The realm of video games has evolved beyond mere entertainment. In various manifestations, the ones that leave a lasting impression on players and society are those possessing an immersive, cinematic quality and a narrative that resonates emotionally—much like the impact of exceptional movies. But did you know that Clint Eastwood’s film inspired the popular game Red Dead Redemption?
Other prominent instances include the Ezio Trilogy within Assassin’s Creed, God of War, and Grand Theft Auto V, all of which stand as prime examples. Notably, the Red Dead Redemption series forms a standout duo, offering what could be considered the most compelling storyline within the gaming landscape.
Game Makers Took Inspiration From Western Films
Debuting in 2010 under the banner of Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption emerged as an interactive narrative. Its plot follows the transformation of John Marston, an erstwhile outlaw now seeking redemption. The backdrop is the waning American frontier of 1911, as the encroachment of modernity becomes evident, and Marston’s past resurfaces.
The year 2018 marked the arrival of Rockstar’s much-anticipated sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2. Functioning as a precursor to Marston’s saga, this narrative unfolds within a fictionalized version of the United States circa 1899. The focus shifts to Arthur Morgan, a notable member and outlaw within the Van der Linde gang, a group that includes a youthful John Marston.
In anticipation of crafting their 2010 sensation, the Rockstar team divulged to Vanity Fair that they immersed themselves in a plethora of films as part of their preparation and creative stimulation before commencing production.
“Obviously, we’re trying to tell a visual, narrative-driven story, so we’d be foolish not to borrow from films,” Sam Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, said.
A prime illustration emerges when Marston’s journey takes him to Mexico. During this phase, cinematic gems like The Wild Bunch and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre played a pivotal role as inspirations.
How Did Clint Eastwood Inspire The Game
In a different context, during an interview with Game Fan later in that same year, Red Dead Redemption’s designer Christian Cantamessa was posed with the observation that the Western genre had been interpreted in diverse manners across popular culture, encompassing iconic spaghetti westerns that propelled Clint Eastwood to fame and HBO’s acclaimed series Deadwood.
When queried about the specific sources that fueled the game’s inspiration, Cantamessa provided a more expansive insight, delving into how westerns as a whole, especially Clint Eastwood’s works like Unforgiven, left an indelible imprint.
“We also took inspiration from the novels of Cormac McCarthy and from films like Unforgiven, High Plains Drifter and The Proposition. Our overarching theme is the ‘Death of the West’ rather than the more conventional ‘Myth of the West’ that is often seen in the classic John Wayne films or even in our own Red Dead Revolver—although we watched a lot of classic westerns, too,” Christian Cantamessa said.
Within Red Dead Redemption 2, distinct echoes of Unforgiven resonate in the side-quest titled The Noblest of Men, and a Woman. In this context, the impact of Eastwood’s cinematic creation on the game becomes even more overt compared to the underlying parallels between the journeys of Marston and Munny.