The once wild world of Red Dead Online has fallen silent, now a ghost town and a shell of its former self. Initially launched in 2018 as the multiplayer companion to Red Dead Redemption 2, as Rockstar Games hoped to achieve similar success with Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto 5, the online component promised players an immersive experience, pulled the plug on major updates, leaving fans feeling abandoned.
Years after fans held a funeral, a desperate fan is hoping to breathe new love into the now-barren virtual playground by launching a petition in hopes of catching Rockstar’s attention.
The Change.org campaign has already garnered nearly six thousand signatures as of the moment of writing. The goal is to convince Rockstar to resume regular updates and content drops for the multiplayer title.
According to the petition, Red Dead Online‘s unique setting and gameplay mechanics offer an experience unlike any other in the crowded online gaming market. They believe that with proper support and development, the game could reclaim its position as a premier multiplayer destination.
However, success is much easier said than done. Rockstar’s decision to cease major updates for Red Dead Online likely stems from a complex web of factors, including resource allocation, player engagement metrics, and financial considerations. Rockstar can’t afford to stretch itself too thin as it works on Grand Theft Auto 6 while supporting Grand Theft Auto Online.
The petition also sheds light on the broader issue of live service games. Although the industry has since cooled off with its hyper fixation on this genre, it’s still important to note the massive investment players have made and continue to make in these titles. The time, money, and emotional energy they’ve poured into these virtual worlds mean that when support for these games wanes or ceases entirely, it can leave communities feeling stranded and heartbroken.
While it remains to be seen if this online petition is enough to make Rockstar listen even if it reaches hundreds of thousands of petitioners (and that’s a big if), it does confirm the continued interest in one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, which continues to draw interest to this day, even breaking its concurrent player record on Steam as recently as last month following a sale.
Who knows? Maybe they can get streamers like IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat to listen and join in on the petition. If there’s one thing that can get companies like Rockstar to listen, it’s people with millions of followers.
For now, a small but dedicated group of players continues to roam the digital prairies and canyons of Red Dead Online, holding out hope for a renaissance. They organize in-game events, create their own content, and work to keep the spirit of the Wild West alive in whatever way they can.
