Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5 is full of various easter eggs and references to previous Grand Theft Auto titles, as well as callbacks to other games published by Rockstar Games. Titles such as Bully, Manhunt, Max Payne 3, and Red Dead Redemption all have easter eggs appearing in GTA 5.
Red Dead Redemption, which released in 2010, preceded Grand Theft Auto 5’s release in 2013. Hiding in plain sight are multiple references to Red Dead Redemption locations and characters. Some easter eggs may be smaller and less detailed than others, but some references to Rockstar’s previous western title are more obvious.
Here’s a look at all of the Red Dead Redemption easter eggs that can be found throughout San Andreas in Grand Theft Auto 5.
GTA 5 RDR Easter Egg: John Marston Mural
The South Los Santos neighborhood of Strawberry in GTA 5 has a not-so-subtle nod to the atmosphere of Red Dead Redemption as well as John Marston. Under the freeway, there is a mural that features a silhouette of a cowboy on a horse at night. The art shows this lone cowboy under stars and a full moon with saguaro cacti in the background. This location can be easily missed, similarly to some of the more hidden quests players easily miss in Grand Theft Auto 5.
GTA 5 RDR Easter Egg: Red Dead Book
In Franklin’s house located in the Vinewood Hills, there is a bookshelf in the living room showcasing multiple books. Taking a closer look, one of the books is titled “Red Dead” written by J. Marston. While this could be a reference to John, it’s more likely a reference to his son Jack Marston, who could often be found reading books in Red Dead Redemption. This would have interesting implications for Rockstar if both the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series took place in the same universe, as there are already theories about Red Dead Redemption 2’s and GTA 5’s UFOs being connected.
RDR Easter Egg: Pisswasser Beer Commercial
Eagle-eyed GTA 5 veterans have likely seen the in-game Pisswasser beer commercial by watching TV. The ad features multiple cuts between random western scenes to various hyper-patriotic clips that serve as a satire of drunken redneck shenanigans, all to the tune of a country jingle. One of the scenes in the clip shows a cowboy rearing a horse that is a cameo of John Marston from Red Dead Redemption.
RDR Easter Egg: Sandy Shores Street Names
The desert town of Sandy Shores where Trevor Phillips resides has a few street names that reference locations in Red Dead Redemption - Armadillo Avenue and Cholla Springs Drive both refer to the town of Armadillo and Cholla Springs region of New Austin.
These streets are aptly named, as Sandy Shores is located in the Grand Senora Desert, and certainly maintains a similar vibe to the desert of New Austin. Luckily, for Redemption fans, some of the coolest Red Dead Redemption 2 locations are based on real-life locations.
RDR Easter Egg: Capolavoro Film
Outside of watching TV, going to the cinema in Los Santos reveals another Rockstar easter egg. The film Capolavoro, Italian for “masterpiece,” uses footage from locations in both GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption. Notably, the clock tower from Blackwater Plaza is featured at the beginning of the film, with the clock hands spinning as the camera turns between shots of a horse collapsing.
RDR Easter Egg: Café Redemption
Additionally, there are smaller references to Red Dead Redemption and John Marston in GTA 5. Café Redemption is a coffeehouse chain with three locations within Los Santos, with its logo being a boar on a plate that is reminiscent of depictions of wild boar from RDR. Although this boar is not quite as iconic as the legendary Icahai Boar from Red Dead Online.
RDR Easter Egg: John Marston T-Shirt
At Vespucci beach, there is a Mr. Spoke bike rental vendor who sports a red t-shirt with a logo of John Marston from the cover of Red Dead Redemption. Interestingly, other NPCs throughout Los Santos can also be seen sporting this same t-shirt. As is fitting with Rockstar tradition, Grand Theft Auto 5 is filled with plentiful easter eggs and references, leaving plenty for players to discover across titles as well as the hidden cross-references within them.