Take-Two Interactive has shut down a Red Dead Redemption fan project after filing a lawsuit against developer Johnathon Wyckoff on Dec. 26. Wyckoff is the creator behind a fan project called Red Dead Redemption Damned Enhancement Project, which was reportedly intended to [enhance] graphics and visuals in Take-Twos Red Dead Redemption game and make it playable on Windows PC a platform for which Take-Two itself has not yet released the Read Dead Redemption [sic] game, according to the lawsuit.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on PC earlier this year, but the original game never came to personal computers, just consoles. (The only way to play Red Dead Redemption on PC was through Sonys streaming service, PlayStation Now.)
Wyckoff posted in September that the Red Dead Redemption Damned Enhancement Project was halted, but later resumed working on it in November. He announced the cancellation of the project on Dec. 27, after the lawsuit was filed in a New York court, as first spotted by Torrent Freak.
Take Two fine you win, Wyckoff tweeted. RDR1 project cancelled. Stop the law suit i have a damn life. You guys should had waited i was gonna contact you this week. Geez you dont need to sue. Despite what you think you guys really killed modding. Wyckoff later tweeted that he was in talks with Take-Two.
Take-Twos lawyers alleged that Wyckoff publicly stated intent to distribute unauthorized software files that would dramatically change the content of Take-Twos video games, including importing the Red Dead Redemption map into Red Dead Redemption 2 and allowing players to access his enhanced version of Red Dead Redemption on PC. The company said it has repeatedly asked Wyckoff to stop.
Several screenshots from Discord, Twitter, and various forums published in the suit demonstrate Wyckoffs continued work on the project. Wyckoff reiterated in tweets that its a modding project and not infringement.
Neither Take-Two nor Wyckoff have responded to Polygons inquiries before publication time.