Red Dead Redemptionhas brought one of the most fascinating eras of American history back to life. The brutality of the Wild West is on full display in theRed Dead Redemptionfranchise, 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 gangperfectly illustrated the rise and fall that can come with blind ambition. IfRDR3ever 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, leavingRDR3with compelling new settings to explore.
While Settlers and Outlaws Took Over the West, the East Coast Was Booming
The Wild Westmay 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. IfRDR3really 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 ofthe Van der Linde gangthat is hellbent on taking down those on top could be fascinating to see unfold.
Rockstar has yet to officially announceRDR3.
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.RDR3has the chance to exploremany 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
While the story ofRDR1takes place in 1911, Hollywood’s first film studio is being erected. It’s fascinating to think of how many important historical moments overlap, andRDR3could 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 intoRed Dead Redemption’s core themes.
Eventually, mafias and gangs would help shape Hollywood and greater Los Angeles in the early 20th century, soRDR3would 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,RDR3has plenty to explore.
