GTA VI trailer hints at connection between universe and Red Dead Redemption 2

Attentive Rockstar Games fans have discovered a curious detail in the new GTA VI trailer that may indicate the existence of a single universe for the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises. Reddit user cph2001 noticed that the banknotes thrown by characters in the strip club depict presidents Thaddeus Waxman and Franklin Hardin — the same portraits that adorn cigarette packs in Red Dead Redemption 2.

While the developers have never officially confirmed the connection between these game worlds, the discovery has sparked a heated debate among fans. Some consider it a simple Easter egg, given that Red Dead Redemption 2 mentions real cities like New York and Los Angeles (the latter appears in GTA under the name Los Santos). Others note that the studio has previously allowed fictional and real geographical names to mix in its games.

This theory will only be fully tested after the release of GTA VI, scheduled for May 26, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. It remains unknown when the PC version will fall into the hands of data miners who will be able to carefully study the game files in search of additional evidence of the connection between the universes of the two iconic Rockstar Games franchises.