Red Dead Online’s Beta Earl Access period is live today, with additional players being granted access over the coming week.
Rockstar has revealed that those players who purchased the Ultimate Edition of Red Dead Redemption 2 will be able to play from today, Wednesday, November 28. The staggered rollout of Red Dead Online to players is to ease the stress of the servers by gradually increasing the game’s population.
By December 1, all owners of Red Dead Redemption 2 will have access to Red Dead Online’s beta.
Red Dead Online Beta Early Access
Those who have Red Dead Online Beta Early Access are encouraged to report any issues to Rockstar and to send feedback through to the Red Dead Online feedback portal.
The rollout of Beta access is as follows;
- Wednesday, November 28 – All Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition owners. Please note, players who purchased the physical Ultimate Edition must redeem the Ultimate Edition code in the packaging to be eligible.
- Thursday, November 29 – All players who played Red Dead Redemption 2 on October 26 according to our data.
- Friday, November 30 – All players who played Red Dead Redemption 2 between October 26 to October 29 according to our data.
- Saturday, December 1 – All players who own Red Dead Redemption 2.
During the Beta period, not all features of Red Dead Online will be available. However, there is still plenty to see and do including;
- Setting up Camp
- Riding in a Posse
- Co-op Story Missions
- Competitive PvP Series
- Stranger MIssions
- Free Roam Challenges
- Fishing and Hunting
Levelling Up
Rockstar is advising that like GTA Online, Red Dead Online is an ever-expanding and evolving experience, designed to keep players engaged and playing for a long time into the future. As players take part in activities in Red Dead Online, they’ll earn XP which goes toward increasing their rank.
Over time, as players level up, additional options will become available. Players are also encouraged to take part in special Award challenges. These challenges are much like those found in the main game and include categories like Hunting, Combat, Survivalist and so on.
When players first dive into Red Dead Online, they’ll need to create their character before being thrust into the first mission. After being rescued from a prison transport, you’ll be introduced to Red Dead Online’s narrative and mechanics through several short missions.
By the time you’ve completed these first few missions, you’ll have your own camp, a horse, your first Ability Card and you’ll have met the key players in the story.
Honour or Nah?
Like Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Online includes an honour system that will see the world around you change and react differently depending on your actions. For instance, when taking part in Free Roam missions, your honour may affect how they play out.
Rockstar gives the following example;
An honorable gunslinger may be asked to help escort a convoy, defending it from attacking gangs or even other players’ Posses, whereas a dishonorable outlaw may be asked to help spring a felon from the law.
Red Dead Online’s honour also comes into play for the Land of Opportunities missions. These multi-part missions are available for two to four players to play together and will change based on how honourable you are.
Duke it Out
As for PvP, the Red Dead Online Beta Early Access period includes five modes for players;
- Shootout & Team Shootout
Classic gunfight modes with unlimited lives. Compete to rack up the most kills before the timer runs out. Sudden death will trigger in the event of a tie: whoever gets the first kill wins. - Make it Count
A true test of resourcefulness in two game modes: use nothing but a bow and a handful of arrows or throwing knives to be the last one standing. With a gradually shrinking player area, there’s nowhere to run. - Most Wanted
A tactical race to the top. Every kill pushes you up the scoreboard, but watch out: the closer to the top you are, the more points everyone else gets for killing you. - Hostile Territory
Work in teams to control the land. Capture a territory to start racking up points: the team with most points wins – or you can win outright by capturing every territory. - Name your Weapon
Demonstrate your personal speciality in this free-for-all or team-based match: the trickier the weapon you use to land the killing blow, the more points you get.
To take part in PvP simply located a Showdown Series marker to begin matchmaking.
Red Dead Online is Red Dead Redemption 2’s multiplayer component and drops players into the open world of the wild west.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now.
