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{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = Red Dead Online
| title = Red Dead Online
| image =
| image = Red Dead Online.jpg
| developer = [[Rockstar Studios]]
| developer = [[Rockstar Studios]]
| publisher = [[Rockstar Games]]
| publisher = [[Rockstar Games]]
Line 13: Line 13:
| series = ''[[Red Dead]]''
| series = ''[[Red Dead]]''
| engine = [[Rockstar Advanced Game Engine|RAGE]]
| engine = [[Rockstar Advanced Game Engine|RAGE]]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Microsoft Windows]]}}
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}}
| released = May 15, 2019{{efn|name=Release|The beta for ''Red Dead Online'' opened for owners of the game's Ultimate Edition on November 27, 2018. Players who played ''Red Dead Redemption 2'' on the first day of release (October 26) were granted access the following day, November 28. Players who played the game within the first three days of release (October 26–29) were granted access on November 29, and the game opened for all other players on November 30.<ref name="Polygon: Beta"/> The beta ended on May 15, 2019.<ref name="USgamer: reset"/>}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|May 15, 2019|'''Microsoft Windows'''|November 5, 2019}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure]]
| genre = [[Action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer]]
}}
}}


'''''Red Dead Online''''' is an [[online multiplayer]] [[action-adventure video game]] developed and published by [[Rockstar Games]]. It was released on November 27, 2018 for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] as the [[multiplayer]] component of ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''.
'''''Red Dead Online''''' is an [[online multiplayer]] [[action-adventure video game]] developed and published by [[Rockstar Games]]. It was released on November 27, 2018{{efn|name=Release}} for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] as the [[multiplayer]] component of ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''. Players take on the role of a [[silent protagonist]] who is freed from prison and tasked with taking revenge in exchange for their innocence. Set a few years before the events of the single-player game, ''Red Dead Online'' is comprised of story missions where four players complete tasks to advance the narrative. The game also features several side missions and events.

Like the single-player game, ''Red Dead Online'' is presented through both [[First-person (gaming)|first]] and [[Third-person view|third-person]] perspectives, and the player may freely roam in its interactive [[open world]]. Gameplay elements include shootouts, heists, [[hunting]], horseback riding, interacting with [[non-player character]]s (NPCs), 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 can 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 story, ''Red Dead Online'' is viewed as a separate product despite the development team wishes to translate elements of the single-player to a multiplayer environment. The team took lessons learned from the multiplayer of ''[[Red Dead Redemption]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]'' when developing the game. ''Red Dead Online'' received criticism at launch for its balancing of gameplay and in-game currency; later updates addressed the issues. It received positive responses from critics, with praise directed at its presentation of missions, co-operative events, and technical improvements. The game is set to receive several updates over time, as with ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]''; the ''Frontier Pursuits'' update in September 2019 implemented roles that players can select to earn additional rewards.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
[[File:Red Dead Online gameplay.jpg|250px|thumb|left|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]]''.{{r|Polygon: 7}}<!-- describe that gameplay for newcomers --> Player progression in the single-player story does not affect the multiplayer game.{{r|Polygon: 7}}
''Red Dead Online'' is the multiplayer component of the 2018 video game ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/> Played from a first or third-person perspective, the game is set in an open-world environment featuring a fictionalized version of the Western United States.<ref name="TechRadar Gameplay"/> Player progression in the single-player story does not affect the multiplayer game. Upon entering the game world, players customize a [[player character|character]] and are [[free roam game|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 [[level up (video gaming)|raise their characters in rank]] and receive bonuses, thereby progressing in the game.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/>


Camps can be set temporarily set up throughout the game 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 in order 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 cannot die.<ref name="Polygon Guide"/>
Upon entering the game world, players customize a [[player character|character]] and are [[free roam game|free to explore]] the environment alone or in a "posse" group.{{r|Polygon: 7}} There are also organized activities for individuals and groups, both cooperative and against other groups. As players complete activities throughout the game world, they receive [[experience points]] to [[level up (video gaming)|raise their characters in rank]] and receive bonuses, thereby progressing in the game.{{r|Polygon: 7}}


Dispersed throughout the game world are events and missions in which up to 16 players can partake individually or with a posse group. 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 of events, [[non-player character]] ("strangers") in the game world offer missions, such as contract killings or camp raidings.{{r|Polygon: 7}} Many of these non-player characters are secondary and minor characters from ''Red Dead Redemption 2''.
Dispersed throughout the game world are story missions in which four players complete tasks to advance the game's narrative.<ref name="Polygon Guide"/> The game world also features events in which up to 32 players can partake individually or with a posse group.<ref name="VG247 Beta"/> 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 of events, [[non-player character]] ("strangers") in the game world offer missions, such as contract killings or camp raidings.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/> 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 that teammates do not injure each other.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/> If two players continue to kill each other, the game presents two optional modes: parley, in which the players are alone for ten minutes without weapons; and feud, where the two players partake in a three-minute shootout.<ref name="Polygon Guide"/>


⚫
''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. 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'' also 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 or experience points.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/> ''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.<ref name="Polygon Guide"/>
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 that teammates do not injure each other.{{r|Polygon: 7}}


== Synopsis ==
⚫
''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. 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'' also 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 or experience points.{{r|Polygon: 7}}
⚫
The story 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, they are assigned to a work detail. The prison transport is intercepted in transit by a group of well-armed men who free the prisoners. Their leader introduces himself as Horley and escorts the player character to his employer, the widow Jessica LeClerk. Jessica tells the story of how her husband Philip was murdered by his business partners Jeremiah Shaw, Amos and Grace Lancing and their outlaw accomplice Teddy Brown to gain control of his share of the business. The player character was arrested for the crime as a matter of convenience. Jessica claims to be the only person who knows of the player character's innocence as the calibre of bullets used to kill Philip did not match the calibre used by the player character. She lets the player character go with her blessing provided that they help her take revenge on Philip's killers.


⚫
Horley sets the player to work assisting the sheriffs of Blackwater, Valentine and Tumbleweed in apprehending wanted criminals. Their work earns them a reputation that attracts the attention of US Marshal Tom Davies, who enlists the player in locating notorious bandit Alfredo Montez. Knowing that Montez will continue to kill indiscriminately but lacking the evidence to prosecute him, Davies suggests that the player character bring Montez in dead rather than alive. The player apprehends Montez, which earns them a reputation with the Marshals as being reliable. This in turn allows them to work with the Marshals in finding Teddy Brown as the Marshals are coming under pressure from Shaw and the Lancings to leave Brown be. The player leads an assault on Fort Mercer, incapacitating Brown and killing his gang. Jessica questions him about Philip's murder and he claims sole responsibility for it. Jessica rejects this and executes him.
Rockstar released an updated called ''Frontier Pursuits'' in September 2019. The update allows players to follow three separate classes, each with their own progression system, abilities and equipment. Players can take on the role of bounty hunter and apprehend criminals, seek out rare and valuable objects as a collector, or establish and manage their own trading company.


⚫
With Brown dead, Amos Lancing and Jeremiah Shaw try to finalise their takeover of Philip's business by coercing Jessica into signing a forged contract. Jessica, Horley, and the player mount a posse to confront him, which ends with Jessica shooting Lancing in broad daylight and Shaw being killed in the crossfire. Horley recovers the forged documents while the player and the posse escort Jessica out of town. Horley burns the documents, thwarting the conspiracy. Jessica laments the missed opportunity to confront Grace Lancing as she has now been declared a fugitive, but settles for knowing that Grace is now a widow too.
In addition, playing ''Red Dead Online'' requires that the player own a copy of ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]'' before the player can access it online.{{r|Polygon: Beta}}


== Synopsis ==
== Development ==
''Red Dead Online'' was developed in tandem with the single-player story.<ref name="OXM"/> 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 apply those with the best elements of ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]'' (2013), particularly in regards to introducing narrative elements to a multiplayer title.<ref name="IGN: reveal"/> The team also seeks to translate elements of the single-player story to ''Red Dead Online'', overhauling them for an online space.<ref name="OXM"/> Producer Rob Nelson felt that, while the team's experience on ''Grand Theft Auto Online'' helped with the foundations of ''Red Dead Online'', the differences in the game's 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''.<ref name="OXM"/>
⚫
The story 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, they are assigned to a work detail. The prison transport is intercepted in transit by a group of well-armed men who free the prisoners. Their leader introduces himself as Horley and escorts the player character to his employer, the widow Jessica LeClerk. Jessica tells the story of how her husband Philip was murdered by his business partners Jeremiah Shaw, Amos and Grace Lancing and their outlaw accomplice Teddy Brown to gain control of his share of the business. The player character was arrested for the crime as a matter of convenience. Jessica claims to be the only person who knows of the player character's innocence as the calibre of bullets used to kill Philip did not match the calibre carried by the player character. She lets the player character go with her blessing provided that they help her take revenge on Philip's killers.


''Red Dead Online''{{'s}} [[public beta]] opened on November 27, 2018 to players who owned a special edition of the base game, and then progressively opened to all owners.<ref name="Polygon: 7"/>{{efn|name=Release}} The progressive release was a choice by Rockstar to mitigate any major performance issues by the influx of players.<ref name="GameSpot Release"/> Rockstar added and adapted several game modes during the game's beta stage,<ref name="Verge Gun Rush"/> and made changes to the game's balance and economy.<ref name="Polygon Economy Fix"/><ref name="Verge Grief"/> Player progression in the public beta carried over when the beta ended on May 15, 2019. ''Red Dead Online'' implements [[microtransactions]] by letting players purchase gold bars for in-game items like weapons and cosmetics. Rockstar had adopted a similar approach for ''Grand Theft Auto Online''.<ref name="USgamer: reset"/>
Horley introduces the player to bank robber Samson Finch, who is looking to put together a gang to carry out a robbery he has spent a year planning. Finch had been intending to rob a group of industrialists until he was betrayed by his partner. He has the player form a posse and attack the Fort Wallace garrison, killing his partner and thwarting a rival robbery plot. Disguised as dispatch riders, the gang rob a merchant bank in Saint Denis and make off with bearer bonds. This, according to Finch, will break the industrialists' confidence and isolate them from one another, including Shaw and the Lancings.


=== Additional content ===
⚫
Horley sets the player to work asssisting the sheriffs of Blackwater, Valentine and Tumbleweed in apprehending wanted criminals. Their work earns them a reputation that attracts the attention of US Marshal Tom Davies, who enlists the player in locating notorious bandit Alfredo Montez. Knowing that Montez will continue to kill indiscriminately but lacking the evidence to prosecute him, Davies suggests that the player character bring Montez in dead rather than alive. The player apprehends Montez, which earns them the Marshals' trust. This in turn allows them to work with the Marshals in finding Teddy Brown as the Marshals are coming under pressure from Shaw and the Lancings to leave Brown be. The player leads an assault on Fort Mercer, incapacitating Brown and killing his gang. Jessica questions him about Philip's murder and he claims sole responsibility for it. Jessica rejects this and executes him.
Rockstar plans to evolve the game's world over time, including expanding the player's in-game businesses from a small camp to a larger company. Rockstar intends to add more role-playing elements to ''Red Dead Online'' over time,<ref name="OXM"/> including additional roles and missions.<ref name="VG247 Interview"/> One of the team's greater challenges with the game is the addition of experiences that allow player freedom without too much structure.<ref name="OXM"/> In December 2018, saloons in the game world played [[Christmas music]].<ref name="Kotaku Christmas"/>


The ''Frontier Pursuits'' update, revealed in August 2019, will be added to the game on September 10, 2019.<ref name="GI Frontier Pursuits"/> The update implements three new roles: bounty hunter, where players earn rewards by tracking down targets; trader, which involves players collecting and selling items to expand their camp into a business; and collector, which is focused on discovering collectibles such as a metal detector and binoculars.<ref name="GI Roles"/> The development team decided to implement roles as a result of frequent player requests for a stronger connection to their character.<ref name="OXM"/> The update also 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 unlock specific rewards as they gain experience.<ref name="GI Frontier Pursuits"/> 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;<ref name="IGN Legendary Bounties"/> the team intends to continue adding similar events for the roles in the future.<ref name="VG247 Interview"/>
⚫
With Brown dead, Amos Lancing and Jeremiah Shaw try to finalise their takeover of Philip's business by coercing Jessica into signing a forged contract. Jessica, Horley and the player mount a posse to confront him, which ends with Jessica shooting Lancing in broad daylight and Shaw being killed in the crossfire. Horley recovers the forged documents while the player and the posse escort Jessica out of town. Horley burns the documents, thwarting the conspiracy. Jessica laments the missed opportunity to confront Grace Lancing as she has now been declared a fugitive, but settles for knowing that Grace is now a widow, too.


As an extension of the trader role, Rockstar intends to allow players to create further business ventures in future updates moving away from camp to additional properties. Similarly, the team intends to add purchasable properties to the game, but does not want to abandon the camp too soon. Rockstar intended to recreate some memorable moments from the single-player story by adding certain elements to the player's camp, such as the dog companion and Cripps playing harmonica.<ref name="VG247 Interview"/>
== Development ==
Though ''Red Dead Online'' and ''Red Dead Redemption 2'' share assets and gameplay, Rockstar views them as separate products with independent trajectories, reflected in their decision to launch the multiplayer title separately.{{r|IGN: reveal}} ''Red Dead Online''{{'s}} [[public beta]] opened on November 27, 2018 to players who owned a special edition of the base game, and then progressively opened to all owners.{{r|Polygon: 7}} Rockstar agreed to re-balance the game's economy after receiving negative feedback in the beta's first week of release; players had complained that the in-game currency rewards for activities were too low for the cost of goods and upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Rockstar says it will rebalance Red Dead Online’s economy |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2018-12-03 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/3/18124516/red-dead-online-economy-money-gold-bars |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-04 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Player progression in the public beta carried over when the beta ended on May 15, 2019.{{r|USgamer: reset}}


== Reception ==
''Red Dead Online'' implements [[microtransactions]] by letting players purchase gold bars for in-game items like weapons and cosmetics. Players can earn gold bars by performing in-game actions, but these are earned at a much slower rate. Rockstar had adopted a similar approach for their previous ''[[Grand Theft Auto Online]]''.{{r|USgamer: reset}}
''Red Dead Online'' received criticism at launch for its in-game currency rewards for activities, with players complaining that they were too low for the cost of goods and upgrades.<ref name="USgamer Economy"/> Some players calculated that a single bold bar could take an estimated eight hours to earn in the game.<ref name="Polygon Economy"/> Rockstar agreed to re-balance the game's economy following complaints.<ref name="Polygon Economy Fix"/> Similar complaints also emerged about the [[Griefer|griefing]] taking place in the game;<ref name="Kotaku Griefing"/> Rockstar fixed these issues by making player visibility dependent on their proximity and behavior.<ref name="Verge Grief"/> ''[[The Verge]]'' reported that several users who played as black characters had been targeted by [[griefer]]s posing as [[KKK]]-inspired clans or [[slave catcher]]s who often called them racial slurs.<ref name="Verge Racist"/>


[[IGN]]'s Luke Reilly praised the game's co-operative story missions, noting that the game's [[player versus player]] modes typically have a skill imbalance. Reilly lauded the technical improvements made throughout the game's updates, though noted that some still remained.<ref name="IGN Review"/> Matt Martin of [[VG247]] found the game to be more enjoyable than ''Grand Theft Auto Online'', from both a technical and gameplay perspective. Martin criticised some balancing issues, but attributed them to the game's beta status.<ref name="VG247"/> ''The Verge''{{'}}s Andrew Webster found ''Red Dead Online''{{'}}s [[Battle royale game|battle royale]] game mode more tense than games such as ''[[Fortnite]]'' due to the smaller player count and slower play style.<ref name="Verge BR"/> ''[[Kotaku]]''{{'}}s Heather Alexandra wrote that ''Red Dead Online'' was "gamier" than its single-player counterpart, specifically in seeing the realistic towns transformed into deathmatch levels.<ref name="Kotaku Theme Park"/> John Saavedra of [[Den of Geek]] criticised the simplicity of the story missions, writing that the free roam missions are a better way to "break up the monotony" of traversing the world.<ref name="Den of Geek"/> Jordan Oloman of [[Eurogamer]] appreciated the improvements made to the game by May 2019, particularly praising the quality of the story missions, but felt that players needed more purpose within the game world.<ref name="Eurogamer Direction"/>
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== References ==


== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=


<ref name="IGN: reveal">{{Cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Jon |title=Red Dead Online: Devs Reveal First Details |work=[[IGN]] |date=2018-09-19 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/19/red-dead-online-devs-reveal-first-details |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
<ref name="Den of Geek">{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/red-dead-redemption/277887/red-dead-online-review |title=Red Dead Online Review in Progress |last=Saavedra |first=John |publisher=[[Den of Geek]] |date=December 11, 2018 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124033351/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/red-dead-redemption/277887/red-dead-online-review |archivedate=January 24, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
</ref><!-- more in source -->


<ref name="Eurogamer Direction">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-20-red-dead-online-is-finally-moving-in-the-right-direction |title=Red Dead Online is finally moving in the right direction |last=Oloman |first=Jordan |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=May 23, 2019 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522220036/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-20-red-dead-online-is-finally-moving-in-the-right-direction |archivedate=May 22, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
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<ref name="Polygon: 7">{{Cite web |last1=Kuchera |first1=Ben |last2=McWhertor |first2=Michael |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 Online: 7 things to know about the beta |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2018-11-27 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/27/18114287/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-beta-details |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
</ref>


<ref name="Polygon: Beta">{{Cite web |last1=McWhertor|first1=Mike|last2=McWhertor |first2=Michael |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 Online: Launches in Beta November 27|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2018-11-27 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/26/18112534/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-multiplayer-beta-release-date|language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-14 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
<ref name="GameSpot Release">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/red-dead-2-online-opens-to-all-players-today/1100-6463446/ |title=Red Dead 2 Online Opens To All Players Today |last=Hussain |first=Tamoor |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=November 30, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510163444/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/red-dead-2-online-opens-to-all-players-today/1100-6463446/ |archivedate=May 10, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>


<ref name="GI Frontier Pursuits">{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/09/05/red-dead-onlines-frontier-pursuits-and-more-coming-september-10 |title=Red Dead Online's Frontier Pursuits (And More) Coming September 10 |last=Juba |first=Joe |work=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=September 5, 2019 |accessdate=September 6, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906131902/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/09/05/red-dead-onlines-frontier-pursuits-and-more-coming-september-10 |archivedate=September 6, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
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<ref name="USgamer: reset">{{Cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Caty |title=Red Dead Online: There Are Currently No Plans to Reset Player Progression |work=[[USgamer]] |date=2018-12-04 |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-beta-stats-rank-progress-potential-reset-rockstar-warns |language=en |accessdate=2018-12-04 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


<ref name="GI Roles">{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/02/heres-what-you-can-expect-from-red-dead-onlines-upcoming-specialist-roles-0 |title=Here's What You Can Expect From Red Dead Online's Upcoming Specialist Roles |last=Cork |first=Jeff |work=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |date=August 2, 2019 |accessdate=September 6, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805010100/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/02/heres-what-you-can-expect-from-red-dead-onlines-upcoming-specialist-roles-0 |archivedate=August 5, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
⚫
}}


<ref name="IGN Legendary Bounties">{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2019/09/17/red-dead-online-introduces-legendary-bounties |title=Red Dead Online Introduces Legendary Bounties |last=Purslow |first=Matt |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923174123/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/17/red-dead-online-introduces-legendary-bounties |archivedate=September 23, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Further reading ==


<ref name="IGN: reveal">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/19/red-dead-online-devs-reveal-first-details |title=Red Dead Online: Devs Reveal First Details |last=Ryan |first=Jon |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 19, 2018 |accessdate=August 8, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919203235/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/19/red-dead-online-devs-reveal-first-details |archivedate=September 19, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
{{Refbegin}}


* {{Cite web |last1=Aitken |first1=Lauren |title=Red Dead Online guide: tips and tricks for missions, multiplayer modes and open world survival |work=[[VG247]] |date=2018-11-30 |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/11/30/red-dead-online-guide-tips-tricks/ |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2019/06/07/red-dead-online-review |title=Red Dead Online Review |last=Reilly |first=Luke |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=June 7, 2019 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607050633/https://ign.com/articles/2019/06/07/red-dead-online-review |archivedate=June 7, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
* {{Cite web |last1=Alexandra |first1=Heather |title=Red Dead Online Is A Wild West Theme Park |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=2018-11-27 |url=https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-is-a-wild-west-theme-park-1830695252 |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-04 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |author1=GameCentral |title=Red Dead Online first impressions – how the Westworld was won |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=2018-11-29 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/29/red-dead-online-first-impressions-how-the-westworld-was-won-8189289/ |language=en |accessdate=2018-12-04 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Tamoor |title=Red Dead 2 Online Opens To All Players Today |work=[[GameSpot]] |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/red-dead-2-online-opens-to-all-players-today/1100-6463446/ |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-04 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Matt |title=Behind the Grassroots Campaign to Fix Red Dead Online's Broken Economy |work=[[USgamer]] |date=2018-12-01 |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-broken-economy-feedback-campaign |language=en |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Matt |title=Red Dead Online is GTA with all the bloat removed |work=[[VG247]] |date=2018-11-30 |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/11/30/red-dead-online-is-gta-online/ |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
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* {{Cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |title=Red Dead Online players want Rockstar to change the game’s economy |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2018-11-30 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/30/18119736/red-dead-online-economy-grind-money-rdr2 |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Luke |title=Red Dead Online Review in Progress |work=[[IGN]] |date=2018-11-30 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/30/red-dead-online-review |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Jon |title=Opinion: What We Want in Red Dead Online |work=[[IGN]] |date=2018-11-26 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/26/opinion-what-we-want-in-red-dead-online |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Tach |first1=Dave |last2=Parkin |first2=Jeffrey |title=Red Dead Online beginner’s guide |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2018-11-27 |url=https://www.polygon.com/red-dead-online-guide/2018/11/27/18114976/beginners-guide-rdr2-showdown-posse-camp-honor-xp-ability-cards-horse-insurance |language=en-US |accessdate=2018-12-02 |df=mdy-all }}
* {{Cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=Red Dead Online’s new mode sounds like smaller-scale Fortnite |work=[[The Verge]] |date=2019-01-10 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/10/18176914/red-dead-online-rdr2-battle-royale-gun-rush-fortnite |accessdate=2019-01-11 |df=mdy-all }}


<ref name="Kotaku Christmas">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-is-in-the-holiday-spirit-1831260341 |title=Red Dead Online Is In The Holiday Spirit |last=Tamayo |first=Paul |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=December 23, 2018 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221232123/https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-is-in-the-holiday-spirit-1831260341 |archivedate=December 21, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>
{{Refend}}

<ref name="Kotaku Griefing">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-players-are-split-over-griefing-1830993697 |title=Red Dead Online Players Are Split Over Griefing |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=December 10, 2018 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211041649/https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-players-are-split-over-griefing-1830993697 |archivedate=December 11, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku Theme Park">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-is-a-wild-west-theme-park-1830695252 |title=Red Dead Online Is A Wild West Theme Park |last=Alexandra |first=Heather |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=November 28, 2018 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128060840/https://kotaku.com/red-dead-online-is-a-wild-west-theme-park-1830695252 |archivedate=November 28, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="OXM">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/rockstar-details-the-future-of-red-dead-online-we-are-only-just-getting-started/ |title=Rockstar details the future of Red Dead Online: "we are only just getting started!" |last=West |first=Josh |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=August 8, 2019 |accessdate=August 17, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808182214/https://www.gamesradar.com/rockstar-details-the-future-of-red-dead-online-we-are-only-just-getting-started/ |archivedate=August 8, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="Polygon: 7">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/27/18114287/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-beta-details |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 Online: 7 things to know about the beta |last1=Kuchera |first1=Ben |last2=McWhertor |first2=Michael |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=November 27, 2018 |accessdate=December 2, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127191341/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/27/18114287/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-beta-details |archivedate=November 27, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: Beta">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/26/18112534/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-multiplayer-beta-release-date |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 Online launches in beta on Nov. 27 |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=November 26, 2018 |accessdate=August 8, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127042239/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/26/18112534/red-dead-redemption-2-rdr2-online-multiplayer-beta-release-date |archivedate=November 27, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="Polygon Economy">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/30/18119736/red-dead-online-economy-grind-money-rdr2 |title=Red Dead Online players want Rockstar to change the game's economy |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=November 30, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201114841/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/30/18119736/red-dead-online-economy-grind-money-rdr2 |archivedate=December 1, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Economy Fix">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/3/18124516/red-dead-online-economy-money-gold-bars |title=Rockstar says it will rebalance Red Dead Online’s economy |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 3, 2018 |accessdate=December 4, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204123920/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/3/18124516/red-dead-online-economy-money-gold-bars |archivedate=August 11, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon Guide">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/red-dead-online-guide/2018/11/27/18114976/beginners-guide-rdr2-showdown-posse-camp-honor-xp-ability-cards-horse-insurance |title=Red Dead Online beginner's guide |last1=Tach |first1=Dave |last2=Parkin |first2=Jeffrey |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=November 27, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128045927/https://www.polygon.com/red-dead-online-guide/2018/11/27/18114976/beginners-guide-rdr2-showdown-posse-camp-honor-xp-ability-cards-horse-insurance |archivedate=November 28, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="TechRadar Gameplay">{{cite news |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-release-date-news-and-rumors |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 guides, character list and reviews |last=St Leger |first=Henry |work=[[TechRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=November 7, 2018 |accessdate=August 8, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802161840/https://www.techradar.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-release-date-news-and-rumors |archivedate=August 2, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="USgamer Economy">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-broken-economy-feedback-campaign |title=Behind the Grassroots Campaign to Fix Red Dead Online's Broken Economy |last=Kim |first=Matt |work=USgamer |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=November 30, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713205104/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-broken-economy-feedback-campaign |archivedate=July 13, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="USgamer: reset">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-beta-stats-rank-progress-potential-reset-rockstar-warns |title=Red Dead Online: There Are Currently No Plans to Reset Player Progression |last=McCarthy |first=Caty |work=USgamer |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=December 4, 2018 |accessdate=December 4, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205193308/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/red-dead-online-beta-stats-rank-progress-potential-reset-rockstar-warns |archivedate=December 5, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge BR">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/29/18116848/red-dead-online-rdr2-battle-royale-make-it-count-fortnite |title=Red Dead Online's battle royale mode is slow, tense, and nothing like Fortnite |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=November 29, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129233408/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/29/18116848/red-dead-online-rdr2-battle-royale-make-it-count-fortnite |archivedate=November 29, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Grief">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/12/18222066/red-dead-online-update-griefing-bounties |title=Red Dead Online's next update makes life tougher for griefers |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=February 12, 2019 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212235645/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/12/18222066/red-dead-online-update-griefing-bounties |archivedate=February 12, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Gun Rush">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/10/18176914/red-dead-online-rdr2-battle-royale-gun-rush-fortnite |title=Red Dead Online's new mode sounds like smaller-scale Fortnite |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 10, 2019 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175520/https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/10/18176914/red-dead-online-rdr2-battle-royale-gun-rush-fortnite |archivedate=January 11, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Racist">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/15/18183843/red-dead-online-black-character-racism |title=Playing Red Dead Online as a black character means enduring racist garbage |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 15, 2019 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/15/18183843/red-dead-online-black-character-racism |archivedate=January 15, 2019 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/11/30/red-dead-online-is-gta-online/ |title=Red Dead Online is GTA with all the bloat removed |last=Martin |first=Matt |publisher=[[VG247]] |date=November 30, 2018 |accessdate=August 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201004940/https://www.vg247.com/2018/11/30/red-dead-online-is-gta-online/ |archivedate=December 1, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Beta">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/12/21/red-dead-online-beta-release-date-start-time/ |title=Red Dead Online guide: tips and tricks for missions, multiplayer modes and open world survival |publisher=[[VG247]] |date=December 21, 2018 |accessdate=August 11, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222205123/https://www.vg247.com/2018/12/21/red-dead-online-beta-release-date-start-time/ |archivedate=December 22, 2018 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

<ref name="VG247 Interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/09/27/red-dead-online-future-heists-villain-lawmen-business/ |title=Villains, lawmen, businesses, photography, and heists – the future of Red Dead Online, a Rockstar interview |last=McKeand |first=Kirk |publisher=[[VG247]] |date=September 27, 2019 |accessdate=October 5, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928071934/https://www.vg247.com/2019/09/27/red-dead-online-future-heists-villain-lawmen-business/ |archivedate=September 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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}}


{{Red Dead}}
{{Red Dead}}

Revision as of 08:24, 15 October 2019

Red Dead Online
Developer(s)Rockstar Studios
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)
ReleaseMay 15, 2019[a]
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Red Dead Online is an online multiplayer action-adventure video game developed and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on November 27, 2018[a] for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as the multiplayer component of Red Dead Redemption 2. Players take on the role of a silent protagonist who is freed from prison and tasked with taking revenge in exchange for their innocence. Set a few years before the events of the single-player game, Red Dead Online is comprised of story missions where four players complete tasks to advance the narrative. The game also features several side missions and events.

Like the single-player game, Red Dead Online is presented through both first and third-person perspectives, and the player may freely roam in its interactive open world. Gameplay elements include shootouts, heists, hunting, horseback riding, interacting with non-player characters (NPCs), 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 can 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 story, Red Dead Online is viewed as a separate product despite the development team wishes to translate elements of the single-player to a multiplayer environment. The team took lessons learned from the multiplayer of Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto Online when developing the game. Red Dead Online received criticism at launch for its balancing of gameplay and in-game currency; later updates addressed the issues. It received positive responses from critics, with praise directed at its presentation of missions, co-operative events, and technical improvements. The game is set to receive several updates over time, as with Grand Theft Auto Online; the Frontier Pursuits update in September 2019 implemented roles that players can select to earn additional rewards.

Gameplay

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.[3] Played from a first or third-person perspective, the game is set in an open-world environment featuring a fictionalized version of the Western United States.[4] 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.[3]

Camps can be set temporarily set up throughout the game 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 in order 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 cannot die.[5]

Dispersed throughout the game world are story missions in which four players complete tasks to advance the game's narrative.[5] The game world also features events in which up to 32 players can partake individually or with a posse group.[6] 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 of events, non-player character ("strangers") in the game world offer missions, such as contract killings or camp raidings.[3] 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 that teammates do not injure each other.[3] If two players continue to kill each other, the game presents two optional modes: parley, in which the players are alone for ten minutes without weapons; and feud, where the two players partake in a three-minute shootout.[5]

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. 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 also 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 or experience points.[3] 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.[5]

Synopsis

The story 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, they are assigned to a work detail. The prison transport is intercepted in transit by a group of well-armed men who free the prisoners. Their leader introduces himself as Horley and escorts the player character to his employer, the widow Jessica LeClerk. Jessica tells the story of how her husband Philip was murdered by his business partners Jeremiah Shaw, Amos and Grace Lancing and their outlaw accomplice Teddy Brown to gain control of his share of the business. The player character was arrested for the crime as a matter of convenience. Jessica claims to be the only person who knows of the player character's innocence as the calibre of bullets used to kill Philip did not match the calibre used by the player character. She lets the player character go with her blessing provided that they help her take revenge on Philip's killers.

Horley sets the player to work assisting the sheriffs of Blackwater, Valentine and Tumbleweed in apprehending wanted criminals. Their work earns them a reputation that attracts the attention of US Marshal Tom Davies, who enlists the player in locating notorious bandit Alfredo Montez. Knowing that Montez will continue to kill indiscriminately but lacking the evidence to prosecute him, Davies suggests that the player character bring Montez in dead rather than alive. The player apprehends Montez, which earns them a reputation with the Marshals as being reliable. This in turn allows them to work with the Marshals in finding Teddy Brown as the Marshals are coming under pressure from Shaw and the Lancings to leave Brown be. The player leads an assault on Fort Mercer, incapacitating Brown and killing his gang. Jessica questions him about Philip's murder and he claims sole responsibility for it. Jessica rejects this and executes him.

With Brown dead, Amos Lancing and Jeremiah Shaw try to finalise their takeover of Philip's business by coercing Jessica into signing a forged contract. Jessica, Horley, and the player mount a posse to confront him, which ends with Jessica shooting Lancing in broad daylight and Shaw being killed in the crossfire. Horley recovers the forged documents while the player and the posse escort Jessica out of town. Horley burns the documents, thwarting the conspiracy. Jessica laments the missed opportunity to confront Grace Lancing as she has now been declared a fugitive, but settles for knowing that Grace is now a widow too.

Development

Red Dead Online was developed in tandem with the single-player story.[7] 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 apply those with the best elements of Grand Theft Auto Online (2013), particularly in regards to introducing narrative elements to a multiplayer title.[8] The team also seeks to translate elements of the single-player story to Red Dead Online, overhauling them for an online space.[7] Producer Rob Nelson felt that, while the team's experience on Grand Theft Auto Online helped with the foundations of Red Dead Online, the differences in the game's 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.[7]

Red Dead Online's public beta opened on November 27, 2018 to players who owned a special edition of the base game, and then progressively opened to all owners.[3][a] The progressive release was a choice by Rockstar to mitigate any major performance issues by the influx of players.[9] Rockstar added and adapted several game modes during the game's beta stage,[10] and made changes to the game's balance and economy.[11][12] Player progression in the public beta carried over when the beta ended on May 15, 2019. Red Dead Online implements microtransactions by letting players purchase gold bars for in-game items like weapons and cosmetics. Rockstar had adopted a similar approach for Grand Theft Auto Online.[2]

Additional content

Rockstar plans to evolve the game's world over time, including expanding the player's in-game businesses from a small camp to a larger company. Rockstar intends to add more role-playing elements to Red Dead Online over time,[7] including additional roles and missions.[13] One of the team's greater challenges with the game is the addition of experiences that allow player freedom without too much structure.[7] In December 2018, saloons in the game world played Christmas music.[14]

The Frontier Pursuits update, revealed in August 2019, will be added to the game on September 10, 2019.[15] The update implements three new roles: bounty hunter, where players earn rewards by tracking down targets; trader, which involves players collecting and selling items to expand their camp into a business; and collector, which is focused on discovering collectibles such as a metal detector and binoculars.[16] The development team decided to implement roles as a result of frequent player requests for a stronger connection to their character.[7] The update also 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 unlock specific rewards as they gain experience.[15] 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;[17] the team intends to continue adding similar events for the roles in the future.[13]

As an extension of the trader role, Rockstar intends to allow players to create further business ventures in future updates moving away from camp to additional properties. Similarly, the team intends to add purchasable properties to the game, but does not want to abandon the camp too soon. Rockstar intended to recreate some memorable moments from the single-player story by adding certain elements to the player's camp, such as the dog companion and Cripps playing harmonica.[13]

Reception

Red Dead Online received criticism at launch for its in-game currency rewards for activities, with players complaining that they were too low for the cost of goods and upgrades.[18] Some players calculated that a single bold bar could take an estimated eight hours to earn in the game.[19] Rockstar agreed to re-balance the game's economy following complaints.[11] Similar complaints also emerged about the griefing taking place in the game;[20] Rockstar fixed these issues by making player visibility dependent on their proximity and behavior.[12] The Verge reported that several users who played as black characters had been targeted by griefers posing as KKK-inspired clans or slave catchers who often called them racial slurs.[21]

IGN's Luke Reilly praised the game's co-operative story missions, noting that the game's player versus player modes typically have a skill imbalance. Reilly lauded the technical improvements made throughout the game's updates, though noted that some still remained.[22] Matt Martin of VG247 found the game to be more enjoyable than Grand Theft Auto Online, from both a technical and gameplay perspective. Martin criticised some balancing issues, but attributed them to the game's beta status.[23] The Verge's Andrew Webster found Red Dead Online's battle royale game mode more tense than games such as Fortnite due to the smaller player count and slower play style.[24] Kotaku's Heather Alexandra wrote that Red Dead Online was "gamier" than its single-player counterpart, specifically in seeing the realistic towns transformed into deathmatch levels.[25] John Saavedra of Den of Geek criticised the simplicity of the story missions, writing that the free roam missions are a better way to "break up the monotony" of traversing the world.[26] Jordan Oloman of Eurogamer appreciated the improvements made to the game by May 2019, particularly praising the quality of the story missions, but felt that players needed more purpose within the game world.[27]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c The beta for Red Dead Online opened for owners of the game's Ultimate Edition on November 27, 2018. Players who played Red Dead Redemption 2 on the first day of release (October 26) were granted access the following day, November 28. Players who played the game within the first three days of release (October 26–29) were granted access on November 29, and the game opened for all other players on November 30.[1] The beta ended on May 15, 2019.[2]

References

  1. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 26, 2018). "Red Dead Redemption 2 Online launches in beta on Nov. 27". Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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  10. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ 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 August 11, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2018. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; December 4, 2018 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b c McKeand, Kirk (September 27, 2019). "Villains, lawmen, businesses, photography, and heists – the future of Red Dead Online, a Rockstar interview". VG247. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
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  15. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Purslow, Matt (September 18, 2019). "Red Dead Online Introduces Legendary Bounties". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019.
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  19. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Hernandez, Patricia (January 15, 2019). "Playing Red Dead Online as a black character means enduring racist garbage". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved August 18, 2019. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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