Red Dead Redemption has brought one of the most fascinating eras of American history back to life. The brutality of the Wild West is on full display in the Red Dead Redemption franchise, and while this brand of outlaw lifestyle only lasted a few decades, it was one of the most influential times in the country's history.

The Wild West was marked by endless determination to come out on top in a tough and unforgiving sea of competition. Dutch Van der Linde and his gang perfectly illustrated the rise and fall that can come with blind ambition. If RDR3 ever comes to fruition, Rockstar will likely want to return to this era, but the developer will hopefully look to other areas of the country. A lot was happening in America during this time period, leaving RDR3 with compelling new settings to explore.

read-dead-redemption-3-camps-game-rant
How Red Dead Redemption 3 Can Turn RDR2's Camp Feature On Its Head

Red Dead Redemption 2 introduced gang camps to the franchise, and a third chapter could bring this feature to the next level.

10
By 

Red Dead Redemption Should Explore Beyond the Frontier

While Settlers and Outlaws Took Over the West, the East Coast Was Booming

  • The Wild West era ran from 1865 until 1900.
  • During this time, the East Coast was experiencing the Gilded Age, lasting from the 1870s into the early 1900s.

The Wild West may still have been in the process of being settled and built, but on the East Coast, cities and industrialization were taking off. The Gilded Age was defined by rapid factory growth, extreme wealth inequality, technological and innovative advancements, and political corruption. If RDR3 really wanted to turn the franchise on its head, exploring the Gilded Age could be the best way to do so.

Diving into the ethics of forcing people into intense factory labor while bosses rake in the wealth or a corrupt politician taking advantage of the opportunities of the time could lend itself to some great plot points. The Gilded Age was mostly marked by greed and maximizing profits at the expense of keeping other individuals down, which could be a great starting point for a protagonist. A sort of East Coast version of the Van der Linde gang that is hellbent on taking down those on top could be fascinating to see unfold.

Rockstar has yet to officially announce RDR3.

One potential plot point could even revolve around a member or leader of this group succumbing to their own greed, mirroring Dutch's descent into corruption. RDR3 has the chance to explore many different avenues with its settings and characters, and showcasing the Gilded Age might be a fascinating path. However, the franchise could also dig deeper into the growth of the West Coast.

The Wild West was marked by endless determination to come out on top in a tough and unforgiving sea of competition.

The Early Days of Hollywood

  • In 1887, real-estate developer Harvey Wilcox built the subdivision that would eventually become Hollywood.
  • Soon after, H.J. Whitley transformed the area into a wealthy neighborhood.
  • The first official Hollywood movie studio was founded in 1911.
  • In 1913, the Jesse Lasky Feature Play Company was formed, which would eventually become Paramount Pictures.

While the story of RDR1 takes place in 1911, Hollywood's first film studio is being erected. It's fascinating to think of how many important historical moments overlap, and RDR3 could easily still stay true to its western roots while also showcasing the beginning of one of the country's biggest industries. The history of Hollywood is also marked by corruption, greed, and the desire for success at any cost, so it would easily play into Red Dead Redemption's core themes.

Eventually, mafias and gangs would help shape Hollywood and greater Los Angeles in the early 20th century, so RDR3 would still be following outlaws, just in a different light. Seeing an outlaw lifestyle be reshaped into different enterprises, whether it be under the bright lights of Hollywood's early days or the political corruption of the Gilded Age, RDR3 has plenty to explore.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Red Dead Redemption 2 Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Red Dead Redemption 2
Display card tags widget
Action
Adventure
Display card system widget
Systems
google logo grey PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
Display card main info widget
Released
October 26, 2018
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Publisher(s)
Rockstar Games
Engine
RAGE
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
N/A
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
Action, Adventure