As most know by now, “Red Dead Redemption 2” is not expected until 2018. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive deemed it necessary to ensure that gamers would be given another quality game -- meaning they needed more time. Moving the release date for the sequel hardly comes as a surprise. Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have done it before and the end result was a successful game offering that most are enjoying to this day.
But while most are hoping for the positives, there could be some stumbles happening along the way. Speaking recently at the Cowen and Company media conference, Take-Two Interactive's Strauss Zelnick touched on several matters needed to make "RDR2" another hit on their end.
Unfortunately, that included possibly adopting the same micro transactions used in “Grand Theft Auto Online,” meaning gamers may need to pay for additional content and items.
Good stuff does not come free
Zelnick’s suggestion should not come as a surprise, since most gamers have been seeing other IPs doing the same. Some have been charging for added content, optional in the event that they get bored with the base game. Assuming that added content or in-game items would require payment, it would be best to note that these are optional. The next installment is bound to adopt the same mechanics of “Grand Theft Auto Online” and other games, though it is not immediately required. Some may look at it as a money-making scheme but Zelnick did explain that it is all about the business model.
"You can't give stuff away for free in perpetuity; there's no business model in that."
Risky but sensible
It could be a risky move but nevertheless needed. If other games can do it then why not Rockstar/Take-Two? Again, it is optional, meaning only select gamers can opt to pay more for the added content. What the company needs to do is slowly break in to the micro transaction model.
Aside from the micro transaction angle, Rockstar and Take-Two have plenty of things to cover. Zelnick pointed out how they need to address cheating and balancing things between single and multiplayer campaigns. It seems that everything is still up in the air as game developers try to iron out elements in “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
These could be a few of the reasons why Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive pushed the release date to 2018. Being a highly anticipated game, “Red Dead Redemption 2” needs to cover all bases in order to maintain its success.
