Red Dead Redemption 3 is likely on the horizon, especially given the success of the last game. Fans are buzzing with excitement for the next installment in Rockstar's Western series. We've gathered the latest information on RDR3, including potential release dates and what the story and setting might entail.
Rockstar Games is renowned for two major franchises: Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption (RDR). While GTA 6 is grabbing attention with its first official trailer and rumored release dates, details about Red Dead Redemption 3 remain scarce.
Despite this, it would be surprising if Rockstar abandoned one of its most successful and beloved series. So, it's very likely that a new Red Dead Redemption game is on the horizon. The big question is: when will Red Dead 3 be released? Here's what we know so far.
Red Dead Redemption 3 May Have Entered Early Development
With GTA 6 aiming for a release in the end of 2025, it's a safe bet that Rockstar will eventually be working on Red Dead Redemption 3, if they don't already have some people doing so. Remember that Red Dead Redemption 2 was in development for 8 years, and we didn't hear anything about it until they had made a significant amount of progress.
Despite recent rumors, there has been no official confirmation from Rockstar about whether Red Dead Redemption 3 is even in the works. The development teams are likely focusing on completing GTA 6 before starting any new major projects. However, this doesn't mean that Rockstar isn't already considering RDR3 from a strategic standpoint.
Red Dead Redemption could even be in development already – at least that's what Twitter/X user MyTimeToShineHello claimed. The account is usually more into leaking movies than games, so you should definitely take the Tweet with a grain of salt. Anyway, with GTA 6 on the horizon, it would actually make sense for Rockstar to already look further ahead.
Red Dead Redemption 3 is officially in the works! pic.twitter.com/jfHPXS5i2f
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) September 3, 2023
Red Dead Redemption 3: Release Unlikely Before 2030
Without an official confirmation or announcement, we can only speculate when the game will be released. However, now that we know that GTA 6 will be released in 2025, Red Dead Redemption 3 could be released around 2030.
Yes, it’s a long wait, but consider this: Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 were released eight years apart, in 2010 and 2018, respectively. Recently, Rockstar has been taking more time to develop games to extend support for its releases and to reduce crunch time. Therefore, another eight-year gap, which would place RDR3 in 2026, seems improbable. Especially considering Rockstar is set to finish GTA 6 in 2025, it's likely they'll need even more time before launching RDR3.
RDR3 Setting Speculation: America Or Somewhere Else?
There are a lot of options for how Red Dead Redemption 3 could play out. Setting-wise, it is safe to assume that we will once again return to America and México. Unfortunately, that would also mean that not much would change.
Since Rockstar once set a GTA game in London (GTA 1 Extension, 1999) and the TV show Peaky Blinders has popularized the 1919 Birmingham scene, it's not totally far-fetched that Rockstar might choose the UK for a game setting—though it would certainly be an unexpected move.
Still, considering that Red Dead Redemption 2 took place in 1899, and Red Dead Redemption 1 took place in 1911, a 1919 setting in Birmingham would fit right into the timeline. It also wouldn't be hard to tie it into the existing storylines, since there are many characters that Rockstar could have 'escaping' the Wild West for England. Another setting that people are craving is a Native American theme, as well as something tapping into South America more.
Red Dead 3 Story: Theories & Speculation
In terms of fan theories, the current front-runner in terms of a story is Landon Ricketts. Ricketts wouldn't stray far from the template set by John Marston and Arthur Morgan, as he is another famed gunslinger whose stories are yet to be told in the game. In Red Dead Redemption 1, we get to meet old Landon Ricketts, but little is known about the story behind the legend, and it's certainly a story that Red Dead fans are craving to explore.
Many people want to know more about Charles Smith's background. He's a big hit in Red Dead Redemption 2 because his story is so interesting: Born to a Native American mom and an African American dad, he ends up joining Dutch's gang. It's quite a journey!
But there's so much more to explore: Charles' connections with Native American tribes and his past as an underground fighter could make for an intriguing storyline. Plus, featuring Charles Smith as the protagonist would offer a fresh take from the typical gunslinger archetype, attracting new players to Red Dead Redemption 3.
RDR3 Will Be A Next-Gen Exclusive
It's a safe bet that when Red Dead Redemption 3 eventually hits the shelves, Rockstar Games will release it for the latest consoles first. Given our estimation that it won't debut until around 2030, it's logical to speculate that it will target the upcoming generation of consoles like the PS6 or the next iteration of Xbox (whether it's called Xbox 2, Xbox 720, or something else). This aligns with Microsoft's purported strategy. Leaked internal documents suggest they plan to unveil the next Xbox in 2028. While RDR3 might be cross-gen depending on its development timeline, don't count on it catering to older consoles.Considering Red Dead Redemption 2 made its way to PC, it's highly probable that its successor will follow suit. However, who knows? By then, we might have transitioned to cloud gaming or VR. It's anyone's guess what the gaming landscape will look like when Red Dead Redemption 3 finally arrives.
It's very unlikely that RDR3 will be released on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, since it seems that also GTA 6 - which will release ahead of Read Dead Redemption 3 – will be a next-gen exclusive.