Rumors are circulating that Rockstar Games, the renowned developer behind titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, may be working on a remake of the beloved 2010 game, Red Dead Redemption. These rumors gain further traction with recent developments on Rockstar’s website and a job listing that suggests the remake could potentially be powered by the highly regarded Unreal Engine.
The original Red Dead Redemption, released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, captivated players with its immersive setting in the fading days of the American frontier. It followed the story of former outlaw John Marston, who embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue his wife and child held captive by the government. Although it was a sequel to Red Dead Revolver, the link between the two games is somewhat tenuous. The critically acclaimed prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, was released in 2018.
Signs pointing to a potential Red Dead Redemption remake have been accumulating, especially with Rockstar updating its website to include a new logo for the game. Adding fuel to the speculation, Rockstar has listed a job opening for a Designer of Open World Events at its San Diego office. While Rockstar usually employs its in-house engine, the mention of Unreal Engine experience in the job listing opens up the possibility of its usage in the remake or remaster of Red Dead Redemption.
Considering Rockstar’s ongoing development of Grand Theft Auto 6, it would be logical to assume that the studio is seeking additional talent to bring the highly anticipated game to fruition. However, a line in the job listing casts doubt on this theory. The listing explicitly mentions the need for someone with experience using the Unreal Engine, implying that Rockstar might employ it for the rumored Red Dead Redemption project. Although Rockstar has predominantly used its proprietary RAGE engine since 2006, the recent release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition in 2021 employed Unreal Engine 4. It is worth noting that this collection was outsourced to Grove Street Games, a Florida-based developer specializing in mobile ports.
It still remains too early to draw definitive conclusions about Rockstar’s intentions behind hiring an open-world game designer with Unreal Engine experience. While many studios create their games using proprietary engines, it is not uncommon to incorporate other software into the development process. However, given the abundance of rumors, it is not far-fetched to speculate that Rockstar may utilize the Unreal Engine to breathe new life into Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Redemption enthusiasts can only wait for official announcements from Rockstar to confirm or dispel these rumors. Until then, players can indulge in the original Red Dead Redemption, available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as they eagerly anticipate any updates regarding a potential remake or remaster.
