Rockstar Games' reputation for packing the Grand Theft Auto games with referential Easter eggs has become almost legendary within the gaming industry over the years. From satirical political references, to not-so subtle jabs at real world celebrities, no subject has been left off the table in the open-world sandboxes, As the expanded next generation release of GTA 5 approaches the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it can be argued that the studio's most enduring hit embodies this phenomenon to the fullest.
Naturally, the publisher's own creations are no exception to being turned into Easter eggs either. Considering the similar themes, narrative structures, and gameplay mechanics that the Red Dead Redemption games share with the franchise, it's perhaps no surprise to see GTA's cowboy-themed alternative pop up the most frequently. Despite being first released back in 2013 and sandwiched between the two Redemption installments, Grand Theft Auto 5 still manages to tip its hat to the series with as much effectiveness as ever.
GTA 5's John Marston T-Shirt
Despite having originally released nearly a decade ago, Grand Theft Auto 5 fans are still finding new layers to the references and Easter eggs within the crime simulator. One that's earned considerable traction within the community recently relates to a Mr. Spoke vendor players interact with during the 'Daddy's Little Girl' mission, who on top of everything else is also a pun-based Star Trek reference. Located on Los Santos' Vespucci beach, it's been known for a while that the bike rental vendor sports a red tribute t-shirt to Red Dead Redemption's protagonist, John Marston.
What's shocked many players, however, is the fact that other NPCs, including those encountered within GTA Online, have now been spotted out and about whilst wearing the same outfit. Curiously enough, the t-shirt itself can't be legitimately purchased in any of GTA 5's modes, which arguably adds to the allure of this Easter egg. Technically, this isn't the first time that John Marston has popped up in GTA Online though, as the legendary cowboy can be selected as the player's father during the character creation screen when they first enter the multiplayer mode.
GTA 5's John Marston Mural
Being the main protagonist of the first Red Dead Redemption, as well as a significant feature of the game's prequel, has ensured that John Marston has become synonymous with the franchise and pop culture in general. It's for this reason that fans speculate that a mural depicting a cowboy on horseback, against a gorgeous blue-tinted moonlit desert backdrop, might be the famous outlaw himself.
Located under a freeway bridge in the Strawberry area of GTA 5's map, the mural can often be overlooked by players due to the proximity of other vibrant graffiti within the vicinity. Even though there was a 5-year gap between the original release of the game and Red Dead Redemption 2, it could also be interpreted that the artwork has now become a general tribute to the franchise due to the cowboy's silhouetted and featureless depiction. In turn this would make the mural a fitting, if somewhat tenuous, homage to Arthur Morgan as well.
GTA 5's J. Marston Book
John Marston's character arc within the Red Dead Redemption games has established the rogue cowboy as one of the most instantly recognizable figures in all of gaming. Based on the fact that a book potentially about him can be uncovered in Grand Theft Auto 5, it seems likely that his popularity translates over in some shape or form to the in-game world of Rockstar's most popular franchise as well. If players inspect the collection of books Franklin has compiled within his Vinewood Hills house, the most eagle eyed will discover for themselves a blue hardback book labeled 'Red Dead' by a J. Marston.
While this could be a reference to John, it seems much more plausible that it actually relates to his book-loving son Jack, who players famously take control of at the end of the first Red Dead Redemption. Having stated at several points during the adventure that he hopes to one day become a writer, there's a chance that he finally put pen to paper later in life. What's significant about this Easter egg is the fact that it's one of the most obvious direct connections between the two franchises, which suggests the pair might actually inhabit the same universe.
GTA 5's Red Dead Locations
Grand Theft Auto 5's Red Dead Redemption links aren't just restricted to clever character references, though. In fact, there's plenty of instances where the physical worlds of each franchise cross over into one another directly as well. Considering the sheer size of the Los Santos, it seems obvious that Rockstar Games would go out of its way to populate the map with Easter eggs to other games from the studio's portfolio.
Despite all of this, plenty of players might still be surprised to learn that the Sandy Shores region of the map, which Trevor calls home, has a handful of Red Dead Redemption Easter eggs hidden in plain sight. That's because two of the town's streets, Cholla Springs Avenue and Armadillo Avenue, take their names directly from locations found in the aforementioned Wild West themed franchise. To make this reference all the more meta, the street that cuts through the pair is also named Algonquin Boulevard, in fitting tribute to the Algonquin area of Grand Theft Auto's infamous Liberty City.
GTA 5's Cafe Redemption
Instances of Red Dead Redemption bleeding into GTA 5's map aren't just restricted to street names, however. Throughout Los Santos, players can also pass by a chain of 3 coffee shops known as Cafe Redemption, which all share their name with the titular open-world franchise.
Located in the Downtown, Rockford Hills, and Morningwood sections of the world, each shop is decorated in green and is rounded out with a wild boar logo, presumably in reference to Starbucks. To makes these Easter eggs a more complete circle, some fans have pointed out that the animal bares a striking resemblance to the legendary Icahi Boar that can be hunted in Red Dead Redemption 2's Red Dead Online mode.
GTA 5's Red Dead Commercial
Throughout Grand Theft Auto 5's various TV networks, players can experience a wide variety of commercials that reference a range of real world and gaming industry news stories, topics, and events. Being videos ensures that these adverts can take footage directly from other sources, which is exactly what one Pisswasser commercial does for its Red Dead Redemption cameo.
During a commercial for the in-game drinks company, footage of John Marston riding a horse is taken directly from the game in order to advertise a new alcoholic beverage. While the cowboy's face is once again silhouetted to leave his identity a mystery in typical Easter egg fashion, there can be no mistaking the identity of the man atop the rearing animal.
GTA 5's Capolavoro Film
The TVs that players find within their virtual homes aren't the only source of entertainment within Grand Theft Auto 5, as going to the cinema in Los Santos is a real activity that gamers can take part in to kill some time. One of the films that's accessible in particular, the 60s European cinema influenced Capolavoro, just so happens to also be the source of a Red Dead Redemption Easter egg. During the opening scenes of the film, the Blackwater Plaza clock tower from the game can be seen, alongside locations taken from GTA 4.
GTA 5's wide assortment of Red Dead Redemption Easter eggs run the gambit from obvious references taken directly from the Wild West like this, to more easily missed links that only the most dedicated of fans will likely pick up on in the moment. Subtle nods like Michael's family being given the 'De Santa' surname in reference to Red Dead's antagonist, or a well-placed Stagecoach Wheel in a pub that alludes to the game's real-world release year, are just two examples that show how far Rockstar Games has gone to connect the two franchises.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is out now for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions also in development.