Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in 2018, thus anticipation for Red Dead Redemption 3 has been mounting steadily since then. The second installment is set in 1899 and follows the story of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang led by Dutch van der Linde. The game explores the decline of the Wild West era as the gang faces increasing pressure from law enforcement and rival factions.
It is praised for its realistic portrayal of the Old West and its complex themes exploring loyalty, morality, and the consequences of violence. It has been six years since the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, which experienced a major breakout. Fans have eagerly awaited news of a potential third installment, wondering if it will indeed materialize. Speculation runs rampant about what possible innovations and narratives it might bring to the cult classic.
Red Dead Redemption 3 Is Likely to Happen, but Who Knows When It Will Actually Come Out
As much as we’re all hyped about Red Dead Redemption 3, there’s still radio silence from the official sources, so it’s anyone’s guess at this point. But that doesn’t stop fans from theorizing about possible setting ranges, including a return to America, a UK setting (potentially Birmingham in 1919), or exploring themes in Native American or South American territories. The actor who played the character Arthur Morgan, Roger Clark, has responded to a fan’s comment on his post in X when asked about any hints for Red Dead Redemption 3.
Clark assures us that Red Dead Redemption 3 will undoubtedly be released, but he is just as unsure as we are about when it will happen. Arthur Morgan also likely won’t make it into the third game since “his story has been told.” Rumor has it Red Dead Redemption 3 might be another prequel, potentially featuring Dutch and Hosea in their prime. The company’s current focus is also on GTA 6 and updates for previous Red Dead Redemption titles.
Rockstar Games has recently rolled out the first major patch for Red Dead Redemption 2 in 18 months. GTA 6 is also set to debut in early 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, with a PC release likely in early 2026. The first glimpse trailer definitively announces the 2025 release year and revisits Vice City with protagonists Lucia and Jason. That said, the development of GTA 6 is enough of a hint that Red Dead Redemption 3 won’t enter development until 2025.
History May Repeat Itself in Red Dead Redemption 3
Rockstar Games has a history of spacing out the releases of their major titles, so it wouldn’t be unexpected if they did it again with Red Dead Redemption 3. Examples of notable gaps between Rockstar Games releases include the eight-year gap between Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008) and Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013), as well as the seven-year gap between Red Dead Redemption (2010) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). If the company is to stick to that approach, then Red Dead Redemption 3 might be released around 2030.
However, Rockstar Games’ extended development cycles have consistently defined the concept of “worth the wait.” The released titles consistently attain a level of quality, depth, and originality that surpasses that of any competing titles. Although some titles may court controversy due to mature themes and content, the fact remains that Rockstar Games consistently sets the bar high for the gaming industry. Though Red Dead Redemption 3 remains unconfirmed, if history is any indication, Rockstar Games’ dedication to quality suggests that, if the game were to be released, it would likely exceed expectations.
Even With a Release, Red Dead Redemption 3 May Not Hit Current Playstation and Xbox Consoles
Rumors abound that Red Dead Redemption 3 may not make it to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This began with an unnamed industry insider, AccNgt, who leaked details via their X account. Even though the account and post have been taken down, an insider previously asserted that GTA 6 might be the only Rockstar Games title for this console generation. Sony’s stock also recently saw a big drop when they lowered their expectations for PS5 sales. The company now expects to sell 21 million units for the fiscal year, down from the previous outlook of 25 million units.
Industry giants like Nintendo and Microsoft are also launching new hardware, which coincides with Sony’s dip in sales projections. Despite recent rumors, Microsoft has confirmed that it’s not abandoning Xbox hardware. In a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast, Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond revealed that a new Xbox console is already in the works. According to recent reports from VGC and Eurogamer, Nintendo also appears to be targeting a Q1 2025 release for its next console, although it was initially slated for fall 2024.
Despite this, delays are still expected. Gaming hardware evolves in the long run, with new console generations offering better performance, graphics, and features. Given that console generations typically last around 5 to 7 years before being succeeded by new hardware, it’s reasonable to expect that by 2030, there will likely be another iteration or even a new generation of gaming consoles. For instance, the PS4 and Xbox One were released in 2013, setting the stage for the eighth generation of gaming consoles.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which are part of the ninth generation, were released in late 2020. This means the eighth generation lasted approximately 7 years. Therefore, if RDR3 were to be released around that time, it would probably be developed for the consoles available in the gaming industry by then. That covers everything you need to know about Red Dead Redemption 3. Here’s everything you need to know about Far Cry 7.
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