Can You Change Gender in Red Dead Online? The Definitive Guide
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The wild west is calling, partner, and in Red Dead Online, you get to forge your own legend. But what if the legend you initially envisioned doesn’t quite fit anymore? What if you want to swap spurs and swagger for a more… feminine touch? The burning question on many outlaws’ minds is: Can you change your gender in Red Dead Online?
The short, slightly painful, answer is yes, but not directly, or easily. There is no in-game barber shop option or specific menu setting to simply switch your character’s gender. The primary method, as archaic as a six-shooter jam, involves deleting your current character and creating a new one. Let’s delve into the details, the drawbacks, and the nuances of this process.
The Harsh Reality: Deletion is Key
Currently, Red Dead Online offers no direct gender reassignment surgery, virtual or otherwise. The only way to sport a different gender in the game is to nuke your existing character. This means saying goodbye to your current appearance, clothing, and all progress tied to that character.
What You Keep, What You Lose
Before you hit that delete button in a fit of gender-bending eagerness, it’s crucial to understand the consequences. Here’s the breakdown:
- What You Keep: Gold Bars and Cash. This is the silver lining. Any unspent Gold Bars and RDO$ residing in your account will transfer over to your new character. Thank goodness for small mercies in this unforgiving virtual frontier.
- What You Lose: Everything else. This is the gut punch. Say farewell to your rank, unlocked items, purchased weapons, customized horses, painstakingly acquired outfits, camp upgrades, role progress – the whole shebang. It’s a complete reset to square one, save for that pile of cash and gold.
The Appearance Change Workaround
While a full gender swap necessitates a character wipe, Red Dead Online does offer a limited character appearance change. After a significant update, Rockstar Games introduced the ability to tweak your character’s facial features, hair, makeup, and other cosmetic attributes.
The Price of Vanity
You get one free appearance change initially. However, subsequent alterations come at a cost: either a substantial amount of in-game currency (RDO$) or a purchase with Gold Bars. So, if you simply want to refine your character’s look without altering their gender, this feature is a welcome (albeit expensive) option.
Weighing Your Options: Is it Worth the Reset?
The decision to delete your character is a serious one. Consider these factors:
- Progress Made: How much time and effort have you invested in your current character? If you’ve climbed the ranks, unlocked valuable items, and established a thriving business empire, the thought of starting over might be unbearable.
- Financial Investment: Have you spent real money on Gold Bars, primarily to purchase items and cosmetics for your current character? The loss of those purchased items stings even more.
- Desire for Change: How strong is your desire to play as a different gender? If you’re simply curious, the appearance change option might suffice. However, if you feel genuinely disconnected from your current character, the reset might be a necessary step.
The Alternative: A Second Account
As the old article you provided suggested, If you are committed to not losing the progress you made on your current character but still desire to explore the Red Dead landscape as a female character, consider creating a second account. That is also the only way to keep what you have on your male. Of course, this may involve purchasing the game again, but it allows you to have the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the gender-bending, character-deleting world of Red Dead Online.
1. Will Rockstar ever implement a proper gender change option?
Rockstar Games’ plans are shrouded in mystery, but the community has voiced its desire for a more straightforward gender change mechanic. Whether they’ll heed those calls remains to be seen.
2. Can I transfer my character’s progress to a new character?
Unfortunately, no. There’s no mechanism to transfer any progress (rank, items, etc.) between characters, even on the same account.
3. Does deleting my character affect my story mode progress?
No. Deleting your Red Dead Online character has absolutely no impact on your single-player Red Dead Redemption 2 story mode progress. They are entirely separate.
4. Can I change my character’s name in Red Dead Online?
No, there isn’t a way to directly change your character’s name.
5. How much does it cost to change my appearance after the free one?
Appearance change costs either $400 in-game cash or 10 Gold Bars.
6. Is there a limit to how many times I can change my appearance?
No, you can change your appearance as many times as you like, provided you’re willing to pay the price each time.
7. Does being honorable or dishonorable affect my gender?
No. Your honor level has absolutely no bearing on your character’s gender. It only affects the types of missions you receive and your interactions with certain NPCs.
8. Will I lose my Role progress if I delete my character?
Yes. All Role progress (Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, etc.) will be reset to zero if you delete your character.
9. Are there any benefits to playing as a male or female character in Red Dead Online?
No, there are no gameplay differences based on gender. The experience is identical regardless of your character’s sex.
10. Can I get banned for changing my gender too many times?
No, you won’t be banned for using the appearance change feature repeatedly (as long as you’re paying for it!).
11. Will I get my initial free appearance change back if I delete my character?
Yes, creating a new character will grant you another free appearance change.
12. What happens to my horses if I delete my character?
Your horses are tied to your character and are lost upon deletion. You’ll have to purchase and bond with new steeds.
13. Can I preview the appearance change before committing to it?
Yes. The appearance change screen allows you to rotate your character and view the changes from different angles before finalizing your decision.
14. Is there cross-progression between platforms?
No. If you are playing on a PlayStation console, you can’t switch to a different console and bring all the previous progression with you. You have to start a new character.
15. Are there any mods that allow gender changing?
Using mods in Red Dead Online is against Rockstar’s terms of service and can result in a ban. It’s not recommended. The Games Learning Society, or GamesLearningSociety.org, encourages responsible gaming and adherence to game rules.
The Final Verdict: Choose Wisely
Changing your gender in Red Dead Online is a drastic measure. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before taking the plunge. While the lack of a simple gender swap option is frustrating, understanding the consequences and available workarounds allows you to make an informed decision about your virtual western identity. Whether you choose to embrace a new persona or stick with your current outlaw, remember to enjoy the ride!