Everything we know about Red Dead Redemption 2

From Digital Spy

Last year Rockstar took us all by surprise with the shock announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2. We didn't see it coming,

It all started with this tweet.

The colour red and similar font work was used in the promotion and trailers for Red Dead Redemption, which made the entire Twittersphere explode with excitement.

And then they posted THIS:

That's right guys and gals. Grab your cowboy boots and saddle up.

Keep this page bookmarked for all the latest Red Dead Redemption 2 news as it happens and watch out for MAJOR Red Dead Redemption spoilers.

Related: Everything you need to know about The Elder Scrolls 6

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 RELEASE DATE – WHEN IS IT COMING OUT?

Uh-oh. Red Dead 2 was originally scheduled for a "Fall 2017" release, but Rockstar has announced a delay until Spring 2018.

The developer posted on its website, saying that "some extra time is necessary to ensure that we can deliver the best experience possible for our fans".

"We are very sorry for any disappointment this delay causes, but we are firm believers in delivering a game only when it is ready," they continued. "We are really excited to bring you more details about the game this summer."

Related: Everything you need to know about GTA 6

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 SCREENS - HOW'S IT LOOKING?

In order to soften the blow of Red Dead's delayed release, Rockstar has distributed six in-game screenshots. Screens like this give the developer a chance to show a game at its best with attractive camera angles and perfect framing, but we've got say that they're tantalising nonetheless.

The variety of unique environments, from forests to open plains, offered by the American Frontier are looking luscious. And just look at those shadows and the slowly dispersing steam and smoke trailing behind the train. It's quite a visual feast.

It's unclear whether the images were taken from a PS4 or Xbox One, but Rockstar's original post is tagged with the names of both consoles.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 FORMAT – WHAT PLATFORMS WILL IT RELEASE ON?

Rockstar has confirmed that Red Dead Redemption 2 will release on PlayStation 4 an Xbox One. Sorry PS3 and Xbox 360 owners, but there's little to no hope of the game making it to older generations.

This leaves two other major platforms: Switch and PC. No signs point to a Switch version of the game, and given the technical limitations of the platform, it would probably take a fair amount of work from Rockstar, assuming it was willing to compromise its vision.

For PC owners there may yet be hope. A recent spot by RDR2 suggests that Rockstar will be licensing Denuvo, a digital rights management service for PC, in future projects. Given that GTA 5 wended its way to Windows, it's not unthinkable that RDR2 will do the same.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 TRAILER: WHAT DOES IT TELL US?

The first Red Dead Redemption 2 teaser trailer dropped on Thursday, October 20 at 4pm BST and says very little about what to expect. It's more of a mood piece / tech demo.

Here it is:

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 NEWS: WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR?

It's been nearly six years since the release of Red Dead Redemption, and although Rockstar was fairly busy working on a little game called GTA 5 in that time, it's time for the developer to move back to Red Dead. We've got a rather large cowboy-shaped hole in our lives that needs filling ASAP.

What we've had so far though is an image of an alleged Red Dead Redemption 2 map was posted on NeoGAF and supposedly verified by TechRadar and showcased the entire area that you'll be able to explore in the game.

Related: Everything you need to know about Mass Effect Andromeda

As you can see, the area is to the East of the map from Red Dead Redemption, suggesting that the game will be a prequel that delves into what John Marston did before the first game. That's also supported by the fact there's no railway line in this map, meaning it HAS to be set before Red Dead Redemption.

Of course, we're taking all this with the usual extra large pinch of salt though.

A second leak, supposedly from an ex-Rockstar employee, suggests that the game will feature more than one playable character – like GTA 5 – and feature a much bigger open world than the last Red Dead title.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 STORY: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY, HOW?

Red Dead Revolver told the story of Red Harlow, then in Redemption we followed the adventures of John Marston, classed as one of the best ever gaming protagonists.

As it's now officially called Red Dead Redemption 2 (gosh it feels nice to say that) it's looking very likely that it's going to be a prequel starring one of gaming's favourite heroes, John Marston.

Take a look at this poster art:

It's not that easy to make out faces, but it certainly does look like John Marston's chiselled jaw under that cowboy hat in the centre, and perhaps even Bill Williamson over there on the left hand side.

We also love how Magnificent 7 the whole poster is. Who are those guys? Is it John? Who are the others? Where are they going? Where are the horses?

We have SO many questions.

And not many of them are answered by our very first teaser trailer either.

For one, it doesn't actually tell us who are protagonist is, but by the bank of bandana-masked men on horseback riding into the camera, we're going to guess that they're John Marston's gang pre-Red Dead Redemption.

Even brighting up and zooming in on this guy gives us nothing too, but we're definitely sure that it's a moody Marston:

Also, according to the Gaming Historian, there's a clue in the buffalo:

There's also a bit of a clue with the train. If it's a prequel, it's fudging the timeline a bit with the whole building of the railway line.

Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like

• EastEnders: 31 new spoiler pictures as Mick discovers he's been betrayed and Jack makes a drastic plan

• Emmerdale: 19 new spoiler pictures as Robert devastates Aaron and Tracy makes a big confession

• Coronation Street: 14 new spoiler pictures as Ken's attacker gets caught out and Sarah reports Nathan to the police