Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild" fans have gotten this far

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Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild" fans have gotten this far News By Kaan Serin published 9 January 2026

Not just a wild goose chase

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Red Dead Redemption 2 devotees have been knee-deep in an in-game mystery that's only just been discovered a whole seven years after the blockbuster's original launch. But the sweeping puzzle – which sounds more like a cultish conspiracy – seems to have been somewhat of an open secret in the Rockstar Games' offices, according to one former developer.

Red Dead Redemption 2 QA tester and current Remedy Entertainment dev Adam Butterworth recently threw a bone to the cowboys strapped into this wild easter egg hunt.

"Absolutely wild people have found this," he tweeted recently, before recalling that Red Dead developers were once discussing this very same mystery while at the company. "I remember hearing about this and thinking it would never be discovered."

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So, yes, this is our first confirmation that the newly-unearthed mystery isn't just a wild goose chase and isn't simply the community making theories based on patterns. There's actually something going on.

For anyone out of the loop, our Anthony McGlynn broke down both the mystery's origins and recent developments quite nicely. The gist is that several telegraph poles across the open world contain odd spider-like symbols, and overlaying that symbol onto the world map makes them all connect. By following more clues involving guitars, feathers, bird carvings, and so on, YouTuber Strange Man recently found a massive question mark symbol etched into a mountainside that's somehow gone unnoticed for all these years, perhaps hinting that we're reaching the end of, ermm, whatever this all means.

Red Dead Redemption 2 modders unveil "ambitious recreation of the Mexican territory from RDR1" that "stays true to the canon" of Rockstar's sequel – and it's basically "a full-fledged DLC."

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Rockstar Rockstar Games CATEGORIES Xbox Series X PS5 PS4 Xbox One PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation Kaan SerinFreelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

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Logout Read more Red Dead Redemption 2 players discover new easter egg after 7 years, and they're trying to figure it out before GTA 6    New Red Dead Redemption 2 mystery takes ominous turn with a previously unnoticed mountain carving    After 15 years, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser reveals the meaning behind Red Dead Redemption's Strange Man: "He's a manifestation of your shadow, your karma, the devil"    Arc Raiders Hidden Bunker map puzzle feels like the Mount Chiliad mystery all over again, and players are breaking the laws of physics to solve it: "I found a non-corporeal wall on accident and fell out of the map"    As Red Dead Redemption 2's reveal trailer turns nine years old, fans look back at the worst reactions to it: "The main character seems completely tasteless"    Red Dead Redemption 2 fan tests historical accuracy, finds it's "a pretty amazing representation" of the era    Latest in Red Dead New Red Dead Redemption 2 mystery takes ominous turn with a previously unnoticed mountain carving    Red Dead Redemption 2 players discover new easter egg after 7 years, and they're trying to figure it out before GTA 6    Red Dead Redemption 2 fan tests historical accuracy, finds it's "a pretty amazing representation" of the era    Red Dead Redemption 2 is "slightly more novelistic" than GTA 5 because Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser "binged on Victorian novels" for inspiration    Red Dead Redemption's free Xbox Series X upgrade is currently broken with fans baffled after being asked to buy the whole game again, but Rockstar is "working with Microsoft to resolve it"    Red Dead Redemption 2 modders unveil "ambitious recreation of the Mexican territory from RDR1" that "stays true to the canon" of Rockstar's sequel – and it's basically "a full-fledged DLC"    Latest in News Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown says Eleven's ending is "cathartic," but she "kinda loves" Mike's version    Red Dead Redemption 2 developer never thought the newly uncovered mystery would be found, says it's "absolutely wild"    Almost 2 years later, Star Wars fans are praising The Bad Batch for its boldest choice    Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead says Barret grew on him when remaking the classic JRPG    A Nightmare on Elm Street sequel director shares game-changing never-before-seen stills from "lost" alternate ending    Final Fantasy 7 Remake lead feels "the passing of the ages" with new Square Enix devs calling FF13 their favorite, not 6    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

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