Has A Gaming Map For ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Been Leaked Online?
Long-awaited sequels in the gaming world have a habit of teasing the avid gamer, snaring their hopes and keeping them hanging for months, years, and sometimes decades. Half-Life 3 is possibly the most infamous example of this, but within the modern generation, certain games appear out of nowhere and make an impact like no other. The success is phenomenal, and a sequel all but inevitable. There’s even the instance where, sometimes, a sequel will never materialize. It’s the curse of the gaming industry, one that isn’t always safe on solid ground, a world very much determined by success and gamer interaction.
In 2010, Red Dead Redemption broke multiple records and received near-universal acclaim from gamers and critics alike, eventually selling over 14 million copies. A sequel would surely follow, but didn’t, and little has been mentioned in the past six years. It’s been a long wait for the players, and although Rockstar has released other games since, the occasional rumour pops up here and there to indicate a sequel is on its way. Rockstar San Diego have kept their mouths closed, too, preferring a silent approach to a potential follow-up. It all remains a mystery, one that online reporters are determined to crack.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has never been officially confirmed, except for a leaked rumor that stated that the game was currently in development, an incident that was lent some credibility this week when an image of a potential in-game map was leaked, too. The key question is simple: is the game actually happening? The map can be seen below.
The article also confirms that TechRadar was in contact with a supposed insider who verified that the map was real. Apparently, it comes from a recent art direction map, so take that information with a pinch of salt. The same person also confirmed that Red Dead Redemption 2 — which is currently untitled — will be a prequel to its predecessor, and the map that leaked is located east of the game map featured in Red Dead Redemption.
If you need evidence of this, take a look at the bottom left of the map. You’ll see the Great Plains, which is home to Blackwater, a key settlement in the first game. This location sits at the top right of the Red Dead Redemption map, so you can see how the two come together. A railroad is also noticeably absent from Great Plains — the yellow line that skewers the map hints that the railroad is just coming of age at this point — which may indicate a much earlier timeline in history. The map also shows various caravan sites scattered around, indicating that the West may be less occupied than before.
There also seems to be the addition of islands, which means Rockstar may include swimming, boats or canoes in the game, something missing from its predecessor. Rumors, and an earlier time line, indicate that Native Americans will prominently feature in the sequel, so offering this transportation to assist with scavenging and hunting would be a nice addition to the game. With the map expected to be bigger than that of Grand Theft Auto V, Rockstar’s previous release, this could be a great way to navigate the vast map. With a range of towns, stores and locations to visit, not to mention the inclusion of a multiplayer mode, the possibilities of such a open world are endless.
With E3 coming soon, rumors exist that Rockstar or Take-Two will quench the rumours and finally reveal Red Dead Redemption 2 this year. The studio like to remain silent and brief during the E3 proceedings, so for them to appear and reveal such an important game could be a great change of protocol for them. One thing is certain: if fans get an official announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2, they certainly won’t mind.
[Image via Rockstar Games]
