Sony Just Removed Red Dead Online's PS Plus Paywall
Giddy-up cowboys and cowgirls, Rockstar Games has a treat for Red Dead fans. You can now play 2019's Red Dead Online and save a tonne of money on PlayStation. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, the developer has temporarily removed the PS Plus paywall.
Taking the wild West of Rockstar's cowboy caper and applying it to the runaway success of Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Online follows in the footsteps of GTA Online. Rockstar has the market cornered and earns a small fortune from its online multiplayer in terms of microtransactions, so for a short time only, you won't have to pay to play.
How is Sony removing the Red Dead Online PS Plus paywall?
Previously, Red Dead Online was trapped behind a PlayStation Plus paywall. Usually, you'd have to stump up for a PS Plus membership to step out onto these untamed plains and become the baddest outlaw around. Rockstar has negotiated a deal with Sony, meaning that between July 13 and July 26, Red Dead Online isn't tied to PS Plus.
After the trial period ends, you'll have to share your bounty and pay the £17.99 standalone price or £54.99 for the Standard Edition of Red Dead Redemption 2 that comes with RDO as part of the package. To play after July 26, you'll also need a PS Plus subscription, so it's a pretty good deal (for now). Microsoft also offers Red Dead Online, and although it's in the Xbox Game Pass, you'll need Xbox Live Gold to participate.
Why is Red Dead Online going free-to-play?
Red Dead Online going free-to-play is to celebrate the recent release of the "Blood Money" update. If you're brave enough, head over to Guido Martelli in Saint-Denis and enjoy the spoils of new Crimes and Opportunities. Blood Money has added plenty of robberies and shakedowns for players to earn a bad rep in these troubled times.
If that wasn't enough, there are three new Crime Contracts for you to shoot your way through. Railroad, Jeb Phelps, and Bluewater Contracts will test your skills, while Rockstar has also introduced the new Quick Draw Club with a "series of rapid-fire passes". The Quick Draw Club will cost 25 Gold Bars and award 25 Ranks. If you climb the ranks, though, you're guaranteed to make your investment back. Nice shooting, Tex.
Rockstar is really pushing to get players old and new into Red Dead Online. There's a sale in the shop right now, with a 30% on all Role Improved Saddles, Saddlebags, the Bounty Wagon, the Varmint Rifle, and the Navy Revolver. If that wasn't enough, the Camp Dogs, Themes, Gus' Store's Clothing, and Ponchos are all 40% off.
Finally, it's all go in the world of Red Dead. 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2 just got an impressive Nvidia DLSS update on PC that has delivered a hefty boost of "up to 45% at 4K". With so much going on right now, saddle up, twirl your lasso, and practice your best Dead Eye.
