Fans of Red Dead Redemption 2 have discussed the setting of a hypothetical follow-up on social media, citing the westernmost section of the United States as a good potential backdrop for future installments of Rockstar’s acclaimed cowboy sandbox series. Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018 and told the harrowing story of Arthur Morgan, a grizzled Van der Linde gang member who finds himself on the run from the law across the southern US in the late 1800s. Red Dead Redemption 2 broke many sales records upon its release, won multiple awards, and is still considered by many to be one of the greatest video games of all time.
Due to the widespread acclaim and chart-busting profits that Red Dead Redemption 2 has earned mega-developer Rockstar Games, a sequel seems inevitable - though there is currently no official word of a Red Dead Redemption 3 being in the works. This hasn’t stopped fans from discussing hypothetical settings and time periods RDR3 could be based around. However, some have pointed out that a direct continuation of Red Dead Redemption 2’s plot could be difficult due to the installment taking place near the end of the Old West era. Others have suggested that RDR3 could move past the Old West backdrop yet retain a Western epic feel by transitioning into the dawn of the 20th century, or serve as a prequel to Red Dead Redemption 2 just as RDR2 did for 2010’s Red Dead Redemption.
A Reddit user by the handle of a_spoopy_ghost recently submitted their suggestion for Red Dead Redemption 3’s potential setting to r/reddeadredemption in the form of a map highlighting the United States’ western coast leading up to Alaska. Many other users in the comment section have pointed out this area contains British Columbia and the sight of the fabled California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Others have noted the location has been home to some truly dark moments in America’s history - and Rockstar might not be willing to tackle a storyline dealing with such morbid subject matter. Meanwhile, a few players have suggested places like the Oregon Trail, which has been featured in the educational Oregon Trail series in the past and served as the backdrop of many historical events that would fit well with the Red Dead Redemption series, as well as Montana and more humorous settings like Tahiti or even space.
Red Dead Redemption 3 Could Take Players Across The Oregon Trail
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Red Dead Redemption 3 could be announced anytime soon, considering Rockstar seems to be directing its developmental efforts toward the next Grand Theft Auto game. The long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6 was finally announced earlier this year, with more recent developments providing a closer look at its expanding Miami setting and history-making playable female protagonist. Meanwhile, a recent leak revealed Rockstar canceled a supposedly planned remaster of the original Red Dead Redemption in the wake of GTA: Trilogy - Definitive Edition’s divisive launch last year, as well as the announcement stating Red Dead Online won’t be receiving any further updates.
Despite all this, it is challenging to imagine Rockstar not returning to its universally well-loved open-world western series with Red Dead Redemption 3, and there are plenty of possible settings and eras a third entry could explore. In addition to creating their own pseudo-Red Dead Redemption 3 in the form of Skyrim mods, fans will likely continue trying to predict the ideal location for Rockstar's sweeping Red Dead Redemption 2 sequel until further information or updates are provided by Rockstar in the potentially distant future.
Source: a_spoopy_ghost/Reddit