Red Dead Online to launch in November as a public beta

Red Dead Redemption 2’s multiplayer component will be called Red Dead Online and will launch in November 2018 as a public beta, publisher Rockstar Games announced Wednesday.

Red Dead Redemption 2 itself will launch Oct. 26 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The reason Red Dead Online won’t be a part of the main game at the start is that “with most online experiences of this size and scale, there will inevitably be some turbulence at launch,” Rockstar said.

Red Dead Online is accessible to anyone with a copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 for either PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Access to those consoles’ multiplayer services is required.

“We look forward to working with our amazing and dedicated community to share ideas, help us fix teething problems and work with us to develop Red Dead Online into something really fun and innovative,” the publisher added.

Grand Theft Auto Online likewise did not debut with Grand Theft Auto 5’s launch in September 2013; it followed a couple of weeks later, at the start of October. The mode launched with connectivity issues, freezing problems and other hiccups that were later smoothed out. The mode’s enormous popularity and continual updates are a big reason why GTA 5 remains such a strong seller five years after its release.

“Red Dead Online is an evolution of the classic multiplayer experience in the original Red Dead Redemption, blending narrative with competitive and cooperative gameplay in fun new ways,” Rockstar said. “Using the gameplay of the upcoming Red Dead Redemption 2 as a foundation, Red Dead Online will be ready to be explored alone or with friends, and will also feature constant updates and adjustments to grow and evolve this experience for all players.”