Last month a Rockstar Games project, codenamed “Bonaire,” was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board. Back them, it was speculated that this was DLC for Red Dead Redemption 2. Now, new developments in this story could hint that “Bonaire” is the long-rumored Red Dead Redemption 2 PC version.
As mentioned above, “Bonaire” received the RC, or “refused classification,” rating from the Australian Classification Board. However, ResetEra poster vestan noticed that, just a few days ago, Rockstar Games filed for classification for the project again. This time however, the studio made the filing project under the name “Red Dead Redemption 2.” Now, as any of our Australian readers will know, Red Dead Redemption 2 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is already classified and available for purchase in the country. This has led ResetEra posters to posit that this is for the PC version of the game. Bonaire is an island municipality of the Netherlands and is by Venezuela. People speak Dutch there, which, as Red Dead players might know, is the name of a main character in both Red Dead Redemption titles.
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Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time that the PC version of one of Rockstar’s games has been filed for classification separately from the console versions. Grand Theft Auto 5 was also subject to the same. In the latter’s case, Rockstar filed for classification three times, once for the previous-generation console versions, one for the current-generation console versions, and one for the PC version.
More importantly, vestan noted the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 5 was scrutinized much more thoroughly than the console version. The classification for the PC version lists “violence and sex” in addition to the “high impact themes and drug use” listed in the console versions. This could explain why the supposed PC port of Red Dead Redemption 2 is having trouble receiving classification as the Australian Classification Board once again gave it an RC rating.
That said, the earlier rumors stated that “Bonaire” actually refers to additional DLC for Red Dead Redemption 2. Could it be then that the PC version of Red Dead Redemption already comes with this supposed DLC? Over the past few weeks, a number of players have reported finding zombies in Red Dead Online. Back in 2010, Rockstar released a zombie themed expansion for the original Red Dead Redemption called The Undead Nightmare. Many then are speculating that a new version of The Undead Nightmare is coming to Red Dead Redemption 2. With this in mind, it’s possible that the inclusion of a zombie-themed expansion could be what’s causing the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 from getting classified in Australia.
Regardless of whether or not the above is the case, it’s looking more and more likely that Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually coming to PC. A few other hints to its existence had been found prior to the discovery of this filing with the Australian Classification Board. First, references to the PC version were found in source code for the Rockstar Social Club. Following this, a supposed leak came out revealing the PC versions hardware requirements, confirming that the game would support DirectX 12. The latter bit is important as dataminers recently found references to DirectX 12 and a few other PC related options in the files of Red Dead Redemption 2‘s console version.
Perhaps the biggest hint at the PC version’s release is the recent launch of the Rockstar Games Launcher on PC. No prior Red Dead Redemption game has ever being released on PC, making a PC version of any game in the franchise, let alone Red Dead Redemption 2, a desirable proposition for PC gamers. Rockstar launching the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 on its own launcher might cause a bit of a stir, but the anticipation for that title on PC might be enough to quell some of the criticism over multiple launchers. This could help Rockstar’s launcher get a better foothold in the market, allowing the developer to bypass Steam and other store clients while maybe even selling third-party titles on its store down the line.
