Rockstar has kept us waiting when it comes to news on Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC. This feels familiar, after the long, year-plus wait for GTA 5. RDR2 has launched on consoles, and Red Dead Online has launched too—it's inarguably one of the defining games of its era, particularly in the creation of its world. If Red Dead Redemption 2 is destined to come to PC, we're probably going to hear about it in 2019.
There's no official news yet, but there are reasons to be hopeful about RDR2 coming to PC. Shortly after the game's console launch, the official companion app was apparently datamined, and it strongly points towards Red Dead Redemption 2's eventual release on PC, with suggested graphics options and more. This remains the best evidence yet that the game will arrive on PC—scroll down for more.
In this article, we sum up what we know about the evidence pointing towards the game's possible PC release, plus we explore Rockstar's background of staggering ports on PC to see if we can make an informed guess on when Red Dead Redemption 2 will arrive on our PCs (assuming it does).
The latest relevant news item on Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC came in May 2019, when it was mentioned on a Rockstar staff member's LinkedIn page.
A PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 is mentioned on a former physics programmer's LinkedIn page
As picked up by Reddit, a former physics programmer from Rockstar Toronto mentions a PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 on LinkedIn. Could it be an oversight, or a sign that a PC version exists already?
A fake rumor that Red Dead Redemption 2 would be announced in April was total nonsense
Earlier this year, a rumor started to circulate based on a 4Chan post that Red Dead Redemption 2 would be revealed on PC on April 22, with the game then releasing on PC on July 9. In addition to that, the post apparently said that it'll be an Epic Games Store exclusive. This same leaker also posted a day earlier to say that Super Mario Odyssey was being revealed for PC soon, too, so..yeah. It was a fake.
It doesn't mean Red Dead Redemption 2 won't come to PC, though. And given that games from both 2K (Borderlands 3) and Private Division (The Outer Worlds)—both owned by Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive—have exclusivity periods on the Epic Games Store, you can see why a fake leak might draw that link.
Red Dead Redemption 2's companion app datamine is still the best evidence we've seen of a PC version
A companion app that launched alongside Red Dead Redemption 2 apparently suggests that a PC version is in the works. As uncovered by Rockstar Intel, parameters in the app seemingly point towards PC graphics options, like anisotropic quality levels, TXAA, particle shadow quality, particle lighting quality, motion blur strength, grass quality, reflections, shadow distance and more. The most telling, though, is this line: 'CommandIsPcVersion(void) 000000000166A12C '.
Reference is also made to Oculus in the parameters, suggesting there might be some VR compatibility if the game comes to PC. Collectively, this is probably the strongest evidence yet that Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming to PC. Fingers crossed we'll find out more about all this soon.
An alleged Red Dead Redemption 2 PC 'leak' with graphics options was posted to YouTube
An off-screen recording of what's allegedly Red Dead Redemption 2 running on PC and a graphics options menu was posted to YouTube, and discussed intensely on Reddit. It's since been deleted along with the original account by the user, but it was reuploaded shortly after—see above. Graphic card driver update windows 10. The menu shows the option to adjust vsync, shader quality, texture quality, shadow quality, reflection quality and more. We've reached out to Rockstar to see if this RDR2 PC leak is real or not. Either way, it's not a bad effort—the fonts all look pretty correct. But some elements give away that it's probably not the real deal.
Where are the rest of the graphics options, for example? Why not show actual in-game footage? Why, when the resolution changes, isn't there a menu suggesting Where's GTA 5's video memory bar? There's the option for FXAA in the menu, but the companion app data dump below suggests TXAA will be one of the anti-aliasing options, while the console version's default is TAA—so it doesn't quite line up.
Almost a month later, it hasn't been taken down, and some outlets have noted the build number is of the day one version of the console game—so we're pretty certain it's a fake. That doesn't mean Red Dead Redemption 2 won't come to PC in 2019, though—read below for the best evidence suggesting its existence so far.
Take-Two is asked about Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC, but won't commit to anything
During an investor call in early November, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick was asked about the chances of Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC. The answer was a little disappointing, but predictable. 'In terms of ongoing releases, Rockstar will talk about what their intentions are going forward with regard to all upcoming products and that the same would hold true for platform. So, in this particular instance, I can't really give you too much clarity, apologies.' That means the app datamine leak below remains the best evidence RDR2 is coming to PC.
If Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming to PC, then, we can be certain the news will come from Rockstar itself.
Red Dead Redemption 2 PC briefly appeared on LinkedIn, and a listing appeared on a retailer site
Red Dead Redemption Ii Steam
An anonymous Rockstar employee's LinkedIn profile used to list Red Dead Redemption 2 as coming to PC (via VG247), before it was changed. Microsoft office 2018 full free. Before the leak above, this was the closest thing to a smoking gun on Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC so far. Then again, it could just be an error.
Will Red Dead Redemption Be On Steam
When asked about the possibility of Red Dead Redemption 2 coming to PC last year, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick only had this to say. 'Any updates about any of our titles will come from our labels.'
Elsewhere on the rumor front, a listing appeared for a PC version of the game on the Dutch retailer Media Markt. It was later revealed, though, that it's just a placeholder. It's hard not to admire their optimism.
Here's the Red Dead Redemption 2 launch trailer, but there's no sign of a PC version yet
It's Spring 2019 and there's still no news on Red Dead Redemption 2 for PC. Check out the console's launch trailer above, and imagine the game running on your lovely rig.
Meanwhile, below you can check out 4 minutes of Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay, if you've somehow not seen it in action yet:
Here's how long it usually takes Rockstar games to come to PC
- GTA 4 took about seven months to make the jump to PC.
- LA Noire took about six months to arrive on PC.
- Max Payne 3 launched just two weeks after console versions in 2012, but then it's fair to say this was historically considered a PC series.
- GTA 5 arrived 17 months after the PS3/Xbox 360 versions, and five months after the more comparable Xbox One and PS4 versions. It was originally meant to launch about three months earlier, however, in January 2015, and was originally announced alongside the 2014 console versions at E3 2014.
- LA Noire took about six months to arrive on PC.
- Max Payne 3 launched just two weeks after console versions in 2012, but then it's fair to say this was historically considered a PC series.
- GTA 5 arrived 17 months after the PS3/Xbox 360 versions, and five months after the more comparable Xbox One and PS4 versions. It was originally meant to launch about three months earlier, however, in January 2015, and was originally announced alongside the 2014 console versions at E3 2014.
If we were to make an informed guess on when Red Dead Redemption 2 does come to PC, then, history tells us it'll probably be a wait of about five-to-seven months. That would be a release date of summer 2019. Dare we hope? It's nearly summer 2019 already, though, and we've still heard nothing more about it—so maybe the wait will be a little longer this time.
A decision on whether to bring Red Dead Redemption 2 to PC has probably already been made. When we spoke to Rockstar North about GTA 5's PC release back in 2015, they said they planned for it from day one. 'We were always going to bring GTA 5 to PC.'
Why did Red Dead Redemption never come to PC?
Red Dead Redemption never came to PC after its original release in 2010, and Rockstar answered (vaguely) as to why that was the case back in 2011. 'All we can say is that whenever it is viable (technically, developmentally and business-wise) for us to release a game for PC (or any other particular platform)—we will and we usually do; unfortunately, that is just not the case 100% of the time for all platforms.' That was a long time ago, though, and even at the time the company was bringing LA Noire, GTA and Max Payne 3 to PC.
You have to go back 10 years to find another major Rockstar console game that skipped PC (Midnight Club: Los Angeles).
GTA 5 sold a bucketload on PC, so it's unlikely Red Dead Redemption 2 would skip our platform
GTA 5 has sold over 90 million copies in total, which is an incredible feat. On Steam, it's sold 12,604,123 copies according to recent data released about player counts on Valve's platform. This doesn't include copies sold in physical form or through third-party resellers, however, where the game redeems through Rockstar Social Club, so the actual player count is likely to be a fair bit higher than that. This makes a pretty good case for Red Dead Redemption 2 to come to PC.
There is an entirely legal way to play the original Red Dead Redemption on PC
Strangely, in lieu of a proper PC release for 2010's Red Dead Redemption, you can stream it through Sony's PlayStation Now service. It's no substitute for having the game in your Steam library, of course, but it's an option if you decided not to drop several hundred pounds on a console eight years ago. It's arguably Rockstar's second or third best game ever after RDR2 and GTA 5, and still holds up pretty well.
Rockstar has been quiet on whether Red Dead Redemption 2 will be coming to PC or not. Luckily for us, a developer has accidentally let it slip on LinkedIn.
The developer, who we will keep nameless, previously worked on GTA V and L.A. Noire as a programmer. We’ve looked into them to verify this.
Their LinkedIn profile also lists Red Dead Redemption 2, and the platforms they worked on: PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Here’s a screen:
Rockstar previously released GTA V towards the end of a console generation without any word on a PC version. The PC version only came when the new consoles launched and the company released an upgraded edition.
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This tactic really worked for Rockstar and the company sold far more copies of the game as a result. We wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the same tactic being used here.
For more on the upcoming Western, here’s how Bank Robberies and Gang Hideouts will only be available in the Special Edition of Red Dead Redemption 2.
If you’re looking for more, here’s everything you need to know about Red Dead Redemption 2.
Will you be holding out for Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC?
Update: Since posting this story, we’ve been contacted by TGFG, the Rockstar community who hunt Easter Eggs in GTA V, who say they broke this news last night. The group were previously responsible for uncovering the alien mysteries of Mt. Chilead. We came by the information through a separate source, but thought it was only fair to link out to them since they beat us to the punch.
Update 2: The programmer has now removed mention of PC from their LinkedIn profile, likely prompted by the attention it’s been getting.
OK, look, it isn’t a Red Dead Redemption 2 edition, because Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t out for PC yet. But if I keep typing Red Dead Redemption 2 into this Google is going to be SO TRICKED and the clicks will pour in and Graham will give me a promotion!
He’s been hinting for a while now that there’s a position opening up above Keyboard Cleaner, and I really think it can be mine if I can just prove myself.
10. RimWorld
Rim World, a game named after the astronomical phenomenon of hat-shaped planets, was inspired by a firefly seen near the Wharf Fortress. That’s of course the famous port castle of Plymouth, famous of its insects. LOOK OKAY I DON’T KNOW. RimWorld sounds amazing, but also so terrifyingly daunting that the idea of starting playing it makes me too tired and I have to take a nap.
Crap, I just realised I could have gone with how Firefly, a genuine inspiration for RimWorld, is about cowboys, and cowboys make an appearance in Red Dead Redemption 2! That would have worked.
8. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
You ride on horses, just like in Red Dead Redemption 2! They’re basically the same game! And both are surrounded by controversy.
Although I really think the fuss surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance has really been focused in the wrong area, because why on Earth isn’t everyone more furious about the name?! What does it even mean? “Kingdom Come” is presumably a reference to the Lord’s Prayer, as in its will being done, and then perhaps a pun on the fact that it’s set in the Kingdom of Bohemia. But then it has a subtitle as if “Kingdom Come” were a long-established franchise. It isn’t! Why aren’t we more cross about this!
7. Cities Skylines: Industries
Nah, I’ve got nothing for this one. And, like you, have already grown bored of the “joke”. It’ll be worth it for those who send me furious emails about how I’m a sell-out for pretending I understand how SEO works.
Anyway, now you can add more smog to your cities in Skylines, which is presumably what everyone’s been dreaming of.
6 & 9. Soulcalibur VI
The truth is, I’m feeling super-ill with some dumb cold, and I figured, “Hey, doing some stupid running joke where I write ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ a whole lot should get me through this more quickly.” And yet, here we are now, the facade having fallen apart, the gag run dry less than halfway through, and me trying to fill the space by literally talking about the fact it has.
This isn’t what anyone wants. This disappoints the grumpy, “JUST WRITE ABOUT THE GAMES I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT” crowd, AND those who want some fun times. Right now I’m failing everybody, and I haven’t even mentioned Soulcalibur VI.
5. Rise Of The Tomb Raider
I could try to turn it around now. Look, this is strange, RISE of the Tomb Raider is in the charts, when it was Shadow last week! It’s down to a tenner for the rest of Monday, which is a great price for the game.
See, that sort of thing? That normally does the trick. But maybe it’s too late? Maybe this has unravelled too far? Maybe it’s for the best? I mean, on another week I could have written:
“Have Square Enix given Lara long enough to prove herself, in order to get a good Rise Of The Tomb Raider?”
So maybe this faux-meta self-introspection shtick is by far the better option?
4. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Here’s a thing. I’d genuinely considered doing an acrostic thing to try to really run the RDR2 joke into the ground.
Really, that was how far I was willing to see what you’d
endure. And I’d have
done it this badly.
endure. And I’d have
done it this badly.
Do you see how the joke really would only have worked for the one word, the
entire title far too long
and the idea beginning to grate long after the joke was
dead.
entire title far too long
and the idea beginning to grate long after the joke was
dead.
Really, I’d have used the word “dead” for a “d”. And struggled for words beginning with
e, such that I’d probably have stooped that low. I’m
definitely not above such things, which is
evident enough if you’ve read Steam Charts
much in the
past. See, even now,
this is “meta” approach
is grimly flogging the dead horse, making it increasingly
obvious I’ll do something as awful as finish it by just writing the
number
2
e, such that I’d probably have stooped that low. I’m
definitely not above such things, which is
evident enough if you’ve read Steam Charts
much in the
past. See, even now,
this is “meta” approach
is grimly flogging the dead horse, making it increasingly
obvious I’ll do something as awful as finish it by just writing the
number
2
3. Foot-to-Ball Manager 2019
Tell you what though. Even this utter shit is better than trying to think of something to say about Spreadsheet Simulator 2019.
2. Plunkbat
Good grief, I only just found out there’s a new Noname album. How am I a month behind on this?
1. World War 3
And there we have it. The Steam Charts Red Dead Redemption Special. I hope you’ve enjoyed it folks, it’s been quite a time. Join us again next week when maybe we’ll mention the games we’re writing under, or maybe we’ll just write some unutterable bollocks about something trite like wheelie bins.
I’m guessing things have improved since WW3’s disastrous launch? They’ve abandoned Steam Updates, it seems, and their own new forums have also studiously avoided posting any news and announcements. Look, at this point are you expecting any real effort on my part? I’M ILL. Red Dead Redemption Britney Spears Bitcoin.
The Steam Charts are compiled via Steam’s internal charts of the highest grossing games on Steam over the previous week.