Red Dead Redemption 3 has been on a lot of fans' minds, especially with GTA 6's inevitable release date nearing. It's understandable, as no one really knows what Rockstar has planned once it finally releases GTA 6 and rakes in its millions if not billions of dollars from sales. Naturally, people will turn to Red Dead Redemption, as it is Rockstar's most recent non-GTA game, and thus the most likely to get a sequel.

However, as everyone ruminates on the best follow-up to RDR2, it is easy to forget that, while phenomenal, Red Dead Redemption 2 may not even need a sequel, prequel, spin-off, or any form of new entry. In fact, there are plenty of great reasons why Rockstar's next game shouldn't be Red Dead Redemption 3, especially with it following up GTA 6, a game that will likely be the developer's biggest game yet.

10 Red Dead Redemption 2 Perfectly Concluded The Series

It Has A Satisfying Ending

Red Dead Redemption 2's phenomenal narrative was a triumph that elated both critics and fans alike, introducing players to the formidable and expertly written protagonist Arthur Morgan while fleshing out characters that first appeared in the original RDR. As fans know, it was a prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption, one that perfectly wrapped up the story started in that game and served as an excellent burst of pathos for characters like Dutch and John Marston.

So, it feels wrong for Rockstar to make a third entry in the series, especially if it directly follows on from either game. There are absolutely directions the story could go and characters a third game could follow, but that doesn't mean it should. It's often better to know when to leave a game alone, and Red Dead Redemption 2 absolutely earned the series a well-deserved ending that shouldn't be tarnished.

9 Red Dead Redemption Isn't GTA

It Wasn't Meant To Be A Huge Series

The GTA games are somewhat connected, with locations and characters popping up across multiple titles, but they are largely divorced from one another, offering standalone experiences that newcomers can enjoy without the need to complete every other game. Red Dead Redemption did not follow that formula, instead serving as one of Rockstar's few sequential series that offered a connected narrative.

Fans only want another RDR game because Rockstar set the precedent for a sequel, but that definitely doesn't mean it needs one.

Red Dead Redemption doesn't need to become the next GTA, nor does Rockstar need another series. In fact, Red Dead Redemption could just end up like L.A. Noire, Bully, Oni, and all of Rockstar's other games that never received sequels. Fans only want another RDR game because Rockstar set the precedent for a sequel, but that definitely doesn't mean it needs one.

8 Red Dead Redemption 3 Could Take Too Long To Develop

Fans Can't Wait Another Seven Years Between Releases

GTA 6's release date has long been in contention, with Rockstar giving few details and fans relying on endlessly changing rumors and alleged leaks. It has gotten to the point where fans are looking at every morsel of supposed evidence for a hint at when it might drop. That's completely understandable though, as GTA 6 has been 12 years in the making and is Rockstar's first game in seven years.

If Rockstar were to make Red Dead Redemption 3 after GTA 6, then it could be another seven or potentially even more years for fans to wait. That may be too long for some, especially considering just how much the anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 hurt fans of the series. Of course, RDR3 could have a shorter development time, but knowing how Rockstar rarely does things in halves, that seems unlikely.

7 Rockstar Needs More Games

It Shouldn't Be A One-Trick Pony

The last time Rockstar made a non-GTA or Red Dead Redemption game was Max Payne 3 in 2012, over 13 years ago. If Rockstar were to make Red Dead Redemption 3 next, that would put an even bigger gap between different games by the developer. It risks becoming a bit of a one-trick pony, a developer only known for two different games, rather than its library of excellent titles.

Rockstar did publish new editions for both Bully and the original GTA games between the release of Max Payne 3 and 2025. It also released a VR version of L.A. Noire, although these hardly count as new games considering they're re-releases of older games.

If Rockstar were to release something new as opposed to Red Dead Redemption 3, it would give those who aren't fans of either GTA or RDR something to play, while also giving dedicated fans a taste of what else the veteran developer is capable of. A new IP or even a sequel in one of their other franchises would be a win-win for everyone, while also letting Rockstar flex its creative muscles.

6 Rockstar's Focus Should Be On Bully 2

It Absolutely Deserves A Sequel

One potential IP Rockstar could return to is the legendary school-sim, Bully. It has a dedicated fanbase who are eager to see a sequel and continue the adventures of Jimmy Hopkins. There have been a plethora of rumors and leaks surrounding a sequel to Bully, but they've never come to fruition, despite there definitely being a lot of interest in a new entry.

Bully 2 was actually in development at Rockstar, but was dropped in favor of Max Payne 3, a tradeoff not everyone would likely agree was worth it. Of course, this means that Rockstar once had some interest in the project, something that could hopefully be reignited in the future, especially once development on GTA 6 wraps up. While it remains to be seen, a sequel to Bully almost two decades later would be unbelievably exciting.

5 Rockstar Has Plenty Of Old IP It Should Revisit

Max Payne, LA Noire, Oni

In fact, while on the topic of older Rockstar IP, there are plenty of amazing games that it could return to. One of Rockstar's most underrated games, L.A. Noire could definitely do with a new entry, one that could follow a new detective in the city, years prior to or even after the events of the first game. L.A. Noire was groundbreaking with its use of motion capture, and it also remains one of the best detective games of all time.

Alternatively, Rockstar could return to one of its lesser-known IPs, like Oni, or even the phenomenal movie tie-in game, The Warriors. Of course, there's also Max Payne - which is getting remakes in the future - which definitely deserves a new game. Frankly, Rockstar has plenty of great games that deserve a new entry, all of which have loyal fans who will queue up day one to buy them and would be far better options than Red Dead Redemption 3.

4 Rockstar's Next Game Should Be A New IP

It Is The Perfect Time To Experiment

Of course, while returning to an old IP would be satisfying for their built-in fanbases, Rockstar should also try developing a new IP. Naturally, that's far easier said than done as it is a risky move and requires a lot of effort. However, the release of GTA 6 is actually the perfect time for Rockstar to try something new, as it affords it not only a huge boost to brand recognition but also a likely ridiculous influx of money to be spent on new and risky projects.

Much like how other developers rely on their bigger franchises to help their smaller ones, Rockstar could finally leverage its money-making GTA series to allow it to create something new and exciting. It would also help bridge the gap between bigger releases, which could even facilitate Red Dead Redemption 3 coming in the distant future.

3 There's Not Much Room For Growth In RDR's World

It's The Ultimate Cowboy Simulator

Red Dead Redemption 2's open-world is unlike any other, featuring a plethora of life-sim elements, such as fishing, hunting, and trading, all of which coalesce to make it feel truly alive. As such, it's hard to imagine how Red Dead Redemption 3 could innovate further upon the foundations set by its predecessor, without feeling iterative rather than innovative.

Of course, technological advancements are constant, and Rockstar could come up with new features that would make RDR3's world even more interesting. It could also make it a little less restrictive when it comes to mission structure, which would be a significant step up. However, without an interesting twist on the open world, Red Dead Redemption 3 could feel a little flat. Rockstar has already made the ultimate cowboy simulator, which makes it hard to go up from there.

2 It Is Time For A New Take On The Western

Someone Else Should Have A Go

Rockstar has done a phenomenal job of emulating the cinematic flair of Western films, which has helped elevate its already fantastic narratives. However, while its particular take on the Western video game is interesting and has done wonders for the genre, it feels like it's time for another developer to show how versatile the often dusty brown-tinted setting can be.

There are already many great Western games that aren't Red Dead Redemption, all of which take the genre in new directions. It's great to see what can often feel like a stuffy and singular genre be taken to new heights, but that only feels possible out of Rockstar's hands. That's not to say it makes bad Westerns, quite the contrary. Rather, it isn't capable of twisting the genre on its head, which is fine, but something that a new developer should absolutely do.

1 Rockstar Should Try A Different Time Period

It Has Mastered Two Already

Rockstar has proven time and time again that it's capable of recreating periods in time perfectly, capturing the atmosphere, style, and tone of each setting with ease. L.A. Noire, Red Dead Redemption, and the plethora of GTA titles, among others, are all proof of this. So, it only feels right that RDR3 isn't a Western, but rather something else set in a completely different time period.

It could tackle Ancient Japan, Rome, or Greece, or perhaps a futuristic setting unlike anything we've seen before. Frankly, Rockstar's style of cinematic single-player open-world game design would be perfect for any setting. While it would be great to see Red Dead Redemption 3 eventually, there are clearly lots of reasons why its release date should perhaps be pushed back just a little.