Project New Austin 1907 Brings The Classic West To Modern Hardware

The classic landscapes of the American West return with a visual overhaul in a massive fan project. A team of dedicated modders has spent over four years painstakingly recreating the world of the first Red Dead Redemption in RDR2. This ambitious undertaking, titled Project New Austin 1907, restores iconic locations and missions from the 2010 original while leveraging the advanced graphical capabilities of the prequel's engine. I see the incredible attention to detail in how the team has handled the transition of assets and lighting.

Players can now revisit and explore revamped versions of Macfarlane’s Ranch, the Serendipity, and the Morning Star Ferry, which look significantly more realistic than their original counterparts. The project extends beyond simple map porting by integrating unique NPCs with dynamic daily schedules into each specific area. Detailed MLO locations and hidden secrets are scattered throughout the map, encouraging thorough exploration of the industrial Oil Refinery, the dense forests of Tall Trees, and the dusty streets of Armadillo. The environment feels truly alive rather than static.

A fully functional railroad system introduces a new layer of interactivity to the region. Custom fast-travel points allow for rapid transit across the sprawling map, but the trains serve as more than just scenery. Players must remain vigilant during their travels, as NPCs can set traps to rob the locomotive, adding a dynamic threat to everyday commuting. The world is further fleshed out with new gang hideouts that players can stumble upon, functional mini-games, and newspaper vendors that ground the setting in its specific time period.

The latest update, Version 2.3, arrived in September 2025 and introduced significant technical enhancements to the modification. This patch refined models with new textures, decals, and improved furnishings to match the base game's quality. Exterior AMVs and better Level of Detail (LOD) settings were implemented to boost performance across the board. The update also addressed broken scenario points and applied general optimizations to ensure stability.

While Project New Austin 1907 focuses on the map, other creators continue to expand the game's mechanics with different tools. I find it fascinating how the community keeps finding creative ways to improve the core experience years after release. Players looking for different ways to replay the story might also be interested in a NewGame+ mod that offers fresh challenges for veteran cowboys. Project New Austin 1907 stands as a complex achievement, offering a seamless blend of nostalgia and modern technology for fans.