The latest update to Red Dead Redemption 2’s Red Dead Online beta is live, and with it comes a oft-rumored mode that will bring the Red Dead franchise to a whole new battle...royale.
Gun Rush, a 32-player mode where players will “put [their[ survival instincts to the test, gathering weapons and ammunition while the play area shrinks.” While it’s not explicitly called “battle royale,” it certainly sounds like a mode intended to rival Fortnite and PUBG. Gun Rush is now available “Free-for-all and Team variations, where the last one standing wins” according to the announcement.
Rockstar also mentions future updates to come, including new Races, Daily Challenges, upgrades to the Law and Bounty system as well as the Parley system, and more. Rockstar seems to be making changes based on player feedback, as the release asks players to “keep it coming” while also saying “Red Dead Online will stay in beta for a few more months yet as we have many more new gameplay features to add across the board as well as further changes to improve, stabilize and refine the overall experience.
Reaction to Gun Rush on social media has been swift, with many varied responses about the newest way to throw down in Red Dead’s hoedown:
Well it finally arrived! @RockstarGames announced #RDR2 Battle Royale mode "Gun Rush...where you'll gather weapons and ammunition while the play area shrinks in this new mode for up to 32 players" pic.twitter.com/JW2oorEqAY
— Andrea Rene (@andrearene) January 10, 2019
It's funny how a mode called gun RUSH seems to involve so many people hiding and crouch walking...
— Jon Massey (@Tenshi3) January 10, 2019
'Gun Rush, where you’ll put your survival instincts to the test, gathering weapons and ammunition while the play area shrinks in this new mode for up to 32 players. Available to play now in Free-for-all and Team variations'... so it's Fortnite Battle Mode... cool.
— Werd |SOS| (@WerdSOS) January 10, 2019
While it’s no surprise that one of the most successful games of 2018 would try to take on one of the year’s biggest gaming trends, but Red Dead is a much different environment than Fortnite or its ilk. Gun Rush’s immediate future will be interesting to watch, particularly in whether or not the mode is viable for potential esports support in the future. We never know where the next great esports fad will come from, maybe this time it’ll be set in the Wild West.
For more on Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online, take a look at our guide on how to make money quickly, or sit back and laugh at some of the game’s funniest moments.
