Red Dead Redemption 2: Discussion & Speculation (Part 2)

[Spider-Vice]

According to what the journalists saw, yes. The game hasn't released yet for us to see but that's the information we have.

[Mach1bud]

Regardless it will be the most sophisticated in a Rockstar game.

[Red Dead Rebel]

 

 

the a.i system is not that groundbreaking

 

i believe witcher 3 you could talk to any NPC and have choices to choose from?

I didn't know you had already played RDR2. Also no, this only happens with story/quest characters. In Witcher 3 you can talk to NPC's the same way you talk in GTA V, pressing a button.

 

so RDR 2's system is more sophisticated than GTA V and Witcher 3's?

 

 

Yes. You'll have dialog options with any random NPC and they will remember you if you encounter them later. That's according to previews. We haven't played it like you have.

Edited May 7, 2018 by Red Dead Rebel

[greenrock]

this seems more ambitious then even GTA V

[43herm]

I remember not hearing much about Red Dead Redemption when it first came out, I bought it a few months after it was released based on word of mouth reviews from my friends. I think following the release this closely ruins it a bit for me. Takes some of the shine off of the diamond, as it were.

One thing I wish they kept under wraps is having a spy in the gang. Why say that, dammit?

[Mach1bud]

 

I remember not hearing much about Red Dead Redemption when it first came out, I bought it a few months after it was released based on word of mouth reviews from my friends. I think following the release this closely ruins it a bit for me. Takes some of the shine off of the diamond, as it were.

One thing I wish they kept under wraps is having a spy in the gang. Why say that, dammit?

I didn't think anyone in the previews said that. That was the leak.

[greenrock]

what was Horizon's npc system like, couldn't you talk to people there?

[43herm]

what was Horizon's npc system like, couldn't you talk to people there?

Only a dumb sentence from random people. Quest givers had a dumb back and forth with bad acting and editing.

[J.Dillinger Blackheart]

what was Horizon's npc system like, couldn't you talk to people there?

....nvm let me shut up.

[Dee-account-with-1kbans]

 

what was Horizon's npc system like, couldn't you talk to people there?

....nvm let me shut up.

Lol fr. Greenrock there's a time and a place. At least space out your sh*tposts like I do

[greenrock]

just asking questions

 

dats all

[tsto]

I don't think anyone could name another open world game where you literally can talk to any and all NPCs in the world on an actual level of conversation such as will be shown in this upcoming game. No point in comparing it to what hasn't been made yet.

[Dee-account-with-1kbans]

just asking questions

 

dats all

If you're being sincere, then yes. You can interact with NPCs in horizon but its just a static button prompt and doesn't seem nearly as well thoufht out as RDR2s system. Horizons system was more akin to Mass Effect

[MrHarlow]

Only thing that I can think of even remotely close would be Bully. You had the option to say hey, insults, or even flirt. Sometimes you had the option to give gifts to people. It wasnt perfect but you definitely could talk to anyone. Hell if I remember correctly, if you dressed a certain way people would treat you diffrent.

[1898]

 

I want to smoke and chew tobacco

Yes! That is one of the features I really hope is in it. I want to have a cigar in my mouth like Clint Eastwood.

 

 

I want a pipe

 

​

[Varga]

I don't think anyone could name another open world game where you literally can talk to any and all NPCs in the world on an actual level of conversation such as will be shown in this upcoming game. No point in comparing it to what hasn't been made yet.

And do we really need that feature? To be able to hold up a conversation with ANY NPC? Not talking about RDR2 in particular. Say, when you go shopping, for example, do you fell the desire to talk to every person you see? Personally, I do not, they just don't interest me. And even if I wanted, I highly doubt all of them couldve found a topic for a conversation with me or even managed to respond somehow.

You can say, that it's videogames we're talking, they're not like real life, devs can write comprehensive dialogs for every character. True, but doesnt it add up to that particular feeling that R* are trying to avoid - feeling that the world revolves around you? I mean if every single NPC you meet would have a story or a quest for you - wouldnt it feel as unnatural and immersion breaking as not being able to talk to them at all?

Well, thats just my opinion.

Edited May 7, 2018 by Varga

[Mach1bud]

^ It is actually quite common for people to strike up little conversations with you, here in the southern U.S. states. Even in today's society.

 

"Hey, how are you doing?" is said by literally everyone around here just in passing.

[SmileyBandito]

TES games come closest. Aside from the generic bandits that are always aggro, pretty much every townsperson can have a conversation with you in a somewhat meaningful way.

 

I never really realized how much of an influence Skyrim had on the open world genre until now. Even Rockstar said RDR2 has several elements inspired by it. Ubisoft also copied Skyrims HUD, and all these new open world games in general are finally focusing on exploration and emergent gameplay, like Breath of the Wild.

[SmileyBandito]

so what makes RDR 2's system more advanced than Witcher 3 here?

Witcher 3 is the least impressive comparison. That game had deadpan AI. The only NPCs that held meaningful conversations in that game were shop merchants, quest givers, and obviously story related characters. The background NPCs in Novigrad only had like 3 lines of dialogue each, and couldnt even be interacted with. You couldnt even harm NPCs or go on a killing spree.

 

Still a great game though.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Vinewood Villain

[phenetole]

We should definitely keep our expectations in check in regards to the npc interaction. I don't think we can have long conversations wit people and we can't exactly choose specific dialog for Arthur to say, instead we choose his reaction to situations. don't get me wrong the system sounds great and above what other open worlds are doing. If you really can take a guys horse simply by talking to him, is great but again we should try not to form the game in our heads. NPC interaction will be there but it will be a more refined version of Bully's system imo and not something crazy where we can have long convos with people. Same thing with npc's remembering you, it won't always be the case.

 

Just keep your hype tamed is all.

 

 

Edited May 8, 2018 by phenetole

[Jason]

BotW's influence in exploration and traversal is definitely a thing, but emergent gameplay is not really something it's influenced. Rockstar have relied on emergent and systemic gameplay since, well, GTA 1 and especially since GTA 3, it's one of the corner stones of their open world games. Multiplayer games have also started to heavily rely on emergent gameplay over the past few years as well, the Battle Royale genre is practically built on it. Skyrim has definitely influenced open world games too, Assassin's Creed Origins is probably the best recent example with Ubi switching from handholding players at every opportunity with things like minimaps and GPS-like directions to trusting players to find their own way with more limited tools like a compass.

[SmileyBandito]

Yeah Im putting a lid on my hype. Ive been burned by GTA V for overhyping it. Lesson learned.

 

Well definitely get more input on it this summer when the gameplay trailer arrives.

[Nutduster]

 

I don't think anyone could name another open world game where you literally can talk to any and all NPCs in the world on an actual level of conversation such as will be shown in this upcoming game. No point in comparing it to what hasn't been made yet.

And do we really need that feature? To be able to hold up a conversation with ANY NPC? Not talking about RDR2 in particular. Say, when you go shopping, for example, do you fell the desire to talk to every person you see? Personally, I do not, they just don't interest me. And even if I wanted, I highly doubt all of them couldve found a topic for a conversation with me or even managed to respond somehow

It actually could be an interesting feature if done right. Some NPCs could randomly give small quests - maybe even just trivial tasks in many cases, like carry something heavy for them and they give you a little money. Some could give real quests like the stranger encounters in RDR. Others could give useful info about the plot or other characters; maybe point you to quest locations and prominent NPCs that offer work. Some might find out who you are and try to take you in for a reward. Or offer to help you in exchange for money. They might also just share food and drink with you, or want to sing at the campfire. Really there are endless possibilities - so much so that it could be a centerpiece feature for a game.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Nutduster

[SmileyBandito]

Im surprised Rockstar hasnt brought up dynamic encounters yet. That was a big selling point for the first game, even GTA V advertised it. Maybe since the game is so focused on AI and immersion in general, Rockstar kinda blended it together in one experience.

[Jason]

I don't think Rockstar's goal with the NPC interaction is to make every single NPC you meet have a quest, a piece of information or something useful to give you. That'd be bonkers. I think it's more that they want the NPC's to actually be interactible with in a more meaningful way than simply hitting or shooting them. So less of them having a conversation for you but more that you can say hi and they'll respond, intimidate them to make them go away or to rob them or to try and diffuse a situation if they see you do something a bit outlawish - and that they'll remember these responses if you run across them again.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Jason

[Red Dead Rebel]

 

I don't think anyone could name another open world game where you literally can talk to any and all NPCs in the world on an actual level of conversation such as will be shown in this upcoming game. No point in comparing it to what hasn't been made yet.

And do we really need that feature? To be able to hold up a conversation with ANY NPC? Not talking about RDR2 in particular. Say, when you go shopping, for example, do you fell the desire to talk to every person you see? Personally, I do not, they just don't interest me. And even if I wanted, I highly doubt all of them couldve found a topic for a conversation with me or even managed to respond somehow.

You can say, that it's videogames we're talking, they're not like real life, devs can write comprehensive dialogs for every character. True, but doesnt it add up to that particular feeling that R* are trying to avoid - feeling that the world revolves around you? I mean if every single NPC you meet would have a story or a quest for you - wouldnt it feel as unnatural and immersion breaking as not being able to talk to them at all?

Well, thats just my opinion.

 

 

Going shopping is different than living in the wild west lol. Random NPC's won't give you quests and I don't think everyone will tell you a story.

 

The example in IGN's preview is that they went into someone's property and he came out and asked you something like what the hell are you doing here. You have a chance to explain/bully him..etc. Without this dialog system, every encounter will end up with bullets to the head which is soo unnatural. Not every disagreement/misunderstanding should end up with one killing another.

 

Another example was after hunting, someone complimented Arthur and Arthur said "Thanks".

 

Another example Rockstar mentioned is if you want to steal someone's horse, you could tell them to get off instead of shooting them.

 

It's that kind of interactions. Not quest giving or story telling. Though, I'm sure I'm gonna meet someone who wouldn't shut the hell up and I'll end up shooting him in the dick.

Edited May 8, 2018 by Red Dead Rebel

[43herm]

Hopefully the UI makes sense with the interaction. There were too many times in these kinds of games where I chose an answer and the line came out with completely different tone.

[Rafae]

Im surprised Rockstar hasnt brought up dynamic encounters yet. That was a big selling point for the first game, even GTA V advertised it. Maybe since the game is so focused on AI and immersion in general, Rockstar kinda blended it together in one experience.

Taking dynamic encounters to the next level was literally what they kept saying in every preview last week. That in itself is one of the biggest selling points of the game.

[phenetole]

I don't think Rockstar's goal with the NPC interaction is to make every single NPC you meet have a quest, a piece of information or something useful to give you. That'd be bonkers. I think it's more that they want the NPC's to actually be interactible with in a more meaningful way than simply hitting or shooting them. So less of them having a conversation for you but more that you can say hi and they'll respond, intimidate them to make them go away or to rob them or to try and diffuse a situation if they see you do something a bit outlawish - and that they'll remember these responses if you run across them again.

 

Agreed. The main goal is to make the world feel more "alive". Like the hunter giving you a thumbs up if he sees that you got animal on your horse. You can choose to be polite and say thank you or be a bit more threatening. Its about the option to handle an encounter with something other than your gun. Its not meant to be there to dig into an npc and find out where they're from and what keeps them up at night.

[NikosUncle]

Will the game do a kind of pause as you select the response youd like to use towards the random npc or would you be able to scroll through the list during gameplay