The game was Rockstar's first built specifically for eighth-generation consoles, having tested their technical capabilities while porting Grand Theft Auto V. They drew influence from real locations as opposed to film or art, focused on creating an accurate reflection of the time with the game's characters and world. Rockstar co-opted all of its studios into one large team to facilitate development. The game's development lasted over eight years, beginning soon after Red Dead Redemption 's release, and it became one of the most expensive video games ever made. A bounty system governs the response of law enforcement and bounty hunters to crimes committed by the player. Gameplay elements include shootouts, robberies, hunting, horseback riding, interacting with non-player characters, and maintaining the character's honor rating through moral choices and deeds. The game is presented through first- and third-person perspectives, and the player may freely roam in its interactive open world.

The story is set in a fictionalized representation of the United States in 1899 and follows the exploits of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw and member of the Van der Linde gang, who must deal with the decline of the Wild West while attempting to survive against government forces, rival gangs, and other adversaries. The game is the third entry in the Red Dead series and a prequel to the 2010 game Red Dead Redemption. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games.

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