Jump to content

Red Dead Online

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Red Dead Online
Developer(s)Rockstar Games
Publisher(s)Rockstar Games
Producer(s)Rob Nelson
Designer(s)Imran Sarwar
Programmer(s)Phil Hooker
Artist(s)Aaron Garbut
Writer(s)
SeriesRed Dead
EngineRAGE
Platform(s)
Release
  • PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • May 14, 2019[a]
  • Windows
  • November 5, 2019
  • Stadia
  • November 19, 2019
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Red Dead Online is a 2019 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games as the online component of Red Dead Redemption 2. After several months in beta,[a] it was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in May 2019, and for Windows and Stadia in November 2019. A standalone client for the game was released in December 2020. In Red Dead Online, players control a customizable silent protagonist who is freed from prison after being framed for murder, and tasked with taking revenge in exchange for proving their innocence. Set in 1898, one year before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2, the game comprises story missions where up to four players can complete tasks to advance the narrative, as well as various side missions and events.

Like the single-player game, Red Dead Online is presented through both first- and third-person perspectives, and players may freely roam its open world. Gameplay elements include shootouts, hunting, horseback riding, interacting with non-player characters, and maintaining the character's honor rating through moral choices and deeds. A bounty system governs the response of law enforcement and bounty hunters to crimes committed by players. Players traverse the open world alone or in a posse of up to seven players, with or against whom they can partake in organized activities. Developed in tandem with the single-player, Red Dead Online was viewed as a separate product despite the development team's wishes to translate the single-player's elements to a multiplayer environment. They took lessons learned from the multiplayer of Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto Online.

Red Dead Online received criticism at launch for balancing of gameplay and in-game currency, which later updates addressed. It received positive responses with praise for its mission presentation, co-operative events, and technical improvements. Like Grand Theft Auto Online, the game received updates adding new content, including selectable roles to earn additional rewards. Reception to post-release content was generally positive, with praise directed at more significant additions, though the lack of new content over time led to some criticism and backlash. The final major update was released in July 2021, as Rockstar later withdrew development resources to focus on Grand Theft Auto VI.

Gameplay

[edit]
Players can use camps, either individually or as part of a posse, to rest, access their wardrobe, craft, cook, and fast-travel.

Red Dead Online is the multiplayer component of the 2018 video game Red Dead Redemption 2.[1] Played from a first or third-person perspective, the game is set in an open-world environment featuring a fictionalized version of the United States.[2] Player progression in the single-player story does not affect the multiplayer game. Upon entering the game world, players customize a character and are free to explore the environment alone or in a "posse" group. Players can partake in organized activities with or against members of their posse, or against other groups. As players complete activities throughout the game world, they receive experience points to raise their characters in rank and receive bonuses, thereby progressing in the game.[1] Camps can be temporarily set up throughout the world, either for an individual player or a posse, where players can rest, access their wardrobe, craft, cook, and fast-travel. Horses are the main forms of transportation, of which there are various breeds, each with different attributes. Players must either train or tame a wild horse to use it. Increased use of a horse will begin a bonding process, which can be increased by cleaning and feeding it, and the player will acquire advantages as they ride their horse. Players must insure their horse so it heals over time and can respawn.[3]

Dispersed throughout the game world are story missions in which four players complete tasks to advance the game's narrative.[3] The game world also features events in which up to 32 players can partake individually or with a posse group.[4] Event types include a deathmatch mode devoid of firearms and a race mode by horseback. Players are notified when a competitive event begins somewhere in the game world and are given the option to immediately travel to the event. Alternatively, players can join specific events at will. Outside events, non-player character ("strangers") in the game world offer missions, such as contract killings or camp raidings.[1] Up to four players can join a temporary, ad hoc posse group for the duration of a game session. Alternatively, for a fee, up to seven players can join a persistent posse that regenerates when its leader comes online. Within a persistent posse, players can customize the group's style and track player stats. Friendly fire can be disabled so teammates do not injure each other.[1] If two players continue to kill each other, the game presents two optional modes: parley, in which the players cannot interact with each other for a short period of time; and feud, where the two players partake in a three-minute shootout.[3]

Red Dead Online adds several new systems atop the single-player mode's gameplay. In addition to in-game cash, which can be used for supplies, Online adds gold, a second in-game currency used to purchase luxury and special items,[1] and tokens, which are earned by unlocking role ranks and can be used to purchase role-specific items.[5] Players acquire gold nuggets by completing challenges and can convert 100 nuggets into gold bars. Rather than having to travel to a town's store, online player characters can order supplies anywhere from a handheld catalog. The orders become available for pickup in any town's post office or the player's camp. Online introduces "ability cards", in which players can activate one active and three passive powers for their characters. Players receive these cards by rising in rank or direct purchase, and can then upgrade the cards with in-game currency and experience points.[1] Red Dead Online uses the Honor system from the single-player story, measuring how the player's actions are perceived in terms of morality. Morally positive choices and deeds like helping strangers and abiding the law will add up to the player's Honor, while negative deeds such as theft and harming innocents will subtract from the player's Honor. Some story missions can only be initiated if the player's Honor is at a particular level.[3]

Synopsis

[edit]

A Land of Opportunity

[edit]

The narrative takes place in 1898, one year before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2. The player takes on the role of a silent protagonist who is arrested for murder and imprisoned in Sisika Penitentiary. Six months into their sentence and awaiting execution, their prison transport is held up by a band of hired guns. Their leader, Horley, escorts the player to his employer, the widow Jessica LeClerk, who reveals the player was unfairly accused of murdering her husband Philip, who she suspects was actually killed by his business partners: banker Jeremiah Shaw, landowners Amos and Grace Lancing, and Grace's brother, outlaw Teddy Brown, with the aim of taking over the entire business. Jessica enlists the player's help in avenging Philip's death in exchange for proving their innocence and allows them to leave.

After the player is provided with a camp and some work, they meet with Horley in Blackwater; he advises them to work with the local sheriffs and earn some money while he investigates Philip's murder. Eventually, Horley tells the player to seek work with either U.S. Marshal Tom Davies or mercenary Samson Finch, depending on the player's honor level. If the player has high honor, Davies enlists the player's posse to join the hunt for Mexican bandit Alfredo Montez; with low honor, Finch has the player's posse prove themselves for an upcoming job by helping him rob a factory during a labor strike and exact revenge on his former partner, who is protected by a corrupt garrison.

After either series of events, the player's posse meets with Horley and Jessica to help them kill Teddy Brown, who is hiding out with his gang near the abandoned Fort Mercer. With the assistance of the local authorities, the player's posse besieges the fort and eliminates Brown's men, before capturing Brown himself, who is swiftly killed by Jessica afterwards. The player then continues working for either Davies or Finch, helping the former deal with retribution from Montez's gang, or assisting the latter with a bank robbery in Saint Denis.

Meanwhile, Amos and Shaw try to finalize their takeover of Philip's business by coercing Jessica into signing a forged contract. Accompanied by Horley and the player's posse, Jessica meets the two men and their bodyguards in Blackwater. When Amos denies any involvement in Philip's death, an enraged Jessica shoots him dead with a pistol hidden in her purse. The player's posse retrieves the contract from Shaw, and escorts Jessica and Horley out of Blackwater. With only Grace left to be dealt with in order to avenge Philip, Jessica vows to do so one day, and laments her vendetta has led to both her and Horley becoming fugitives. She then thanks the player's posse for their help and informs them the evidence clearing their name will be delivered, before leaving with Horley to go into hiding.

A Life of 'Shine

[edit]

A Life of 'Shine is a story chapter added in December 2019. The player character is introduced to "Lightning" Maggie Fike, who once controlled the moonshining business in Lemoyne but disappeared after falling afoul of revenue agents led by the ruthless Reid Hixon. Maggie convinces the player to finance her new operation and help her take revenge on Hixon. The player rescues Maggie's nephew Lem from the revenuers, attracting the attention of the bankrupt Braithwaite family, who have turned to moonshining and recruited Maggie's former cook Danny-Lee Caton to oversee production. The Braithwaites threaten retaliation after the player sabotages their moonshining operation, while Hixon learns about Maggie's revived business and ambushes the player and Lem on a job. To deal with both of their enemies simultaneously, Maggie arranges a supposed peace meeting with the Braithwaites and anonymously tips off Hixon. At the meeting, Hixon arrests the player, Lem, and Danny-Lee, but they manage to escape after Lem detonates an improvised bomb using the moonshine in his wagon. With Lem's help, the player kills Hixon and captures Danny-Lee, bringing the latter back to Maggie who allows him to leave on the condition he vanish forever. The player then returns to producing moonshine with Maggie and Lem.

Development

[edit]

Red Dead Online was developed by Rockstar Games in tandem with the single-player story; the development team considered both single-player and multiplayer while creating the world but focused on the former.[6] Though Red Dead Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 share assets and gameplay, Rockstar views them as separate products with independent trajectories, reflected in its decision to launch the multiplayer title separately. The development team took lessons learned from the multiplayer of Red Dead Redemption (2010) and applied those with the best elements of Grand Theft Auto Online (2013), particularly in regards to introducing narrative elements to a multiplayer title.[7] The team sought to translate elements of the single-player story to Red Dead Online, overhauling them for an online space. Producer Rob Nelson felt, while the team's experience on Grand Theft Auto Online helped with the foundations of Red Dead Online, the differences in direction, pace, and scale demanded a different overall approach, slowly leading the player into the world with smaller steps instead of the fast pace of Grand Theft Auto Online.[6]

Red Dead Online's public beta opened for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 27, 2018, to players who owned a special edition of the base game, and then progressively opened to all owners.[a] The progressive release was a choice by Rockstar to mitigate any major performance issues by the influx of players.[8] Rockstar added and adapted several modes during the beta stage,[9] and made changes to the balance and economy.[10][11] Player progression in the public beta carried over when the beta ended on May 14, 2019.[12][13] Alongside the base game, Red Dead Online became available for Windows on November 5, 2019, and for Stadia on November 19.[14][15]

Red Dead Online implements microtransactions by letting players purchase gold bars for in-game items such as weapons and cosmetics. Rockstar had adopted a similar approach for Grand Theft Auto Online.[13] Rockstar donated five percent of in-game revenue generated in Red Dead Online and Grand Theft Auto Online in April and May 2020 to relief efforts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of its nine worldwide studios donated to local charities.[16] Rockstar closed the game for two hours on June 4, 2020, to honor the memorial of George Floyd.[17] A standalone client for Red Dead Online, which does not require Red Dead Redemption 2, was released on December 1, 2020, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.[18] Upon Stadia's shutdown in January 2023, Rockstar allowed players to transfer their progress to other platforms.[19]

Additional content

[edit]
Release timeline
2019Frontier Pursuits
Moonshiners
2020The Naturalist
Bounty Hunters
2021Blood Money

Post-release content was added to Red Dead Online through free title updates. Rockstar planned to evolve the world over time, including expanding the player's in-game businesses from a small camp to a larger company. Rockstar intended to add more role-playing elements to Red Dead Online over time,[6] including additional roles and missions.[20] One of the team's greater challenges was the addition of experiences that allow player freedom without too much structure.[6] The first update to the game world was in December 2018, wherein saloons played Christmas music.[21] To coincide with the full release in May 2019, Rockstar released an update that added new story missions, dynamic events, free roam activities, and poker.[22]

The Frontier Pursuits update, released on September 10, 2019,[23] implemented three new roles: bounty hunter, where players earn rewards by tracking down targets; trader, where players collect and sell items to expand their camp into a business; and collector, focused on discovering collectibles using items such as a metal detector and binoculars.[24] The development team implemented roles as a result of frequent player requests for a stronger connection to their character, providing high-stakes action for bounty hunting or slower exploration as a collector;[6] Nelson noted the team enjoyed the immersion of Rockstar's open worlds and wanted to extrapolate that feeling for personalized characters. The trajectory of the roles is intentionally slower than Grand Theft Auto Online's missions, with each role originally set to have logical successors gradually advancing players' financial success.[25] The update added an Outlaw Pass, which grants players access to additional rewards for an in-game price, and a limited promotion named the Wheeler, Rawson & Co Club, where players could unlock specific rewards as they gained experience.[23] With each of the roles, players are assigned special tasks for a limited time, such as Legendary Bounties for bounty hunters and specific items for collectors.[26] Fear of the Dark, a limited event for Showdown Mode, was added for Halloween in October and November, dividing players into Hunters and Night Stalkers.[27] The Moonshiners update, added on December 13, 2019, introduced moonshiner as an extension to the trader role, focusing on producing, managing, and distributing moonshine. The update included additional content, such as the first purchasable property and a new Outlaw Pass.[28] To celebrate Christmas in December 2019, Rockstar granted free supplies to players and added a temporary period of snowfall.[29]

The Naturalist, released on July 28, 2020, added a fifth role, revolving around players tracking down animals to study or hunt them. The update added new clothing, animals, and an Outlaw Pass.[30] The team enjoyed the single-player's animal hunting mechanics and felt it could be effectively imitated in Red Dead Online. The naturalist's Vitalism Studies feature, allowing players to temporarily assume control of an animal, was viewed as an experience that "bend[s] reality" in contrast to the otherwise grounded tone.[31] For Halloween in October 2020, Rockstar added a new mode, Dead of Night, wherein players fight against zombies. The Halloween Pass, which was available from October 20 to November 16, added several Halloween-themed reward, including horse masks, emotes, and weapon variations.[32] The team felt the events reflected some of the mysteries present in single-player.[31] The Bounty Hunters update was released simultaneously with the standalone client in December 2020, adding new ranks to the bounty hunter role and three additional targets to track down, as well as a new Outlaw Pass and bonus items.[33] Snowfall returned for Christmas 2020, alongside an additional weapon and gun variant.[34] Three solo missions were added on February 16, 2021;[35] Rockstar intended to add more in the future.[36] Eight horse races were added on May 25, 2021.[37]

Following some teases,[38][39] Rockstar announced Blood Money with a trailer in early July 2021[40][41] prior to its July 13 release.[42] It added missions about the criminal underworld, with players helping Guido Martelli create his own network in Saint Denis.[38] The developers had wanted more criminal experiences. Martelli, referenced in single-player, was added to gain consistency between the two modes.[43] The update added the ability to rob homesteads and camps.[39] In missions and free roam, players can find Capitale, a valuable commodity which Martelli exchanges for opportunities;[41] the developers added these to introduce complex missions wherein players find new completion strategies.[43] Released alongside Blood Money was the Quick Draw Club, four passes providing players with gameplay rewards and bonuses; the first was Dutch van der Linde's outfit. Purchasing all passes granted access to the Halloween Pass 2.[41] A character added in Blood Money, guitar player "Bluewater" John, is portrayed by musician Christone "Kingfish" Ingram;[42] an original song co-written by Ingram, "Letter from Bluewater Man", was released on August 20.[44] A new mode, All Hallows' Call to Arms, was added for Halloween in October 2021, allowing players to defend four locations from wild animals and supernatural elements like a ghost train, alongside the return of Dead of Night and the addition of the Halloween Pass 2, which included 15 ranks granting Halloween-themed rewards.[45] Snowfall, music, and decorations returned for Christmas in December 2021 alongside new holiday-themed maps.[46]

In July 2022, Rockstar announced Red Dead Online would not be receiving any more major updates, instead focusing on smaller missions and the expansion of existing modes as development resources were withdrawn to focus on Grand Theft Auto VI.[47] Three new Hardcore Telegram missions were added in an update on September 6, 2022,[48] followed by another on October 18.[49] Previous Halloween content—All Hallows' Call to Arms, Dead of Night, Fear of the Dark, and the Halloween Pass 2—returned in October,[49] bonuses were provided to celebrate Thanksgiving in November,[50] and Christmas music, decorations, and snowfall returned in December.[51] All three returned from October to December 2023,[52][53][54] and the Halloween content returned again in October 2024 alongside three new Bodyguard Telegram missions.[55]

Reception

[edit]

Red Dead Online received criticism at launch for its in-game currency rewards for activities, with players complaining they were too low for the cost of goods and upgrades.[56] Some players calculated a single gold bar could take an estimated eight hours to earn in the game.[57] Rockstar agreed to re-balance the game's economy following complaints.[10] Similar complaints emerged about the griefing taking place in the game;[58] Rockstar fixed these issues by making player visibility dependent on their proximity and behavior.[11] The Verge reported several users who played as black characters had been targeted by griefers posing as Ku Klux Klan-inspired clans or slave catchers who often called them racial slurs.[59]

Christian Just of GameStar felt Red Dead Online carried most of the strengths of the single-player, effectively fulfilling his childhood fantasy of cowboy life.[60] Matt Martin of VG247 criticized some balancing issues but attributed them to the beta status, overall finding the game more enjoyable than Grand Theft Auto Online from both a technical and gameplay perspective.[61] The Verge's Andrew Webster found Red Dead Online's battle royale mode more tense than games like Fortnite due to the smaller player count and slower playstyle.[62] Official Xbox Magazine (OXM) named King of the Castle the best game mode.[63] Kotaku's Heather Alexandra wrote Red Dead Online was "gamier" than its single-player counterpart, specifically in seeing the realistic towns transformed into deathmatch levels.[64] IGN's Luke Reilly praised the game's co-operative story missions but noted the player versus player modes often have a skill imbalance.[65] John Saavedra of Den of Geek criticized the simplicity of the story missions and wrote the free roam missions are a better way to "break up the monotony" of traversing the world.[66]

Red Dead Online was nominated for Best Multiplayer Game at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards.[67] Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive reported the game hit peak players in December 2019 following the release of the Moonshiners update;[68] this was surpassed in December 2020, which saw more new and returning players since the game's beta launch.[69]

Post-release reception

[edit]

By March 2019, PlayStation Official Magazine – UK's Dave Meikleham felt Red Dead Online was "off to a promising start" despite imbalanced deathmatches,[70] and OXM's Chris Burke yearned for more solo missions.[71] Eurogamer's Jordan Oloman appreciated the improvements made by May 2019, praising the quality of the story missions, but felt players needed more purpose within the world.[72] After the release of the Frontier Pursuits update in September 2019, Oloman found the game enjoyable enough to play instead of returning to single-player.[73] Polygon's Cass Marshall wrote the update added elements that made the game fun to play with friends.[74] Eurogamer's Oloman considered the December 2019 Moonshiners update the best to date, and found the new characters compelling.[75] Kotaku's Zack Zwiezen echoed this sentiment, praising the amount of content available.[76] In January 2020, Edge identified significant glitches had become a deterrent for new players but wrote "when it works, the game provides an absorbing RPG experience in a stunning sandbox".[77]

In May 2020, the game was used by workers to conduct online business meetings instead of Skype or Zoom; the immersion of the world was cited as an appealing feature, though the technical issues and lengthy tutorial were criticized for new employees.[78] Several players reported to playing as a refuge during COVID-19 lockdowns;[79] the Rift Trails, a group of equestrians who hosted daily rides through the world,[80] grew to over 2,500 members by 2022.[81] In July 2020, several players dressed their characters as clowns to demonstrate their displeasure at the game's lack of updates.[82] Kotaku's Zwiezen considered The Naturalist update "a step back" from Moonshiners, but found it made him appreciate the nature and details.[83] Polygon's Marshall called the update "perfectly fine" but noted it failed to make the game "feel meaningfully different" like the varied Grand Theft Auto Online updates.[84] Writing for NME, Oloman felt the update contradicted the "ruthless" nature of the game and the tasks had become repetitive.[85] PC Gamer's Christopher Livingston described it as "surprisingly disappointing", citing its similarity to the trader role.[86] Following a patch released in August 2020, several players reported significant, game-breaking glitches;[87] in response, Rockstar reverted the game to a previous version.[88]

Kotaku's Zwiezen considered the October 2020 Halloween update "disappointing" due to the lack of memorable or significant content.[89] He criticized the December update, perceiving Rockstar's favoritism to Grand Theft Auto Online.[90] The update received similar criticism from several players, who felt it was lacking in content and rewards.[91] Conversely, Zwiezen considered the February 2021 solo missions to be an improvement as it alleviated concerns of dealing with other players.[92] In March 2021, Alex Avard of GamesRadar+ wrote Red Dead Online could "reach its true potential" if it continued to build upon the momentum of the previous year, though noted the monetization system remained unbalanced.[93] In July, Polygon's Marshall felt Blood Money was suitable for regular players, but noted the lack of regular updates was "frustrating" due to the game's potential.[94] Rion Duncan of Screen Rant felt the Blood Money missions were too similar to stranger missions,[95] criticizing the lack of preparatory gameplay for the heists as seen in Grand Theft Auto Online.[96] Otto Kratky of Digital Trends praised Blood Money and wrote, unlike with previous updates, Rockstar was "finally appealing to those Old West clichés" and setting the game in the right direction.[97] In December, PC Gamer's Lauren Morton expressed disappointment at the lack of activity compared to Rockstar's other projects throughout the year, though noted it "remains as expansive and gorgeous as ever".[98]

The January 2022 update—bonus rewards for existing missions—led to some backlash from players as they considered it "low effort" and described the game as "dead" due to the lack of new content;[99][100] it was compared to Grand Theft Auto Online, which received major updates throughout 2021,[101][102] while Red Dead Online's most recent Blood Money update was considered lackluster in comparison.[103][104] An online fan campaign ensued; the hashtag #SaveRedDeadOnline trended on Twitter,[104][105] with over 18,000 tweets.[102] When a new Grand Theft Auto Online mode was released without an announcement, Kotaku's Zwiezen partly attributed Rockstar's silence to the fan campaign.[106] Rockstar's social media posts were met with responses in support of the campaign,[107][108] and some employees were reportedly spammed with abuse.[109] In May, Take-Two's chief executive officer, Strauss Zelnick, said the companies had "heard the frustration".[110] On July 13, players hosted in-game funerals to mark one year since the last major update[111] and to mourn Rockstar's withdrawal of development resources;[112] players met at in-game graveyards and cemeteries to capture photographs and drink alcohol.[113][114] TheGamer's Stacey Henley was disappointed by Rockstar's decision but found it inevitable as the game was "forced to live in the shadow" of Grand Theft Auto Online; she felt it was "never going to be" good and concluded "real closure ... is all we can ask for".[115] Players and community members criticized Rockstar for its false promises and missed opportunities despite the game's success relative to non-Rockstar games. Many players and communities remained committed to continuing their activities despite the lack of major updates.[81]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c The beta release for Red Dead Online was staggered depending on when players first played Red Dead Redemption 2:[116]
    • November 27, 2018: Ultimate Edition owners
    • November 28, 2018: first played on October 26
    • November 29, 2018: first played on October 27–29
    • November 30, 2018: all players
    The beta ended on May 14, 2019.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Kuchera, Ben; McWhertor, Michael (November 27, 2018). "Red Dead Redemption 2 Online: 7 things to know about the beta". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  2. ^ St Leger, Henry (November 7, 2018). "Red Dead Redemption 2 guides, character list and reviews". TechRadar. Future plc. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Tach, Dave; Parkin, Jeffrey (November 27, 2018). "Red Dead Online beginner's guide". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  4. ^ "Red Dead Online guide: tips and tricks for missions, multiplayer modes and open world survival". VG247. Gamer Network. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Wilson, Iain (December 7, 2020). "Red Dead Online Roles: How does the Moonshiner role work, and what are the best specialist roles". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e Burke, Chris (September 2019). "Rob Nelson: Once upon a time in the North". Official Xbox Magazine. No. 180. London: Future plc. pp. 56–63.
  7. ^ Ryan, Jon (September 19, 2018). "Red Dead Online: Devs Reveal First Details". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  8. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (November 30, 2018). "Red Dead 2 Online Opens To All Players Today". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  9. ^ Webster, Andrew (January 10, 2019). "Red Dead Online's new mode sounds like smaller-scale Fortnite". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  10. ^ a b McWhertor, Michael (December 3, 2018). "Rockstar says it will rebalance Red Dead Online's economy". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Webster, Andrew (February 12, 2019). "Red Dead Online's next update makes life tougher for griefers". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Ryan, Jon (May 14, 2019). "Red Dead Online Drops Massive Update, Leaves Beta and Details Future Plans". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  13. ^ a b McCarthy, Caty (December 4, 2018). "Red Dead Online: There Are Currently No Plans to Reset Player Progression". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  14. ^ Klepek, Patrick (October 5, 2019). "'Red Dead Redemption 2' Coming to PC on November 5". Vice. Vice Media. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Plant, Logan (November 12, 2019). "Google Stadia Launch Games Announced". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  16. ^ Maher, Cian (August 3, 2020). "Rockstar donates 5% of revenue from in-game purchases to charity". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  17. ^ Chalk, Andy (June 4, 2020). "GTA Online and Red Dead Online are closing this afternoon to show support for Black Lives Matter". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  18. ^ Barbosa, Alessandro (December 1, 2020). "Red Dead Online Standalone Is Out Now And Heavily Discounted". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  19. ^ Stanton, Rich (January 18, 2023). "Player with 6,000 hours in Red Dead Online on Stadia gets a goodbye package from Rockstar". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  20. ^ McKeand, Kirk (September 27, 2019). "Villains, lawmen, businesses, photography, and heists – the future of Red Dead Online, a Rockstar interview". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  21. ^ Tamayo, Paul (December 23, 2018). "Red Dead Online Is In The Holiday Spirit". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  22. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (May 20, 2019). "Red Dead Redemption 2's Online Mode Exits Beta With Huge Update". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Juba, Joe (September 5, 2019). "Red Dead Online's Frontier Pursuits (And More) Coming September 10". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  24. ^ Cork, Jeff (August 2, 2019). "Here's What You Can Expect From Red Dead Online's Upcoming Specialist Roles". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  25. ^ Bertz, Matt (May 14, 2019). "Rockstar Outlines The Future Of Red Dead Online". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  26. ^ Purslow, Matt (September 18, 2019). "Red Dead Online Introduces Legendary Bounties". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019.
  27. ^ Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (October 29, 2019). "Red Dead Online gets limited-time mode Fear of the Dark, new Legendary Bounty". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  28. ^ Wakeling, Richard (December 13, 2019). "Red Dead Redemption 2 Online's Moonshiners Update Is Out Now; Here's What's Included". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  29. ^ Hall, Charlie (December 19, 2019). "Holidays in Red Dead Online feature snow, Showdown modes, free gifts, and more". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  30. ^ Brown, Fraser (July 28, 2020). "Red Dead Online's Naturalist update forces you to make an impossible choice". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  31. ^ a b Kelly, Andy (November 23, 2020). "Rockstar talks Red Dead Online, living another life in the Old West, and being constantly surprised by the community". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  32. ^ Kent, Emma (October 20, 2020). "Red Dead Online finally gets its Halloween Pass". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  33. ^ Denzer, TJ (December 1, 2020). "Red Dead Online standalone update brings new Bounty Hunter License and Outlaw Pass No. 4". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  34. ^ Stanton, Rich (December 22, 2020). "GTA and Red Dead Online players get guns and sweaters for Christmas". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  35. ^ Stanton, Rich (February 16, 2021). "Red Dead Online gets three new solo missions, Rockstar says more to come". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  36. ^ Harris, Iain (February 7, 2021). "Red Dead Online is getting more solo content". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  37. ^ Kratky, Otto (May 25, 2021). "This Week's Red Dead Online Update Introduces Eight New Races". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  38. ^ a b Nunneley, Stephany (May 18, 2021). "Red Dead Online getting new "criminal underworld" missions this summer". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  39. ^ a b Brown, Andy (June 9, 2021). "'Red Dead Online' update will add camps and homesteads to rob". NME. Bandlab Technologies. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  40. ^ Harris, Iain (July 6, 2021). "Red Dead Online's summer update is out next week". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  41. ^ a b c Harris, Iain (July 7, 2021). "Red Dead Online: Blood Money features multi-stage robberies". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  42. ^ a b Makuch, Eddie (July 13, 2021). "Red Dead Online: Blood Money Update Is Out Now — Everything You Need To Know". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  43. ^ a b "Rockstar Games interview: Red Dead Online continues to evolve with Blood Money". Shacknews. Gamerhub. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  44. ^ Domanick, Andrea (August 19, 2021). "Premiere: Revel in the Delta blues of Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram's 'Letter from Bluewater Man'". Morning Becomes Eclectic. KCRW. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  45. ^ Brown, Andy (October 27, 2021). "'Red Dead Online' Halloween event adds zombies and ghost trains". NME. BandLab Technologies. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  46. ^ Williams, Hayley (December 15, 2021). "Red Dead Online Kicks Off Its Holiday Celebrations This Week". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  47. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (July 7, 2022). "Red Dead Online Won't Get Big Updates As Rockstar Shifts To GTA 6". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  48. ^ Wood, Austin (September 6, 2022). "Red Dead Online players pleasantly surprised by update with actual content". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  49. ^ a b Williams, Hayley (October 4, 2022). "Red Dead Online Is Bringing Last Year's Halloween Pass Back Again". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  50. ^ Williams, Hayley (November 1, 2022). "Red Dead Online Is Celebrating Thanksgiving This November". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  51. ^ Gutierrez, Luis Joshua (November 29, 2022). "Red Dead Redemption 2 Hits New Player Peak – Christmas Update Adds More Content". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  52. ^ Ostler, Anne-Marie (October 12, 2023). "Red Dead Online gets the same Halloween pass for the third year in a row, leaving long-suffering fans treatless: "I'd rather they do nothing"". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  53. ^ "Holiday Rewards in Red Dead Online". Rockstar Games. December 5, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  54. ^ "Celebrate Thanksgiving in Red Dead Online with Trader Bonuses". Rockstar Newswire. Rockstar Games. November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  55. ^ Fields, Sarah (October 1, 2024). "Red Dead Online Details Plans for October 2024". Game Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  56. ^ Kim, Matt (November 30, 2018). "Behind the Grassroots Campaign to Fix Red Dead Online's Broken Economy". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  57. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 30, 2018). "Red Dead Online players want Rockstar to change the game's economy". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  58. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (December 10, 2018). "Red Dead Online Players Are Split Over Griefing". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  59. ^ Hernandez, Patricia (January 15, 2019). "Playing Red Dead Online as a black character means enduring racist garbage". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  60. ^ Just, Christian (December 2, 2019). "Fazit: Red Dead Online im Test: Der beste Wildwest-Sandkasten" [Conclusion: Red Dead Online in the test: the best wild west sandpit]. GameStar (in German). Webedia. p. 5. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  61. ^ Martin, Matt (November 30, 2018). "Red Dead Online is GTA with all the bloat removed". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  62. ^ Webster, Andrew (November 29, 2018). "Red Dead Online's battle royale mode is slow, tense, and nothing like Fortnite". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  63. ^ Burke, Chris, ed. (January 2019). "Red Dead Online comes to Xbox". Official Xbox Magazine. No. 172. London: Future plc. pp. 18–19.
  64. ^ Alexandra, Heather (November 28, 2018). "Red Dead Online Is A Wild West Theme Park". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  65. ^ Reilly, Luke (June 7, 2019). "Red Dead Online Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  66. ^ Saavedra, John (December 11, 2018). "Red Dead Online Review in Progress". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  67. ^ Tailby, Stephen (September 20, 2019). "Days Gone Rides Off with Three Nominations in This Year's Golden Joystick Awards". Push Square. Nlife Media. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  68. ^ Takahashi, Dean (February 6, 2020). "Take-Two Interactive results lackluster compared to last year's Red Dead 2 bump". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on March 16, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  69. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (February 8, 2021). "GTA 5 Has Sold More Than 140 Million Copies". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  70. ^ Meikleham, Dave (March 2019). Dean, Ian (ed.). "Online Tests". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK. No. 159. London: Future plc. pp. 100–101.
  71. ^ Burke, Chris (March 2019). "Red Dead Online". Official Xbox Magazine. No. 174. London: Future plc. pp. 78–79.
  72. ^ Oloman, Jordan (May 23, 2019). "Red Dead Online is finally moving in the right direction". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  73. ^ Oloman, Jordan (September 24, 2019). "With Frontier Pursuits, it's finally time to return to Red Dead Online". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  74. ^ Marshall, Cass (September 16, 2019). "Red Dead Online's roles are at their best when things get messy". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  75. ^ Oloman, Jordan (December 16, 2019). "Moonshining is Red Dead Online's best update yet, but the cost of content is starting to hurt". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  76. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (December 13, 2019). "Red Dead Online's New Mooonshiner Role Is The Best Yet". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  77. ^ Brown, Nathan, ed. (January 2020). "The Long Game". Edge. No. 340. London: Future plc. p. 113.
  78. ^ Crowley, Nate (May 19, 2020). "People are using Red Dead Redemption 2 to hold conference calls". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  79. ^ Lyman, Paige (September 7, 2021). "In Red Dead Redemption, the Wild West Is a Refuge". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  80. ^ Morton, Lauren (February 10, 2022). "Meet the hundreds of horse girls running Red Dead Online's kindest posse". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  81. ^ a b Oloman, Jordan (July 13, 2022). "The Red Dead Online Community Is Embracing the Game's Inevitable Death". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  82. ^ Harris, Iain (July 13, 2020). "Red Dead Online players are teasing Rockstar by dressing up as clowns". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  83. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (August 7, 2020). "Red Dead Online's New Role Makes Me Appreciate The Game's Animals". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  84. ^ Marshall, Cass (August 25, 2020). "Red Dead Online continues to struggle where GTA Online succeeds". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  85. ^ Oloman, Jordan (July 30, 2020). "First Look: The 'Red Dead Online' Naturalist update is contradictory in nature". NME. Bandlab Technologies. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  86. ^ Livingstone, Christopher (July 30, 2020). "Red Dead Online's new Naturalist role is just hunting with extra steps". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  87. ^ Hernandez, Patricia (August 11, 2020). "Red Dead Online is so broken right now, you can't even shoot". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  88. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (August 13, 2020). "Rockstar working to fix Red Dead Online after fans call it "unplayable"". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  89. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (October 22, 2020). "Red Dead Online's Halloween Update Is Disappointing". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  90. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (December 2, 2020). "Red Dead Online's Latest, Disappointing Update Shows GTA Online Is Still Rockstar's Favourite". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  91. ^ Marshall, Cass (December 3, 2020). "Red Dead Online's latest update may be the last straw for frustrated fans". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  92. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (February 18, 2021). "Red Dead Online's New Solo Missions Are Pretty Good". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  93. ^ Avard, Alex (March 1, 2021). "Red Dead Online needs an in-game gold rush if it wants to bring new players to the frontier in 2021". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  94. ^ Marshall, Cass (July 16, 2021). "Red Dead Online's new update is pretty good — but not enough for fans". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  95. ^ Duncan, Rion (July 23, 2021). "Red Dead Online: Blood Money Is Basically Nothing New". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  96. ^ Duncan, Rion (July 28, 2021). "Red Dead Online: Blood Money Wastes Opportunities' Potential". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  97. ^ Kratky, Otto (August 2, 2021). "Red Dead Online's Blood Money DLC is a great first step in the right direction". Digital Trends. Designtechnica. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  98. ^ Morton, Lauren (December 29, 2021). "Red Dead Online didn't die in 2021, but it's surviving on rations for 2022". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  99. ^ Campbell, Kyle (January 6, 2022). "Fans are furious about Red Dead Online's lack of content". USA Today. Gannett. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  100. ^ Docherty, Joseph Francis (January 6, 2022). "Red Dead Online's New Update Gets Backlash from Fans". Game Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  101. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (January 9, 2022). "Red Dead Online Players Are Frustrated After Months Without A Major Update". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  102. ^ a b Nunneley, Stephany (January 8, 2022). "Red Dead Online players are upset over the lack of content". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  103. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (January 12, 2022). "#SaveRedDeadOnline Is a Cry For Support From Red Dead Online Fans To Rockstar". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  104. ^ a b Marshall, Cass (January 10, 2022). "Red Dead Online fans are demanding answers from Rockstar". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  105. ^ Nightingale, Ed (January 7, 2022). "Red Dead Online players are disappointed with latest meagre update". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  106. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (January 13, 2022). "Franklin And Lamar Headline GTA Online Update, Red Dead Online Update Does Not Exist". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  107. ^ Modica, Ruby Lee Axel (January 19, 2022). "Red Dead Online Players Aren't Happy With the Latest Update". Game Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  108. ^ Reeves, Brianna (January 20, 2022). "GTA Online Update News Spammed With #SaveRedDeadOnline Protests". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  109. ^ Donnelly, Joe (February 3, 2022). "Red Dead Online players have launched a revival campaign they hope will catch Rockstar's eye". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  110. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (May 16, 2022). "Take-Two CEO Has 'Heard the Frustration' from #SaveRedDeadOnline Community". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  111. ^ Croft, Liam (July 6, 2022). "Red Dead Online Fans Are Hosting a Funeral for the Game". Push Square. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  112. ^ Bellingham, Hope (July 8, 2022). "The Red Dead Online community is in mourning after Rockstar announces no more major updates". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  113. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (July 13, 2022). "Fans Hold Virtual Funeral For Red Dead Online One Year After Last Update". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  114. ^ Middler, Jordan (July 13, 2022). "Red Dead Online players are holding a funeral to mourn the game's 'death'". Video Games Chronicle. 1981 Media. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  115. ^ Henley, Stacey (July 9, 2022). "It's Good That Red Dead Online Is Officially Dead". TheGamer. Valnet. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  116. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 26, 2018). "Red Dead Redemption 2 Online launches in beta on Nov. 27". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
[edit]