There are few companies in the industry as beloved asRockstar Games.From its dominance withGrand Theft Autoduring the PS2/Xbox era, to its commitment to excellence with titles likeRed Dead Redemption 2, the studio has found a spot atop the mountain of popularity, and has kept it going.
In recent years,Grand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemptionhave carried the weight of the Rockstar name. WhileGrand Theft Auto 5’s draw in 2022 is its online multiplayer,Red Dead Redemption 2’s storyis still fresh on players' minds, and both titles are enticing players to this day. However, their success has come at the expense of other franchises under the Rockstar Games banner. A developer that was once known for diversity is now reduced to just two major series, and as time moves forward its other games are at risk of being forgotten.
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L.A. Noire
L.A. Noirekicked off the 2010s for Rockstar Games, and though it brought an intriguing detective story, revolutionary MotionScan technology, and a well-realized 1940s setting,L.A. Noirestands alonedespite talk of a sequel. The game’s expansive, open-world landscape was far from its main focus. This was a tonal, and gameplay shift for the company that found fame utilizing strong social commentary and over-the-top action.
There are few games likeL.A. Noire,though titles likeSherlock Holmes Chapter One, Disco Elysium,andReturn of the Obra Dinncarry the load of detective titles. YetL.A. Noirewas unique, bringing the style and substance of Rockstar Games to the often-overlooked detective genre. Far from the tried-and-tested formula of recent releases,L.A. Noire, was seemingly always doomed to fall in line behindGrand Theft Auto’s shadow.
Max Payne
Max Paynebegan its somewhat slow roll-out on PC in 2001 and found a small, yet dedicated fanbase. The titular character is one of Rockstar’s most complex, and as suchMax Payneis perhaps the most character-focused projectthat Rockstar Games has released. Each of the three installments center Max handling his family’s murder, resolving a mafia conspiracy, and navigating the dangers of security work in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The series is a far more linear affair than the expansive, open-endedGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemption,and as such was a significant deviation from what would become the norm.
Max Payne 3entered the firing line of some of the industry’s giants.Unchartedwas still fresh on players' minds, and the 2013 reboot ofTomb Raiderwas hotly anticipated. Though Rockstar’s offering was decidedly darker than the former titles in tone, the nine-year hiatus was a significant hurdle for the series' popularity to overcome.In 2022, the disparity of linear, single-player-focused experiencesmeansMax Paynewould be a breath of fresh air, especially as Rockstar remains focused on open-world level design.
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Agent
Agentwas set to be a new, stealth-focused adventurethat rivaled the likes ofMeta Gear Solidand even theJames Bondfilm franchise. Announced in July 2007, with a trademark renewed by Take-Two Interactive in 2017, players were holding out hope thatAgentwould see the light of day. Eventually, the trademark was abandoned in late 2018, and all prior chatter around the game has been dampened.
The promising narrative ofAgentwas set to be a significant acquisition for Sony and the PlayStation 3, but just one year laterGrand Theft Auto 4released on multiple platforms. A victim of Rockstar’s popularity,Agentnever stood a chance, and has since become nothing more than untapped potential.
Midnight Club
As the racing genre switches gears to a more simulation-focused affair, the thirst for glitzy street racing was largely nonexistent through the 2010s.Midnight Clubwas a product of its time, releasing in the late 2000s alongside a plethora of similar series.Need For Speed, Split Second, Burnout,andJuicedoccupied the crowded marketof high-octane street racing, and despite reviewing well throughout its nine-year run,Midnight Clubstruggled to break the mold.
Whispers about a newMidnight Clubgame are making the rounds, potentially at the helm of a new developer under the Take-Two banner. Much like a freshMax Payneexperience would fill a now-abandoned niche,Midnight Clubhas more to offer today, especially as theNeed For Speedseries struggles to find its footing. Despite its consistent quality,Midnight Clubis perhaps the most at risk of being forgotten, as the bulk of the series was always swarmed with more beloved series in the genre.
Rockstar Games Should Focus on Diversity Again
Rockstar Games' commitment to excellence is almost always evident. Its releases are huge, industry-wide events in the gaming space, and the predictableannouncement ofGrand Theft Auto 6’s developmenthas reaffirmed the company’s philosophy for the next generation of consoles. Support forRed Dead Onlineis being upheld, and though the development cycle forGTA 6is sure to be lengthy, player anticipation will build over time.
Remembering what was lost in these pursuits is worth doing, however, as the franchises that were largely abandoned had huge potential. From carving through the City of Angles inMidnight Club: Los Angeles,to untangling conspiracies withMax Payne, the quality of modernRockstar Games' releases has come at the cost of uniformity.
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