Insider Signals Ongoing Work On Red Dead Redemption 2’s Next-Gen Upgrade

Red Dead Redemption 2’s long-rumored next-gen update appears to be intact despite recent doubts. Talk around the project cooled after Rockstar released its upgraded version of the first Red Dead Redemption, leaving some players convinced the studio had shelved any plans tied to the 2018 sequel. An industry insider with a steady record of accurate leaks maintains that is not the case.

Nate the Hate, posting on X, restated that the Red Dead Redemption 2 next-gen upgrade remains in development and is separate from the newly released enhancement of the original game. His comment followed criticism from a user who questioned the reliability of his earlier statements. He has discussed the upgrade before, most notably during a podcast earlier this year in which he said work on the project was underway. Rockstar has not issued any confirmation, and the studio has avoided acknowledging related reports.

The timing of the reaffirmation comes as the upgraded edition of the first Red Dead Redemption arrives on modern consoles. That release prompted some to assume the earlier leak surrounding Red Dead Redemption 2 had been a mix-up tied to the new remaster. Others wondered if Rockstar had prioritized polishing the 2010 title and quietly paused development on its successor’s enhancements. According to the insider, the two projects are unrelated, and the arrival of one does not diminish the likelihood of the other.

Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to command a large audience, and speculation about the studio’s plans has persisted for months. Rumors of a full remake circulated earlier in the year, though none gained traction. The current expectation centers on a next-gen upgrade rather than a ground-up rebuild. No release window is visible, and an announcement is not expected soon, given the proximity of the first game’s upgrade.

The renewed discussion lands as Red Dead Redemption receives its broadest re-release yet. The 2010 western, long praised as one of Rockstar’s finest, is now available with fresh visual improvements and new features. The upgrade, offered free to existing owners on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and the digital backward compatible version on Xbox One, introduces higher resolution, better performance, and support for modern platforms. It also includes Undead Nightmare and other bonus content from the Game of the Year Edition.

The title is available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Millions of players can access it at no cost: PlayStation Plus Extra members now have the PS5 version included in their subscription, and Netflix subscribers can play the new mobile edition on current iOS and Android devices. Progress carryover is supported, easing the move between platforms.

Rockstar describes the release as the definitive way to experience John Marston’s story, which bridges directly from the events of Red Dead Redemption 2. The package combines the main campaign and its zombie-themed companion, offering a complete single-player experience. The new version is not a full remake, but the technical updates improve stability and clarity across platforms.

The arrival of the upgrade highlights the enduring appeal of the series and raises fresh expectations for what comes next. Red Dead Redemption 2 players may now view the current silence as a gap rather than a denial, waiting for the moment Rockstar chooses to confirm its plans.

Read also, Red Dead Redemption 3 is real, and Dan Houser says the original story arc is complete as work on the new entry continues without him.