‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Delayed, But Rockstar Shares Gorgeous New PS4 And Xbox One Screenshots

Those eagerly anticipating the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will have to continue to anticipate the game a little while longer. Rockstar Games announced Monday their wild west sequel has been delayed.

The release of Red Dead Redemption 2 has been bumped from the planned fall 2017 release to spring 2018, per an announcement from Rockstar Games’ official website. The studio explained it needs more time to develop the game for the current gen consoles, but was nice enough to share all new screenshots.

“Red Dead Redemption 2 is now set to launch Spring 2018 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This outlaw epic set across the vast and unforgiving American heartland will be the first Rockstar game created from the ground up for the latest generation of console hardware, and some extra time is necessary to ensure that we can deliver the best experience possible for our fans,” Rockstar explained.

“We are very sorry for any disappointment this delay causes, but we are firm believers in delivering a game only when it is ready. We are really excited to bring you more details about the game this summer.”

The delay was anticipated by many in the gaming community for a couple of reasons. First, Rockstar has been quiet about the status of the new game since it first released the teaser trailer seven months ago. It’s not unusual for the studio to be tight-lipped about its games, but it has been more tight-lipped than usual for a game only a handful of months away from launch.

The second reason is simply Rockstar has a history of delaying its games. Most recently, Grand Theft Auto V was delayed several months to perform additional polishing before its release on the PS3 and Xbox 360. The game was eventually released on the PS4 and Xbox One as well, but the anticipated PC release met with a delay.

Granted, Grand Theft Auto V went on to become one of the top-selling games of current and last-gen consoles in addition to receiving high review marks from critics. When a developer builds up a track record of success like Rockstar Games, it is hard to be disappointed by a delay intended to make the game better.

The new screenshots released for Red Dead Redemption 2 today look gorgeous. They also continue to drop hints like the teaser trailer did.

Once again, there is the suggestion that players will have companion characters at the very least in the open-world game. There is one screenshot with four characters silhouetted on horseback silhouetted against the horizon. Meanwhile, another image shows presumably the same four characters escorting a stagecoach through open plains.

The screenshots do not provide confirmation that the protagonist from the first Red Dead Redemption, John Marston, will return. The images show the back of one cowboy and another with a handkerchief pulled up over his face, outlaw style. Either could pass as the title’s main character.

A train also features prominently in the screenshot. One has it crossing a bridge and the another features the main character looking like he is getting ready to rob it.

The final screenshot of two revolvers being held shows a number of details Rockstar Games is putting in Red Dead Redemption 2. Both pistols have detailed ornate carvings on their bodies as do the rings showing on the unseen character’s left hand.

A spring 2018 release for Red Dead Redemption 2 most likely means a mid-to-late March release. Publisher Take-Two Interactive will want to make sure the game is released to maximize its potential revenues for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

[Featured Image by Rockstar Games]