Every now and then, new discourse around Grand Theft Auto 6 rears its head. The rumor mill is always going, but sometimes insiders discuss the game. Recently, a few agreed that Grand Theft Auto 6's release date puts the game in the 2024-2025 range. Unfortunately, given Rockstar's reputation and time between releases, it stands to reason that Red Dead Redemption 3 may not release until the end of the decade, if not in the 2030s.
However, that could prove to be good for Red Dead 3. Not only will there be even better tech at the time to bring the Wild West to life, but a lot of what does and doesn't work in Grand Theft Auto 6 could help Rockstar develop the next RDR game. And, while a lot of GTA 6 rumors can be deemed fake, one constant rumor could work as additional set-up for Red Dead 3.
GTA 6 Rumors: The Constant Female Protagonist
There are a lot of rumors out there, but few remain consistent. Everything from fake GTA 6 maps to settings and more get teased over and over again, except none of it matches up with other rumors. Consistency doesn't necessarily add any credence, but it's worth noting that several rumors, including those from known insiders, have hinted at GTA 6 featuring a female protagonist. Not only is this good for Rockstar, as its games have dominantly featured male protagonists, but it's good for the stories the company is trying to tell.
Grand Theft Auto has always been a sort of satirical and surreal take on Americana. As controversies such as Aloy's face in Horizon Forbidden West stir for no reason, there's not a better franchise to tackle this head-on than GTA. Some rumors say she'll be a sole protagonist, some say it'll be a male and female Bonnie and Clyde style story, and others say she'll be on of three protagonists like Grand Theft Auto 5. No matter which one, Rockstar has a ton of story potential with a female protagonist in GTA. Then, of course, that would translate well to the Wild West of Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead 3's Perfect Protagonist is Sadie Adler
And should Rockstar move forward with more female protagonists in its work, Red Dead 3 already has the perfect protagonist in Sadie Adler. She's one of few characters to seemingly escape her fate in RDR2, but chances are, she doesn't get the happy ending that's implied. Exploring her life and her own personal redemption could and would further flesh out her character, as well as the world in which she inhabits. Even better, there's a ton of time periods for Sadie Adler that could be explored.
Players could explore her life as a Bounty Hunter after the death of Arthur or after she leaves following Marston's marriage. The Wild West is still ripe for exploration, and a secondary character could fill in the role of the post-death protagonist as in RDR1 and RDR2. It would be interesting if it were some The Last of Us scenario, where Sadie takes on an apprentice of sorts being being wrapped up in some Wild West intrigue. Less likely, Sadie could return to Jack Marston's present (though the West is shrinking rapidly around 1914), having learned of John's death and having prepared to take Jack into some sort of new gang-like family at this point.
Either way, the how doesn't matter so much. There's a lot left to be explored in Sadie Adler's story, and if it lands well in GTA 6, Rockstar doesn't need to hesitate to dive right into her character.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumored to be in development.