Red Dead Redemption 3 Tease Catches Us All Off Guard

The Red Dead franchise has cemented itself as one of the best in gaming since its first title, Red Dead Revolver, was released way back in 2004.

However, it is both 2010’s Red Dead Redemption and 2018’s Red Dead Redemption 2 that is close to not just our hearts, but also the heart of Dan Houser, one of the co-founders of Rockstar Games.

Alongside his brother Sam Houser, Dan Houser is responsible for some of the most beloved titles in gaming including the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. Despite making a name for himself with the Grand Theft Auto franchise, it is the Red Dead Redemption series that is close to Houser’s heart as he recently revealed on the Lex Fridman podcast.

Talking all things GTA, Red Dead, Rockstar Games, and the future of gaming, Houser spoke about his career which began in earnest in the 90s when he and his brother took to New York after Take-Two Interactive purchased BMG Interactive.

Whilst there, the sibling duo founded Rockstar with the aim to work on a Grand Theft Auto sequel after the first became an instant hit.

Over the course of their career, Grand Theft Auto has become a household name but Houser revealed that it is Red Dead Redemption that is close to his heart, mainly due to the epic saga telling a heartbreaking and cohesive tale.

Telling an interconnected story unlike Grand Theft Auto, Houser talked about how the Red Dead franchise means a lot to him, especially as the idea behind John Marston’s family came as he was forming his very own.

Rockstar Games

Not ready to leave it behind

"Each of the [Grand Theft Auto] games was kind of a standalone story," Houser explained.

"It's not quite the same. I think it probably would be, in some ways, sadder if someone continued on Red Dead, because it was a cohesive two-game arc.

That might be more sad to hear someone working on that. But again, that probably will happen too. I don't own the IP.

That was sort of part of the deal - it's a privilege to work on stuff, but you don't necessarily own it."

Of course, this comment does not reveal anything about a potential Red Dead Redemption 3 title but it is interesting to see that Houser feels very strongly about leaving the series behind, or handing it over to another creator.

However, with both John and Arthur’s stories now coming to an end, it remains to be seen what will be next for the Red Dead franchise or if there is even a future at all.