How many years between RDR1 and RDR2?
To clearly state the answer: There is a 12 year gap between the start of RDR2 (1899) and the start of RDR1 (1911). However, as we‘ll explore in this article, the full timeline and storyline connections between the two games spans over two decades.
RDR2 Story Summary (1899)
First, let‘s analyze the key events and timeline of the RDR2 storyline…
RDR2 Key Events
| 1899 | Main RDR2 story events with Van der Linde gang |
So in 1899, we see the climax of the Van der Linde gang story which shapes the events to come over the next two decades leading into RDR1.
RDR2 Epilogue (1907)
Now let‘s examine the RDR2 epilogue timeline…
[Summary of 1907 epilogue events on the Marston ranch]This epilogue skips forward 8 years, revealing key details about how the former Van der Linde gang members have aged and adapted, like John Marston trying to make an honest living with his family.
Some important RDR2 Epilogue events:
| 1907 | 8 years after main RDR2 story |
| John Marston builds ranch house | With Uncle & Charles Smith |
| Sadie Adler becomes a bounty hunter | After losing her husband |
RDR1 Story (1911)
Now let‘s jump 4 years ahead to 1911 – the primary setting of RDR1 featuring John Marston:
[Summary of RDR1 events with Edgar Ross forcing John to hunt former comrades]RDR1 Key Events
| 1911 | 4 years after RDR2 epilogue |
| John hunts Bill Williamson | At Fort Mercer |
| Javier Escuella hides in Mexico | John crosses the border |
So in Red Dead 1 we see the fruits of Arthur Morgan‘s sacrifices and last wishes to help John escape the outlaw life finally decay, as John is blackmailed into tracking down his former friends from Dutch‘s gang over a decade later.
RDR1 Epilogue (1914)
And finally, the RDR1 epilogue…
[Summary of RDR1 1914 epilogue events showing an older Jack Marston avenging father John‘s death]| 1914 | 3 years after main RDR1 story |
| Jack buries John | And avenges his death |
Bringing the epic multi-generational story full circle!
The Full Red Dead Timeline Spans 20+ Years
So in total, charting the events from young Arthur meeting a young John in the 1870s up through 1914…this sweeping Red Dead storyline with interwoven characters spans over 20 years!
Quite an epic tale. Let‘s visualize the full timeline:
| 1870s | Young Arthur & John meet |
| 1899 | Main RDR2 Story |
| 1907 | RDR2 Epilogue |
| 1911 | Main RDR1 Story |
| 1914 | RDR1 Epilogue |
This truly is an intricate, character-driven narrative expertly told over two games and over 20 years – making it one of the most ambitious and riveting stories in video game history.
Hopefully this analysis gave you some deeper insight into how RDR1 and RDR2 connect. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! And be sure to follow for more Red Dead content.
