Red Dead Redemption 2[a] is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game is the third entry in the Red Dead series and a prequel to the 2010 game Red Dead Redemption. The story is set in a fictionalized representation of the United States in 1899 and follows the exploits of outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, who must deal with the decline of the Wild West whilst attempting to survive against government forces, rival gangs, and other adversaries. The game is presented through first- and third-person perspectives, and the player may freely roam in its interactive open world. 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. A bounty system governs the response of law enforcement and
bounty hunters to crimes committed by the player.
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. Rockstar co-opted all of its studios into one large team to
facilitate development. 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. The game was Rockstar's first built specifically for eighth generation consoles, having tested their technical capabilities while porting
Grand Theft Auto V to the platforms. The game's soundtrack features an original score composed by Woody Jackson