'Red Dead Redemption 2' release date news update: Rockstar to unveil new 'Red Dead' title early 2017? New multiplayer gameplay, map locations leaked online

The hit first-person shooter video game by Rockstar Games, "Red Dead Redemption," was first released in 2010, and since then, the players have wondered if the game studio will ever release a follow-up game to continue the title's very engaging plotline. The game's wild west theme has captured the interest of many gamers, and for the past several months, it has been rumored that the next installment of the "Red Dead" franchise will be released soon.

According to International Business Times, there are signs that Rockstar Games is planning to release a direct follow-up to the "Red Dead Redemption." For now, the next "Red Dead" game title is unofficially known as the "Red Dead Redemption 2," assuming that Rockstar and the game's official publisher, Take-Two Interactive, will create the new sequel as a direct continuation of the events in the previous game. Nevertheless, the rumors are rife that "Red Dead Redemption 2" will arrive in the early month of 2017. Specifically, the fans may see the continuation of the story of the "Red Dead" series' main protagonist, John Martson in April 2017. While there is a chance that the "Red Dead Redemption 2" will have Martson as its main hero, it is also possible that the upcoming game will be more of a prequel.

In fact, Take-Two Interactive's CEO Straus have once said that the next installment of the "Red Dead" series is definitely happening, although it is not known when exactly will the game be released. Strauss also told the fans to be patient at the moment as the creative minds to create the new Western cowboy world of the "Red Dead Redemption 2" are working on the game's contents.

As early as now, leaks showing the future game's new multiplayer mode and a bunch of new map locations have already circulated online, iTech Post reported. One of the possible landmarks to be featured in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is the infamous Roanoke Valley. However, fans are advised to take these early rumors with a grain of salt as Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have not yet confirmed these new game contents.