One of my most-anticipated video games of the year is Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption.  At its most basic level, the game is Grand Theft Auto but in the Western genre.  That idea alone is amazing.  And to bring more attention to the game, Rockstar has hired director John Hillcoat (The Proposition) to helm a half-hour trailer for the game using machinma.  For those who don't know, Machinma is a story told by using a video game's assets.  You're basically creating an animated film, but you're doing it in-game.  The most famous machinma is the Halo-based Red vs. Blue series.

Hillcoat's a strong director and The Proposition shows he has the chops to do a western (and it was probably one of the big reasons why he was hired for the gig).  It will be interesting to see what he does in such a niche genre of animation.  The trailer/short film will air on Fox on Saturday, May 15th.  Red Dead Redemption will be released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 18th.  Hit the jump for the trailer and the game's official synopsis. [The Futon Critic via Kotaku]

Here's the official synopsis for Red Dead Redemption:

America, early 1900's. The era of the cowboy is coming to an end.

When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is sent across the American frontier to help bring the rule of law. Experience intense gun battles, dramatic train robberies, bounty hunting and duels during a time of violent change.

Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful open world as John Marston struggles to bury his blood-stained past, one man at a time.

Developed by Rockstar San Diego, Red Dead Redemption is coming for Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on May 18, 2010 in North America and on May 21, 2010 in Europe.

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