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Rumor: Wives of Rockstar San Diego rally for better work conditions
According a Gamasutra user blog penned by "Rockstar spouse," working conditions at Rockstar San Diego -- the studio responsible for not just the Red Dead franchise, but also Rockstar's proprietary "RAGE" game engine -- have been deteriorating for quite some time due to "mismanagement." Claims ranging from a neverending "crunch" cycle to lack of appreciation to straight up "dishonesty" are leveled in the post, with a handful of comments (some anonymous, some from verified ex-Rockstar San Diego employees) corroborating, and often adding to, the complaints. "This is EXACTLY the reason I left Rockstar San Diego in February 2009," commented one ex-Rockstar employee. An alleged employee speaking anonymously said, "There were extended core hours, frustrations rising, and then a false promise of the dropping of mandatory Saturdays, which seemed to last for about three such Saturdays." The "Quality of Life" issue discussed in the piece isn't a new one for the games industry. It was first brought up in late 2004 with the "EA Spouse" letter (also anonymous), and again mid last year with Epic Games exec Mike Capps. We've contacted Rockstar and followed up with Rockstar San Diego employees for more information.
Round up some new Red Dead Redemption screens
click to enlarge Clearly sensing our need to come up with more Wild West headline puns, Rockstar has released four (count 'em, four) new screens of the gun-slinging sequel, Red Dead Redemption. The shots cover a fairly broad cross section of subjects, from dilapidated riverboat gunfights to exploding carriages and, of course, some nice, arid backdrops. We still don't know much about Redemption's gameplay, but we can safely say one thing: It sure is purdy. On a more substantial front, Rockstar promises more info "in the next couple of weeks," notably the entry in the series of gameplay videos that began in December. In the meantime, check out the new screens in the gallery below. %Gallery-82327%
Red Dead Redemption gameplay trailer is awesome, educational
For the past few months, Rockstar has been teasing us with gorgeous in-game trailers for its upcoming open-world Wild West action game Red Dead Redemption. Well, today the teasing stops. The developer has thrown open the corral gates and let loose a trailer with actual gameplay -- and we think you'd have to agree it looks pretty amazing. More than just a bunch of quick cuts between brief action clips, it's fully narrated, describing the goals of the dev team at Rockstar San Diego and backing them up with in-game footage. Besides just talking up how open the open-world is, it goes into aspects such as the ability to play like a hero or outlaw -- do you bring your bounty back alive or dead? -- and also shows quick glimpses of a variety of cool-looking gameplay, from the old "try to stab the table between your fingers without cutting yourself" to dragging a guy behind your horse on a rope. But, mostly, it just looks so damn cool. We'll stop with the talking so you can commence with the watching. Giddyup!
GameStop offers chance to vote on Red Dead Redemption pre-order bonus
If you pre-order Red Dead Redemption from GameStop, you'll be able to start redeeming a bit early -- specifically, a code for an exclusive pre-order bonus. The retailer will offer customers the chance to vote on one of three in-game challenges that, when completed, will award players an in-game costume. The hard-earned costume changes will have some unspecified effect on gameplay: according to Rockstar's announcement, "the outfit will uniquely affect how the surrounding world responds to the game's protagonist, John Marston." We don't know what any of the three choices are, but people would respond differently to a man in one of those inflatable sumo wrestler costumes. Just putting that out there. More information about the challenges and the outfits will be released in January. %Gallery-78181%
Red Dead Redemption coming April 27, trailer coming right now
Honestly, we blame the rest of the video game industry for our susceptibility to Rockstar trailers. If everybody were putting together ads that were half as stylish and cool as this new Red Dead Redemption trailer, we'd likely be immune at this point. As it stands, this introduction to lead character John Marston leaves us with the gnawing feeling that our lives will be utterly incomplete without its shootouts and horseback chases. Luckily, the trailer makes our longing finite with the new official release date of April 27 or, as you'll probably come to think of it after watching the clip, "not nearly soon enough."
Red Dead Redemption saddles up in April 2010
While announcing a new trailer for upcoming western epic Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar let it slip that the game is slated to arrive in April of next year, according to Videogamer.com. That gives your wallet yet another reason to be terrified of the first third of 2010. The latest clip of the game, dubbed "My Name is John Marston," will arrive on December 1. Allow us to give you a sneak peek: John Marston: "I used to be bad, but now I'm good!" Former bad guy friend: "I wish you were still bad, but you're not, so I'm gonna make you kill me!" John Marston: "Man, it sure is dusty here!" [Gunshots] [Fade to black]
New Red Dead Redemption screens showcase the finer things in (cowboy) life
A slow trickle of information and media on upcoming Old West-em-up Red Dead Redemption has been coming from developer Rockstar Games for some time now. And if it weren't for the game's somewhat unique setting – as well as our (admittedly strained) faith in the game's developer – we might not indulge the it with so much attention. Alas, these screens, much like the screens and video that came before them, keep impressing us. Call it a predilection for Western-themed entertainment ... we're not sure. Peep the screens below and decide for yourself if the game is worth your time during the busy second holiday release season. %Gallery-78181%
Grow a moustache for charity, end up in Red Dead Redemption
A classy gentleman never needs a reason to grow some over-lip facial hair -- however, Rockstar and the Movember Foundation are offering a pretty good incentive for you to grow a glorious moustache. While the latter is asking all applicable males to grow sweet handlebars to raise awareness and donations for men's health issues (primarily prostate cancer), Rockstar is offering the charity's mouthbrow-growing participants a rare prize: They can end as a character in Red Dead Redemption. The charity event and contest kicks off tomorrow, so if you're interested in helping out, sign up on the Movember Foundation page, and on Rockstar's contest site. Oh, also, you're going to need to shave that sweet Fu Manchu you're already sporting, and start over from scratch. C'mon, you haven't seen your philtrum in like, three years. It misses you.
These new Red Dead Redemption screens aren't horsing around
click to redeem for a larger screenshot From the first trailer, we've been hankering to see more from Rockstar's open-world treatment of the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption. That said, there was considerable hootin' and hollerin' around the 'Stiq when the dev dished out these latest screens today. As good as RDR looks, its gameplay sounds equally impressive given the demo we got during PAX 2009. The ability to kill everything in the game (well, with the exception of things that aren't alive in the first place -- you win this time, rock!) is perhaps overshadowed only by the fact that you'll be able to tan your own leather and sell it, fulfilling a life-long dream for at least .01% of those who'll play it.Yip-yip yee-haw your way through the new shots in the gallery below, pardners.%Gallery-75132%
PAX 2009: Red Dead Redemption lets you kill ... everything
Red Dead Redemption's promised Wild West sandbox came to life in a build shown off to attendees at PAX over the weekend. One of the first things we noticed is that you can end a life whenever you want. What kind of lives? See a bunny bouncing by? Kablam. Attacked by a wild bear? Kapow. Angry at your horse and want to put him down? Kablang. You can kill literally every living thing in the game and, in some cases, skin them and sell their hides to the furrier in town to make some dough. We doubt he deals in horse skins, however. There's more beyond the break, just mind you don't get shot.%Gallery-72189%
Rockstar's Agent sneaks into 2010 release window
Aside from the game's exclusivity to the PlayStation 3 and the logo you see above, we've seen little else about upcoming '70s espionage game Agent. But while answering some fan questions about next month's GTA IV expansion, The Ballad of Gay Tony, on its forums, Rockstar North mentions that it's "working hard on a lineup of PlayStation 3 releases for 2010 ... including Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3, and the PlayStation 3 exclusive AGENT." The statement goes on to tease "yet to be announced" titles, possibly lending some credence to Michael Pachter's statements on another GTA game in the not- so-distant future. Considering Rockstar's statements were made in response to queries about GTA IV DLC coming to PS3, we wouldn't be surprised if those "yet to be announced" titles are the result of Microsoft's timed-exclusivity expiring. [Via Superannuation]
Mafia II and Red Dead Redemption delayed to fiscal 2010
Take-Two advised its shareholders of two big delays that will impact its earnings for the rest of the financial year. The upcoming Mafia II and Red Dead Redemption have both been delayed "to allow additional development time for the titles and to maximize their full potential in terms of the quality of the player experience and market performance." In other words, the development teams needed a bit more time. The two titles are now planned for the first half of fiscal 2010, which spans November 2009 to April 2010. This means either of these games can still make the all-important holiday shopping season. However, even without Mafia and Red Dead Redemption, Take-Two still has a relatively strong lineup with BioShock 2, The Ballad of Gay Tony, and Borderlands.
Red Dead Redemption gets first trailer
Red Dead Revolver is a great game that never got the credit it was due. That's enough to keep us awake anticipating this fall's follow-up, Red Dead Redemption, but we realize the non-believers among you may need some convincing.To that end, we present this stylish, piping hot trailer. Sure it still seems a little weird to have former lead Red Harlow replaced by former outlaw John Marston, but with a dearth of solid western games on the market, we'll take it where we can get it.%Gallery-43816%
Rockstar goes west with Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar San Diego is kicking the dirt off its boots and returning to the American west with Red Dead Redemption. Developed using Rockstar's proprietary RAGE engine, the sequel to 2004's Red Dead Revolver promises an open-world complete with "strong plotlines in a massive vibrant, rural environment" when it pulls into town this fall for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Few gameplay details have been revealed regarding the upcoming title, which looks to cast players not in the role of Revolver's bounty hunter lead Red Halow, but instead a former outlaw named John Marston during the turn of the 20th century. Open world. A bad guy turned good. Just throw in Miss Kitty and her band of hookers and we're all set for GTA in the Wild West. Yee haw!%Gallery-43816%
