Red Dead Redemption 2 will be Rockstar's first original since Grand Theft Auto V.
As the latest vision of Rockstar Games' open world sandbox, Wild West adventure "Red Dead Redemption 2" is set to become one of 2017's biggest releases, PlayStation has tied up two exclusives relating to the game and its wider franchise.
The third entry to Rockstar's "Red Dead" franchise is the studio's first original release since "Grand Theft Auto V" started rolling out in late 2013.Rockstar's "Red Dead" franchise is the studio's first original release since "Grand Theft Auto V" started rolling out in late 2013.
"'Red Dead Redemption 2' is an epic tale of life in America's unforgiving heartland," wrote PlayStation Marketing VP, John Koller, on the PlayStation blog, mirroring Rockstar's description of the anticipated fall 2017 release. "The game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience."
Then came the exclusivity angle. "We are pleased to announce that PS4 players get first access to earn select online content in the vast open world of 'Red Dead Redemption 2.'"
Yet the wording is specific: this isn't first access to select online content, but a first opportunity to earn it. A variation, perhaps, on the usual formula that had Xbox partner with "Call of Duty" during the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era.
Nevertheless, it's illustrative of a relationship that saw the PlayStation 3 bundled with "Grand Theft Auto V" and shows PlayStation keen to secure advantages over Xbox as far as PlayStation 4 uptake is concerned.
Also contained within the same PlayStation announcement was a potential salve for PC gamers.
It's too early to rule out a PC version of "Red Dead Redemption 2" -- "GTA V" was first announced for consoles only before eventually finding its way to computers -- but the first, which to date has not been granted a native release on PC, could soon be made available through game streaming service PlayStation Now.
The subscription scheme, which currently offers over 400 games, is priced at $19.99 for a month or $44.99 for three. Not permanent ownership, but better than nothing, and nudging PC players towards the PS4.
But Xbox should also be factored into the equation. A significant upgrade on the Xbox One, Project Scorpio, has been earmarked for launch during the same period as "Red Dead Redemption 2."
Scorpio is expected to outmuscle November 2016's PlayStation 4 Pro and could go toe-to-toe with some of today's hefty VR-ready PCs.
For studios and players, that means better graphics, more impressive effects, and more immersive worlds -- all things that appear to align with Rockstar's vision for "Red Dead Redemption 2."
So just as it's too early to rule out "Red Dead Redemption 2" on PC, it may be too soon to say that Xbox won't have its own "Red Dead" incentives as well.
Watch Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer:
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 "Red Dead Redemption 2")
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