Product test
These are the game highlights in November
by Philipp Rüegg
What awaits you in the online mode of "Red Dead Redemption 2"
28.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
As if "Red Dead Redemption 2" wasn't long enough already, the online mode has also been available since Tuesday. Although only in a beta version, there is already plenty to do. So saddle up your horse and get ready for something.
If, like me, it took you around 80 hours to see the end credits of "Red Dead Redemption 2", I hope you're not burnt out yet. Because Rockstar has kept its word and actually managed to unlock the online mode in November. Since Tuesday, the first cowboys and cowgirls have been able to make the Wild West unsafe together. You can find the most important information here so that you know what to expect.
When can I get started?
You can also simply check the Companion App on your smartphone or tablet to see if you can already play.
Does the online mode cost money?
Everyone who owns "Red Dead Redemption 2" has access to the online mode. However, you will need an active Playstation Plus or Xbox Live plan.
What is there to do?
First, you create a new character. You are not playing Arthur or any other member of the Van der Linde gang. However, this also means that your character is no longer voiced. There's nothing more than nodding and a little grunting. Nevertheless, your adventure begins with a story, including cutscenes etc.
After that, you can ride freely, set up a camp, form a gang with friends, tackle story quests together or compete with others. You will receive a notification when such competitive challenges begin. You can then simply teleport there. You can also choose from typical tasks from the single-player mode: Stranger missions, fishing, hunting, horse care or simply free exploration.
All of this earns you experience points, which you can use to unlock new items and attributes. You can also improve your rank this way.
How does the group system work?
You can team up with up to four players to form a temporary posse or you can enter into a long-term relationship with up to seven players. Such persistent poses cost a maintenance fee. Player progress and honours are saved in return. You also have more options for customising your posse and giving it a name.
New skill system
You unlock new ability cards with gold or by rising in rank. There are passive and active cards. You can use the active cards in dead-eye mode. You can have one active and three passive cards selected at the same time.
What is the honour system?
Your behaviour has an influence on the honour system. So depending on how you behave in missions, how you look after your horse or how you interact with other players. Your level has an effect on the game. For example, an honourable cowboy is given the mission to protect a convoy, while the bandit is supposed to rob it.
Can other players attack me?
Yes, they can and so can your horse. That's why it's advisable to take out insurance for your means of transport, just like in GTA Online. If someone kills your horse, it will regenerate over time. You need separate insurance for each of your horses.
What do I do against Griefers?
If you've played GTA Online, you'll know the problem. You have to expect that you won't just be riding into the path of friendly fellow players. If someone keeps shooting you and won't leave you alone, you have two options:
- Parley: If a player activates this option, there is a 10-minute truce and you can't shoot each other, but have to resolve your differences in voice chat.
- Feud: This option must be activated by both parties. A three-minute shootout then starts and the player with the most kills wins.
Is there really a battle royale mode?
Yep, and it's called Make it Count. In it, 32 players face each other on a shrinking map and the last survivor wins. The only weapons available to you are bows and throwing knives.
Are there any other game modes?
In addition to Make it Count, there are four other competitive game modes, which you can find on the map under the Showdown brand.
Shootout and Team Shootout
Typical deathmatch where the player with the most kills wins. If two players have the same number of kills, sudden death starts automatically and the first kill leads to victory.
Most Wanted
All against all. The more kills, the more points you get. However, the higher up you are in the ranking, the more points the other players get for your head.
Hostile Territory
In teams, you try to conquer and hold as many territories as possible. This scores points. If a team has all the territories, it wins immediately.
Name your Weapon
Either all against all or in a team, the aim is to make the most skilful kills possible. The more difficult the weapon, the more points you get for a kill.
Will my progress remain after the beta?
Rockstar announced that they are trying to maintain progress. However, since this is a beta that could still be heavily reworked, they are not giving any guarantees. It is therefore possible that you will have to start again from the beginning when the beta is over.
How long will the beta last?
This is not yet known.
How many players are on a server?
A maximum of 32 players can be in an instance at the same time.
What about microtransactions?
At the moment, you can't buy anything with real money. However, the menus for this are already activated - even if they are still greyed out. This also includes the Red Dead Online Store, where you can buy gold bars - the new in-game currency. You need gold bars for cosmetic camp or weapon upgrades. You can also use gold bars to influence your reputation, which has a direct impact on the game. In addition, certain items can be unlocked earlier with gold bars.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
