Westworld: Red Dead Redemption served as inspiration for the series

Did you know that the first Red Dead Redemption video game served as inspiration for Westworld?

Westworld is undeniably one of the most visually stunning and intricate television shows in a long time. And yet, one wonders where the inspiration for the environment, backdrop, and look comes from. Amongst the many inspirations Westworld showrunners Jonathan and Lisa Joy Nolan had for the series, one of them included the first Red Dead Redemption video game, according to EW.

This is quite fitting considering the second installment of the video game series is set to release later this week and first changed the CG storytelling platform in 2010. In 2016, the Nolan couple spoke about the inspiration during the New York Comic-Con panel and it’s a point that co-studio head of Rockstar North, Rob Nelson, is very proud of.

Way back when video games often looked to shows to get influenced or inspiration for the design and look, but in 2018, the tables have turned and shows like Westworld are looking to video games to guide them instead.

With the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 around the corner and season 3 of Westworld in the very early stages, it won’t come as a surprise if once again the video game serves as inspiration for what’s to come. Shows such as Westworld are very much focused on how their characters develop and their backstory, which is also a big part of video games now.

In fact, television and video games are now crossing over more than ever with many stars doing voice acting for video games. Case in point, Grey’s Anatomy’s Camilla Luddington does the voice of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider games.

It’s the essence of video games that inspired Westworld showrunners to place their characters into the Wild West and give them a unique story and multiple narratives to follow, as is common in video game settings.

With Red Dead Redemption 2 releasing later this week, it will be exciting to see what parallels can be drawn between the new game and the series.

What similarities do you see between Red Dead Redemption and Westworld? Share your comments below or on our Twitter, @BeyondWestworld.