Red Dead Redemption 2 Online release date: Beta now LIVE – when is FULL online game out?

Red Dead Redemption 2 sold a record-breaking 17million copies on PS4 and Xbox One in its first two weeks, making it as popular commercially as it was critically. RDR2 gamers now have the chance to play the online version, which opens up the game’s enormous map to multiple players. Players can choose to collaborate and co-operate or instead challenge and compete with each other in numerous open-world challenges.

Red Dead Online beta is already being tested by a lucky few and is expected to be rolled-out to its audience of millions by this Friday, November 30.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Ultimate Edition PS4 and Xbox One owners will be the first players invited to test their gunslinging skills with Red Dead Online, from 1.30pm GMT on Tuesday, November 27, (8.30am Eastern Time / 5.30am Pacific Time / 2.30pm Central European Time).

From 1.30pm on Wednesday November 28, all players that played the game on the October 26 launch day will be invited.

Gamers who played Red Dead Online in its first week (October 26-29) can join in on Thursday, November 29.

All remaining Red Dead Redemption 2 players can join in from Friday November 30.

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What can you do in the Red Dead Online beta?

The Red Dead Online storyline is fully distinct from the single player plot, meaning players can immediately start with the multiplayer version.

Players first need to create their personalised avatar and start their journey from the Sisika Penitentiary, found in the easternmost part of the map.

Red Dead Online has a robust progression system.

Experience points raise your rank, offer bonuses and unlock items to enhance your character’s attributes.

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A posse system allows you to collaborate with other players, and then take part in games with each other, against each other or against other posses.

There are also multiple story-like missions acquired from strangers.

Player-versus-player challenges appear throughout Red Dead Online, which you can tackle solo or with your posse.

players will receive notifications about imminent competitive challenges, and can easily be reached regardless of their location on the map.

The Red Dead Online beta also has a playlist of three series events.

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Showdown Series is a series of varied gameplay modes for up to 16 players — you can compete in death match-style modes, like Make It Count, which only uses knives and bows and arrows.

Showdown Series Large doubles the number of players.

While the Race Series features horseback races requiring “speed, agility and determination to avoid damage and reach the finish first.”

However, there remains much we don’t know about Red Dead Online.

Rockstar has released this statement about Red Dead Online: “With the gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 as its foundation, Red Dead Online transforms the vast and deeply detailed landscapes, cities, towns, and habitats of Red Dead Redemption 2 into a new, living online world ready to be shared by multiple players.

“Create and customise your character, tailor your abilities to suit your play style, and head out into a new frontier full of things to experience.

“Explore this huge world solo or with friends.

“Form or join a posse to ride with up to seven players; gather around the fire at your camp; head out hunting or fishing; visit bustling towns; battle enemy gangs and attack their hideouts; hunt for treasure; take on missions and interact with familiar characters from across the five states.

“Or fight against other outlaws in both spontaneous skirmishes and pitched set-piece battles; compete with other players or whole posses in open world challenges and much more.”