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- 60FPS has been the norm for console gaming since 2020, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is still stuck at 30FPS.
- While many last-gen games have been upgraded to support 60FPS gameplay, Rockstar continues to ignore its latest title.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 sells millions each quarter, so it deserves to be treated better.
The new consoles, whether Sony’s PS5 or Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S, are all capable of playing games at decent frame rates and resolution compared to the Xbox One X and PS4.
Games created for the older consoles work even better, with the new hardware unlocking 60FPS gameplay for such titles. While games limited to 30FPS today are few and far between, the occasional examples like Hellblade 2 and Gotham Knight show up.
However, various last-gen titles have also been left to rot in 30FPS hell. Among them, the story of Red Dead Redemption 2 may be the saddest since Rockstar has constantly ignored fan demands.
In my opinion, it’s about time the team listened to its fans.
Why it matters: There’s no denying that die-hard Rockstar fans would be willing to spend their hard-earned money on this upgrade.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Still Huge
Let’s look at the facts. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most renowned games from the last decade, and it has sold over 57 million units so far. While it doesn’t match the success of GTA 5, millions of people continue to buy this title every quarter.
In fact, the game is so successful that it is now among the industry’s top 10 best-sellers of all time. It’s a shame, then, to see it stuck in 30FPS purgatory. The 4K resolution on the Xbox Series X is nice, but nothing beats the silky smooth feeling of 60FPS gameplay.
I would also point out that Red Dead Redemption 2 naturally feels clunky and heavy. This, combined with its sluggish shooting mechanics, means that 60FPS is more important here than in other cases.
The higher frame rate would genuinely transform the experience for console gamers.
Various Titles Have Already Seen Next-Gen Upgrades
While Rockstar’s out here slacking, teams like Bethesda and CDPR have overhauled their IPs in meaningful ways for the next-gen consoles.
The Witcher 3 now supports ray tracing, Fallout 4 runs better than ever; the list goes on. Both titles are much older than Red Dead Redemption 2, yet their developers continue to adhere to fan demands.
Even Ubisoft has supported its back catalog with next-gen updates. Older releases like Assassin’s Creed Origins and Far Cry 5 now better use the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X’s capabilities while aiming for 60FPS.
The best part about these updates? They’re absolutely free.
Even GTA 5 Has A Next Gen Update
Perhaps the saddest part about this situation is that GTA 5, a game older than Red Dead Redemption 2, has a proper next-gen version. This version of the studio’s golden goose is the complete package. It offers ray-tracing, multiple display modes, improved loading time, newer car models, and 60FPS support.
It’s understandable for the team to continue supporting its cash cow, but Red Dead Redemption 2 should not be underestimated. One could argue that it deserves an update more since it can compete with the biggest games out there in terms of visuals.
The console experience is only held back by the frame rate, and modern consoles are more than capable of pushing beyond 30FPS. I would even argue that Red Dead Redemption 2 would benefit from various other enhancements.
What’s interesting here is that leaked documents hint at earlier plans for this update.
While the update never came out, the documents hint that Rockstar changed its mind at some point. Was this due to work on GTA 6? Perhaps the team is looking to hold out for a paid re-release? I suppose we’ll never know.
All I can say is that Rockstar’s treatment of the IP has been quite upsetting. The subject is not new—far from it, in fact. However, the fact that it keeps getting brought up repeatedly shows that the team is letting everyone down.
With GTA 6 now coming in Fall 2025, I can only hope that something is planned for Red Dead Redemption 2 before then.
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[News Reporter]
Bawal is an MBBS student by day and a gaming journalist by night. He has been gaming since childhood, growing fond of the creativity and innovation of the industry. His career as a gaming journalist started one year ago, and his journey has allowed him to write reviews, previews, and features for various sites. Bawal has also been cited in reputed websites such as Screenrant, PCGamesN, WCCFTech, GamesRadar, and more.
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