When Red Dead Online was released, no one expected it to do as well as Grand Theft Auto Online. Sure, one could argue about the gameplay, the online elements, the griefing, and every difference between the two any day of the week, but Red Dead Online still has a dedicated following of players. Many of these players, unfortunately, feel ignored.
Red Dead Online is an online-only live service game. It’s obviously more akin to GTA Online than battle royale games, but communication is key for all of these games. If Fortnite didn’t receive constant communications and fixes, if Apex Legends didn’t either from its developer, then the games would not retain the popularity they have now. Communication is always a key complaint in what could be regarded as a “failing” live-service game.
Rockstar’s Deafening Silence on #SaveRedDeadOnline Speaks Volumes
This is notable because, despite constant pleas from players, Rockstar has been largely quiet about the #SaveRedDeadOnline social media campaign. Players have serious issues with lack of content or even communication. It’s hard to say when it all started, but when Red Dead Online revealed its first update this year, many fans were upset due to bare bone and lackluster offerings. The hashtag #SaveRedDeadOnline has trended many times, but it’s only gotten worse.
Many have noted how much attention Rockstar has paid to Grand Theft Auto Online lately – standalone GTA Online release, remasters of the GTA Trilogy, GTA 5 re-releases, and the recent announcement of GTA 6—and see these as neglect for Red Dead. Now, this is largely concerning because Rockstar has abandoned several games and IPs for Red Dead and GTA, and it’s not impossible Red Dead falls to the wayside for GTA. After all, Grand Theft Auto 5’s impact on the industry cannot be understated—from a business perspective, going all-in on GTA makes sense. That doesn’t make players happy, though, if other beloved games become the sacrifices for said success.
The fact that Red Dead Online hasn’t gotten a significant update all year makes the stark contrast between the two franchises stand out even more. In fact, data miners have seemingly found a new Red Dead Online update in the files, which sounds good, except for the fact that many are saying it won’t release until July at the earliest and September at the likeliest. This would ultimately amount to one major Red Dead Online update this year…if it were even a major update.
What #SaveRedDeadOnline needs more than anything is recognition from Rockstar. And given how many have clung to Red Dead Online over the past year if not more, players deserve to know whether Red Dead Online is the next No Man’s Sky or the next Anthem.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.