SUMMARY
  • Rockstar Games is currently hard at work to bring GTA 6 to fruition in 2025.
  • However, that has not stopped fans of its work from hoping - and perhaps even praying - for a sequel to 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • Speculation is rife about the possibility of another prequel that could take the franchise's story back to its very beginning with multiple protagonists in the hands of its players.

Red Dead Redemption is an excellent IP that showcases the best of what Rockstar Games can do in terms of creating engaging narratives that put its players at the center of humongous open worlds that have a lot of activities for them to lose themselves in.

Sprawling landscapes set in the Wild West have allowed the studio to craft storylines for an extensive cast of memorable characters whose personalities work well within a larger narrative framework that creates complex relationships between them while tackling themes relevant to the time period in a way that is not only memorable but pushes the boundaries of what video games are capable of.

Thrilling Treks Through the Wild West

The original Red Dead Redemption on display.
Red Dead Redemption’s take on the Wild West has remained very popular among action-adventure fans.

Rockstar has stayed at the top of its game ever since 2004’s Red Dead Revolver which was followed by Red Dead Redemption in 2010 and Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018. While the studio may be better known for its take on organized crime in its Grand Theft Auto franchise, its take on the Wild West has allowed it to put its own creations in competition with each other with its players being the ultimate winners.

Red Dead Redemption has managed to take the fight to GTA with a well-realized adventure into a time period that has constantly been an inspiration for many creative ventures. With an exciting action-adventure format focused on outlaws trying to get by in a society that is rapidly moving towards an industrial revolution, the franchise has withstood the test of time better than its central characters, rewarding Rockstar with an IP that its players hope to see more of in the coming years.

Could Rockstar Return to the Wild West in Its Next Outing?

Red Dead Redemption 2 in action.
Red Dead Redemption 2 proved to be a worthy sequel to the original title.

Rockstar’s notorious reputation for keeping its upcoming projects strictly under wraps has its fans guessing where the studio is likely to go next after it releases its next installment to the GTA franchise in Autumn 2025. Fans of its work will certainly love to hear that the studio is looking to return to Red Dead Redemption for its next project – a sentiment that the studio’s best talents are certainly aware of.

However, a recent earnings call contained little to no information about potential new projects in the studio’s pipeline meaning that there is no official news from the studio about a potential return to its second-best performer over the years. That has not stopped the franchise’s fans from hoping for another installment to its illustrious ranks.

Could Red Dead Redemption Go Further Back in Time?

Authur Morgan takes a pensive moment in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Fans of the franchise would love to see the early days of Authur’s poignant adventure.

Considering that the franchise took the time to set up a very complex narrative involving the protagonist from the original title whilst bringing new faces to the table in Red Dead Redemption 2, it would make sense for a new title to take things back to the very beginning of its expansive story, taking on a similar approach to its protagonists that has previously worked well in GTA 5.

Another prequel would allow the new game to retain its Wild West setting – arguably among the franchise’s biggest draws – while bringing the scope for Rockstar to go beyond what it has achieved with Red Dead Redemption 2 in many ways. That is especially true when the fact that several of its characters continue to remain fan favorites despite the game being nearly six years old at this point in time while the title has received an upgrade for the PS5 Pro that is all set to give it a new lease of life.

A Lot of Potential to Make History While Reliving It

One of RDR2's many landscapes.
Gorgeous visuals and an engaging storyline are hallmarks of the Red Dead Redemption franchise.

Red Dead Redemption 3 could be an excellent idea for Rockstar when considering a title that features multiple protagonists working alongside each other similar to GTA 5. A prequel exploring the early days of the Van der Linde gang could very well feature Dutch, Arthur Morgan, and John Marston working to get their fledgling alliance off the ground.

It would be an excellent way to bring in some nostalgia to the franchise while also making meaningful additions to the franchise’s already incredible gameplay loop in a title that could blend the best of what the franchise has put on offer while adding nuanced touches that would be a great way for Rockstar to build on the success of an IP that continues to remain at the top of many players’ lists of favorites.

What Do Red Dead Redemption’s Fans Think of a New Title?

Fans of Rockstar’s take on cowboys are busy speculating on a potential new addition to the franchise whilst also being cautiously optimistic about a potential release window for it considering that Rockstar is a studio that tends to take its time with its projects in order to deliver high-quality experiences for its players to enjoy.

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There is also speculation about how realistic Rockstar would attempt to make a new addition to the popular franchise – which it could very well do considering its work with Red Dead Redemption 2.

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Fans of Red Dead Redemption will have to wait and see if Rockstar decides to take the plunge in the wake of GTA 6’s release. It’s going to be a long wait but one that is worth it if the studio’s past work with the franchise is any indication.