If you weren't already excited enough about Red Dead Redemption, hitting UK shops on May 21, here's something to tip you over the edge of Anticipation Canyon.

Rockstar has just announced the first piece of downloadable content to accompany the sprawling open-world Western adventure. Set to be available from June, with a simultaneous release on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, 'Outlaws To The End' is a co-op multiplayer quest, featuring six 'epic' missions as well as additional multiplayer XP rewards and brand new Achievements and Trophies to unlock. "With these missions, we wanted to create new ways for players to share in the experience of engaging with this amazing landscape," commented Rockstar founder, Sam Houser.

The publisher has provided details on three of the stages...



In Walton's Gold, you must raid a gold mine and steal its riches from under the noses of the Walton gang, who have rigged the place to explode. The River, meanwhile, takes the form of a rafting trip toward the rebel stronghold of Nosalida, where the town's massive weapons cache awaits your liberation. And in Ammunition, you must gain entry to the besieged town of Tesoro Azul, fending off rebel Gatling guns and sniper fire.

Rockstar says the levels – designed for between 2-4 players – will add an 'entirely new dimension' to the game; certainly a structured co-op experience always looked to be a glaring ommission from the opening feature-set. Of course, there is the intriguing Free Roam mode, which gives up to 16 players access to the full singe-player environment, but there are no missions to play through, just lots of lawmen to take out and environmental challenges to attempt.

The Gatling gun. Apparently, on the river mission you'll face Mexican rebels who have these mounted on rafts.

Rockstar has also stated that 'Outlaws To The End' is the first of three DLC packages set to be released over the summer. The other two will be revealed shortly.