Red Dead Online", next update on February 26th! Introducing a new system and adjusting the balance of weapons.

Rockstar Games announced that the online mode "Red Dead Online" (currently in beta testing) of the currently available "Red Dead Redemption 2" for PS4/Xbox One will be updated on Tuesday, February 26, 2012.

Red Dead Redemption 2" is the sequel title to the open-world action adventure "Red Dead Redemption" set in frontier America. Players take on the role of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Dutch gang, and must survive in a world of outlaws.

The game takes place in the United States in 1899, as the pioneer era is coming to an end. Arthur Morgan and the Dutch Gang are forced to flee after a major robbery gone wrong in the western town of Blackwater. Pursued by federal agents and bounty hunters from all over the country, the gang's only way to survive is to rob, violate, and steal in the wilds of America, but the gang is in danger of being torn apart the more they get involved in the feud. Arthur is forced to choose between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang that raised him.

The next update for "Red Dead Online," the online mode of the game currently undergoing beta testing, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26!　Information on the new features planned for this update has arrived, so let's take a look at what's in store.

New features and more coming on February 26!
The next update on February 26th will also add new features to the "Red Dead Online" beta version. Various improvements and enhancements will be made to the game's open world, including the introduction of a new system regarding law enforcement officers and bounty hunters, weapon balance adjustments, and changes to player icons on the minimap. Please take a look at the details of the changes summarized below. We will also provide further information on this update next week, so please look forward to that as well.

＜Player Icon Display
In response to community feedback, we are making changes to the way player icons are displayed on the map. This is a measure to curb behavior that detracts from the experience of other players.

First, opponents at a distance will not be able to see your current location on the map. The player icon will only appear when approaching within 150 meters and when firing if they are within a short distance of it. For example, the icons of players in other towns or areas will not be visible. This prevents repeated targeting from far away on the map.

We will also be introducing a new system that will highlight overly aggressive players. Aggressive play will make it easier for other players to see the current location of the player (and his/her civil police members), and the color of the icon will gradually change from blue to a dark red. The player's icon is raised by misdeeds such as attacking and killing other players and their horses outside of wandering mode missions, events, and competitions where such behavior is expected. The shorter the interval between misdeeds, the faster the player icon will increase. The player icon will disappear over time as the player engages in more wholesome behavior.

In addition to the player icon display system, peace negotiations with the entire civil police force will be introduced to improve the functioning of the conflict. With this change, it will be possible to initiate peace negotiations that will apply to the attacker's entire militia after only one kill. Or, if you want to confront your opponent, you can also initiate a war, a civil police war, or a leader war after one kill. This allows you to play a time-limited mini-death match against your rivals in wandering mode, where you earn points for each opponent you defeat.

<Bounty hunters and law enforcement officers have been rebalanced.
Notorious players with rising bounty amounts may also find their lives threatened by NPC bounty hunters looking for rewards.

If a player engages in criminal activity, the bounty amount and honor level will fluctuate depending on the severity of the crime. For example, the bounty for killing another player is higher than for violence against civilians or animals that is reported. For more minor criminal acts, such as looting, the honor level is only lowered.

If the bounty exceeds a certain threshold and catches the attention of bounty hunters, you will be wanted for murder and given a warning about pursuit. The higher the bounty, the more important the target, and the more severe the pursuit of the player and his/her civil police.

＜Today's Challenge
There will also be a variety of "Challenge of the Day" that players can tackle in the "Red Dead Online" beta. Gold (lumps) and XP will be awarded for completing various objectives that will test all aspects of frontier life. Challenges range from gathering herbs to selling items to a fence, hunting and skinning animals, winning a war, and much more. These "Challenges of the Day" will expand and evolve over time to include role-based challenges, awards, and consecutive bonuses.

＜Other fixes and more.
Your feedback is invaluable. We look forward to hearing from you in the future. In addition to the updates mentioned above, there will be several other changes based on the community feedback we have received so far. For example, some weapons will be rebalanced, and the accuracy of the varmint rifle will be adjusted to match other two-handed weapons. In addition, the carcasses and pelts of animals on horses will be easier to maintain upon death or resurrection, and voice chat will only work when in close proximity.

Stay tuned next week for more details on the content that will be added in the February 26th update. We are very excited about the future of Red Dead Online. Please stay tuned for more information in the future.

Also, before February 26th, you will have a chance to earn a lot of XP and rank up. Players will receive bonuses for playing in the Militia and can earn more XP than usual in Wandering Mode Missions and Wandering Mode Events. Play these activities in the Militia this week to earn double the normal XP bonus, and next week earn a 20% XP increase bonus on all activities in the "Red Dead Online" beta.

[Product Information]
■ "Red Dead Redemption 2"
∙ Release date: Now on sale (Friday, October 26, 2018)
Platform: PlayStation 4/Xbox One
∙ CERO: Z (for ages 18 and up)
・Released by: Rockstar Games, Inc.

<Price
PS4 package version
Normal Edition: 8,800 yen (excluding tax)
Special Edition: 10,800 yen (excluding tax)
Ultimate Edition: 12,800 yen (excluding tax)

PS4 download version
Normal Edition: 7,963 yen (excluding tax)
Special Edition: 9,723 yen (excluding tax)
Ultimate Edition: 11,528 yen (excluding tax)

Xbox One downloadable version
Normal Edition: 8,618 yen (tax not included)
Special Edition: 10,562 yen (including tax)
Ultimate Edition: 12,506 yen (tax included)

© 2018 Rockstar Games, Inc.