Red Dead Online is tragically gone, but Grand Theft Auto Online could take up its torch when it comes to the cowboy aesthetic. Red Dead Online's ending left a void for its players who are eagerly looking for another cowboy adventure and while GTA Online may not be able to provide that exactly, it can take on a few elements of said genre, and make the game more fun in the process.
Red Dead Online was an online sandbox game that was based on Rockstar's Red Dead franchise, specifically Red Dead Redemption 2. Unfortunately, while players loved RDR2, RDO suffered from a lack of and a long series of lackluster updates. The fan-fueled #SaveRedDeadOnline campaign for RDO was a response to what was seen as a disappointing run for the game, but although players stuck with the game afterward, it never managed to recover from this negative reputation. Red Dead Online's end of service was announced in July 2022, leaving behind a lot of unfulfilled potential.
Cowboy Attire And Events Could Be Great Fun In GTA Online
One of the easiest ways that elements of RDO could be added to Grand Theft Auto Online is by adding cowboy-themed items to the game. GTA Online has a lot of outfits for players to choose from, and some wild west-themed looks could add to the variety. A selection of cowboy hats, bandanas, and boots could be fun additions, offering an old-school outlaw look. After GTA Online's Los Santos Drug Wars update, an update featuring cowboy-related gear would be an enjoyable expansion, especially for Red Dead fans. With the proper outfits, GTA Online could give players the chance to be modern-day cowboys in a literal sense.
GTA Online Could Introduce Cowboy-Themed Heists
GTA Online could also benefit from including a few cowboy-themed missions as well. For example, one excellent idea could be to incorporate a couple of train robbery missions in the game. Train robberies are not only a common cowboy-themed trope, but they could be recreated in a modern-day setting quite easily. It could be a more new-school take on the concept with the players robbing a subway or bullet train, or a more classical version, possibly even involving the players escaping on horseback. Red Dead Redemption's train robberies were lacking, but GTA Online could give the idea another try, and possibly do it better.
GTA Online could also use the opportunity to introduce horses as an alternate class of vehicle in the game. It may be a bit of a stretch compared to other ideas, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. People still ride horses in the modern day, even though they may not be nearly as common a sight in cities as they once were. If players want to dive headfirst into playing as an urban cowboy, then they need horses to ride, and even if they can't be as in-depth as Red Dead Redemption 2's realistic horses, they would still be a fun addition.
With no Red Dead games expected anytime soon, the loss of Red Dead Online has left a void for that series' fans. With GTA Online produced by the same company, a few Red Dead-influenced items would be a reasonable tribute to the series. Red Dead Online deserves to have its legacy live on through its sister title.
Source: Rockstar Games/Twitter
