy for the first 2 years. I read somewhere that most of the original Rockstar/GTA5 team left. It's pretty much all new guys.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

A remake would indeed have been nice...

[strike478]

Originally posted by Swaggaccino:

Seriously they have the engine and same exact map from the second game and most of the assets from the first game including art design, story, gameplay and voice overs. Literally the only thing they'd have to redo from scratch is the mocap. Seems like like a year's worth of work but they took a year AND THEN SOME for a literal 14 year old port for $50.

Literally Guerrilla Games remade Horizon 1 on the Horizon 2 engine in under a year and nobody asked for that. How is there so much incompetence in the video game industry now?

Its rockstar game. Dont expect them to respect players. 50$ for 14 years old game with no resolution or frame limit. #Lazydeveloperswork. They found themselves niches of Gangester games and Cowboy games and since they have no competition they milk players to the limits.