Red Dead Redemption 3 is a prequel with the perfect protagonist set up, fans agree

Millions would probably agree that the Red Dead Redemption series is one of the greatest of all time, which is why fans are eager to see a third-numbered entry.

This beloved Rockstar Games series began with the linear Red Dead Revolver in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox, before venturing into the open-world genre with 2010’s Red Dead Redemption.

Check out the Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer below!

Then in 2018, we were treated to the fantastic Red Dead Redemption 2, which was bigger and arguably better than its predecessors. However, despite the number two in the title, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the 2010 game released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

So with Red Dead Redemption being set in 1911 and its sequel in 1899, if the third game in the series was to be a sequel, it would potentially lose its Wild West theme. With that in mind, it would make sense for Red Dead Redemption 3 to be another prequel and fans are already discussing what the game will be about.

Fans have discussed that Red Dead Redemption 3 could have a female protagonist while others would like a Dutch van der Linde origins story, as suggested by Reddit user GoatJamez.

“I think it's guaranteed that we're getting a prequel to the prequel of RDR which will be the last of this story arch. And I would love to play as a younger Dutch as he puts the gang together,” suggested the Reddit user kicking off the discussion on the thread.

Fellow members on the thread also suggested an origins story for Arthur Morgan and Hosea Matthews or even a newly announced character in the series.

“What if there was a gang leader before Dutch, someone Hosea's age then Dutch comes in and takes over,” suggests LusciousFingers. “We play the role of the gang leader and meet Dutch and watch him become the charismatic leader he is. Before he betrays us.”

“What's weird to me is that people don't want RDR3 because the story of redemption is over, they don't know that because the writers already buried the seeds into RDR2 and then that blooms up for a third entry, that being Mac Callander's redemption,” explained a Reddit user.

For context, Mac Callander is a former member of the Dutch van der Linde gang but he is the only member of the infamous group never to be seen on screen.

“I’d love to see a multi-character prequel inspired by GTA V, where it starts early being able to switch between Dutch and Hosea, taking in Arthur then John, allowing you to switch between them after John comes back from his “holiday” ending with the Blackwater heist and a cutscene of the gang packing up and heading to the mountains,” said Pistol_Tistle.

It’s worth keeping in mind that while a new Red Dead Redemption feels like a given, Rockstar Games has yet to make any such announcement. That being said, if or when Red Dead Redemption 3 does arrive, it’s likely to be after GTA VI which is currently scheduled to be released in late 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.