With the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 set to release in 2020, gamers are wondering when Rockstar Games will reveal Grand Theft Auto VI. Their last major release, Red Dead Redemption 2, was a critical darling, but those clamoring for the modern satire are still waiting.
GTA Online has been a force in terms of revenue for the developer and publisher, but will Arthur Morgan's Western tale influence the next GTA title? Let's now look at five ways Red Dead Redemption 2 will influence GTA VI and five ways it definitely won't.
10 Won't: Prequel
The difference between Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto is that the former is one that all ties into one another, whereas the latter is more of an anthology series taking place in different cities and times. It'd be hard for Rockstar Games to find a point in their protagonist's lives that was more interesting than the events they went through in the game they starred in. GTA VI might take place in Vice City or another city set in a retro era, but don't expect it to be a prequel to a previous entry.
9 Influence: Epilogue
Going into Red Dead Redemption 2 fans understood that this was Arthur Morgan's story, but John Marston would play a key role in the events. When Arthur's journey ends most people were caught off guard at the reveal of the game's Epilogue that had players controlling John up until the events of the first game. Players can use the Epilogue to travel around and discover what the character's from the games main narrative has been up to. GTA VI including an Epilogue is unlikely but would be a welcome surprise to most.
8 Won't: Horses
If you're planning on navigating the confined and heavily populated areas of whatever urban metropolis GTA VI takes place in on horseback, you better think twice. One reason people love GTA is that you get to drive cars you could never in real-life, whether that be a high-end sports car or a garbage truck.
It would be neat if they included a rideable horse as a nod to the Red Dead Redemption franchise, but don't hold your breath. The closest thing you'll likely get is seeing the horsepower on the cars you'll be stealing and ultimately wrecking.
7 Influence: Choose Your Own Adventure
Though Red Dead Redemption 2 was a pretty straightforward narrative surrounding Arthur Morgan and the Van Der Linde gang, it did offer points of decision. There were several points in the game where things played out differently depending on how the player decided to guide Arthur through it. It's unclear if GTA VI will have one main protagonist or not, but it's safe to assume that Rockstar Games likes to give their players some agency. With GTA's track record there'll likely be some unsavory situations you put yourself in.
6 Won't: Lackluster Multiplayer
When stacking Red Dead Online up against GTA Online, it was doomed from the start. Once you replace a modern world full of cars and technology with horses and bows, the vibe is going to be different. Some fans have argued that they felt Red Dead Online was never a focus of the Rockstar Games team as it seemed to not be handled with the same care and attention as GTA Online had been. GTA Online has made Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar a lot of money, so it will likely be the point of entertainment and focus in GTA VI.
5 Influence: Hair Growth
A neat water cooler moment that took place while the world dove into Red Dead Redemption 2 was whether or not you as a player were taking care of Arthur Morgan's hygiene. Players who got distracted, or just didn't care, could end up with an Arthur who had long hair and the beard of a caveman.
Often times the condition of Arthur was a reflection of the type of gamer the person controlling him was. This will likely return in GTA VI and might even be implemented in the next-gen version of GTA Online.
4 Won't: Focused Single-Player
With GTA Online being such a runaway success in terms of popularity and revenue, it seemingly killed the idea of Rockstar Games ever making single-player downloadable content. Their last two major releases didn't receive any story DLC despite their previous entries receiving industry-leading DLC content. GTA IV will have a single-player campaign to some extent, but don't expect it to be as locked-in and intimate as Red Dead Redemption 2's. Money speaks and Rockstar likely looked for a way to integrate GTA Online into the single-player portion of the game.
3 Influence: World Detail
It seems that with every new AAA release Rockstar Games puts out they push the envelop when it comes to world detail, among plenty of other game development facets. Red Dead Redemption 2 managed to crush the level of intricate detail in GTA V, which seemed like an almost impossible task. The world in RDR 2 feels handcrafted in a way that clearly displays how the studio developed a work ethic and culture focused on crunch. The moment Rockstar Games unveils gameplay for GTA VI don't be surprised if it once again ups the ante.
2 Won't: Pacing
Red Dead Redemption 2 was a game that had a slower pace to it. This was obviously a reflection of the setting, as Western tales are known for being drawn out and taking their time. GTA VI likely won't follow suit as the modern open-world franchise delivers action at a breakneck speed and paces its narrative in a way that feels similar to a Hollywood film.
This makes sense considering the Grand Theft Auto series is meant to be a direct reflection and satire of current Western culture. You won't be resting at a campfire to simply take in the night sky.
1 Influence: Avoid Crunch
Ever since the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, there have been numerous stories documenting the toxic work culture at Rockstar Games. Sources have told journalists like Jason Schreier that the studio embraces crunch in a way where employees felt like they would be doing their co-workers a disservice if they didn't pitch in as well. The studio recently released a statement stating that they're working on making a healthier work environment, and Schreier has even heard from anonymous employees that things have been improving since the allegations originally surfaced.