Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West

In the early twenty-first century, the Western genre experienced a resurgence in video games thanks to the Red Dead franchise by Rockstar Games. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West provides a critical analysis of this phenomenon, exploring the franchise's historical context, cultural impact, and societal relevance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

While the Western genre was experiencing a gradual decline in cultural significance, it experienced a remarkable resurgence as a video game in the early 21st century. One of the most critically acclaimed video game franchises of this era is the Red Dead series, which began with the release of Red Dead Revolver in 2004. Red Dead Redemption: History, Myth, and Violence in the Video Game West offers a critical, interdisciplinary examination of this cultural phenomenon at the intersection of game studies and American history.

Drawing on a diverse range of disciplines, including game studies, Western history, American studies, and cultural studies, the authors provide a comprehensive and deeply informed analytical perspective on the Red Dead franchise. Spanning from its earliest incarnation to the latest release, Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018), the book explores the series in the context of American history, culture, and contemporary media. It delves into issues such as authenticity, realism, the meaning of play, commercial promotion, and the relationship between the game and the broader cultural iterations of the classic Western.

The contributors also examine the series' development process, exploring its impact on the gaming industry and gaming culture. In its reimagining and reinvention of Western myths and memes, the Red Dead franchise speaks to broader aspects of American culture, including the enduring influence of the frontier myth, the role of gun culture in society, depictions of gender and ethnicity in mass media, and the growing appeal of digital escapism.

This volume serves as a vital cultural intervention, offering a sweeping and deeply revealing exploration of the Red Dead franchise and its significance in shaping the 21st-century gaming landscape.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806191850