: The presence of newspaper boys in towns like Valentine [3, 33] grounds the game in its historical setting, where printed news was the primary source of information [1, 32]. II. Performance and Player Empathy
In RDR2, newspapers are not just collectibles but dynamic reflections of the player’s impact on the world [32].
: The narrative explores themes of "murderous heroes" and "virtuous criminals," challenging players to find redemption in a world where the lines between evil and goodness are blurred [21].
The paper examines how the game bridges the gap between the player and the protagonist, Arthur Morgan [12].
: The world contains nods to Cormac McCarthy, such as a possible Blood Meridian reference [22].