Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most successful games in history, and part of this success is due to Dan Houser’s creative decisions.

In the world of video games, there are a few moments that transcend entertainment and leave their mark on players for years to come. One such moment is the death of John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2, a sequel that turned conventions upside down to tell a deeply personal and heartbreaking tale.

Dan Houser’s philosophy worked great. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Dan Houser, the creative force behind Rockstar Games’ took the road less traveled when designing the ending for RDR 2. In a world where the usual end of a story came from defeating a “final boss” and emerging victorious, RDR 2 delivered an emotionally charged story that had players confronting loss, redemption, and the inevitability of mortality.

Dan Houser knew exactly what Red Dead Redemption 2 needed

RDR 2‘s ending was one of the best in gaming history. Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Houser’s approach to storytelling was revolutionary, as noted by his longtime collaborator, Jeffrey “Lazlow” Jones in an interview with Men’s Journal. Known for subverting tropes, Houser sought to create stories where “winning” wasn’t the end. This sentiment is embodied in RDR2, where the main character, Arthur Morgan, faces his own demise while seeking redemption.

[Houser] takes the path you’re not used to, and that’s uncomfortable at first. There’s no way to ‘win’. We were so used to this trope of the video game where you defeat the big boss at the end. There were grown men crying their eyes out when Marston got killed.

Set against the fading backdrop of the Wild West, Red Dead Redemption 2 serves as a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption. In the game, we follow the decline of the Van der Linde gang and the moral journey of Arthur Morgan. Through his eyes, players witness a man torn between loyalty, love, and his own mortality as he battles tuberculosis.

Arthur’s fate is determined by the player’s choices, offering paths of redemption or moral decay. However, even in the most honorable outcomes, death is inevitable. Following Arthur’s death, players take on the role of John Marston in an extended epilogue, bridging the story to the events of the first game.

This philosophy has been evident in all of Dan Houser’s works

6 years later, it’s still one of the best games ever. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

The ending reinforces the game’s themes of consequence and redemption while setting the stage for John Marston’s fate in the original Red Dead Redemption. These layered narratives brought a level of emotional depth rarely seen in games. And the genius of it shows with RDR 2 selling more than 67 million copies as of 2025.

Red Dead Redemption 2 now at 67 million copies sold to date.

(2M+ units sold during the last three months) pic.twitter.com/34nk6d4qMi

— Ben (@videotechuk_) November 6, 2024

I don’t think some people realise how sad this ending was for John Marston in Red Dead Redemption.

It really broke my heart when I first witnessed this cutscene and it truly shows the character development of John pic.twitter.com/NXcVviSn83

— NikTek (@NikTekOfficial) December 31, 2023

Houser’s ability to surprise and challenge players has been evident throughout Rockstar’s history. By forcing players to confront mortality and moral ambiguity, Houser redefined what video games could achieve as a narrative medium, paving the way for titles like The Last of Us to explore similar themes.

The tragic beauty of Red Dead Redemption 2 lies in its uncompromising exploration of human frailty and the cost of redemption. Dan Houser’s willingness to challenge players emotionally redefined video game storytelling, It has created a legacy that continues to inspire creators today.

After leaving Rockstar in 2020, Dan Houser and Lazlow Jones have gone on a new venture, Absurd Ventures, to push the boundaries of storytelling further. Free from the constraints of mainstream gaming, the duo aims to explore fresh genres and mediums.

Which part of Red Dead Redemption 2 was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!