RDR2 Fans Got a Reality Check; Yes, Pinkerton Agency is Real

The Pinkerton Detective Agency, which is part of the plot of Red Dead Redemption 2, exists in the modern world. This came as a big shock to many players.

Pinkerton's agency, which in RDR2 operated in the Wild West in the 19th and 20th centuries really exists. Many gamers found out only now, when US game publisher Wizards of the Coast used its services to pressure a certain youtuber.

RDR2 antagonists turn out to be a fact

Many game lovers first encountered this American detective company when its agents appeared in the storyline of Red Dead Redemption 2. A whole lot of gamers thought it was an organization invented for the game. However, after the recent hype in the online space, fans of RDR2 have learned that the Pinkerton Agency really exists and is still functioning today.. This came as a real shock to many, as it is associated with the Wild West rather than modern realities.

This "sensational news" spread across the Internet after Wizard of the Coast studio used the Pinkertons' services in a rather controversial way. The company's agents visited a youtuber nicknamed Oldschoolmtg and his wife, as he accidentally received an unreleased set of cards March of the Machine: The Aftermath. He also presented it in his video, which brought him to the attention of WotC.

The news of the agents' visit quickly spread on Twitter. Users of the platform were shocked not only by the harsh reaction of the publisher MTG, but also the fact that the Pinkertons turned out to be more than antagonists from the game.

Dude, I'm finally back on Twitter after a long period of severe illness, I'm so excited to talk about ttrpg stuff again, and I'm shocked that the Pinkertons not only still exist, but WotC hired them.

If it's any consolation, I didn't realize they were still active and working until the RDR2 and they weren't outraged at how they were portrayed in the game (which, from what I've heard, was far kinder to them than they deserved; I haven't played it myself).

Who are the Pinkertons?

The Pinkerton Agency is an American security and investigative firm. It was founded in 1850 by Scottish immigrant Allan Pinkerton. The agency introduced the practice of sending photos and detailed descriptions of criminals to American cities. Later, agents began keeping a file of criminals indicating their specialties: robbers, swindlers, pickpockets, thieves.

After the death of the agency's founder, however, the Pinkertons devoted considerable effort to working with big business owners, sabotaging strikes, infiltrating workers and disrupting union plans.

In 2019, Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations demanded compensation from studio Take-Two Interactive for the use of their name in the game Red Dead Redemption 2. However, the agency's name has been used many times in movies, TV series, books or games, which could lead to even more copyright issues. In the end, both parties dropped the lawsuit.