What State is Red Dead Redemption 2 Based On?
Red Dead Redemption 2, a highly-anticipated game developed by Rockstar Games, is based on various states in the United States. The game’s fictional world is filled with open plains, densely forested areas, swamps, and mountainous regions, which are intricately detailed to provide players with a realistic experience.
Amalgamation of States
The game world is divided into five "states": West Elizabeth, New Hanover, Ambergris, Lemoyne, and New Austin. These fictional states are blended together from various real-world locations in the United States. According to the developer, each state is built from different regions, roads, and landmarks from throughout the American West.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the states and where they draw inspiration from in the real world:
| State | Inspiration Source |
|---|---|
| West Elizabeth | Fictionalized California |
| New Hanover | Fictionalized Idaho, Montana, and the Dakotas |
| Ambergris | Fictionalized Oklahoma, Kansas, and Louisiana |
| Lemoyne | Fictionalized Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida |
| New Austin | Fictionalized Texas and New Mexico |
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the geographic inspirations behind each fictional state, exploring the open plains, forests, mountain ranges, and other settings that bring the world to life.
West Elizabeth: California Inspiration
- Great Plains: One of the most iconic landforms in the United States, the Great Plains feature rolling hills, vast pastures, and sparse deciduous forests. West Elizabeth’s grasslands and steppes are inspired by the same region.
- Mountains: Rugged and snow-capped, West Elizabeth’s Mountains are a nod to California’s Sierra Nevada range or the Rocky Mountains.
- Lakes and Reservoirs: The series of lakes and reservoirs in West Elizabeth are thought to be inspired by lakes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, such as Lake Tahoe or Shasta Lake.
- Forests and Woods: The dense canopies of West Elizabeth are reminiscent of California’s pine forests or the redwoods of Northern California.
New Hanover: Northwest Inspiration
- Geography: New Hanover’s geography is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and plains, similar to the Idaho, Montana, and Dakota regions.
- Canyons: The steep canyons and rock formations in New Hanover draw inspiration from national parks in the American Southwest, such as the Canyonlands in Utah or Canyon de Chelly in Arizona.
- Forests: New Hanover’s aspen groves and meadows evoke the rolling prairies and forests found in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
And More!
This article should give you a better sense of where Red Dead Redemption 2 draws its inspirations from. From coast to coast, the developer has skillfully blended realistic geography, landmarks, and settings to create a meticulously detailed game world. Get ready to explore the uncharted territories of the 1899 American West – and don’t forget your cowboy boots!