Red Dead Redemption 1 Provides the Ideal Template for a New Protagonist

Red Dead Redemption seems to be in a sort of standstill right now. The most recent release came out in 2018 and there’s been no official word on whether we’ll see a third installment. Rockstar’s western saga has captured the hearts of many, lauded as one of the best storytelling experiences in video games. However, as of now, the idea of Red Dead Redemption 3 seems to be a distant dream.

Whether or not Rockstar has plans for another Red Dead Redemption title after the anticipated launch of GTA 6, remains a mystery. For now, all we can do is speculate about the series’ future. One of the key questions fans are buzzing about is who the next lead character might be. The game could dive back into the ranks of the Van der Linde gang, with characters like Sadie or Charles taking center stage. On the other hand, this might be an opportunity to step outside the familiar world of outlaws. To shake things up, Rockstar might consider drawing inspiration from the original Red Dead Redemption, perhaps spotlighting the Pinkertons’ story more intricately.

The Pinkerton National Detective Agency has been a fixture in Red Dead Redemption’s narrative, often standing as the law’s resistible force against the player’s immovable object. While longtime fans may feel overly familiar with the life of an outlaw, shifting focus to a character who starts in the realm of law enforcement before turning rogue could provide a fresh perspective.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, Pinkertons were central villains, while the original game showed how they evolved into the Bureau of Investigation under Edgar Ross. This transition highlighted the rapid changes in the Wild West era, reflecting a society increasingly determined to eradicate the outlaw lifestyle. A story centered on a Pinkerton or Bureau agent, who begins to question their mission and method, could provide a robust narrative path. For instance, imagine an agent working under Edgar Ross who eventually admires, then rebels due to Ross’s underhanded tactics, mirroring how Ross eventually betrayed John Marston in Red Dead Redemption.

Even though the beloved Van der Linde gang has had their time to shine, a return to them might be on the predictable side. However, revisiting this world, maybe even journeying further back in time, might not be such a bad idea. It could be exciting for fans to see younger versions of characters they cherish, experiencing their early days firsthand. There’s potential in exploring Dutch and Hosea’s formative years as well.

Ultimately, we’re left with a lot of ‘what ifs’ regarding the future of the series. Once GTA 6 rolls out, maybe Rockstar will finally shine a light on what’s in store for Red Dead Redemption. In the meantime, fans can only hope that a third chapter eventually makes its way from beyond the horizon into reality.