Triplex Gaming Exclusive: Red Dead Redemption 3 - The Rise of Dutch?

Ever since the credits rolled on Red Dead Redemption 2 back in 2018, fans of Rockstar’s Western epic have speculated about what could be next. Red Dead Redemption told the tragic end of John Marston, while RDR2 showed us Arthur Morgan’s struggle under a leader he once trusted. But what if the next entry in the series takes us further back—to the beginning of the Van der Linde Gang? If leaks and insider whispers are to be believed, that’s exactly where Rockstar is taking us in Red Dead Redemption 3: The Rise of Dutch, reportedly set for a 2026 release.

A Return to the Van der Linde Gang’s Glory Days

The title alone suggests a focus on Dutch van der Linde, the enigmatic leader of the gang who captivated fans with his idealistic philosophy and eventual descent into paranoia. But what if we get to see him before the fall? Before the betrayals, the Pinkertons, and the doomed dream of a life free from the law?

Rumors suggest that RDR3 will take place in the late 1860s to early 1870s, long before the events of RDR2. Here, Dutch and Hosea Matthews are younger men, forging their gang and recruiting the very outlaws we came to know in previous games. Arthur Morgan, John Marston, and Micah Bell would be little more than children—unaware of the fate that awaits them.

A Younger Dutch, a Different Man?

One of the most intriguing possibilities is seeing Dutch in a new light—not as the unstable leader we saw unravel in RDR2, but as a man full of hope and determination. Could Rockstar show us a version of Dutch that is genuinely noble? A man who truly believes in his vision before it gets corrupted?

According to alleged industry leaks, RDR3 will explore Dutch’s early heists, his evolving philosophy, and his first encounters with the lawmen and rival gangs that would ultimately shape his fate. One particularly exciting rumor suggests that a young Edgar Ross—the agent who later hunts down John Marston in RDR1—may appear as a fresh-faced Pinkerton eager to make a name for himself.

The Return of Familiar Faces

Given the timeframe, many familiar characters from RDR2 could return in different capacities.

• Hosea Matthews – As Dutch’s closest friend and the gang’s strategic mind, we could see him in his prime, running cons and helping to form the early ideology of the gang before things took a darker turn.

• Arthur Morgan – A young boy when the story begins, we may witness Dutch rescuing Arthur from a troubled home, setting up the father-son dynamic that defined RDR2.

• John Marston – Possibly a reckless teenager trying to prove himself, John’s early years with the gang could showcase his struggle to earn Dutch’s trust.

• Micah Bell – Could we see an early version of Micah, one who initially seems like just another recruit before his more sinister side emerges?

• Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella – We could see their early days as simple outlaws, long before they became Dutch’s most loyal enforcers.

• Charles Smith and Sadie Adler – Depending on the timeline, it’s unclear if they would appear, but their origins could still be hinted at in some way.

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A Chance to Change History?

The Red Dead series has always been about inevitability—men trying to outrun fate, only to be caught by it in the end. But what if this time, players could shape Dutch’s destiny?

Industry speculation suggests that Rockstar may introduce multiple narrative paths, allowing players to either reinforce Dutch’s noble ideals or plant the seeds of his eventual descent into tyranny. If true, this could be the most ambitious storytelling Rockstar has ever attempted. A branching narrative where Dutch can either truly build a gang of outlaws with honor—or become the paranoid, broken man we knew he would one day become.

Setting and Gameplay Expectations

With Rockstar’s ever-expanding world-building capabilities, expect RDR3 to feature an even larger, more detailed open world. Early reports suggest we may travel from the frontier of an expanding America into the heart of Mexico, seeing regions that were only hinted at in previous games.

Gunplay is expected to refine the already stellar mechanics of RDR2, with more emphasis on early revolvers and classic Wild West rifles. There’s even talk of deeper gang management mechanics, allowing players to help Dutch and Hosea build their fledgling organization into something formidable.

The 2026 Release Window & Fan Hype

While Rockstar has not officially announced Red Dead Redemption 3, speculation is at an all-time high. Analysts predict a potential 2026 release, given Rockstar’s history of lengthy development cycles. With GTA VI expected in 2025, RDR3 may not be far behind.

The hope for a first trailer in the coming months is palpable, and fans are already discussing what they want from the game. A major point of discussion has been whether Rockstar will allow players to change Dutch’s fate—or if, like Arthur and John before him, his story is already written in the stars.

A Redemption Story for Dutch?

For years, Dutch has been seen as the ultimate tragic figure in the Red Dead series. But what if he wasn’t always doomed? What if, in RDR3, we can experience a time when Dutch wasn’t just an outlaw—he was a legend?

Will The Rise of Dutch finally give us the leader we always wanted to believe in? Or will it show us, once and for all, that his downfall was inevitable?

Either way, one thing is certain: If this game truly exists, it has the potential to be Rockstar’s most emotionally powerful Western yet.

Stay tuned to Triplex Gaming for more updates as we anxiously await Rockstar’s next move. What do you think? Does Red Dead Redemption 3: The Rise of Dutch sound like the game you’ve been waiting for? Let us know in the comments below!

Hank Caruthers, P.G.A. Senior Writer, Triplex News