The delayed launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 has uncertain implications for the possibility of a Red Dead Redemption 3 release. Rockstar is no stranger to long dev cycles, but as those long waits between games keep getting longer, it may cause some fans to doubt the future. As successful as Red Dead Redemption 2 was, some may wonder if a third entry in the series is even still on the table at this point.
Rockstar sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry when it announced the already-long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6 would be delayed until 2026. Some insiders have suggested that another GTA 6 delay isn’t out of the question, either, though a second pushback may still keep it within a 2026 window. Future delays aside, the game has been in development for over a decade at this point, so what does that mean for Rockstar’s other beloved action-adventure series?
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At first glance, GTA 6‘s extended development does not look good for Red Dead Redemption 3. Rockstar worked on RDR 2 for eight years, starting the dev cycle as soon as the first game was out. If the next entry followed a similar schedule, it would mean fans could expect RDR 3 in 2026, but that seems unlikely now. With GTA 6 now set to come out that year, Rockstar likely would not want to compete with itself by releasing two major entries so close to each other. There has also been no news of a third Red Dead Redemption yet, and GTA‘s delays suggest the studio could be focusing its resources on that series for now.
The Gap Between Red Dead Redemption 2 and 3 Could Be the Series’ Longest
While Rockstar does work on multiple titles simultaneously, there’s usually a gap between major releases. Looking at the past, GTA 5 and RDR 2 came out five years apart, and on average, the franchises trade releases roughly every three and a half years. Going by that history, RDR 3 could come out sometime around 2029 or 2030. Considering how the last game has already been out for seven years, that’s likely not what fans want to hear, although it would still be shorter than the gap between GTA 5 and GTA 6.
There is a chance that it may not take that long, though. A former Rockstar dev has speculated that GTA 7‘s development will likely be cheaper because of AI, which could also accelerate its release timeline. If that’s true, it could mean development on RDR 3 would also speed along faster than it could’ve before. However, given how controversial AI is in the gaming industry, it’s unclear if Rockstar will use it or to what extent while making Red Dead Redemption 3.
With no official news on the future of the Red Dead series, it’s difficult to say what to expect. Considering how long GTA 6 is taking, fans should probably not hold their breath, but just because Grand Theft Auto has taken a while doesn’t mean the exact same thing will happen with RDR 3.
Red Dead Redemption 2
10/10
- Released
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October 26, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
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RAGE
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