Slides from the July 22, 2010 Game Deconstruction Group presentation analyzing Red Dead Redemption.

2. AIAS Game Deconstruction GroupRed Dead Redemption Teddy Diefenbach Ryan Watterson Mike Sennott

4. Developed by Rockstar San Diego

5. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

7. Open world third-person shooter

8. Metacritic score: 95

10. Overview Focus on Single Player Aesthetic & World Gameplay Story Takeaways Questions / Further Discussion

11. Aesthetic & World

12. Game Demo Overview

13. Video Red Dead Scenery Time Lapse http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-red-dead-redemption-time-lapse

14. Storytelling Styles Theater Influence vs Film Influence

15. Video Red Dead Mission Flow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq12n_Vrehc&feature=fvw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux0rhMxgoe8&feature=fvw

16. Theater Influence Components: Dynamic Viewpoint Acting Blocking Props Compelling Execution: Mid-Action Scenes, Corralling Cattle, En Route to Event Non-compelling Execution: Long Rides in Mexico, Rides Connecting Locations

17. Components of Successful Scenes Short Length Compelling Tasks: - Corralling Cattle - Saving Farmers Good Gameplay Pacing: - Rising Action, adding suspense to upcoming heavy action - Breathing Room Meaningful Content

18. Sacrifices Hard Control: - Visual Composition - Focus Points Detailed Visual Information: - Close-Ups Comfort: - Techniques are still developing - Film expertise is available

19. Further Opportunities High Quality Acting/Animation: - Physicality - Listening and Reacting Strong Blocking: - Actors making meaningful use of stage space - Interesting and Compelling Props

20. Cues on Dynamic Viewpoint Proscenium Stage Theater in the Round Thrust Stage Improvised Stage Street Performance Flash Mobs Parades Protests

21. Film Influence Components: Cinematography Acting Lighting Compelling Execution: John Marston's Ending, Dutch's Escape from the Blackwater Bank, First Snake Oil Sale – big, interesting and important scenes Non-compelling Execution: Brief, piece-meal scenes; lengthy cinematics for minor events

22. Components of Successful Scenes Character Intimacy Detailed Visual Information - Facial Expression - Small Props Short Length - Focused Scene Goals Strong Visual Composition

23. Sacrifices Point of View - (Literary) Limited First Person in Game - (Literary) Limited Third Person as Camera Agency Kinetic Energy The Scenes Themselves - Scenes that can be skipped will be skipped Investment in New Techniques: - Game Style Cinematography - Isometric, over the shoulder, side-view, etc. - Theater Techniques

24. Use of Music Musical Reflecting Narrative Themes Western Latin Guitar Jazz Creative use of Soundtrack (versus Score) “Far Away” by Jose Gonzalez

25. Video Red Dead “Far Away” Sequence in Mexico http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGuYQ-VtfFY&feature=related

26. Why Does This Work? 4 Minute Song! But it’s “loopable” Interruptible, consistent tone Always after HEAVY Action, during passive action

27. Game Demo World Population

28. Gameplay

29. Compelling Control Mechanics Horseshoes Carriage Horse Capturing Fiver Finger Fillet Horse Riding

30. Auto-Aim Well Executed Easy to Learn, High Depth - Usable in Single Player - Works well along side cover & recover gameplay - Usable by players of any skill level - Balanced as a mechanic in multiplayer - Less useful at longer ranges against moving opponents - Manually putting lead time in front of the shot is necessary Serves as both a crutch for new and unskilled players Adds to gameplay depth, rather than compromising it

31. Mini Map Effect Nearly empty HUD Mini Map inherited from GTA IV Radar Dependency

32. Game Demo Mini Map

33. Non-Diegetic UI Constantly Accessing the Menu - Map - Costume Information - Journal - Entering Multiplayer - Stats Breaks Immersion Solutions: - Stylize the menu to work within the fiction - Find a diegetic solution that integrates the data with the game world

34. Diversions

35. Unfinished and Duplicative Features Duplicative: - Open World - Weapon and Horse Progression Unfinished: - Gathering - Honor

36. GLITCH BREAK!

37. Glitches Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnyJRUnC34s

38. Story

39. “In Due Time…” Plot Structure Inherited from Film + 20+ Hour Game = “In Due Time…” Hook Film Structure Problem

40. The Ending(s) Marston’s New Life: The Hollywood Ending

41. Video Dutch’s End http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzZjt-2ZwRk

42. The Ending(s) A Gutsy Move: The Ending?

43. Video John Marston’s End http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9832BrE2q4

44. The Ending(s) Remember My Family: Epilogue as Ending

45. Video Jack Marston’s Justice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QMik5w1DY

46. The Ending(s) Games vs. Film & Literature: The Comfort of Ending

47. Linearity as Theme "My side ain't chosen. My side was given." -John Marston "Actions have consequences, Mr. Marston! You can't just buy a few chickens and expect it to go away. You can't erase the past, John! But we can." -Edgar Ross

48. Weak Characters Based on Stereotypes: - Historical (Wes Dickens) - Ethnic (Irish, Indian) - Class (Colonel Allende, Bonnie) - Some exceptions (Dutch, Edgar Ross, MacDougal) No Character Arcs: - Characters' only purpose is to reveal information - Their backstory - The world and their opinions on it - No characters face difficult decisions, grow or change

50. 15 (plus one extra)

52. Takeaways Balancing Cinematic and Open World Relationship with Film Glitch Happens Theme Versus Player Experience

53. Questions / Discussion Teddy Diefenbach Mike Sennott Ryan Watterson