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Rockstar Admits Red Dead 2 Online's Economy Is Off [Update]

The first update could arrive as early as later this week.

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Red Dead Redemption 2's multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, launched in late November as a beta--and Rockstar had said from the start that players should expect bugs and other oddities. Players have indeed discovered the experience to be less-than-optimal in some areas, one of which is the in-game economy. Players quickly found out that baked beans are more valuable than gold rings, based on Red Dead Online's economy--and that's probably not right. [Update: Rockstar has now outlined Red Dead Online's first update, as well as some free money and gold that players are entitled to.]

Rockstar has now acknowledged the problems with Red Dead Online's economy, stating on Twitter that it is working on getting the economy in a better place "to ensure all activities are appropriately rewarding and fun." The studio needs more time to work on balancing to get this right, it said. It's also stated it doesn't have plans to reset progress.

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Now Playing: How To Claim PS4-Exclusive Gear In Red Dead Redemption 2 Online - GS News Update

Outside of the in-game economy, Rockstar is also planning to address some of the "persistent bugs" related to players getting kicked out of sessions.

"The game has been developed so that we will be able to quickly make any adjustments like these," Rockstar said. The first updates for Red Dead Online are expected to launch at the end of the week at the soonest, with more updates coming next week.

You can send feedback about Red Dead Online directly to Rockstar here. There is no word on how long the game will remain in beta form, but keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.

Red Dead Online features new story missions set before the events of the single-player campaign that can be played solo or with others. It also features a variety of co-op and PvP modes, including Red Dead's own battle royale mode.

Rockstar says to expect "lots more updates to the Red Dead Online beta in the coming weeks and months." It hasn't shared much about what to expect in terms of future updates to the game, though Grand Theft Auto V's extensive array of free GTA Online expansions suggests there's plenty in store.

A future update for Red Dead Online will add the ability to purchase the in-game currency gold with real money. Gold can also be earned by playing, and it's used to buy certain weapons and other items, as well as a shortcut to lower your Honor level.

If you pre-ordered the game or bought a special edition, here's how to access your bonus content.

For more on Red Dead Online, check out GameSpot's recent opinion piece, "Red Dead Online's Beta Misses What Makes RDR 2 Great."

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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lionheartssj1

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Hey, when you're hungry, food becomes the most valuable thing coming and going.

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MisterVulpes

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@lionheartssj1:

Loot NPC saddlebags. Swim in salted venison.

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Vodoo

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Edited By Vodoo

The problem is that publishers' expectations are out of control and not based in reality. They think every game MUST sell more than the previous game they put out, totally not getting that there are a finite amount of gamers with a finite amount to spend on games. Plus, not every game suits every gamer. They could sell 1 billion in the first week and not be satisfied.

They are endlessly trying to force their Skeletor old-man hands into your pockets for more money.

People are not going to mortgage their house to buy microtransactions. That's almost what they are coming to expect.

I didn't want government regulations, but someone needs to put a stop to this madness.

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deactivated-5e50d2c5e25a2

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I don't care about the economy. Just fix the constant disconnects and I'm good.

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BigFeef

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I like the concept of RDO: getting to play in the beautiful and expansive world of RDR2 without restrictions; pretty much. What kills the experience for me is the economy. It's not just bad; it's ridiculous. The economy is built around frustrating you into spending real money; to me that is simply unacceptable. They have learned their lessons well from GTA Online.

The other problems with the game I can deal with: the griefing, the disconnects, even the rank grind. But whenever a game tries to frustrate me into having to spend even more money to to be able to enjoy it; I don't play them. I haven't played RDO since I hit rank 25 and I have no intention to do so until they make a real fix to the economy.

As a gamer I hate seeing games with such lofty potential get ruined just because the devs/publishers are greedy gits; but that seems to be the norm rather than the exception nowadays.

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xxmavr1kxx

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@BigFeef: I cant stand the griefing. I hate it.

Walking out of a store to get on your horse only to have some guy barreling through and lasso you, or just shoot you in the head. Or clearing out a gang hideout and have someone kill you just as you start looting.

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MisterVulpes

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@xxmavr1kxx:

That’s the game. Watch yo back boah.

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Fud_Sang

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Most of the prices should be halved. Even more for the gold bar purchases. When the best horse in the game costs more gold bars than you ever see in the game (without the glitch) they're screwing us. Not a home, not a factory, a horse and its worth more gold than in the whole single player game.

That said I full expect a cut of a third at most for some items and not all will change. Rockstar bled us shamelessly in GTAO and we swallowed it and asked for seconds. Well here it is...whose surprised?

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BarcaAzul

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@fud_sang:

I have been playing it a bit since they launched the RDR2 items.

I have a bunker, a night club, an office to be CEO, an apartment, a second garage, a mobile ops vehicle and a mobile command center.

.......And I haven't spent a single penny on shark cards.

I played a lot of special modes and login bonuses to earn money to buy the stuff. Very little that felt like I was grinding.

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Fud_Sang

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@barcaazul: You came in at the right time. Before bunker and club there was much more grinding and it was mostly unavoidable. They fixed parts but not all but I'll credit them for the attempt.

Somehow I don't see how a similar solution applies...Maybe owning a saloon and a factory. Beyond that...

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BarcaAzul

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@fud_sang:

I did play it at the beginning as well, but it was poor and I gave up on it. Now it's a really good experience.

I know what you mean though, it will be interesting to see how they can make RDRO an interesting proposition going forward, but hopefully it will be quicker to evolve than GTAO

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redhedjack

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*Jim from The Office looks at camera*

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BarcaAzul

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Outside of the in-game economy, Rockstar is also planning to address some of the "persistent bugs" related to players getting kicked out of sessions.

They should look at GTAO at the same time then. Number of times you get kicked for no reason is annoying

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deactivated-5e50d2c5e25a2

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@barcaazul: And that is why I have little to no faith they will actually fix the problem.

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BarcaAzul

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@masterfrankgrimes:

Was exactly what I was thinking

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oKiRe

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Edited By oKiRe

Hope they fix this. This game has some real potential online.

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Lemie420

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Edited By Lemie420

Red Dead Online beta is still way more polished than Fallout 76 release.

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R4gn4r0k

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"I'm sure there are ways we can milk people even more"

From an actual boardroom meeting.

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Pupchu

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@R4gn4r0k: thats from every board meeting

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