Red Dead Online: Possible Rewards For Returning Players

The release of Red Dead Redemption 2 and it's accompanying online component, Red Dead Online, is a critical move for Rockstar and it's parent company Take-Two Interactive, particularly given the risk of cannabilizing GTA Online players that might also be purchasers of Shark Cards. In the first article of a series examining this situation, I take a look at ways in which Red Dead Online gamers might be rewarded if they have previously played Grand Theft Auto V. This article first appeared on RDR2.com.

Yet another week is about to pass and we're still yet to get any more official information out of Rockstar Games regarding Red Dead Redemption 2, one of the most hyped games of 2017.

Considering the developer's penchant for secrecy, this isn't entirely surprising, but it sure is disappointing. Alas, we are left to speculation evermore it seems. One of the most common topics of discourse in this time of uncertainty is the effect the release of the game will have on GTA Online.

Usually that discussion concerns the negative effect Red Dead Online, the accompanying multiplayer component of RDR2, will have on what has been Rockstar's and Take-Two's cash-cow for the past three years. However, it would be interesting to consider how the two will strengthen one another.

With GTA 5, Rockstar rewarded players upgrading from one platform to the next with some exclusive content in Online. If you had the game on either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, and transferred your character to either of the new consoles or PC, you were treated to a bundle of items and vehicles that others who adopted the game later don't have access to. While the items weren't game changing (obviously for balance reasons), it was nice of Rockstar to display this much appreciation for loyal customers.

Since Red Dead Online will likely make use of the Rockstar Social Club (not unlike GTA 5) it would be relatively easy to track what players have both titles. A nice move on Rockstar's part would be to add special items that are only unlocked when players connect their copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 to a Social Club account with GTA 5 registered to it.

Again, it shouldn't be something that gives these players marked advantage over others who didn't jump on the GTA 5 bandwagon (though based on the game's sales, such people are rare and hard to come by...). Maybe it could include a set of unique weapon skins, access to a San Andreas Stallion and an outfit that closer resembles a modern suit instead of a vintage style one.

This kind of cross-promotion is not unheard of. Nonetheless, this minor gesture would definitely go across well with players of GTA 5 who will be diving into Red Dead Online come autumn.