Rockstar was told Red Dead Redemption would be a 'disaster'

Rockstar vice president Dan Houser has revealed that the company was warned Red Dead Redemption would be a "disaster" prior to the game going on sale in 2010.

[hiredhelp]

By no means a disaster utterally brilliant i for one want another.

[Knight_Crawler]

Well said dude! Red Dead Redemption was a breath of fresh air from all of these games that we were getting that were based in some city (mostly NY) or space.

I love western movies and I only baught Call of Jurez becuase it was the only western game avaible but then came RDR and blew me away.

I can see the potential that it still has and what R* can do with nex gen tech.

[guitarded77]

It was probably Pachter who told them is would be a failure... so they automatically knew it would be a success. I want more red dead too... it's my favorite R* game this gen.

[JamieL]

Don't forget Gun, that was an awesome game as well. To me.

[TopDudeMan]

See, I was never into the western scene, so when the game was announced I didn't see the appeal.

So I can see the standpoint of the people who told them that, but when the game came out, I bought it because my friends were playing it and loved it. It showed that rockstar can write an awesome story.

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

***"See, I was never into the western scene, so when the game was announced I didn't see the appeal."***

Same for me. I was never into the whole "old wild west" thing. The game has made me more open to the genre though. I bought the game because it was a Rocktstar game as Rockstar rarely succeeds at disappointing.

[Pushagree]

I'm glad Rockstar took the chance with this one. John's story and the way it all ended was one of the most memorable moments in gaming this generation for me. The game showed that you can do something different and still be a success and the industry needs a lot more of that.

[Freak of Nature]

@ Knight_Crawler...

Yup, I cannot wait to see what this team will do on next gen systems... This game is full of win!

One of my top 5 games this gen....Should be on most peoples top 10 list's...

I cannot wait to see what they have cooking with there next game....

[knowyourstuff]

Not entirely accurate on the title, it was simply someone who worked for Rockstar who was saying it may end up being a disaster if they were to put a massive amount of money into a western, when westerns weren't 'Popular' at the time.

This only goes to prove what most people know - it doesn't matter what the genre is, or the setting, or other surface level things like time period etc. A popular game is, always has been, and always will be a game that is WELL DESIGNED. As long as it's fun, and has amazing design, it doesn't matter the time period, whether it's a western, or survival horror game, if it sucks beyond belief, it generally speaking won't sell. If it's amazing, it generally will sell. There are always exceptions to the rule on both sides, but generally speaking you need quality and fun first, everything else is second.

[blackmamba707]

that disaster sold 13M copies, how wrong can you get

[raWfodog]

I wonder if whoever told them that still has a job because they couldn't have been more wrong.

[vortis]

@raWfodog

they probably still have their job, handing out horrible advice, like "Mobile phones will kill console games", which is why big pubs keep making stupid comments about us core gamers giving up our beloved consoles/PCs to play on some shoddy tablet device.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

I predicted a disaster. I am not in the slightest bit interested in the western setting. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't appeal to me. I got the game day one and never played it...

... until a few months ago. I realized I was proven wrong BIG TIME. I should never judge a book by its cover. This game captivated me like no other game this year. It turned an absolute non believer into a huge fan of the game. It even made me buy a Red Dead avatar for my PSN profile just to show my support for this game. That avatar is a symbol of how wrong I was and my love for the game.

Fantastic game... I WAS doubtful too... I was incredibly wrong.

[Jobesy]

Kudos for manning up and admitting you were wrong. RDR is in my top 10 this gen, heck maybe top 5. The mp is highly underrated also, especially the co-op modes.

[grailly]

you predicted a disaster because western settings don't appeal to you? then you still bought it? lol

you're right about the game being brilliant BTW

[JoGam]

When I heard RDR had posse's I had to get it.

[Oh_Yeah]

Im sure RDR was a system seller too..for the people who only had a pc.

[PhantomT1412]

If I recall the exact quote, the Housers were told that making a western-themed game would be a disaster.

[wastedcells]

It may have looked like a failure on paper because wester themed game are a tuff sell but rockstar knows how to make games engaging, immersive and fun so the results were amazing. They prove that good games sell.. Period. Other developers should be taking notes.

[vortis]

This right here.

Instead of taking note about making "good quality games" pubs will see this as "Uh, Red Dead made a lot of money?! let's throw $20 million at a generic clone and it'll make money too!!!"

For now they've yet to clone Rockstar games this gen like they did during the PS2 era (although the GTA clones in the PS2 era were hardcore, cool and some of them were almost better than GTA) but this gen pubs are chasing COD's money trail. They'll probably chase GTA's money trail for next-gen.

[RumbleFish]

If they only would bring it to pc, this brilliant game. I still find it sad that there is no pc version.

[MostJadedGamer]

I still cannt see what people saw in this game. RDR is the most overrated game this generation. Gun was much better then RDR.

RDR had some of the most tedious, and boring tasks ever in videogames. Way too much boring crap like herding cows, and shooting crows.

[gta2800]

You only heard cows when they're introducing you to the game and they're warming you up. What are you on a bout? After you leave MacFarlene ranch this game gets epic!

[gta2800]

This game was a disaster.....After I beat the game and it had to came to an end lol. One of my favorite games of all time!

[MEsoJD]

Where's my pc version Rock*?

[showtimefolks]

its like when Patcher said GTA 3 would sell 300K and that borderlands would fail yeah patcher has been wrong a lot lol

i hope we get some more games in old west time frame RDR is otop 3 game in my list behind MGS4,GTA4and RDR followed by Uncharted 2

[Nodoze]

F GTAV I want another Red Dead adventure. It was beyond good, and I am sure with some minor refinements it could be utterly brilliant.

[SouthClaw]

RdR was mainly made by Rockstar San Diego with additional help from Rockstar North. So it is likely Rockstar San Diego is working on the next game.

[Blackdeath_663]

red dead redemption took a long time to make if they are making another one they may have already planned it out knowing what rockstar are like its gonna be BIG.

[HammadTheBeast]

No.

[mcstorm]

I think this was a good move by R*. I did not like the game my self but I don't like GTA game neither.
I think it was a good move by them as it was a GTA type game but in a Weston world and they did a good job in making the game to appeal to the masses of GTA fans out there as well as Weston lovers.

I think they will do a 2nd RDR too and I think it will sell even better than the 1st.

[RivetCityGhoul]

you know whats funny RDR has more relevance to a PS2 era GTA game than the GTA games coming out now do. i loved RDR the humor, dark comedy, the characters etc. it all reminded why the PS2 era GTA's were so great. GTA V looks like its falling in the same line with GTA IV.

[DaddyPoppa]

By any chance did you play gtaIV or do you remember any of the past gtas correctly? by your logic RDR is more like gtaIV than any of the rest if your judging the game by the characters and the "dark comedy". if anything RDR was the most serious sandbox game rockstar made BY far, No gta from the past generation or even gtaIV took itself as serious as RDR

[vortis]

You couldn't even bang chicks in RDR with John like you could with Luis in GTA IV, so I don't know what RivetCityGhoul is talking about.

[SP3333D-O]

One of all-time favorites. Will preorder the next RD as soon as it's available.

[e-p-ayeaH]

Disasters are made by bad games LA Noire unfortunately wasnt a very good one let´s put it that way.

[pompombrum]

LA Noire was a great game and actually offered something different amongst the amount of action orientated games out there.

[Brownghost]

It was repetitive.

[OmniSlashPT]

L.A. Noire was as good as the fisrt AC, good concept, great ideas, bad execution, repetitive content.

[NYC_Gamer]

I'm happy R* took the chance and bought back the Red Dead franchise

[USMC_POLICE]

And im sure they were told max payne 3 would be a hit.

[BlackTar187]

max payne 3 was a fun game and as soon as the music hit brought me right back to the beautiful world of Max PAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYN NNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE

[bubblebeam]

Max Payne 3 wasn't a hit sadly. An excellent game that didn't get enough advertising.

It probably would have sold better if it looked darker, like the first 2. Rockstar did a great job of it, just fell short of Remedies work on number 1.

[WiiUalpha]

Hope whoever made that claim is no longer ina position to do the same for any other game.

[pompombrum]

It was probably some EA exec.

[vortis]

^^

[Wh15ky]

Didn't Pachter say something along those lines?

[Tdmd]

Come on R*, make us another "disaster"!! Please!

[bozebo]

And this is why publishers should just die, they could have pulled the plug on that project like happens to many games with a lot of potential (not to mention all the games that have been required to change because of publishers' idiocy).

Really all they do now apart from get games onto shelves (just launch digitally and they aren't needed) is hold onto the profits from games and trickle only the required funds back to the developer, because the shareholders need their payouts.

edit:
Also, if made by a good dev team and given enough time, almost any concept can become an incredible game.

[vortis]

LOL this post is so true.

Looking at Minecraft it's obvious that a well crafted game beats any and all "forecasts" by so-called industry analysts and publishing executives.

Those top-tier guys don't play games, they don't know video games, they don't know game culture, they have NO idea what makes a game fun. Using metrics, focus group testing and marketing data is not how you determine how to make a fun game that will have a long tail and lasting appeal.

Too bad they'll never figure this out until they're filing for bankruptcy.

[zeroskie]

My GOTY 2010

[Braid]

RDR is one of the best games I've played this generation and no, I don't particularly like open-world games.

This game is crafted with so subtle touches and the storytelling is so humble that I friggin love it. Calmly unfolding story, serene cutscenes, gorgeous scenery... It doesn't rush anything, it has a long, great introduction, and a lenghty, conclusive and gorgeously played finale, with a well thought epilogue. When the game ends, it fills you with a strong feeling of "satisfaction" which most of the games out there lack nowadays.

It's an example of how you make a great game.

[franko]

I wonder why it never went on pc. I. Think it would be a hit too.

[MiyagiSPG]

RDR = possible game of this gen imo.

[XXXL]

Top 5 of all time on my list

[dubt72]

Red Dead Redemption > all the GTA's combined plus 500 titties.

[ethan]

Red Dead Redemption is indeed a great game, but that may be overdoing it a bit...

[bubblebeam]

"...but that (the "500 titties") may be overdoing it a bit..."

Agreed.....hehehe

[PygmelionHunter]

Hmm... It sure smells like Pachter's work around here...

[kma2k]

kidna goes to show you how confused & lost the higher ups are in gaming companies, a game that was a huge success was expected to be a disaster!

[WiiStation_360]

I reckon it was disastrous... disastrous for your outside social life :D

[YodaCracker]

Red Dead Redemption seems more like a game that should be a one-time experience that does not need a sequel. Yes, I know Red Dead Redemption itself was a sequel but it was completely a night and day difference from its predecessor. RDR was a masterpiece but I don't need another one.

[KingKevo]

This whole stupid article is based on a single quote from the GameInformer GTA V coverage. Is it really worth writing such a short and unnecessary article about it. If you read the headline don't even waste your time giving that site clicks and money. Stupid article imho.

[Xof]

It's a shame you didn't get here faster. Posts like this need to be higher up, to discourage readers.

But, well, it's nice to meet another combrade in the uphill war against hitbaiting drivel! Our numbers are few, and our enemy clutters the sky like a cloud of locusts.

[Max-Zorin]

Red Dead Redemption was awesome.

[-MD-]

I personally found it pretty boring (pressing X a billion times just to make my horse go a little faster), then again Rockstar has done nothing but disappoint me this entire generation save for Max Payne 3 which was a decent movie with gameplay sprinkled in.

They finally started nailing good shooting mechanics in MP3 so I'm hopeful for future Rockstar games. Gimme Manhunt 3.

[OneAboveAll]

Rockster can make shit turn to gold. Whoever said that needs to have the teeth slapped out of their mouth.

[Orionsangel]

RDR is one of the best games ever made. IMO. A great story. Amazing open world graphics. It had perfect weapon aiming. A multiplayer that I still play today. Especially free roam. Bothering the crap out of other online players. Now that's just a helluva good assholish time!

The sequel is begging for a bow and arrow! Especially for hunting and none of this crappy ACIII bow and arrow. I want a free aiming bow and arrow in the same vein as the gun weapon aiming in RDR.

[urwifeminder]

It was too big for me to bother finishing just hung around one town as im lazy give me linear action any day.

[spike]

When the game first came out I wasn't interested in the game. I only bought it once it sold like 3 million copies. I was very wrong about this game. Just started playing this game again last week. Wanna pass it again before GTA 5 comes out.

[CaptainPunch]

I loved Red Dead Redemption, I beat the game so many times.

[Hanso]

the ending was superb and the game of course

[Summons75]

I know I'm gonna get a million disagrees for this but Red Dead Redemtion was the best game rockstar has ever made with L.A.Noire coming in close second. They should drop GTA all together and stick with Red Dead.

[banjadude]

Personally, I think RDR is ONE of the major highlights of this generation. Definitely one of my games that I show off to all my friends/family members.

[ceballos77mx]

My pick for game of this generation, I had a blast collecting those hunting trophies, and tying prostitutes on the railroad tracks after setting me up to be ambushed by bandits.

[Tzuno]

This game is a masterpiece period.

[Kos-Mos]

For me it was. Clumsy characters and aiming system. Clumsy story and clumsy looking women.
I really thought this was going to give me a real "western" feeling, but no. They had to make it industrial and mexicans??? Who thinks it`s interesting with mexicans?
They should have done the story far back in time and with indians. Still I think they would have created a clichè story. Rockstar can`t write a decent plot.
But I understand the kids like this game, and there`s a lot of kids in the west.

[SnakeCQC]

i just disliked the ending no matter how good or bad you were you died and then your son got revenge (i killed that guys wife too lol)

[LiquidSword93]

I totally agree dude, I mean jack becomes an outlaw exactly like his dad even if you do the right thing throughout the entire game as john. That sucks. Should have been more like bioshock in that respect.

[SnakeCQC]

i guess maybe the point was morality is a fine line and regardless of position ie the government were the bad guys(perceived to be good by the majority of people) took all the credit it was the one labelled outlaw who actually did the right thing while being blackmailed and having his family kidnapped by the government

[LiquidSword93]

And i guess everything u just said is johns redmption from the criminal he was back in the days.