Returning characters is nothing new for Rockstar Games, with characters like John Marston andBrucie Kibbutzmaking repeat appearances in theRed Dead RedemptionandGrand Theft Autoseries, respectively. However, characters jumping franchises is not something Rockstar has played around with, instead keeping all the franchises fairly isolated from each other. One player changed that in detailed fashion by bringing one of San Andreas' most notorious gangsters to life inRed Dead Redemption 2.
Reddit user HeySoloSoyYo posted a thread showing how they brought Carl Johnson, also known as CJ in 2004’sGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, to life insideRed Dead Redemption 2’sonline multiplayer. TheRed Dead Onlineversion of CJ is made to appear as closely as possible to the original version, sporting either sleeveless shirts or no shirt at all with the closest pantsRed Dead Onlinehas to denim jeans. He is also shown wielding two weapons, a familiar sight to anyone who playedGTA: San Andreas.
RELATED:Red Dead Redemption Fan Casts An RDR Movie
HeySoloSoyYo shared collages of his custom CJ along with stills of CJ from the 2004 so other users can compare the two. They also took a page out of Rockstar Games’GTAcover designs with one of the collage’s sporting the familiar slant window design seen on most physical copies ofGTA. HeySoloSoyYo wasn’t shy about messing around with his CJ, either, showing him off with different body types in the collages to reflect how player actions would change CJ’s appearance inGTA: San Andreas.
While this wild west version of CJ is a new take on the character, it’s hardly the first time he’s been given new life by Rockstar’s devoted and more creative fans. Artist and YouTuber Hossein Diba previously shared hisHD version ofSan Andreas' CJ, along with otherGTAplayable characters, to show what he would look like on up-to-date graphics engines. Diba’s is not a far cry from HeySoloSoyYo’s own recreation inRed Dead Online, though Diba stuck with CJ’s base appearance fromGTA: San Andreas.
TheRed Deadrendition is also another example of how beloved CJ among Rockstar Games' fanbase despite only starring in oneGTAtitle. Depending on who is asked, some fans would even say CJ is thebest playableGTAprotagonistin the series' long history. Considering the competition includes characters like Niko Bellic, Trevor Phillips, and Tommy Vercetti, it shows just how beloved CJ is and how much fans want to see the character brought back. If or when that will happen, only Rockstar Games knows for sure.
Red Dead Redemption 2is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
MORE:Every Video Game Release Coming Soon For Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One
