Mapping Red Dead Redemption 2! Landmark Analysis Thread

[SeniorDerp]

The red striped post is seen here as well. Also note the signs are partially destroyed

 

Edited May 6, 2018 by SeniorDerp

[Red Dead Rebel]

Why are they committed to hiding the barn from us? lol! In every screenshot/trailer, the barn is obscured by something.

[SneakyDeaky]

Yeah, we are seeing some minor destructible environments here.

It won't be full (We obviously won't be able to blow up the town brick by brick) but I wonder if minor damages, like those seen in those screens, will actually remain in the town after the mission, or even perhaps we may see people fixing the damages the next time we go into town.

Edited May 6, 2018 by SneakyDeaky

[EVOLUT7ON]

I bet that barn has scripted explosion by mission and not just a random dynamite explosion

[SneakyDeaky]

I bet that barn has scripted explosion by mission and not just a random dynamite explosion

I agree. But I'm interested in the damages to the saloon more, a building you will surely visit outside of missions whenever you want. So I wonder how the game will handle minor damages like we see to the sign there.

[Mach1bud]

Well they said you can see npcs building new buildings. Maybe there are some destructable buildings and later on NPC's rebuild them.

 

As for the signs and stuff, I expect they will just magically reappear like most dynamic objects in Rockstar games.

[Cutter De Blanc]

I imagine the townsfolk won't be too happy about us blowing up their saloon just to see if they rebuild it

[SeniorDerp]

Well they said you can see npcs building new buildings. Maybe there are some destructable buildings and later on NPC's rebuild them.

I think the extent of this will be after multiple story like missions have been completed. I don’t think you’ll be able to stand there and watch NPC build something but rather as you progress in the game you’ll notice things being completed

 

As for the signs and stuff, I expect they will just magically reappear like most dynamic objects in Rockstar games.

Or you only see things destroyed for whatever amount of time and then they’re fixed when you come back

 

Just my ideas at least..

[Non Funkable Token]

Why are they committed to hiding the barn from us? lol! In every screenshot/trailer, the barn is obscured by something.

 

Because it's the forbidden barn!

 

Edited May 6, 2018 by Fluffy Sock

[Len Lfc]

Why are they committed to hiding the barn from us? lol! In every screenshot/trailer, the barn is obscured by something.

Clearly it contains the Jetpack!

[Jasmyn]

 

Why are they committed to hiding the barn from us? lol! In every screenshot/trailer, the barn is obscured by something.

Clearly it contains the Jetpack!

Or a Delorean/Deluxo, any pinetrees around the barn?

Edited May 6, 2018 by jamsroob

[The Nefarious]

 

 

 

I think mapping now will come down to getting a idea of how streets are in towns, and where screenshots line up on the map. The leaked map is 100% real. But the question is how old is the map, and what has changed about its layout and place locations. The map is at least two years old at this point, and changes with place names and locations most certainly did happen. Probably nothing major like missing mountain ranges. But there was some changes geographically in GTA V before release.

 

http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Beta_Releases_in_GTA_V#Map

 

Like Heartlands being New Handover.

I'm pretty sure New Hanover is now/in Cumberland Forest. Look at all the trees. The Heartlands I think will be more grassy compared to the dense greenery of NH.

I did a bit of digging and I think New Hanover is probably the in game version of either Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville in particular has a long history of German Settlers - hence New Hanover and to this day still has a neighbourhood known as Germantown. The geography also matches up in relation to the Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge. More specifically I think the purple text in Cumberland Forest is the actual location. Obviously it doesn't say "New Hanover" but whatever it does say is probably a placeholder text.

 

 

It could be anywhere in the Midwest tbh. As for why I think The Heartlands is New Hanover is based on the idea that after the heist in Valentine they cross railroad tracks on the way back. Also Horseshoe Overlook is a caravan camp. If it was Cumberland it would be Six Point Cabin. But the gang set up is definitely a caravan. It's hard to tell what the ecology of the map is in some areas. But it would probably be wrong to assume that the Heartlands is just prairie. Also The Heartlands is kind of a generic term. I would be willing to guess it was placeholder at the time the map was made. The location Bayou nwa will probably change, and Big Valley might. But The Big Valley was the name of a Western TV series set outside of the Central Valley in California.

 

Given how Rio Bravo was in RDR, and that was the name of a Western movie, and mentioned as a location in westerns that probably means Big Valley might stay.

 

But the leaked map is at least two years old, and locations of camps might've switched, and named changed given that's a lot easier than moving mountains, and cities around.

If I'm not mistaken that map is a representation of where German Americans live currently. The game is set in 1899.. which is 119 years ago. It could be in The Heartlands but I'm more inclined to think it's in Cumberland Forest. The Heartlands is more likely based on Oklahoma and Arkansas which I don't think have much forestry IRL.

[ghostly dude]

 

 

 

 

I think mapping now will come down to getting a idea of how streets are in towns, and where screenshots line up on the map. The leaked map is 100% real. But the question is how old is the map, and what has changed about its layout and place locations. The map is at least two years old at this point, and changes with place names and locations most certainly did happen. Probably nothing major like missing mountain ranges. But there was some changes geographically in GTA V before release.

 

http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Beta_Releases_in_GTA_V#Map

 

Like Heartlands being New Handover.

I'm pretty sure New Hanover is now/in Cumberland Forest. Look at all the trees. The Heartlands I think will be more grassy compared to the dense greenery of NH.

I did a bit of digging and I think New Hanover is probably the in game version of either Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville in particular has a long history of German Settlers - hence New Hanover and to this day still has a neighbourhood known as Germantown. The geography also matches up in relation to the Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge. More specifically I think the purple text in Cumberland Forest is the actual location. Obviously it doesn't say "New Hanover" but whatever it does say is probably a placeholder text.

 

 

It could be anywhere in the Midwest tbh. As for why I think The Heartlands is New Hanover is based on the idea that after the heist in Valentine they cross railroad tracks on the way back. Also Horseshoe Overlook is a caravan camp. If it was Cumberland it would be Six Point Cabin. But the gang set up is definitely a caravan. It's hard to tell what the ecology of the map is in some areas. But it would probably be wrong to assume that the Heartlands is just prairie. Also The Heartlands is kind of a generic term. I would be willing to guess it was placeholder at the time the map was made. The location Bayou nwa will probably change, and Big Valley might. But The Big Valley was the name of a Western TV series set outside of the Central Valley in California.

 

Given how Rio Bravo was in RDR, and that was the name of a Western movie, and mentioned as a location in westerns that probably means Big Valley might stay.

 

But the leaked map is at least two years old, and locations of camps might've switched, and named changed given that's a lot easier than moving mountains, and cities around.

If I'm not mistaken that map is a representation of where German Americans live currently. The game is set in 1899.. which is 119 years ago. It could be in The Heartlands but I'm more inclined to think it's in Cumberland Forest. The Heartlands is more likely based on Oklahoma and Arkansas which I don't think have much forestry IRL.

There were more German Americans in the Midwest in 1899.

[Mirokunite]

 

 

 

 

I think mapping now will come down to getting a idea of how streets are in towns, and where screenshots line up on the map. The leaked map is 100% real. But the question is how old is the map, and what has changed about its layout and place locations. The map is at least two years old at this point, and changes with place names and locations most certainly did happen. Probably nothing major like missing mountain ranges. But there was some changes geographically in GTA V before release.

http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Beta_Releases_in_GTA_V#Map

 

Like Heartlands being New Handover.

I'm pretty sure New Hanover is now/in Cumberland Forest. Look at all the trees. The Heartlands I think will be more grassy compared to the dense greenery of NH.

I did a bit of digging and I think New Hanover is probably the in game version of either Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville in particular has a long history of German Settlers - hence New Hanover and to this day still has a neighbourhood known as Germantown. The geography also matches up in relation to the Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge. More specifically I think the purple text in Cumberland Forest is the actual location. Obviously it doesn't say "New Hanover" but whatever it does say is probably a placeholder text.

 

 

It could be anywhere in the Midwest tbh. As for why I think The Heartlands is New Hanover is based on the idea that after the heist in Valentine they cross railroad tracks on the way back. Also Horseshoe Overlook is a caravan camp. If it was Cumberland it would be Six Point Cabin. But the gang set up is definitely a caravan. It's hard to tell what the ecology of the map is in some areas. But it would probably be wrong to assume that the Heartlands is just prairie. Also The Heartlands is kind of a generic term. I would be willing to guess it was placeholder at the time the map was made. The location Bayou nwa will probably change, and Big Valley might. But The Big Valley was the name of a Western TV series set outside of the Central Valley in California.

 

Given how Rio Bravo was in RDR, and that was the name of a Western movie, and mentioned as a location in westerns that probably means Big Valley might stay.

 

But the leaked map is at least two years old, and locations of camps might've switched, and named changed given that's a lot easier than moving mountains, and cities around.

The Heartlands is more likely based on Oklahoma and Arkansas which I don't think have much forestry IRL.

Which is where you are wrong. Arkansas and Oklahoma have the Ozarks. New Hanover is probably based on the Missouri Rhineland. In the 1830s a lot of Germans moved into that area.

 

You could probably argue it takes elements from Texas as well since Texas had a influx of Germans in the mid 1800s with a lot of new towns taking German names.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Americans#Cities_of_the_Midwest

[SeniorDerp]

Trailer 2 when Sadie stabs beardys hand. That is also in this same saloon in Valentine. Lights match, double doors, curved out front windows, same sign just outside the enter the entrance

[The Nefarious]

 

 

 

 

 

I think mapping now will come down to getting a idea of how streets are in towns, and where screenshots line up on the map. The leaked map is 100% real. But the question is how old is the map, and what has changed about its layout and place locations. The map is at least two years old at this point, and changes with place names and locations most certainly did happen. Probably nothing major like missing mountain ranges. But there was some changes geographically in GTA V before release.

http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Beta_Releases_in_GTA_V#Map

 

Like Heartlands being New Handover.

I'm pretty sure New Hanover is now/in Cumberland Forest. Look at all the trees. The Heartlands I think will be more grassy compared to the dense greenery of NH.

I did a bit of digging and I think New Hanover is probably the in game version of either Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville in particular has a long history of German Settlers - hence New Hanover and to this day still has a neighbourhood known as Germantown. The geography also matches up in relation to the Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge. More specifically I think the purple text in Cumberland Forest is the actual location. Obviously it doesn't say "New Hanover" but whatever it does say is probably a placeholder text.

 

 

It could be anywhere in the Midwest tbh. As for why I think The Heartlands is New Hanover is based on the idea that after the heist in Valentine they cross railroad tracks on the way back. Also Horseshoe Overlook is a caravan camp. If it was Cumberland it would be Six Point Cabin. But the gang set up is definitely a caravan. It's hard to tell what the ecology of the map is in some areas. But it would probably be wrong to assume that the Heartlands is just prairie. Also The Heartlands is kind of a generic term. I would be willing to guess it was placeholder at the time the map was made. The location Bayou nwa will probably change, and Big Valley might. But The Big Valley was the name of a Western TV series set outside of the Central Valley in California.

 

Given how Rio Bravo was in RDR, and that was the name of a Western movie, and mentioned as a location in westerns that probably means Big Valley might stay.

 

But the leaked map is at least two years old, and locations of camps might've switched, and named changed given that's a lot easier than moving mountains, and cities around.

The Heartlands is more likely based on Oklahoma and Arkansas which I don't think have much forestry IRL.Which is where you are wrong. Arkansas and Oklahoma have the Ozarks. New Hanover is probably based on the Missouri Rhineland. In the 1830s a lot of Germans moved into that area.

 

You could probably argue it takes elements from Texas as well since Texas had a influx of Germans in the mid 1800s with a lot of new towns taking German names.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Americans#Cities_of_the_Midwest

Why do people keep quoting the Midwest? The game isn't set there so why would it be somewhere in the Midwest? It could be the Heartlands, which is what I said in the previous post. My main point was that if it is in Cumberland Forest (which is possibly the only real forest in the game) then its probably based on somewhere in Kentucky with a high concentration of Germans, which geographically matches up when you consider the location, particularly in relation to Roanoke Ridge.

[Little Big Man]

Where did you guys get "New Hanover" from anyway?

[SeniorDerp]

Where did you guys get "New Hanover" from anyway?

The IGN review said in the demo shown they were in an area called New Hanover

[Mirokunite]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think mapping now will come down to getting a idea of how streets are in towns, and where screenshots line up on the map. The leaked map is 100% real. But the question is how old is the map, and what has changed about its layout and place locations. The map is at least two years old at this point, and changes with place names and locations most certainly did happen. Probably nothing major like missing mountain ranges. But there was some changes geographically in GTA V before release.

http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Beta_Releases_in_GTA_V#Map

 

Like Heartlands being New Handover.

I'm pretty sure New Hanover is now/in Cumberland Forest. Look at all the trees. The Heartlands I think will be more grassy compared to the dense greenery of NH.

I did a bit of digging and I think New Hanover is probably the in game version of either Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville in particular has a long history of German Settlers - hence New Hanover and to this day still has a neighbourhood known as Germantown. The geography also matches up in relation to the Cumberland Forest and Roanoke Ridge. More specifically I think the purple text in Cumberland Forest is the actual location. Obviously it doesn't say "New Hanover" but whatever it does say is probably a placeholder text.

 

It could be anywhere in the Midwest tbh. As for why I think The Heartlands is New Hanover is based on the idea that after the heist in Valentine they cross railroad tracks on the way back. Also Horseshoe Overlook is a caravan camp. If it was Cumberland it would be Six Point Cabin. But the gang set up is definitely a caravan. It's hard to tell what the ecology of the map is in some areas. But it would probably be wrong to assume that the Heartlands is just prairie. Also The Heartlands is kind of a generic term. I would be willing to guess it was placeholder at the time the map was made. The location Bayou nwa will probably change, and Big Valley might. But The Big Valley was the name of a Western TV series set outside of the Central Valley in California.

 

Given how Rio Bravo was in RDR, and that was the name of a Western movie, and mentioned as a location in westerns that probably means Big Valley might stay.

 

But the leaked map is at least two years old, and locations of camps might've switched, and named changed given that's a lot easier than moving mountains, and cities around.

The Heartlands is more likely based on Oklahoma and Arkansas which I don't think have much forestry IRL.Which is where you are wrong. Arkansas and Oklahoma have the Ozarks. New Hanover is probably based on the Missouri Rhineland. In the 1830s a lot of Germans moved into that area.

 

You could probably argue it takes elements from Texas as well since Texas had a influx of Germans in the mid 1800s with a lot of new towns taking German names.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Americans#Cities_of_the_Midwest

Why do people keep quoting the Midwest? The game isn't set there so why would it be somewhere in the Midwest? It could be the Heartlands, which is what I said in the previous post. My main point was that if it is in Cumberland Forest (which is possibly the only real forest in the game) then its probably based on somewhere in Kentucky with a high concentration of Germans, which geographically matches up when you consider the location, particularly in relation to Roanoke Ridge.

 

 

The Heartland of America is traditionally the Midwest even if there is no 'true' consensus on where the Heartland really is. To quote wikipedia

The states of Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Wyoming are typically associated with "The Heartland"—all states of the former Louisiana territories, known then as New France.

 

 

The Lannahechee River on the leaked map is a analog to the Mississippi. So it seems the map is taking cues of things west of it. But the thing we all have to remember with regards to setting is when Rockstar makes a game world its not a 1-1 copy of a existing area. It's always a 'greatest hits' selection of places in a region with healthy suspension of disbelief.

[Bigglo145]

i honestly hope thieves landing returns , that was one of my favorite places from rdr

[EVOLUT7ON]

there's a chance as we can see two green circles at that place... not sure why tho...

 

Edited May 7, 2018 by EVOLUT7ON

[Cutter De Blanc]

With the Great Plains in the game, at the very least there has to be a visual representation of Thieves Landing, as it's directly across the river. Even if it's inaccessable.

Edited May 7, 2018 by Cutter De Blanc

[Svip]

Thieves' Landing is definitely a weird one. In RDR1, it was entirely in New Austin for game mechanic purposes. In the leaked map, it appears outside the map boundaries. Yet it is highlighted.

 

There are two possibilities regarding Thieves' Landing, as I see it:

 

1. The leak from a few months ago is real, and New Austin appears. To re-iterate, the leak said places like Armadillo and Ridgewood Farm appears, hence New Austin at least.

 

However, besides the leak, where the author did not seem to have a decent grasp of RDR in general, not noticing that those locations were the same as in the old game, no other source have indicated that New Austin would make an appearance in RDR2. It is possible, but I consider it rather unlikely.

 

Instead, a more likely solution;

 

2. Thieves' Landing appear in select missions, where your ability to wander off is restricted. Think North Yankton in GTA5 or Liberty City in GTA:SA.

 

How exactly they will manage this, I don't know. And how they will restrict you from accessing it after having been there? I don't know either.

 

Just the 'north' side of Thieves' Landing being accessible seems weird, and the leaked map suggests both sides of the city is available in the game.

 

Or, perhaps, it's for a disappointing third option:

 

3. The appearance of Thieves' Landing on the map is purely for a reference point. Notice how, unlike any other town on the map, it appears without a name. And the town will not be accessible at all.

[ivarblaauw]

Thieves' Landing is definitely a weird one. In RDR1, it was entirely in New Austin for game mechanic purposes. In the leaked map, it appears outside the map boundaries. Yet it is highlighted.

 

There are two possibilities regarding Thieves' Landing, as I see it:

 

1. The leak from a few months ago is real, and New Austin appears. To re-iterate, the leak said places like Armadillo and Ridgewood Farm appears, hence New Austin at least.

 

However, besides the leak, where the author did not seem to have a decent grasp of RDR in general, not noticing that those locations were the same as in the old game, no other source have indicated that New Austin would make an appearance in RDR2. It is possible, but I consider it rather unlikely.

 

Instead, a more likely solution;

 

2. Thieves' Landing appear in select missions, where your ability to wander off is restricted. Think North Yankton in GTA5 or Liberty City in GTA:SA.

 

How exactly they will manage this, I don't know. And how they will restrict you from accessing it after having been there? I don't know either.

 

Just the 'north' side of Thieves' Landing being accessible seems weird, and the leaked map suggests both sides of the city is available in the game.

 

Or, perhaps, it's for a disappointing third option:

 

3. The appearance of Thieves' Landing on the map is purely for a reference point. Notice how, unlike any other town on the map, it appears without a name. And the town will not be accessible at all.

Option A is more valid as you think. Perhaps it is not taken into account as it might only be featured in Online or late/end game.

 

Also there is an option D:

We know the world progresses as the story continues. Perhaps after John leaves the gang (gets shot), the trainrails are slowly getting built to New Austin, opening up the map below.

 

This makes for an ingame logical barrier until late game, and for online it would be a logical continuation.

Edited May 7, 2018 by ivarblaauw

[Non Funkable Token]

Appears that they cut the southern border of West Elizabeth a bit so they avoid to recreate parts of the non visitable Thieves' Landing. Making the textures just for the sight would be an unpleasant job, and leaving the location empty from the distance would be ridiculous.

 

Smart move.

[Cutter De Blanc]

As I recall, Theives Landing had a few bridges in it, they could just break the one leading to new Austin, it'd leave the area with the saloon, safehouse, and tailor

[Bigglo145]

As I recall, Theives Landing had a few bridges in it, they could just break the one leading to new Austin, it'd leave the area with the saloon, safehouse, and tailor

exactly what i was going to say, it'd be cool to see just how thieves landing became so lawless.

[VolumeRX]

So in the Town of Valentine we have

 

General Store

Saloon

Barber

Doctor

Valentine Investments Bank

Gunsmith

 

All have interiors, of course.

 

I cannot tell if the Law Office or The Saints Hotel have interiors

 

Edit:

 

Saints Hotel

 

Great find!

[INFERNO E100]

Thieves landing is on the leaked map because it is viewable from the playable area and needs updating

 

The leaked map is an art direction map so the artists can achieve a coherent aesthetic for each area...which is why it's block coloured and bordered.

 

Also while we're talking map. New Hannover is the state and Cumberland Forrest is a county within it. Much like tall trees within west Austin

Edited May 7, 2018 by INFERNO E100

[zachsterosu]

Thieves landing is on the leaked map because it is viewable from the playable area and needs updating

 

The leaked map is an art direction map so the artists can achieve a coherent aesthetic for each area...which is why it's block coloured and boardered.

 

Also while we're talking map. New Hannover is the state and Cumberland Forrest is a county within it. Much like tall trees within west Austin

To add to that, I think "The Heartlands" is the other county, as the Valentine Robbery was a part of the demo.