Is GTA 6 in the same universe as Red Dead Redemption 2?

A theory has been circulating among GTA fans for a while: Do all major Rockstar series actually take place in the same fictional universe? Now, GameStar has found a new clue that brings GTA 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2 even closer together.

What exactly did GameStar discover on the dollar bills?

The banknotes, which serve as in-game currency in GTA 6, feature several fictional presidents. One of the names GameStar spotted was Thaddeus Waxman. This name conspicuously fits the era of Red Dead Redemption 2, which is set in the 1890s. For the team at GameStar, this is another piece in the long list of allusions that Rockstar Games has been weaving between its titles for years.

How strong is the connection between GTA 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2, really?

This isn't an entirely new debate. The community has long noticed that recurring brands like the fast-food chain Cluckin’ Bell or the gun store chain Ammu-Nation appear in several GTA titles as well as in Red Dead Redemption 2. For many fans, this has long been a strong indication that Rockstar views its game worlds as a single, sprawling universe – simply set at different points in its fictional history.

The sheer size this universe has grown to is also evident in the fact that Vice City is almost twice the size of Los Santos from GTA 5. The more Rockstar expands its worlds, the more room there seems to be for hidden references between games.

From our perspective, the presidential portrait is a neat detail for anyone who loves digging into Rockstar lore – but it's not concrete proof. Rockstar has never officially confirmed the universe theory, and a single name on a banknote can ultimately just be a simple Easter egg. However, the meticulous way the community is now dissecting every detail from GTA 6 marketing also demonstrates that fans are even reprinting Macca the Gator from the $400 box themselves.

So, until GTA 6 actually releases, it remains pure speculation – albeit a pretty entertaining one. We'll keep an eye on this topic for you and report back as soon as Rockstar itself reveals more.

Source: GameStar

Do you also believe that GTA 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are set in the same universe? Share your theories and evidence in the comments!