Red Dead Online logo and characters holding guns.

Rockstar Shares New GTA Online Update and Comments on Future of Red Dead Online


Stephanie is a writer at VGKAMI and a long-time lover of video games—specifically JRPGs. Anything in the fantasy genre is her jam, and she vows to bring back The Legend of Dragoon one day. Stephanie has also worked as an editor at TheGamer and published features for NME.

Today, on July 7, 2022, Rockstar Games has posted an official statement regarding the future of GTA Online and Red Dead Online. The company has updates planned for GTA, but they plan to change how they will tackle Red Dead.

Table Of Contents

    GTA Online Update

    Due to the recent launches of GTA Online on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S earlier this year, Rockstar says it plans to put its full effort into improving our experience with the game. According to them, this will include gameplay updates, adding community-requested experience improvements, and other upgrades.

    Specifically, Rockstar states that a new update will be coming to GTA Online within a few weeks. This update will “expand upon the Criminal Careers of Executive, Biker, Gunrunner, and Nightclub Owner — alongside a set of Contact Missions that presents the opportunity to be sworn in as a special IAA field operative to investigate a budding criminal conspiracy.”

    As for community quests, Rockstar plans to tackle some of the most popular ones, including:

    • Reducing the effectiveness of homing missiles and countermeasures on the Oppressor Mk II
    • Offering a more convenient way to access snacks and armor
    • Adding the ability to launch Sell Missions in Invite Only sessions

    Lastly, Rockstar notes that they will be increasing GTA$ payouts to better reward players for their time. Specifically, they state that “Bodyguards, Associates, and MC Members will see payouts increased to encourage and reward cooperative play — along with increased GTA$ payouts across a variety of activities, including greater payouts across Races, Adversary Modes, and select Heist Finales.”

    The Future of Red Dead Online

    People riding horses holding weapons in Red Dead Online.

    On the flip side, it seems Rockstar may not maintain that same energy for Red Dead Online. Though they thanked members of the community for their dedication to the game, Rockstar explains that their focus has shifted elsewhere.

    Over the past few years, we have been steadily moving more development resources towards the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series — understanding more than ever the need to exceed players’ expectations and for this next entry to be the best it can possibly be — and as a result, we are in the process of making some changes to how we support Red Dead Online.

    Though this sounds a little bleak, Rockstar states that they will still be maintaining a healthy Red Dead Online environment through seasonal special events and experience improvements. However, there will be some changes in how they tackle Red Dead Online going forward. “We plan to build upon existing modes and add new Telegram Missions this year, rather than delivering major themed content updates like in previous years.”