Red Dead Redemption vividly resurrects one of America’s most captivating historical periods. The brutal landscape of the Wild West unfolds within this franchise, showcasing a time of fierce outlaw life that, despite its brief span, left a lasting impact on the nation’s history.
The era characterized by relentless ambition and survival in a harsh, competitive environment is perfectly encapsulated by Dutch Van der Linde and his gang. Should RDR3 see the light of day, Rockstar might revisit this time, but with the potential to explore different regions of the country. There’s so much more happening during this period, offering RDR3 exciting new locations to delve into.
Red Dead Redemption: Venturing Beyond the Frontier
While the West Was Finding Its Feet, the East Coast Was Thriving
The Wild West, spanning from 1865 to 1900, was a period of significant development. Meanwhile, the East Coast was flourishing during the Gilded Age, a time stretching from the 1870s into the early 1900s.
Although the Wild West was still evolving, the East Coast experienced rapid urban growth and industrialization. The Gilded Age’s hallmarks included swift factory establishment, stark income disparities, technological innovations, and political malpractice. Should RDR3 aim to revolutionize the series, it might find rich narratives in the Gilded Age.
Exploring themes like labor exploitation for wealth or corrupt politics seizing opportunities could provide compelling storylines. The period thrived on greed and profit-making, often at others’ expense, making it a strong narrative foundation. Imagine an East Coast equivalent of the Van der Linde gang, driven to topple the era’s powerful elite. It would make for an intriguing story.
Developer’s Next Move
Rockstar has yet to confirm RDR3 officially.
A narrative angle where a crew member succumbs to greed, paralleling Dutch’s downfall, could be riveting. RDR3 has the potential to explore different settings and characters and investigating the Gilded Age is but one avenue. Another is delving into the West Coast’s expansion.
The Dawn of Hollywood
By 1887, real-estate mogul Harvey Wilcox had developed a subdivision that would evolve into Hollywood. Shortly after, H.J. Whitley transformed it into a plush neighborhood. In 1911, Hollywood saw its first film studio, and by 1913, the Jesse Lasky Feature Play Company—predecessor to Paramount Pictures—arrived.
RDR1’s plot unfolds in 1911, the same year Hollywood’s film studio began. This overlapping of significant historical events could allow RDR3 to stay true to its Western roots while illustrating the inception of a major industry. Hollywood’s history, too, is interwoven with corruption, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of success, mirroring Red Dead Redemption’s central themes.
As time progressed, mafias and gangs played essential roles in shaping Hollywood and Los Angeles. Therefore, the narrative could still revolve around outlaws, albeit in a new context. Whether capturing the glitz of early Hollywood days or the political treachery of the Gilded Age, RDR3 presents boundless narrative possibilities.
