Returning characters is nothing new for Rockstar Games, with characters like John Marston and Brucie Kibbutz making repeat appearances in the Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto series, respectively. However, characters jumping franchises is not something Rockstar has played around with, instead keeping all the franchises fairly isolated from each other. One player changed that in detailed fashion by bringing one of San Andreas' most notorious gangsters to life in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Reddit user HeySoloSoyYo posted a thread showing how they brought Carl Johnson, also known as CJ in 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, to life inside Red Dead Redemption 2's online multiplayer. The Red Dead Online version of CJ is made to appear as closely as possible to the original version, sporting either sleeveless shirts or no shirt at all with the closest pants Red Dead Online has to denim jeans. He is also shown wielding two weapons, a familiar sight to anyone who played GTA: San Andreas.
HeySoloSoyYo shared collages of his custom CJ along with stills of CJ from the 2004 so other users can compare the two. They also took a page out of Rockstar Games' GTA cover designs with one of the collage's sporting the familiar slant window design seen on most physical copies of GTA. HeySoloSoyYo wasn't shy about messing around with his CJ, either, showing him off with different body types in the collages to reflect how player actions would change CJ's appearance in GTA: San Andreas.
While this wild west version of CJ is a new take on the character, it's hardly the first time he's been given new life by Rockstar's devoted and more creative fans. Artist and YouTuber Hossein Diba previously shared his HD version of San Andreas' CJ, along with other GTA playable characters, to show what he would look like on up-to-date graphics engines. Diba's is not a far cry from HeySoloSoyYo's own recreation in Red Dead Online, though Diba stuck with CJ's base appearance from GTA: San Andreas.
The Red Dead rendition is also another example of how beloved CJ among Rockstar Games' fanbase despite only starring in one GTA title. Depending on who is asked, some fans would even say CJ is the best playable GTA protagonist in the series' long history. Considering the competition includes characters like Niko Bellic, Trevor Phillips, and Tommy Vercetti, it shows just how beloved CJ is and how much fans want to see the character brought back. If or when that will happen, only Rockstar Games knows for sure.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Source: Reddit