It's been five long years since "Red Dead Redemption" skyrocketed to fame as one of if not the best Western video game ever made. Half a decade has past and there are still no clear signs of a sequel, odd for a critically acclaimed title.

While Take-Two Interactive and its subsidiary Rockstar Games have both teased that there will be a "Red Dead Redemption 2," a release date has yet to be reported. Well, until one of the latter's former staff members leaked some juicy tidbits online.

Reddit user AnonDN1978 said the sequel has actually been in development for almost four years now en route to an early 2016 release. The game's rumored title is ''Red Dead Redemption 2: Legends of the West."

Express also reported that Rockstar Games was looking to hire a network programmer who specializes in a wide range of gameplay mechanics for open-world games. The candidate would be responsible for dynamic multiplayer integration into all facets of gameplay including complex in-game environments. Even though the job did not specify what project the network programmer will be working on, many believed it was for "Red Dead Redemption 2."

Just recently, Take-Two Interactive boss Strauss Zelnick shared the company's thoughts regarding annual releases.

Zelnick told a crowd at the MKM Partners Investor Day in New York that annualization can erode the value of a gaming franchise.

"The market asks us, 'Why don't you annualize your titles?' We think with the non-sports titles, we are better served to create anticipation and demand," the executive explained via GameSpot. "On the one hand to rest the title and on the other hand to have the highest quality in the market, which takes time. You can't do that annually."

Zelnick concluded his talk by saying that fans can expect a more consistent cycle of releases from the company's flagship franchises moving forward.

2K Games is already planning new "Borderlands" and "BioShock" games. However, franchises from the Rockstar Games division like "Grand Theft Auto," "Max Payne" and "Red Dead Redemption" have not been reported to be following any kind of fixed schedule. One main takeaway though is that Zelnick called the three as "permanent" franchises.

Per a press release earlier this month, Take-Two hinted that several unannounced games have already been in development.

"Our worldwide development teams are working on numerous unannounced projects -- including new intellectual properties and offerings from our established franchises. Our robust development pipeline extends years into the future, and promises to captivate audiences and set new benchmarks for creative excellence."

It would come as no surprise if a sequel to "Red Dead Redemption" is currently in the works. Nonetheless, a confirmation would have been much useful.