Red Dead Redemption 2 online: Rockstar announces release date and details of multiplayer features

It follows the success of the hugely popular GTA Online

Rockstar has unveiled details of the online multiplayer version of Red Dead Redemption 2, ahead of the game's release next month.

The game will offer an entirely new and extra version of the Wild West-themed game, which players will be able to explore on their own or with friends.

It follows the huge success of GTA Online, which is part of and came soon after the release of GTA 5. The multiplayer aspect of that game continues to flourish today, with developers Rockstar releasing regular updates and growing its world.

Similarly, Red Dead Online will use the main game as a "foundation", Rockstar said. It will take place in the game's vast open world, but add a whole host of experiences on top.

"Red Dead Online is an evolution of the classic multiplayer experience in the original Red Dead Redemption, blending narrative with competitive and cooperative gameplay in fun new ways," Rockstar said. Using the gameplay of the upcoming Red Dead Redemption 2 as a foundation, Red Dead Online will be ready to be explored alone or with friends, and will also feature constant updates and adjustments to grow and evolve this experience for all players."

Online will arrive in November, after the game's release date on 26 October for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

It will initially drop as a public beta, developers said. "As with most online experiences of this size and scale, there will inevitably be some turbulence at launch," it noted, encouraging players to get involved with the development of the world.

Access to Red Dead Online will be free to anyone who has the main game.