Red Dead Online: latest news, updates and multiplayer features

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

Red Dead Online is officially out of beta testing and is beginning to earn its stripe as a fully-fledged online game. But with such a massive open-world to explore in Red Dead Redemption 2's single-player story, why should you be excited about the game's online mode?

Rockstar's open-world Western game, a prequel to 2010's Red Dead Redemption, was released to wide critical acclaim last year and was all anyone could talk about for months on end. 

While you might have expected an online mode to be live from the game's successful launch, it makes sense that Rockstar wants you to focus on the main story – and boy is there a lot of it – before waltzing into a less narrative-driven multiplayer experience in Red Dead Online.

Rockstar has proved itself at converting a massive single-player game into a lively online experience, as shown in the launch of GTA Online in 2013, which has become almost as massive a phenomenon as the mainline GTA V game it spun off from.

So what can you expect from Red Dead Online, and how can you access it?

UPDATE: In the latest Red Dead Online update you can open up your own underground bar and moonshine business.

Red Dead Online

Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Red Dead Online update news and patch notes

The latest Red Dead Online update, which goes live on December 13, brings players the chance to explore a new and unique path in Moonshiners – the latest Frontier Pursuit from Red Dead Online. 

This new role brings new skills, properties, business ventures and activities for players to pursue. Including owning and operating a moonshine business and opening up an underground bar.

Image Credit: Red Dead Online

Image Credit: Red Dead Online (Image credit: Red Dead Online)

Red Dead Online: tips and tricks guides

The wild west is dog eat dog. So make sure you're not the mutt of the litter with our Red Dead Redemption 2 guides, which cover everything from fishing and hunting to mini-games and weapons.

Red Dead Online

Image Credit: Rockstar Games

Red Dead Online: how to access

It doesn't take much to jump into Red Dead Redemption 2's online mode. 

You can access Red Dead Online by selecting the 'Online' option from the Red Dead Redemption 2 title menu ( which you can find at the top-right hand side of the screen). 

You then pick which online mode you would like to play and you're ready to get started.

Red Dead Online

Image Credit: Rockstar Games
  • All Image Credits: Rockstar Games
Vic Hood
Associate Editor, TechRadar Gaming

Vic is TechRadar Gaming's Associate Editor. An award-winning games journalist, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she's also an avid mental health advocate who has appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.