Relax, The Red Dead Redemption 2 Delay Isn’t a Bad Thing, And Here’s Why

Earlier today, fans and industry folk alike were taken aback by the news that Rockstar Games‘ Red Dead Redemption 2 wouldn’t be releasing during “spring 2018”. Instead, the game is arriving October 26.

This threw a lot of folks for a loop, as many took to the Internet to complain about the delay. And some news outlets didn’t help either, focusing more on the delay in general instead of how Rockstar Games apologized for the delay, vying to make the best possible sequel it can.

But here’s the thing – Rockstar shouldn’t have needed to apologize. Sometimes a game just takes time to be pretty perfect. Just ask anyone that purchased Street Fighter V at launch two years ago, only to have to wait a while to get the Arcade Mode content.

This delay is a little bit of a surprise, but it’s certainly not the end of the world. In fact, there are several reasons why this will be beneficial to Rockstar Games down the road…

Rockstar’s In No Rush To Top Its Sales Titan

Rockstar Games could’ve rushed out Red Dead Redemption 2 to store shelves this spring and then patched it up down the road, sure. But why? The fact of the matter is, the company’s previously released Grand Theft Auto V is still making huge money in the gaming market, and there’s no rush to knock it off its pedestal.

The game was recently reported as being the top selling digital title of 2017, and considering it originally came out all the way back in 2013 (2014 for modern consoles), that’s really something. Rockstar might be waiting until it loses some of its momentum before building the hype for Redemption, which is a smart move. After all, why have two products fighting against one another? Look at what Battlefield 1 did to Titanfall 2 in the wake of its release, just a week apart.

So Grand Theft Auto V can dominate for a little while longer as Rockstar Games irons out Red Dead Redemption 2 to perfection. We’re fine with that.

Why Rush Things?

Rockstar Games is a company that’s always taken its time with products. If that means a delay, so be it. But the idea of having it “rush out” Red Dead Redemption 2 just to meet fan expectations makes no sense.

As we mentioned in the start of the story, making such a move results in a lackluster product, one that has to be patched weeks at a time just to get up to speed. And even then, there could be the Street Fighter syndrome, where the best updates don’t even come till later in the game’s life cycle. Red Dead certainly doesn’t need that, as such a move would hurt the franchise and the publisher in the long run.

So Rockstar will take a few more months to make Red Dead Redemption II the definitive sequel it needs to be. Sometimes patience is a good thing.

It Could Give 2K the Boost It Needs For the Holidays

Take-Two (Rockstar Games’ parent company) struggled a little bit last year in game sales, with Mafia III generating slightly less than expected, and Battleborn suffering in the face of the much more dominant Overwatch. So it wouldn’t surprise us if Red Dead Redemption 2‘s release date was talked about with that team, in the hopes of capitalizing on its best sales period.

Granted, games sell really well over the course of the entire year, but there’s something about catching the “holiday hype” that really catapults it. For instance, Grand Theft Auto V released in November 2014 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and rode the wave well into the millions. And just look at Call of Duty: WWII and its ten million copies sold since release.

Take-Two – and 2K Games, for that matter – could be planning a plethora of big releases leading into 2019, and Red Dead could be playing a big part in that. And that game’s timely release will no doubt boost its sales into the stratosphere.

Okay, that was the business related paragraph, back to fun.

The Extra Time Can Be Beneficial To Multiplayer Content

Grand Theft Auto V doesn’t just benefit from a robust single player campaign. It also has Grand Theft Auto Online, which is updated every week with fresh new content, from cars to mission modes to fun new stuff that players keep coming back to enjoy.

With the extra time being put into its development, Red Dead Redemption II could easily benefit from the same set-up. The team could be planning out multiplayer features that will be coming in the months and years to come, including shoot-outs, cards competitions, bounty hunts and so, so, so much more.

If Rockstar rushed the game out, it could still add on the content, to be sure. But taking the time could build up a much larger online picture than projected – and that’s going to be good for the game overall.

Quality Downloadable Content, Anyone?

While Grand Theft Auto V is a superb package, it is lacking single player DLC – but then again, it’s the type of game that probably doesn’t need it.

But with Red Dead Redemption II, the sky is the limit when it comes to expanding the story. For instance, we could see another chapter of Undead Nightmare, in which zombies enter the picture and give you something to shoot at. Or, for that matter, how about a DLC pack featuring John Marston, telling more of his back story that ties into the whole Red Dead legacy? We’d be down to play that.

Rockstar didn’t specify just what they were doing with the extra months that the game has been delayed, but the slate is wide open in terms of what can be added – and it’s sure to be worth the wait.

Possible New Platforms?

Finally, a few experts have speculated that when a game is generally delayed, it could be because the publisher might be planning a release for another platform. Red Dead Redemption 2 has been confirmed for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but could Rockstar be planning to launch it for other systems?

Think about it. This gives the team time to launch the original Red Dead Redemption for PC and Nintendo Switch, leading into a possible sequel release for later on in the year, right alongside the other versions. That’s not confirmed, mind you, but it would add up more money for Rockstar Games, and generate even higher interest in the franchise.

We’ll keep tabs on whatever Rockstar announces, but, man, this could be huge. Like bigger than Grand Theft Auto V even (down the road, of course).

Calm down, Internet dwellers. Red Dead Redemption 2 will arrive on October 26 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.