One of the most interesting aspects of both Red Dead Redemption games is the honor system, a subtle but powerful sub-system that permeates the entire in-game experience. The first game utilized the honor system in a much less critical way, with high honor meaning people are nice to the player and shops give discounts, whereas low honor means people are mean to John and he doesn't get any favoritism. However, in Red Dead Redemption 2, the honor system has a much bigger impact on Arthur's personality in comparison. Arthur's morality plays a key part in dictating several scenes and moments throughout the game, something Roger Clark knew very well.
In an interview with Game Rant, Roger Clark reflected on the acting process in tandem with the systemic honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2. Not only that, but Roger Clark has his own conclusion on the morality of Arthur Morgan that he believes, yet is still impressed by the options players are given to make their own choices. Rockstar Games has been known to innovate with some special gameplay elements, but the honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2 is truly unique, as proven with Arthur.
Ludonarrative Dissonance and its Effect on Clark's Performance
Throughout Roger Clark's many years embodying the character of Arthur Morgan, the character's personality and morality changes drastically as the story of Dutch's gang progresses. Whether it's the loss of several gang members over the course of the game or the devastating tuberculosis diagnosis, Arthur's outlook on life begins to seriously shift from Dutch's loyal strongman to a man of renewed integrity in the face of betrayal. Roger Clark certainly wasn't left oblivious to the changing of Arthur's character as well, as he knew very early on that one specific encounter would change Arthur's life. As Clark remembered,
"The scene with Downes was very early on. It was a very specific note [in the script] - Downes coughs in Arthur's face - something like that. I put two and two together, asked, and they confirmed it."
Rockstar Games wasn't purposely keeping Arthur's diagnosis a secret from Clark, mostly because of the story's skeletal structure. Clark had noted previously that much of the specificity of Red Dead Redemption 2 was formed over time, with writers and actors collaborating on scenes and moments of character development. However, with that flexibility came the honor system and how Red Dead Redemption 2's narrative was able to balance the overarching story with how players embodied Arthur:
"No two Arthurs are the same," Clark mused in reference to Red Dead Redemption 2's challenge with ludonarrative dissonance. "It's also becoming one of story-based gaming's biggest challenges...How do you maximize the player's freedom of action in an open world, story driven game and yet make the character they play morally or emotionally consistent? Simple answer is you can't. Not without taking freedom away from the player."
Arthur Morgan's Moral Compass, from Roger Clark's Perspective
Arthur with "High Honor" was a man of respect and manners (as symbolized by the elk in game), whereas Arthur with "Low Honor" was a much more ruthless man (symbolized by the wolf) who cared for nobody but his fellow gang members. While many of the overarching story beats remained the same, how Arthur acted/reacted in many scenarios was determined by how players acted in Red Dead Redemption 2. Committing multiple crimes without repose made Arthur a terrible man, whereas helping passersby and the law made Arthur a far more respectable man. Roger Clark has his own opinion on Arthur Morgan's moral compass, at least from his perspective:
"How do I see his morality? Well... 'redemption' is in the title, isn't it? I see Arthur as a man who learns to strive for goodness."
Once Arthur Morgan is given his tuberculosis diagnosis, he takes a lot of time to reflect on what he's done in his life. Arthur also begins to understand that Dutch's cycle of violence continues to spiral out of control, and is continually exacerbated by the Micah's role as the devil on his shoulder. Clark, in particular, used it as a moment of clarity for Arthur Morgan's character design:
"When his mortality comes face to face with him, he endeavors to do good with the time he has left. I think that's what gives him his appeal to Red Dead fans, no matter how evil he may have been or is, he develops a new perspective on life and humanity. He's like Ebenezer Scrooge with a six shooter."
Arthur Morgan's story certainly doesn't have as happy an ending as Mr. Scrooge gets, but he makes an indelible impact on characters like Sadie Adler and especially John Marston. Red Dead Redemption 2 somehow managed to top the narrative excellence of the first game, especially with Clark's role as the new protagonist. Two years later, Arthur Morgan has become one of the best and most nuanced protagonists in gaming, both from a stellar writing standpoint and a stellar performance by Roger Clark as well.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.