With Red Dead Redemption 2 moseying on down the horizon, I thought we'd take a look back at the first Red Dead Redemption to see the achievements of this Western video game. This is why I've put together a special episode of Roley's Untold Stories: Red Dead Redemption.
John Marston - The man, The Myth, The Legend
John Marston
John Marston had a shit start in life, his father being a drunken Scotsman who lost the sight in both eyes after a bar fight and his mother was a prostitute who died in child birth. When John Marston's father died John was only 8 years old, so was made to live in an orphanage. At some point, John escaped the orphanage to live a Robinhood lifestyle with Bill Williamson and his gang.
Whilst with the Bill Williamson gang John Marston met the love of his life, Abigail, who like John's deceased mother was a prostitute. The gang made a failed robbery attempt and John Martson was left for dead by his former brothers in arms.
It's possible that this will be the starting point for the Red Dead Redemption 2 story to begin, as a kind of off shoot of what life would have been like for John Marston if he'd have stayed in the gang.
This however, was a chance for John Marston and Abigail to start a new life together with their son and daughter. So John, Abigail and family moved to Beecher's Hope to set up a ranch there.
Whilst with the Bill Williamson gang John Marston met the love of his life, Abigail, who like John's deceased mother was a prostitute. The gang made a failed robbery attempt and John Martson was left for dead by his former brothers in arms.
It's possible that this will be the starting point for the Red Dead Redemption 2 story to begin, as a kind of off shoot of what life would have been like for John Marston if he'd have stayed in the gang.
This however, was a chance for John Marston and Abigail to start a new life together with their son and daughter. So John, Abigail and family moved to Beecher's Hope to set up a ranch there.
Roley Excursion shirt
Red Dead Redemption Achievements
Red Dead Redemption quote
"Some men pass through life without making a mark on the world. While others tear a gorge so deep, it becomes the landscape to which we become so accustomed." Roley
Red Dead Redemption echoes John Marston’s legacy in that respect, by being a pioneer in the gaming world.
It began development in 2005 and would only be released by Rockstar five years later, in 2010. With a budget in the region of $100 million dollars, it’s still one of the most expensive games ever developed.
Rockstar seemed to have made a healthy profit though, selling over 15 million copies of the game. Which won it the best selling western themed game by Guinness world records in 2011. You might think that is nothing compared to sales of games today, like say Grand Theft Auto 5 for example, but you have to remember this was back in 2010. The gaming world wasn’t as developed as it is at present and graphics weren't as sharp as today‘s standards.
That didn’t stop fans like me loving the game however, in fact within the first month of release, Red Dead Redemption’s players punched in over 30 hours of gameplay time on average. Gamer’s love for Red Dead Redemption is mirrored in it’s Meta Critic score, which sits at an impressive 95 for both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.
As for what people got upto in game, well the numbers, although slightly outdated, speak for themselves.
Red Dead Redemption echoes John Marston’s legacy in that respect, by being a pioneer in the gaming world.
It began development in 2005 and would only be released by Rockstar five years later, in 2010. With a budget in the region of $100 million dollars, it’s still one of the most expensive games ever developed.
Rockstar seemed to have made a healthy profit though, selling over 15 million copies of the game. Which won it the best selling western themed game by Guinness world records in 2011. You might think that is nothing compared to sales of games today, like say Grand Theft Auto 5 for example, but you have to remember this was back in 2010. The gaming world wasn’t as developed as it is at present and graphics weren't as sharp as today‘s standards.
That didn’t stop fans like me loving the game however, in fact within the first month of release, Red Dead Redemption’s players punched in over 30 hours of gameplay time on average. Gamer’s love for Red Dead Redemption is mirrored in it’s Meta Critic score, which sits at an impressive 95 for both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3.
As for what people got upto in game, well the numbers, although slightly outdated, speak for themselves.
Red Dead Redemption budget was in the region of $100 million
Red Dead Redemption by the numbers
Over 3 billion dollars was spent in game
Within 2 weeks of Red Dead Redemption's release 131 million people in game had been murdered, 1.8 million horses stolen and 860, 000 people robbed.
Over 15 million human executions had taken place, which is 67,000 times more than the number of actual real-life executions carried out by America since 2010. An impressive 3 billion dollars were spent in game, a fraction of the stomach churning $21 trillion dollars America is in debt for. And over 13 million US soldiers were killed - in game. Before you go ahead and think those numbers prove games make people violent, remember all those players were at home playing video games.
Over 15 million human executions had taken place, which is 67,000 times more than the number of actual real-life executions carried out by America since 2010. An impressive 3 billion dollars were spent in game, a fraction of the stomach churning $21 trillion dollars America is in debt for. And over 13 million US soldiers were killed - in game. Before you go ahead and think those numbers prove games make people violent, remember all those players were at home playing video games.
Red Dead Redemption's Easter Eggs
Emma Crawford grave in Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption has it’s own secrets, albeit less manipulative and life destroying. These are in the form of the games many Easter eggs and I do mean many. The game is littered with references and things to find, yet some thing’s are still very subtle.
By far the easiest to find are the name’s on the tombstones. These pay homage to game characters, real world people and even films.
Like the grave marked Emma Crawford, a woman in real life who had to be reburied into a grave, after her coffin was eerily unearthed from it’s resting place and slid down a hill. This event is oddly celebrated by the people of the Pikes Peak region of Colorado, with the annual Emma Crawford Coffin Race.
By far the easiest to find are the name’s on the tombstones. These pay homage to game characters, real world people and even films.
Like the grave marked Emma Crawford, a woman in real life who had to be reburied into a grave, after her coffin was eerily unearthed from it’s resting place and slid down a hill. This event is oddly celebrated by the people of the Pikes Peak region of Colorado, with the annual Emma Crawford Coffin Race.
Halo quote in Red Dead Redemption
One anomalous grave seems to belong to one Harrison Cherry who died 1968, some 57 years after the events of Red Dead Redemption. However fans believe this to be an elaborate reference to the Beatles. In particular referring to Eric Clapton gifting George Harrison a cherry guitar, a guitar Harrison used in many famous Beatle songs.
In Blackwater Chapel you’ll find the phrase “ Wake me…if something interesting happens” inscribed on a grave headstone. This is thought to be either referencing Red Dead Redemption’s Undead Nightmare dlc, where the dead rise or a nodding towards Halo. As at the end of Halo 3 Master Chief utters the line - “Wake me if you need me”.
To find all the tombstone’s references will take you a fair amount of time, but it’s a lot of fun - just remember to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. While you're looking, keep an eye out for messages scribbled on walls and caves, as these are cheat codes you can use in-game. This hiding things in plain sight is extended to the NPCs, as some of their lines of dialogues are also cheats you can enter.
In Blackwater Chapel you’ll find the phrase “ Wake me…if something interesting happens” inscribed on a grave headstone. This is thought to be either referencing Red Dead Redemption’s Undead Nightmare dlc, where the dead rise or a nodding towards Halo. As at the end of Halo 3 Master Chief utters the line - “Wake me if you need me”.
To find all the tombstone’s references will take you a fair amount of time, but it’s a lot of fun - just remember to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. While you're looking, keep an eye out for messages scribbled on walls and caves, as these are cheat codes you can use in-game. This hiding things in plain sight is extended to the NPCs, as some of their lines of dialogues are also cheats you can enter.
John Marston reading how awesome Roley is
Additionally when joining a camp fire with the non playable characters, you’ll hear them speak of Red Harlow, Red Dead Revolver’s protagonist. Red Dead Revolver, if you were wondering, is Red Dead Redemptions spiritual prequel. In fact Red Dead Redemption borrows heavily from this early game and constantly mentions it, albeit indirectly. Whether characters names or even locations - like Twin Rocks. Which was used as the name of a gang hideout in both games. Also, an early conversation with your son Jack, sees him mention a story about a bounty hunter who is on the trail to get revenge for his fathers murder. This is the storyline for Red Dead Revolver and spookily enough, serves as a premonition to Jack’s own future.
Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare
The dlc Undead Nightmare only builds on the Easter egg collection, seeing John Marston hunt down and kill a family of Sasquatch. The achievement for this is called 6 years in the making. A reference to a huge myth coming from the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas community. You see they were convinced there was a Sasquatch in the mountains of San Andreas, so would search for it day and night over the years.
The French version of this achievement is even said to translate as “Seek It No More CJ”. The only thing that set the Grand Theft Auto community talking more, was my GTA V theory - Is Franklin CJ’s Son video. I can proudly say this channel made that theory go main stream, as it gained an impressive 2 million viewers, despite copycat videos popping up after mine, because of the backing of the GTA community - so thanks for that.
The town of Tumbleweed in Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption isn’t without it’s own myths however, the most famous of which is the town of Tumbleweed. The fact is the whole area seems to be haunted. From ghostly voices to apparitions appearing, all this taking place at strange times and in certain circumstances. To be honest I won’t be looking into this one, as the whole thing makes me uncomfortable.
Red dead Redemption Theme
Clint Eastwood
Red Dead Redemption didn’t just pay respects to western films in it’s tombstone’s Easter eggs either. Many of the games missions and cut scenes, draw heavy influence from classic western films and some new additions too.
Take the gritty styling that seems to be lifted straight off Clint Eastwood’s shoulders, to make up John Marston’s look.
Take the gritty styling that seems to be lifted straight off Clint Eastwood’s shoulders, to make up John Marston’s look.
The Wild Bunch
The Gatling guns inclusion is likely inspired by films like the wild bunch.
Whilst the themes and vistas in Red Dead Redemption could said to be shared by many western films. Certain aspects are a little closer to the bone, be it cut scenes, mission scenarios or even the promotional game art.
But I think it’s the touch of real life in the game that sets it apart from the rest.
Like John Marston’s iconic Cattleman revolver, which is based off the Colt single action army gun in real life. This weapon was standard military service issue, until 1892. It was popular with ranchers and men on both sides of the law for some time after that.
But I think it’s the touch of real life in the game that sets it apart from the rest.
Like John Marston’s iconic Cattleman revolver, which is based off the Colt single action army gun in real life. This weapon was standard military service issue, until 1892. It was popular with ranchers and men on both sides of the law for some time after that.
Nigel West Dickens
Or how you use snake oil to refill John Marston’s dead eye meter. You see Snake Oil was first used in China as a remedy for joint pain and inflammation. It turns out that the Chinese Water Snake’s fat is high in omega-3, making it a natural alternative to the likes of Ibuprofen. So when foreign Chinese nationals moved to America to work on the rails roads there, their tonic naturally went there too. Whilst in the US the Snake Oil's usefulness became embellished, as a cure all tonic. These fraudulent salesmen would later be known as ‘Snake Oil salesmen‘, a saying still in use today, as a way of noting that someone is selling lies. In Red Dead Redemption of course, this is personified by conman Nigel West Dickens.
It's worth noting that these American conmen made a small fortune peddling these fake cures. One thing the Snake Oil salesmen got drastically wrong though was the right snake to use. You see they needed the Chinese Water Snake for the properties we spoke of, however they didn't have those - they had Rattlesnakes.
These were obviously useless to make the Chinese remedy, but that didn't stop a whole fraudulent industry springing up and the factory slaughter of Rattlesnakes on an industrial scale arising.
These were obviously useless to make the Chinese remedy, but that didn't stop a whole fraudulent industry springing up and the factory slaughter of Rattlesnakes on an industrial scale arising.
Professor Harold MacDougal
We also have Professor Harold MacDougal, a man with qualifications on paper, but no real clue when it comes to real world events. It’s not just that his inclusion in Red Dead Redemption mocks the pseudointellectuals or those who blindly worship at the alter of science - it’s his habit that’s most interesting. You see Harold is addicted to Cocaine, a drug that was marvelled at the time as a wonder drug for the rich - much like Snake Oil. The difference is it was endorsed by high ranking men and women in society, including Sigmund Freud and Thomas Edison. Incidentally it’s where the now famous Coca cola drink takes the Coca part of it’s name - it contained actual Cocaine, making it one addictive drink I’m sure. However Cocaine’s addictive quality saw the government crack down on the drug, when the Harrison act was passed, heavily controlling and restricting the drug’s use and supply. The government did this by attaching the stigma that ‘crazed Negroes’ became ‘superhuman powered menaces’ when on the substance. The shame of which meant that no self-respecting white rich person, could be associated with the drug anymore, at least not publicly.
This government manipulation of the facts wasn’t possible and certainly not enforceable, without stealing more power from the United States own people. In came the Bureau of Investigation, a department made up of secret agents, later known as ‘special agents‘. The Bureau would become much more invasive and later be known as the FBI, under the supervision of an ambitious Bureau of Investigation director, a certain J. Edgar Hoover. Under then president Theodore Roosevelt, this Federal organisation invaded the Sovereignty of the individual states and forced them under their control.
This government manipulation of the facts wasn’t possible and certainly not enforceable, without stealing more power from the United States own people. In came the Bureau of Investigation, a department made up of secret agents, later known as ‘special agents‘. The Bureau would become much more invasive and later be known as the FBI, under the supervision of an ambitious Bureau of Investigation director, a certain J. Edgar Hoover. Under then president Theodore Roosevelt, this Federal organisation invaded the Sovereignty of the individual states and forced them under their control.
Roley Cattleman shirt
Red Dead Redemption's Untold Story
Government men in Red Dead Redemption
And this is why Red Dead Redemption was so brilliant.
You see John Marston’s tale marks the end of the American dream. The facts it’s referred to as the "Wild West" only cements how modern day politics would have you view freedom and personal choice - as a bad thing.
This is why Red Dead Redemption is set at that period of time, so you can witness the murder of the American dream first hand. It’s very subtle and can only be understood by those with a grasp of historical and current events. I can say I’m lucky enough to have enjoyed the story of Red Dead Redemption twice. Once as a young man and later, having more presence of mind.
The final scene of John Marston facing up to the evil men of the state, made me cry as a young man. Seeing my hero who I lived as, within the game, for countless hours being gunned down, after he tried to live as a good man and do right by his family, was truly heart breaking.
But now understanding the context in which that scene was framed, I now know who John Marston really was.
Just like Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter was the man with no name, a spirit returned to exact revenge on those who wronged him in life, so too was John Marston a spirit. He was the spirit of the free American people, the embodiment of the American dream.
The idea that you can overcome what life throws at you and make a go of things for yourself, is John Marston’s whole story. The government showing up at John’s ranch symbolises the insidious arrival of a secretive organisation in America, able to manipulate or destroy, whoever or whatever it wants. As John Marston steps out of the barn to face the cowards who have betrayed his trust, on their terms, he meets his demise. Each bullet that strikes this man of conviction, hit’s the souls of every American man and woman, who believes in the American dream. These criminals don’t wear face masks like a bandit because they are so sure of their dominance. Even more contemptible, they carry out this abhorrent murder under the name of the American flag. The spirit of which they destroy and who’s symbol they assume as there own identity, in order for people to follow their carefully orchestrated plan.
"John’s death doesn’t mark the death of one man - it marks the death of freedom itself." - Roley
You see John Marston’s tale marks the end of the American dream. The facts it’s referred to as the "Wild West" only cements how modern day politics would have you view freedom and personal choice - as a bad thing.
This is why Red Dead Redemption is set at that period of time, so you can witness the murder of the American dream first hand. It’s very subtle and can only be understood by those with a grasp of historical and current events. I can say I’m lucky enough to have enjoyed the story of Red Dead Redemption twice. Once as a young man and later, having more presence of mind.
The final scene of John Marston facing up to the evil men of the state, made me cry as a young man. Seeing my hero who I lived as, within the game, for countless hours being gunned down, after he tried to live as a good man and do right by his family, was truly heart breaking.
But now understanding the context in which that scene was framed, I now know who John Marston really was.
Just like Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter was the man with no name, a spirit returned to exact revenge on those who wronged him in life, so too was John Marston a spirit. He was the spirit of the free American people, the embodiment of the American dream.
The idea that you can overcome what life throws at you and make a go of things for yourself, is John Marston’s whole story. The government showing up at John’s ranch symbolises the insidious arrival of a secretive organisation in America, able to manipulate or destroy, whoever or whatever it wants. As John Marston steps out of the barn to face the cowards who have betrayed his trust, on their terms, he meets his demise. Each bullet that strikes this man of conviction, hit’s the souls of every American man and woman, who believes in the American dream. These criminals don’t wear face masks like a bandit because they are so sure of their dominance. Even more contemptible, they carry out this abhorrent murder under the name of the American flag. The spirit of which they destroy and who’s symbol they assume as there own identity, in order for people to follow their carefully orchestrated plan.
"John’s death doesn’t mark the death of one man - it marks the death of freedom itself." - Roley
Red Dead Redemption Ending quote
By Roley
14/05/2018
14/05/2018
