‘Red Dead Redemption 2’, ‘GTA 6’ Release Date and Rumors; Will There Be Big Announcements from Rockstar at E3 2016?

Jun 03, 2016 05:34 PM EDT

Rockstar is lucky to have two major gaming franchises under its boundaries with Red Dead Redemption, the open-world western game, and GTA, which I'm not even going to bother to explain. It seems like all signs are pointing to an imminent release of Red Dead Redemption 2, but not so much on the GTA 6 front.  Part of it is developing one game will affect the other, and another part is that perhaps some big announcements are coming for E3 2016. 

According to iDigitalTimes, the image that could be from Red Dead Redemption is by Matt Clyne, posted online.  Fans have been noticing chromatic aberration in this screenshot, which was found in the updated RAGE engine used for Xbox One, PS4, and PC versions of GTA 5.  Something like this shouldn't be found in a screenshot from Red Dead Redemption, which leads many to wonder is this a shot from Red Dead Redemption 2 or perhaps a port of the original game to the Xbox One and PS4? 

Some have even pointed out that the plants in the photo resemble palmettos, a plant found in Louisiana and Florida.  There was a leaked map of what most believe Red Dead Redemption 2, which could be a sequel or a prequel, and this map focuses in an area around Louisiana. 

It is possible that E3 2016, the big video game convention that is happening on June 14-16, will have Take-Two and Rockstar coming out with a big announcement, and that could be the official unveiling of Red Dead Redemption 2.  If that happens, then expect it either at the end of this year or sometime next year, depending on how far they have been coming with the game.  However, the rumors of a Red Dead Redemption 2 are constantly flowing, so just expect a "when," rather than an "if" for that.

So, if Red Dead Redemption is getting a sequel, what about GTA 5?  Well, it is highly unlikely that GTA 6 is coming soon, but it is coming, and probably not until 2018, according to MNR Daily.  Rockstar usually waits five years before releasing a new installment, even though Red Dead Redemption 2 is long overdue. 

The issue with the release of GTA 6 is that it is such a big game, that the new versions of the Xbox One and PS4 will probably need to be released to go along with it.  Otherwise, Rockstar will have to do that awkward thing when the last version of Grand Theft Auto was released, and then have a re-release to the next generation of systems.  If the Xbox Two and PS5 (not the official names as yet) don't get released until 2019, it would be wise for Rockstar to hold off on releasing GTA 6

In the meantime, you can follow rumors that GTA 6 will have a female protagonist, take place in Vegas, and all kinds of other wacky and unsubstantiated rumors that fans of the game are eating up.