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We've known for a while that Sony will have a special 30-day exclusive content deal with Rockstar, meaning players on PS4 will get access to DLC and items ahead of other platforms.

Today, Rockstar has revealed what we can expect in terms of what new items will be available to us.

Announced on the PlayStation Blog, the first item, the Grizzlies Outlaw Outfit, will be available for the game at launch and can be used in Story mode (since Online won't be launching until November).

Here's what you'll get ahead of other platforms if you play on PS4:

Grizzlies Outlaw Outfit - A slick but rugged look, the Grizzlies Outlaw Outfit is perfect for exploring the forests of Ambarino.

Featuring a wool-lined, long coat with custom, hand-tooled leather accents, a leather vest with ornate pattern details, stand wing-tip collar with black neckerchief, and custom ornate buckle with matching boot tips, the Grizzlies Outlaw Outfit pays homage to the “boss” of the Northern States, its real-world inspiration.

Red Chestnut Arabian Horse - Known for its speed and handling, the Red Chestnut Arabian Horse is in a class above most horses you would find in the wild, with performance a step up from the first tier of available horses.

Alligator Skin Ranch Cutter Saddle - In addition to its stylish look, the Alligator Skin Ranch Cutter Saddle provides a number of benefits when equipped including core Health and Stamina boosts, which increase speed and acceleration for the horse. This saddle is an enhanced version of the basic saddle that comes stock for players when starting Red Dead Online.

High Roller Double-Action Revolver - Looks could kill: The High Roller Double-Action Revolver features a polished steel body with unique period-inspired, beautifully detailed engraving work. The deadly, quick draw revolver comes complete with unique playing card and skull elements carved into the grip. Its superior, quick rate of fire over all other revolvers makes it a great choice for mounted combat.

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Red Dead Redemption 2's map is a hot topic of conversation for many gamers - people want to know just how big it'll be, and just how involving its world will be.

Over the past week, we've heard rumours that the game would include the entirety of the Red Dead Redemption (the original game's) map!

That's huge if true, and is a testament to the size of the game overall. InsiderGamer noted that a PR for Rockstar told them that was the case.

The site's original post read:

“Yup! After asking Rockstar they told me the entire (!) map of Red Dead Redemption is also in this game, but that of course there are many more areas added. In the six hours I played I only got to see a small part of Blackwater, and even that was already gigantic. Six hours was not enough to see any of the other familiar places.”

Now, after 'consultation' from Rockstar, it reads:

“Now we could answer that question, but in good consultation with Rockstar we ultimately do not want to give away too many spoilers. But let’s keep it that the map is big. Very large, much larger than the first Red Dead Redemption.”

So, the new information doesn't disprove that the whole first game isn't in the new map... it just skirts around it.

Fans of the first game, prepare yourselves - you're in for something special.

The second gameplay trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 is now live, complete with an overview of what we can expect from the gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2.

It details how you can rob a train, burgle a house, be a loan shark, explore alone and so much more. It details how you'll be coming into contact other gangs, and how lawmen are enforcing the 'rapidly civilizing' world.

The bounty system is detailed - showing you how you'll have to defend yourself against hunters that take payments on your head if you behave too badly in the world.

The Deadeye system has been overhauled, offering a better way of taking down enemies.

The world will react on how you shave, bathe... or don't.

Mini-games are detailed and many side quests are revealed, too.

Take a look at the whole thing below.

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It looks like the download size for Red Dead Redemption 2 has been revealed.

Thanks to an image from a special PS4 Pro bundle, we can see that Rockstar's newest game will require a massive 105GB spare on your system in order to install.

You can see the image we gleaned this information from here.

That is a massive game... you'd better start freeing up some space on your machine.

Perhaps that's why Rockstar teamed up with Sony for the new Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Pro bundle.

As mentioned, this bundle includes a 1TB Jet Black PS4 Pro system, a DualShock 4 wireless controller and Red Dead Redemption 2 on Blu-ray disc.

This bundle will be available across the U.S. and Canada for $399.99 (MSRP) / $499.99 CAD (MSRP).

Pre-orders started earlier this week and you can find more information about those here.

UK fans will also get the choice of a cheaper, smaller 500GB slim console bundle too.

You can check out the bundle in pictures below.

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Publisher: Rockstar GamesDeveloper: Rockstar GamesPlatforms: Xbox One, PS4Genre: Action-Adventure

So far, we know that the game is built in the RAGE engine which uses similar techniques to render characters that GTAV used - a notable step up from the first Red Dead Redemption game.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an upcoming Western-themed action-adventure video game developed and published by Rockstar Games, and will be a prequel to 2010's Rd Dead Redemption.

Digital Foundry reports that the engine is using more sophisticated techniques to render in-game characters and effects, meaning that players, in the end, are going to get a better overall gameplay experience.

The player controls Arthur Morgan, an outlaw and a member of the Van der Linde gang, from a third-person (and potentially first-person) perspective.

The first gameplay trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 has been revealed.

The trailer starts with a scene-setting narration:

"In the late 1800s, America was evolving, on its way to becoming the most powerful country in the world.

"New immigrants arrived, thriving outposts became towns, and civilization was spreading into the huge, wild, and lawless frontier.

"With Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games aims to create a living world that's not simply open, but deeper, more interactive and detailed than ever, combining action, storytelling, and gameplay in new ways as you live, ride, and fight to survive as an outlaw in a notorious gang."

The trailer details a wealth of features: combat, sharpshooting, hunting, camps, dialogue, horse interaction, intimidation, robberies, and more - you can see the full suite of features below.

You can see the new trailer above - brace yourselves, it's a massive 6 minutes long.

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Rockstar has formally announced the release date for Red Dead Redemption 2.

In a tweet, the developer has confirmed we can expect the game this year - in 2018.

According to a new tweet from the studio, Red Dead Redemption 2 will release for Xbox One and PS4. There is no mention of the PC release.

Red Dead Redemption 2 will launch on October 26th 2018

A statement on the game's website says:

Dear All,

We are excited to announce that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released on October 26th 2018. We apologize to everyone disappointed by this delay. While we had hoped to have the game out sooner, we require a little extra time for polish.

We sincerely thank you for your patience and hope that when you get to play the game, you will agree the wait will have been worth it. In the meantime, please check out these screenshots from the game. We look forward to sharing a lot more information with you in the coming weeks.

With thanks,Rockstar Games

There is no word on a Nintendo Switch release, either.

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Rockstar has announced a line of new physical items, announced ahead of the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Called the Red Dead Redemption 2 Outlaw Essentials Collection, the new set features a variety of limited-edition collectibles inspired by the game.

Everything from an assortment of stylish t-shirts to unique and time-period informed articles like the Collapsible Shot Glass, Pendleton Blanket featuring the Van der Linde Gang, and Glass Decoupage Tray by John Derian are featured - alongside a lot more items besides.

You can browse the full gamut of items via Rockstar Warehouse.

Rockstar has announced it will be giving items away via the Rockstar Social Club, too - so be sure to keep your eyes on that.

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New rumours have popped up to suggest Red Dead Redemption 2 may, in fact, launch on PC.

An anonymous Rockstar employee's LinkedIn profile used to list Red Dead Redemption 2 as coming to PC.

According to VG247, a developer updated their LinkedIn with information that noted they'd been working on a version of the game that would see a release on PC platforms.

When asked if Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming to PC last year, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick noted to PC Gamer: "Any updates about any of our titles will come from our labels."

That's not a 'no', is it? Expect more information on the run-up to the game's launch in October.

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Rockstar has confirmed that Red Dead Redemption 2 won't have character switching like GTA 5.

Red Dead Redemption 2’s art director Josh Bass conducted an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in which he confirmed players will be sticking with Arthur Morgan for the duration.

"Sticking with a single character felt more appropriate for the structure and narrative of a western," he explained.

"Arthur lives with and fights alongside the other members of the Van der Linde gang, and they are a group of fully realized characters with relationships to each other and to Arthur, but this is Arthur’s story and we are placing players firmly in Arthur’s boots as he and the gang deal with a rapidly changing world.

"We think people will really love the feeling of being in the gang. It isn’t like anything we’ve done before."

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Rockstar has been building up hype the upcoming release of Red Dead Redemption 2 by releasing new character posters for the ensemble cast of the Western epic.

Periodic updates across Rockstar social media has been revealing character portraits as well as quotes connected to them, giving us a glimpse at how they might tie into the overarching story of the game.

So far, about half a dozen characters have been giving the minimalistic spotlight, and we're sure more are to come.

There's an eclectic mix of characters - some of the cast are returning, whilst others are new to the game.

We've popped one underneath, but you can see everything revealed so far here.

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GTA 5 is five years old today, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Red Dead Redemption 2 reach the same heights of the legendary Rockstar Game.

Analysts seem to agree: Bank of America analysts have reinforced how well they expect the game to sell in - evidenced in its buy ratings for Take-Two Interactive (the publisher and company that owns Rockstar North, developer of the title).

"We continue to favor Red Dead for upside this holiday, while our longer-term thesis is unchanged: Take-Two has the biggest runway to benefit from digital shift, [microtransactions] shift, margin expansion and multiple expansion from streaming content deals," analyst Justin Post noted to clients last week (via CNBC).

"We are above guidance and have modeled for 18 [million] units, but given ["Grand Theft Auto 5"] success, eight years of development and consumers' desire for original content, we see upside potential."

After issuing this note, Post raised his price target from $143 from $151 for Take-Two shares - that's 11% up in a few days.

The appeal and impact of this game goes beyond the traditional gaming scene, it seems - expect Red Dead Redemption 2 to see incredibly well.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 may have a Battle Royale mode, set to rival massive successes of the last few years like PUBG and Fortnite: Battle Royale.

According to leaks received by Trusted Reviews, it looks like Red Dead Redemption 2 could be the latest game to offer a take on the Battle Royale game mode that's seeing massive popularity around the world.

According to files reportedly received by Trusted Reviews last year, in August 2017, Red Dead Redemption 2's online mode will feature ‘Battle Royale’, ‘Revive and Survive’ and ‘Money Grab’ modes.

As per Trusted Reviews:

Revive and Survive pits two teams against each other as they try and stay alive. You’ll have a limited amount of time to revive your teammates before they are eliminated.

Money Grab features two teams fighting to procure bags of money in a central location. You’re expected to collect and return them to your base as quickly as possible.

There is less information on the Battle Royale mode, but considering GTA Online launched a mode inspired by PUBG last year, we wouldn't be surprised to see some kind of Western take on the mode in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2

Trusted Reviews leak also reveals players will be free to explore the open world in the online mode, which will be more active and lived-in than GTA Online's sandbox.

According to the site, NPCs will "decorate storefronts with amenities and pack things away once night comes".

Rockstar will reward players for completing certain tasks, medal-style: you could receive rewards for traversing a set distance or landing a kill with a bow from 100m, for example.

Players will be able to customise their own modes, too, and there will be a number of shops offering their ways to players too - similarly to GTA Online.

Trusted Reviews also reports that a poker mini-game is on the cards (no pun intended) and a mobile app is in development to run alongside the Red Dead Redemption 2 online experience.

Further leaks from the memo received by Trusted Reviews claims the entire campaign and online mode will be playable in first-person, too (which again makes sense if you think about GTA Online's PS4/Xbox One update allowing that functionality).

"Eagle Eye makes a return with enhanced abilities including tracking bounties through fields and detecting which fish and animals are available nearby," reports Trusted Reviews.

"The memo mentions Random Events which appear to follow in the footsteps of Grand Theft Auto 5’s Strangers and Freaks. Details are sketchy, but it will feature bounty hunting quests, treasure hunts and adventures with a mysterious stranger."

A Wanted level will be present in the game, similarly to Grand Theft Auto V. Trusted Reviews states:

"Assaulting pedestrians is considering a low-severity crime while holding up a saloon and murdering everyone will be taken more seriously."

There is far, far more information available at Trusted Reviews, so if you're keen to learn more about Red Dead Redemption 2 (including more details about the campaign, world and more) be sure to give their in-depth report a good read.

Further leaks from the memo received by Trusted Reviews claims the entire campaign and online mode will be playable in first-person, too (which again makes sense if you think about GTA Online's PS4/Xbox One update allowing that functionality).

"Eagle Eye makes a return with enhanced abilities including tracking bounties through fields and detecting which fish and animals are available nearby," reports Trusted Reviews.

"The memo mentions Random Events which appear to follow in the footsteps of Grand Theft Auto 5’s Strangers and Freaks. Details are sketchy, but it will feature bounty hunting quests, treasure hunts and adventures with a mysterious stranger."

A Wanted level will be present in the game, similarly to Grand Theft Auto V. Trusted Reviews states:

"Assaulting pedestrians is considering a low-severity crime while holding up a saloon and murdering everyone will be taken more seriously."

There is far, far more information available at Trusted Reviews, so if you're keen to learn more about Red Dead Redemption 2 (including more details about the campaign, world and more) be sure to give their in-depth report a good read.

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We currently know very little about the online portion of Red Dead Redemption 2, but that's not stopping Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick waxing lyrical about how amazing it'll be.

Replying to a question during an investment call in August (transcribed by Seeking Alpha), Zelnick called the experience 'extraordinary' and 'unexpected'.

"We attribute the long success [of GTA V] to the fact that the title just captured the imagination of the public and set a standard not just for our company, but for the industry of what a great video game ought to be. And the online experience is so incredibly robust. It allows you to do so many different things and it keeps people engaged on an ongoing basis. And then Rockstar Games continues to drop extraordinary unexpected content into the game.

"So, you’re right, it defied our expectations. Part of it is, when we first released Grand Theft Auto V and we had Grand Theft Auto Online on its heels, we had never done anything like that. We Take-Two, we Rockstar Games, had never done anything like that. We didn’t know what to expect. And the cadence of its ongoing extraordinary success too is new to us.

"Does it inform how we look at titles that come after? Well, naturally, it does. But the nature of our approach collectively, specifically, the nature of Rockstar Games approach, is never to be derivative and always to shatter expectations. And my belief is that Red Dead Redemption 2 will shatter expectations and that the online experience also will be extraordinary, but unexpected. And my view is that all great hits are, by their very nature, unexpected.

"So that’s the goal. There is an expectation around the table, here of course there’s an expectation at Rockstar Games and there is expectation on the part of consumers. But our job is to exceed those expectations. And fingers crossed, that’s we’re all setting out to do. And we couldn’t predict it and didn’t presume to with regard to Grand Theft Auto V and we wouldn’t presume to with Red Dead Redemption 2. So, we’re just hard at work, doing the very best job that we can."

We're excited to hear more about the mode. Keep reading for everything we know about Red Dead Redemption 2, so far...

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1. Online

After the absolutely incredible success of Grand Theft Auto Online (the multiplayer portion of Grand Theft Auto V), it would be expected for Rockstar to at least announce something about its plans for RDR 2's multiplayer experience. We're expecting the experience to be very similar to GTA Online: your character will be a custom creation, standalone and separate from the character you play as in the main game. Expect wide-open worlds and massively multiplayer content.

2. Story Details

All we know about the story so far is that you'll be heading back to the American West and playing through something pretty cinematic that will take you to towns, prairies, woodlands and more. Very little about the actual story is known. It's theorised that we'll be going back in time - to before the events of the original Red Dead Redemption - and playing as John Marston in the days he rode with a gang (before he settled down with a family). We're excited to find out more.

3. The Map

When Rockstar released the first trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2, a supposed map of the area the game is set in leaked at the same time. It shows off the original game's Blackwater area with some considerable overlap with new areas. The map doesn't include a railway in the old game's zone, suggesting it takes place earlier in time. We're keen to see just how much bigger this version of the world is, and what the new areas the developer is adding in might contain.

4. Mechanics

Many have assumed that, thanks to a series of characters presented in a gang-like line in the game's original trailer, the game is going to include a character-swapping mechanic similar to Grand Theft Auto V's. Perhaps by cycling through the D-pad, you'll be able to choose one of seven cowboys to play as - who are all present in the world at the same time. It would make sense, considering Rockstar has used the mechanic to great effect before.

5. PlayStation Exclusive Content

Something we know for sure about Red Dead Redemption 2: there’s some sort of exclusivity deal in place with Sony that’ll grant PS4 players first access to some online content. Most likely linked to the games online offering which we expect to mirror GTA 5 Online - there have been Sony and PlayStation-specific symbols present on the marketing and website for the game... we're keen to see what shape this deal takes.

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In the midst of a big discussion about single-player games 'dying' after EA opted to 'pivot' away from the idea, shutting down Visceral Games in the process, 2K and Rockstar has come out in defense of the single-player experience.

"As a company, we love single-player more than anything, and believe in it absolutely for storytelling and a sense of immersion in a world, multiplayer games don't rival single-player games," Rockstar design director Imran Sarwar stated in an interview with Game Informer.

"With GTA V, the single-player game was absolutely massive and very, very complete."

Sarwar confirms the studio would like to work on more DLC experiences for Red Dead Redemption can also be read as the developer saying that, despite the crazy amount of money GTA Online brings in, the studio is committed to making more single-player experiences.

That's reassuring, since Rockstar is known for making some of the finest narrative experiences around: GTA, RDR and Bully have all been praised for their single-player offerings.

It could also mean that Red Dead Redemption 2 - which will have an online component but probably doesn't lend itself towards the huge money-making potential of GTA Online - could also feature some post-launch story DLC