Since last December, entrepreneurial fans of Red Dead Online have been able to start their own business with the new Moonshiner update. Now that players have had a chance to progress through the new in-game content and career paths, developer Rockstar Games is looking to the future of this massive update.
Although veteran Red Dead Online players will recall the multiplayer game's initial stumbles, such as its unrewarding game economy, Rockstar quickly took steps to ensure that its game was well-supported. In one of its first massive updates, the developer implemented "Frontier Pursuits," or specialized career paths for characters with exclusive gameplay in each choice. While the Moonshiner role was the first new path to join the original three Pursuits, the developer has announced plans to extend the Frontier Pursuit campaigns and storylines.
In an interview with Polygon , Rockstar production associate Katie Pica unveiled the thought process behind the Moonshiner gameplay and teased upcoming updates. She explained that the ability to own and operate an underground brewery business was inspired by player feedback, and the desire to own property in-game. The choice of a bar setting allowed the developer to lift gameplay from the saloon in the single-player campaign, and to integrate some unique elements for the multiplayer version.
As for what is to come in new updates, Rockstar's associate online producer Tarek Hamad said that while the developer intended to add more new roles and features, this new Red Dead Online content was still in the "formative stages." However, Rockstar will be updating the current roles with more new gameplay, and specifically teased expansions to the Collector Frontier Pursuit. Gameplay involving other businesses and "communal spaces" for players to interact in was also teased.
Although Red Dead Online players should be excited for the new content and discounts on cosmetics and Moonshiner items, some of the teased updates still reflect the game's shortcomings from launch. The lack of official communal spaces in a multiplayer game might seem like a slight oversight when considering how players might interact with one another. However, it's clear that the developers are making up for lost time. Hopefully, Rockstar will be able to earn back the trust of its fans with continual updates to the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Stadia.
Source: Rockstar/Polygon