The alleged map in the highly anticipated "Red Dead Redemption 2" was recently leaked by a NeoGAF member who claims to have gotten it from a source he chose not to mention. The same source asked the leakster to take down the leak, which he did.

The authenticity of the map was questionable to many but a source with Tech Radar familiar with the development has come out to verify the leak, adding that it is a "very recent" art direction map developed for the long-awaited "Red Dead Redemption" sequel.

Tech Radar's source also revealed that "Red Dead Redemption 2" will actually be a prequel to the first game, which makes sense seeing that the first "Red Dead Redemption" told the tale of the West's downfall. Spinning the yarn on what it was like before the region died sounds promising.

"Red Dead Redemption 2" being a prequel rather than a sequel would explain why the map included the Great Plains, where Blackwater city is located. The location, as players would know, was featured in the original game.

There are no railroads running around the Great Plains as well (these railroads existed in the first game), which hints that "Red Dead Redemption 2" may indeed show the events prior to the first game, which was received positively by gamers.

In addition, the existence of New Bordeaux in the map is indicating a crossover might take place in the game as well. The city is one of the settings in the upcoming action-adventure video game "Mafia 3," a game to be published by Take-Two, which also publishes "Red Dead" games.

Another note is the fact that islands and water dominated the map, which media outlets took to mean that "Red Dead Redemption 2" will introduce the possibility of swimming or boat transportation, a prospect that definitely sounds exciting.

"Red Dead Redemption 2" is expected be released this year. Check out a hi-res screenshot of the map here.