Red Dead Online is finally getting its first major update in a long time and it introduces the new Naturalist role and a whole lot more.
Rockstar Games has finally released a major update for Red Dead Online, the online component of Red Dead Redemption 2 (akin to GTA Online for GTA V), which adds a brand-new Frontier Pursuit called the Naturalist, several new Legendary Animals, and a whole lot more. Rockstar recently announced that both Red Dead Online and GTA Online would be getting major updates and that the former would be getting its update today.
The last major update for Red Dead Online, which was the addition of the Moonshiner role, was released way back in December of last year so it’s definitely been a while since the game’s last major update. Since the addition of the Moonshiner role late last year, Rockstar has only released the Frontier Pursuit Free Roam missions while also hosting quite a large number of in-game events, promotions, and releasing only minor updates, which actually led to some players to protest in-game to express their frustration with the lack of major releases for the online game.
Rockstar detailed all the new content and changes with the new update in its patch notes, also releasing a new trailer for the Naturalist Frontier Pursuit. The new role focuses on tracking, studying, and/or hunting animals. When playing as a Naturalist, players will have the option to either deal with animals in a humane, non-lethal manner or hunt them for their pelts. Players will be rewarded with either a sedative-shooting Varmint Rifle or an improved bow alongside an Elephant Rifle depending on their choice. Seven new Legendary Animals are also being introduced alongside the Naturalist as well as an Animal Field Guide, a new Mercy Kill skill, two Free Roam Events, and more.
Apart from all the new content that’s connected with the new Naturalist role, the latest update also brings several gameplay improvements to Red Dead Online such as adjustments to the minimap threat indicator, the addition of asynchronous matchmaking, an increase to the number of daily challenges, better daily challenge rewards, and an improved wardrobe system. Lastly, the update also brings with it Outlaw Pass No. 3. The new season pass features 80 ranks of progression and will run from July 28 through October 19, 2020.
It’s great that Rockstar has finally given some love to Red Dead Online with this latest major update. While the game isn’t as popular as GTA Online, which is also getting its own major update soon, the game is still definitely worth keeping alive with updates. And with Rockstar promising to release more updates and fixes based on community feedback in the coming months, it’ll be interesting to see how the company plans to expand the massive open world of Red Dead Online and hopefully bring it up to par with GTA Online.