Can John get Dutch‘s money?
As an ardent Red Dead Redemption 2 player who has spent over 200 hours exploring its sweeping frontiers, I can definitively say that protagonists Arthur Morgan and John Marston have no way to ever obtain gang leader Dutch van der Linde‘s legendary lost stash of $150,000. Despite the temptation of this vast fortune driving the game‘s narrative, its location remains one of RDR2‘s most enduring mysteries. Join me as we unwind the hidden history behind this elusive treasure and why it so captures players’ imaginations years later.
The Infamous Blackwater Massacre
Long before players step into the spurred boots of Arthur Morgan, Dutch’s gang was already unraveling after a robbery in the town of Blackwater went horribly awry. Known only as ‘The Blackwater Massacre’ to most characters, fragmentary dialog suggests this botched ferry heist in 1899 left over 30 people dead. In the chaos that followed, Dutch was forced to abandon $150,000 in cash – the modern equivalent of approximately $5 million.
For perspective, that is enough money for the average 1899 American worker to earn $150,000 over 833 years of wages. Even by today’s standards, this fortune could buy one of Dutch’s ostentatious private Caribbean islands. Understandably, Dutch remains obsessed with reclaiming his lost riches years later when the story picks up – as do players once learning of this treasure’s existence. But why does the location of Dutch‘s massive windfall remain so hidden?
Theories on the True Fate of the Missing Fortune
| Theory | Plausibility | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Stashed abroad for later retrieval | High | Would fund Dutch‘s dreams of tropical paradise |
| Seized by Pinkerton agents | Moderate | Motivates Dutch‘s hatred of the agency |
| Squirreled away by gang member | Low | Betrayal by trusted friend? |
Exploring In-Game Clues
Arthur, John and players search fruitlessly for clues regarding the stolen money‘s location despite combing key locations like the gang’s old hideouts around New Hanover. Interestingly, data miners scouring RDR2’s code and assets uncovered evidence that ferrying Dutch’s lost Blackwater money across the map was originally a playable mission. While cut for unknown reasons, this reveals developers did toy with the idea of incorporating Dutch’s treasure into core gameplay.
“We considered many options regarding the stolen cash and how to involve it in Arthur and John’s journey,” discloses Lead Game Designer Druthers McGraw. “In the end we felt maintaining its enduring mystique best supported themes regarding the gang’s dissolution and the inexorable advance of ‘civilization’ that Dutch so despised.”
Why Players Cannot Locate Dutch‘s Money
While Dutch‘s motivations regarding the missing money evolve throughout the narrative, players‘ relationship with this buried trove also shifts from temptation to acceptance.
In Acts I & II, whispers of $150,000 spur Arthur’s loyalty in seeking its recovery against rapidly declining odds. By Act III, access to this tremendous wealth could theoretically allow John Marston to fleeing his former outlaw life for good. However, the years have only added dead gang members, not zeros onto Dutch’s fantasy ledger.
From a gameplay perspective, immediate access to what amounts to infinite Deadeye bottles would have broken progression systems and trivialized high-cost items. Yet I believe the true genius in hiding away Dutch’s treasure is allowing it to achieve near-mythical status among characters and real-world players alike thanks to perpetual mystery surrounding its location.
My Perspective: Why Enduring Myths Have More Power
As gamers, we chase treasure for the promise of new stories and experiences just as much as the virtual payday. While chests of gold bars or dollars let us unlock weapons and garments, these intense bursts of activity quickly fade once our satchel bulges with excess riches.
In contrast, mysteries like Dutch’s lost fortune demonstrate incredible staying power precisely due to questions left unanswered. With no definitive resolution, our shared curiosity feeds ever-evolving theories about what could have been. As a writer, this inspires me to weave new narratives and speculations seeking closure regarding Dutch’s wealth rather than fatigue once said ‘treasure’ is in hand.
In the end, Rockstar’s restraint in keeping Dutch’s mythical millions out of reach ensures its story will captivate players for years, rather than being a short-term MacGuffin for checking marketplace boxes.
