Red Dead Redemption 2 free download and new content available now

Red Dead Redemption 2’s Red Dead Online component continues to maintain a steady playerbase, and those players will be happy to know that the first content update of 2024 has arrived.

It’s no secret that there’s a tiny bit of resentment towards Red Dead Online within the franchise community. While, yes, it is fun to play, fans also would’ve liked to have seen more post-launch single-player content, like Undead Nightmare 2. Last month, Red Dead Redemption 2 won Steam’s 2023 Best Post-Launch Support award, leading many fans to scratch their heads. Admittedly though, Red Dead Online remains largely well supported. The updates may be fairly lowkey, but they are regular - and 2024’s first offering has arrived.

Take a look at some of our favourite Red Dead Redemption 2 wins and fails from over the years.

Until 5 February, players can sell wildlife samples to conservationist Harriet Davenport to receive a 2x RDO$ and XP payout. There’s also a Wild Animals Kill Challenge which requires you to take down “big game for points”. The bigger and rarer the beast, the higher your reward - also resulting in 2x RDO$ and XP. If the thought of slaying wildlife upsets you, which is very understandable, you can also enjoy 2x RDO$ and XP for photographing rare beasts during the Wildlife Photography Free Roam Event.

Elsewhere, there’s 3x RDO$ on fish sales, in addition to 2x RDO$ and bonus XP via the Fishing Challenge Free Roam Event. There are a variety of Naturalist rewards to nab. All those who log in from now until 5 February will get the Free Honor Reset, a Weight Gain Tonic, and a Weight Loss Tonic.

If you sell a sample, you’ll gain the West Hill Haven Treasure Map. Sell five in one week and you’ll get the Black and Silver Morning Tailcoat. Budding photographers will get a reward for five 'Legendary Animal Pheromones’, plus completing an Animal Sighting Mission will result in a 40% off Novice or Promising Naturalist Role item offer.

That’s not all. If you hunt or sample a Legendary Animal between 9 and 15 January, you’ll get five gold bars off a Vitalism Studies Pamphlet. From 16 to 22 January, it’s 40% off an Established or Distinguished Naturalist Role item. The reward from 23 to 29 January changes to a Black and Red Charro Jacket (Male) or Red Hitched Skirt (Female) before finally, from 30 January to 5 February, you can nab a Beige Raccoon Hat.

Head on over to participating tailors or the Wheeler, Rawson & Co Catalogue, and you can also get this month’s community-inspired outfit. All in all, there’s plenty to keep you busy.