Red Dead Redemption 2 enthusiasts are currently debating how the legacy of Arthur Morgan might have been altered if Rockstar had proceeded with his original, less conventionally attractive design. Many fans speculate that his initial look could have hindered his widespread appeal.
Arthur Morgan was eventually embraced as a protagonist whose charisma rivaled that of John Marston, with his rugged aesthetic and classic Western features contributing significantly to his popularity. However, during the early phases of production, Arthur was envisioned as a much leaner and far less striking figure.
Preliminary concept art for Red Dead Redemption 2 suggests the character was originally intended to have a gaunt physique and a face that lacked the iconic, handsome quality he possesses in the final game. Reddit user Matt-the-Monkey sparked a discussion by questioning whether Arthur would have reached the same heights of fame had this prototype design been kept.
Fan reactions have been varied: some argue that a different physical appearance would have fundamentally changed how players perceived his moral redemption. Others believe that while Arthur’s core personality would have still won over the hardcore fanbase, he might have failed to become a mainstream pop-culture icon.
While the majority of players agree that Arthur’s writing is what truly defines him, there is no denying that the original visual direction would have shifted the overall tone of his journey.
Source: iXBT.games