‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Latest News & Update: Game Leads to Real-Life Death Threats, Frighteningly Detailed NPCs

“Red Dead Redemption 2” is one of those rare video games that affect the real world in strange ways and not always in a positive manner. For example, it would seem that the hatred for certain characters in the title has led some players to issue actual threats to real people. It would appear that the game is far too detailed for its own good.

As Eurogamer reports, the passion directed at “Red Dead Redemption 2” seems to have bled over to real life and those bearing the O'Driscoll name are bearing the brunt of the consequences. For those who have yet to play this open-world western, O'Driscoll is basically associated with an in-game gang. The leader of the outfit is Colm O'Driscoll and like many fictional characters, he shares a name with real people.

In the case of one Colm O'Driscoll living in Ireland, the association has led to actual threats on social media. Making matters even more confusing for him is that he has never even played “Red Dead Redemption 2.” It’s worth pointing out that he does recognize how some of the threats were made as a joke, but it can be difficult to feel at ease when so many of them are being sent.

"I find the whole thing kinda funny, but the messages are starting to get annoying," O'Driscoll said. "A little part of me worries that some of these people are so emotionally invested in the game that they're starting to lose perception of what's real and what isn't."

A major reason why players can be invested in “Red Dead Redemption 2” to an unhealthy degree is just how well it is made. A report by The Verge even shows just how detailed Rockstar has made the NPCs in the game, where even the most inconsequential townsfolk live actual simulated lives. It’s not difficult to imagine how particularly imaginative players might be drawn in too deep.