Red Dead Redemption 2 has numerous little details that most players will never see, making its games special, according to former Rockstar designer Ben Hinchliffe. While the vast majority of players play the game in a straightforward manner, those who experiment and try different approaches can discover these hidden gems.
Hinchliffe worked at Rockstar from 2009 to 2022 and designed GTA 6 during that time. He recently discussed Red Dead Redemption 2 on the GTAVIoclock podcast. One mission stood out: ransacking a moonshine wagon. Instead of simply shooting it up, players can choose to ambush it on the bridge or follow it along the road, leading to different outcomes.
“If you don’t ambush it on the bridge where you’re told to, and you follow it along the road for quite some time, it’ll end up at a bandit camp,” Hinchliffe said. This extra narrative detail adds depth to the game, revealing that 99% of players never saw this part because they ambushed the wagon as instructed.
Hinchliffe believes that Rockstar’s attention to detail and realism are key to their games’ success. “It’s all that additional detail and content that they put into everything that players aren’t even aware it’s there,” he said. This approach creates a sense of immersion, making the game feel more realistic and interactive.
This philosophy is shared by other developers, such as Baldur’s Gate 3 boss Swen Vincke, who highlighted Larian’s investment in hidden details that only a small audience will notice. Hinchliffe’s own studio, Just Add Water Development, is preparing for its debut title, DIG VR, which promises to “blow people away” with Rockstar-esque gameplay.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that attention to detail and realism are crucial components of a game’s success. With developers like Rockstar pushing the boundaries, players can expect even more immersive experiences in the future.
Source: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/red-dead/red-dead-redemption-2-dev-reveals-detail-99-percent-of-people-never-saw-thats-part-of-what-makes-rockstars-games-so-good