Former Rockstar Dev Expects GTA 6 to Borrow Ideas from Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's open-world cowboy hit likely to influence the next Grand Theft Auto installment.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:20pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark, angular shapes in red, black, and white, conceptually representing the cinematic action and open-world exploration of Rockstar's acclaimed game franchises.Rockstar's iconic open-world games continue to inspire each other, blending gameplay innovations across the GTA and Red Dead universes.Los Angeles Today

A former Rockstar Games developer believes the upcoming GTA 6 will probably incorporate some ideas from the studio's previous open-world hit, Red Dead Redemption 2. The developer, Rob Carr, cited how GTA 5 borrowed features like the 'Dead Eye' slow-motion shooting mechanic from the Red Dead series, and expects a similar cross-pollination of ideas between the two franchises.

Why it matters

Rockstar Games is known for building on its past successes and innovations when developing new titles in its major franchises. The expectation that GTA 6 will take inspiration from the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2 suggests the next Grand Theft Auto installment could feature similarly groundbreaking open-world gameplay and mechanics.

The details

According to Carr, who previously worked as an audio designer on games like LA Noire, GTA 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar has a history of incorporating popular features from its past titles into new releases. In GTA 5, for example, the developer adapted the 'Dead Eye' slow-motion targeting system from the Red Dead series and incorporated it as a special ability for one of the playable characters. Carr believes it's likely Rockstar will continue this trend and bring over some key mechanics or systems from Red Dead Redemption 2 into the next Grand Theft Auto.

  • GTA 5 was released in 2013.
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018.

The players

Rob Carr

A former audio designer at Rockstar Games who worked on titles like LA Noire, GTA 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Rockstar Games

A major video game developer and publisher known for acclaimed open-world franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.

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What they’re saying

“Even on GTA 5, they took the Dead Eye system. They used the Dead Eye as one of the perks for one of the characters. You've got the Dead Eye thing that Michael used, I think you've got the slow-mo driving thing for Franklin, and the basically berserker mode for Trevor.”

— Rob Carr, Former Rockstar Games Audio Designer

“So I'll be surprised if they don't use something from Red Dead 2.”

— Rob Carr, Former Rockstar Games Audio Designer

What’s next

Rockstar Games has not yet announced a release date or any official details about GTA 6, so fans will have to wait for the developer to provide more information about the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

The takeaway

Rockstar's track record of incorporating popular mechanics and systems from its past games into new releases suggests GTA 6 will likely feature some innovative ideas and gameplay elements first introduced in the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2. This cross-pollination of ideas between Rockstar's major open-world franchises has historically led to groundbreaking experiences for players.