Red Dead Redemption 3 Is Real, But Dan Houser Believes the Original Story Arc Is Complete

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and the lead writer behind the celebrated ‎Red Dead Redemption 2, confirmed that a third entry in the franchise, ‎Red Dead Redemption 3, “will probably happen”. He feels honestly upset because work on the new Red Dead is going on without him.

In a recent conversation on the Lex Fridman podcast, Houser also admitted a significant sense of resignation at the prospect, owing to how he views the story arc formed by the first two games. He said that the Red Dead storyline, spanning from the original ‎Red Dead Redemption through its prequel in Red Dead Redemption 2, forms what he terms a “cohesive two-game arc”. He explained:

“Because each of the games was a kind of standalone story it’s not quite the same as… I think probably it 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.” — Dan Houser

Houser added that although he no longer holds creative control or ownership of the franchise:

“I don’t own the IP. That was part of the deal.”

The strength and commercial success of the series almost guarantee it will move forward. He described his feelings about transitioning away from the franchise as “sad in a way”.

His remarks underscore two contrasting truths: one, he expects the Red Dead franchise to continue; two, he feels the tale he helped craft may already have reached its intended completion. For years, fans and industry observers have speculated whether the narrative of Red Dead Redemption could extend beyond Arthur Morgan and John Marston’s arcs. Houser’s commentary suggests caution: the world is open, but the specific story he values as complete may not be.

That said, Houser’s acknowledgement of a potential sequel does not come with any concrete details on timing, setting, or character. With Rockstar currently focused on Grand Theft Auto VI — scheduled for release in May 2026 — the development cycle of a new Red Dead game may be years away. Past production of the first two titles involved extended timelines and budget expansion; Red Dead Redemption 2 itself drew attention for its ambitious scope and cost.

Image: Dan Houser, Lex Fridman YouTube Channel

Analysis of Houser’s position leaves several possibilities. The most straightforward is a new protagonist in the Red Dead universe, set either before or after the events of the earlier games. That path would align with Rockstar’s tradition of evolving key franchises via new characters rather than revisiting identical arcs. Houser’s insistence on the “two-game arc” suggests he would prefer the story of Arthur and John remain undisturbed; any sequel may chart a different course entirely.

In his previous large speech, Houser explained why Bully 2 doesn't happen, unfortunately, because of the studios' priorities. Also, he expressed warm thoughts about his most proud game, Red Dead Redemption 2, and shared his expectation for the new GTA.

Red Dead Redemption Official Launch Trailer | Rockstar Games | 2010

In economic and strategic terms, proceeding with a Red Dead successor makes sense for Rockstar. The franchise has sold tens of millions of units and remains a cultural touchpoint in the open-world genre. The key question is creative: how to respect the legacy of the first two while innovating enough to justify a new entry. Houser’s reluctance appears rooted in the belief that the original arc concluded naturally; a new installment could risk diminishing what came before if not handled with fresh vision.

For fans, Houser’s comments offer both reassurance and a subtle warning. The world of Red Dead is almost certainly not finished, but the tone of his remarks indicates any follow-up will differ significantly from what preceded it — likely in voice, character, and thematic focus. In any event, the next chapter, should it arrive, will carry the weight of expectations and the creative history Houser helped build.

Read also, a viral Red Dead Redemption 2 mod by Twitch streamer Blurbs has captured attention across social media for transforming NPC deaths into emotional — and often absurd — flashbacks. The mod forces players to watch a cut-scene revealing a slain NPC’s life story, complete with family, dreams, pets, and questionable personal quirks. What makes it even more unusual is that all of these back-stories were written live by Blurbs’ Twitch viewers.