The next major release from Rockstar Games remains shrouded in mystery, with only a rough launch schedule confirmed by the development team.
From what has been shared about Red Dead Redemption 2 multiplayer mode, it will have arrived by the end of November.
Not much else has been revealed about RDR2 online though, with fans having to rely on leaks surrounding the multiplayer launch.
One of these suggests that the new Red Dead Online beta is going to differ from GTA Online in one very big way.
So what can we expect from Red Dead Online when it comes out on PS4 and Xbox One?
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RED DEAD ONLINE BETA
As mentioned above, GTA Online was Rockstar Games last major multiplayer project, proving to be a huge success with fans.
So there is an expectation that the development team will try and emulate their success with RDR2.
The studio has confirmed that they want to use GTA Online as a template and make sure they use some of the best ideas from it.
This includes blending gameplay with narrative excursions, something like we saw with the Doomsday Heist.
However, Rockstar is also on a mission to make something different which fans can enjoy and not feel like they are playing a Grand Theft Auto clone.
The first step in this mission is launching the Red Dead Online beta on PS4 and Xbox One.
Rockstar didn’t run an official public beta for GTA Online but have chosen to do so with Red Dead 2 to make sure they get plenty of feedback.
It also means the dev team can cover themselves when the servers crash and the game doesn’t work.
RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 MULTIPLAYER INTRO
Gamers may have learnt more about Red Dead Redemption 2 multiplayer from the list of achievements on PS4 and Xbox One.
These Trophies confirm that Campsites will be featured like in single-player, as well as new “free-roam” events.
In GTA Online, these meant activities such as parachuting, robbing trucks and tracking down worthwhile scores across the map.
The achievements list also includes one that states that fans are rewarded by “Completing the Intro” which appears to be called “Breakout.”
And other leaked information from data miners suggests that this might be in connection with an escape from a building, or some kind of vehicle.
It certainly would be an interesting way to start your career as an outlaw and would also serve as a tutorial to help players learn the revamped rules of online play.
A list of missions types has also reportedly leaked, suggesting that Red Dead Online might launch with something close to what was first offered in GTA Online.
Special Survival missions that will lead to an ever-growing shootout with gangs have been reported.
Other types include racing, which is something that could be expanded with the existing horse-riding found in single-player mode.
As always though, it’s worth pointing out that a trailer is expected to be released in the coming days to confirm what new features will be available in Red Dead Online.
Speaking to IGN before release, Josh Needleman, Senior Producer at Rockstar San Diego, explained that they were going to use the best bits of GTA Online as a template, revealing:
“One of the biggest differences between GTA and Red Dead universes is that you’re often speeding through or flying over a GTA world, whereas in Red Dead Redemption the change of pace elevates the intimacy of the overall experience.
“Like the single-player game’s story of Arthur Morgan, we want people to settle into their online characters and feel like every activity makes sense for the character, the setting and the time. This should feel intimate and personal while still feeling fun and action-packed from moment to moment.
“We’ve tried to take the best elements and best content packs from Grand Theft Auto Online and use them for templates for what we are making here. We feel Grand Theft Auto Online really only found its feet creatively with Heists.
“That pack, along with After Hours, The Doomsday Heist, Gun Running and a few others represent the best of Grand Theft Auto Online, and provided the template for what we wanted to use here, (not in terms of content, obviously, but how they combined narrative, gameplay, modes and other content into a cohesive thematic whole) alongside all of the elements we liked from the old Red Dead Redemption multiplayer.”
RED DEAD ONLINE RELEASE DATE
From what has been shared by Rockstar Games, the Red Dead Online beta will begin later in November.
A set day for the beta release has not been confirmed yet, meaning there is always the chance of a delay being announced.
Rockstar Games haven’t shared much on the mode, but that doesn’t mean we’re looking at a longer wait.
And if the end of November remains the plan, we should get some kind of announcement in the next seven days, hopefully locking down the beta start date.