Red Dead Redemption 3 Needs To Leave New Austin

Red Dead Redemption 3 is at a crucial point. The departure of lead writer Dan Houser from Rockstar, who was a key part of the series’ emotional storytelling and complex characters, creates a significant gap. If the new team tries to imitate his style, it might weaken what makes the Red Dead games special, resulting in a shallow sequel. Unfortunately, how can they not when the area surrounding New Austin is so important to the gameplay of the series? There isn’t an easy solution, which is why the team at Rockstar should try to build from a fresh foundation.

There is a real danger that the series could lose its unique, dark charm by sticking to more typical game designs. This is why Red Dead Redemption 3 should explore new areas beyond New Austin. Returning to familiar places, with characters whose stories have already ended limits creativity. To truly capture the spirit of the previous games, the new installment needs a fresh setting and storyline. This will allow the new writer to create their own unique story without being held back by past success, leading to a memorable Wild West adventure.

Lead Writer Dan Houser Left, And Another Writer Can Ruin What’s There

A Rockstar Co-Founder Is Gone

Dan Houser, the lead writer for the Red Dead Redemption games, left Rockstar back in 2020, which raises concerns about the future of Red Dead Redemption 3. His departure creates a big gap in creativity, making it hard for someone new to fill that role without changing what makes the Red Dead universe special. Houser had a unique style that shaped the previous games’ deep stories and emotional tone, and copying his approach won’t capture that same magic.

A new writer, even if they know Rockstar’s history well, will find it challenging to maintain the high quality and emotional depth fans expect. There’s a real risk of losing the distinct, poignant storytelling that has defined the series. The careful mix of action, character growth, and themes that Houser can’t just be copied because every writer has their own style.

While a new vision might sound exciting, it also risks misunderstanding or weakening the existing story. A more typical, commercially-driven style might replace the emotional complexity and moral dilemmas that fans loved. Because of these challenges, starting fresh in a different setting could be a better and more interesting choice, allowing a new writer to develop their own style without the pressure to recreate past successes.

Players Know a Lot About Other Characters Already

There’s So Little Left To Learn

The characters in the Red Dead Redemption series are already well-known and deeply developed, which makes it hard to create Red Dead Redemption 3 set in New Austin. Fans are very familiar with the stories of Arthur Morgan and John Marston, but they’re also very familiar with other characters’ backstories. While they are interesting, not everyone will be interesting enough for another 60-hour or more game like RDR2. Even still, exploring their journeys further, especially knowing their tragic endings, might feel forced and unoriginal.

Additionally, the detailed backgrounds of supporting characters like Dutch Van der Linde and Hosea Matthews create challenges for any new story. Revisiting them would require careful writing to avoid contradicting their established stories and motivations, which could limit the creativity of the narrative. It’s hard to jump into someone else’s world and add to their characters’ lore without messing up something the previous writer had already set up.

Related

Sorry But You Won’t Be Playing Red Dead Redemption 3 On PS5 Or Xbox Series X/S

With no sign of Red Dead Redemption 3 in sight, and a new console generation looming, it’s unlikely the game will release on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Instead of relying on these familiar characters, it would be better to introduce new people and settings, like Arthur’s father’s backstory. This would allow for more freedom to tell a fresh and exciting story about the Wild West, and the chance for deeper, original storytelling is much more appealing than simply bringing back characters players already know so well.

The Developers Need To Avoid Modernity And War

Going Too Far One Way Wouldn’t Be As Fun

The Red Dead Redemption series is known for its powerful depiction of the American Wild West. This is a time characterized by independence, lawlessness, and the rise and fall of gangs. If Red Dead Redemption 3 is set with Jack in the early 1900s, it could weaken what makes the series special. The quick changes of that time, like the rise of cars and telephones, would change the atmosphere and feel of the Wild West experience. These technological shifts could clash with the game’s existing style and gameplay, which fits in a simpler time.

Additionally, setting the game around World War I brings in new complexities and themes that might not fit well. Unfortunately, going too far back would also not fit as well, as the United States has a harsh history of war against Native Americans and the Civil War. While these would be interesting, players didn’t come to play a war game; they want an old western tale. Fans appreciate the game’s focus on a specific time and place, so the developers can’t go that far and still tell a story similar to the previous two games.

So, if the developers wanted to stay in New Austin, they’d have to stick to another prequel. Unfortunately, it would be with established characters whose lore is already mostly set in stone, which would be a big problem in terms of creativity and giving players something they do not expect.

A Fresh Map Would Solve All The Above Problems

Sometimes, You Need A Fresh Start

Setting Red Dead Redemption 3 in the already-known area of New Austin has many drawbacks that can’t be easily overcome. Instead, creating a completely new map is the best way to tackle the series’ creative challenges moving forward. Rockstar can avoid relying too much on existing stories and characters by exploring new places outside of New Austin. This helps the developers craft a new storyline without diminishing the impact of previous games or forcing old characters into the new plot.

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The Perfect Red Dead Redemption 3 Backstory Has Already Been Written

With RDR’s epilogue taking place 3 years before the U.S. joined WW1, Jack Marston’s tale could be a dark reflection of another Rockstar protagonist.

A new setting would allow writers to develop their unique styles without the burden of expectations tied to Houser’s poignant storytelling. Additionally, a fresh location would allow for a more focused take on the Wild West themes. The time during Jack Marston’s life saw significant changes due to modernization, which challenged the established tone of the series. Choosing a different location, away from industrial progress, would help maintain the Wild West’s core elements: depicting a lawless frontier, exploring moral dilemmas, and searching for personal redemption.

This approach would keep the unique spirit of the Red Dead universe while allowing for new storytelling possibilities. Developing a fresh and engaging narrative without the constraints of established lore offers far greater potential than simply revisiting familiar locations and characters. This way, Red Dead Redemption 3 can create its own mythology in the Wild West, making sure it remains impactful even without its previous key creative figure.

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

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