Red Dead 2's Online Updates Previewed; Mode Will Remain In Beta For Now

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in October to much acclaim, with its multiplayer component, Red Dead Online, launching in late November. The online mode hasn't been received quite as warmly, though Rockstar did distinguish in advance that it was only a beta. That will remain the case for the foreseeable future, although the company has outlined some of the updates and new content that are on the way.

In a recent blog post announcing the launch of a new battle royale-style mode called Gun Rush, Rockstar stated, "Red Dead Online will stay in beta for a few more months yet as we have many more new gameplay features to add across the board as well as further changes to improve, stabilize and refine the overall experience."

You can read our impressions of Red Dead Online from just after its launch, but a common source of complaints is that there just isn't enough to do. Aside from Gun Rush, more content is on the way, including new races, Showdown modes, clothing, and emotes.

Rockstar has previously urged fans to share their feedback on the beta, and its roadmap includes changes that it says are being made in response to what fans have been saying. Daily challenges are being introduced "covering every aspect of the game, from sharpshooting to evading the law." But most of these adjustments are coming to mitigate unpleasant interactions with other players.

Law and Bounty systems are being altered to "reduce the enticements for griefing." If you commit a crime, you'll get a bounty; take too long to pay it off and bounty hunters from each state "will track the player forcing them to either pay up or escape." Additionally, the Parley system can be activated more quickly, and feuds can be triggered more easily so that you can have a proper framework for fighting other players, rather than the random chaos that can ensue. And finally, the map will show players only at shorter distances, so people can't track you down from afar. Rockstar also plans to have the map more clearly identify aggressive players.

Beyond all this, new A Land of Opportunities story missions are coming featuring both existing characters (Horley and Jessica LeClerk are mentioned by name) and new ones. Dynamic events will also be added to the world, though no specifics were shared.

It's clear Rockstar's plans for Red Dead Online are extensive. That should come as no surprise, given the sustained success of Grand Theft Auto V's GTA Online, which has been a tremendously consistent moneymaker for Rockstar and parent company Take Two since its launch in 2013.