Red Dead Redemption transports players back to one of the most captivating periods in American history, bringing the Wild West’s ruggedness and lawlessness to life. Despite this era’s brief heyday, lasting just a few decades, its impact on the nation was profound.
The essence of the Wild West was an unrelenting drive to thrive amidst fierce rivalry. Dutch Van der Linde and his gang perfectly embodied the tumultuous rise and fall rooted in unchecked ambition. If Rockstar Games decides to take on Red Dead Redemption 3, it’s likely they’ll stick with this intriguing era but may venture into unexplored territories of America. This timeframe teems with fresh and enticing settings for RDR3 to delve into.
As settlers and outlaws claimed dominance over the West, the Eastern seaboard was booming with the advances of the Gilded Age, stretching from the 1870s to the early 1900s. While the West was still finding its footing, industrialization and urban expansion were in full swing on the East Coast. With its rapid factory proliferation, severe wealth disparity, technological milestones, and political shenanigans, the Gilded Age offers fertile ground for RDR3.
Exploring the harsh realities of those subjected to grueling factory work while the wealthy reveled, or corrupt politicians exploiting the epoch’s opportunities, could serve as compelling plotlines. The Gilded Age was characterized by a relentless pursuit of profit, often at the detriment of others—a perfect milieu for a protagonist driven to upend the status quo. You could imagine a Van der Linde-style gang on the East Coast, setting their sights on the era’s fat cats.
Rockstar hasn’t given RDR3 the green light just yet. However, possible storylines might mirror the character arc of a gang member falling prey to the allure of power and corruption, akin to Dutch’s storyline. The franchise stands at a crossroads, with the potential of exploring the West Coast’s burgeoning growth alongside the Gilded Age’s allure.
Directed attention might also shift to the dawn of Hollywood. In 1887, real estate visionary Harvey Wilcox planted the seeds of what would become the glamour-coated Tinseltown, with H.J. Whitley further nurturing its status as an upscale enclave. By the time RDR1 rolls around in 1911, Hollywood’s first studio stands tall, paving the way for an industry that shapes American culture to this day.
This period’s glamourous veneer hides the same stories of corruption and ambition that resonate with Red Dead’s narrative themes. As organized crime later took root in Hollywood’s burgeoning days, intersecting with the outlaw ethos, RDR3 has endless avenues to explore. Whether spotlighting Hollywood’s bright lights or the Gilded Age’s political backroom deals, there’s no shortage of untamed frontiers left for Red Dead Redemption to conquer.
