'Red Dead Redemption 2' release date, gameplay details, news: teaser trailer and poster suggest prequel focusing on Dutch's gang

A promotional image for "Red Dead Redemption 2" Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games recently announced "Red Dead Redemption 2" and confirmed that the game will launch for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Nothing else was given to fans except for a poster and a teaser trailer, although these two indicate that the game is going to be a prequel to the first "Red Dead Redemption."

As per Screen Rant, the poster shows seven different individuals and some of the are easily identifiable by fans of the franchise. The report points out that the person at the very far left appears to be John Marston, the protagonist of "Red Dead Redemption."

Given that Marston died at the end of the first game it is possible the sequel is actually a prequel that will focus on the gang that Marston was once a member of before his companions betrayed him and left him for dead.

Immediately beside Marston is a man in a gentleman's outfit and is rumored to be Jack Swift. Swift actually comes from "Red Dead Revolver," the very first game in the series set decades before "Red Dead Redemption" and "Red Dead Redemption 2." Swift is known for quick shooting, bank robberies, and for always escaping death.

To Swift's right is a man with a noticeable mustache and is rumored to be Dutch van der Linde. Dutch was the leader of the gang when Marston was betrayed, but given that Dutch is not in the center of the group, it is suggested the game takes place just before Dutch became the head member.

Further pointing this out is the fact that right beside Dutch, centered in the photo, is the playable character. Screen Rant states it is possible this character may have been Dutch's inspiration.

Right beside the playable character is a man with a hat that's folded on one side. This is rumored to be Bill Williamson, the man who started the story of "Red Dead Redemption" when it was revealed he was the one who shot Marston.

The last two characters to the right are rumored to be an older Red Harlow, the main character of "Red Dead Revolver," and the Native American warrior Shadow Wolf.

Rockstar Games has yet to confirm if these rumors are true and if the game is indeed going to be set between "Red Dead Revolver" and "Red Dead Redemption."

"Red Dead Redemption 2" is slated to launch in fall 2017.

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