Can You Have Two Red Dead Online Characters? The Definitive Guide
The Wild West is calling, partner! And for many Red Dead Online players, the allure of crafting multiple distinct personas to roam the plains is strong. So, the burning question is: Can you have two Red Dead Online characters? The short answer is no. Unfortunately, Red Dead Online restricts players to a single character per account. But don’t hang up your spurs just yet! There are ways to create multiple cowboys (or cowgirls) that you should know about.
Exploring the Single Character Limitation
Rockstar Games, the developers behind Red Dead Online, opted for a single-character system linked to your primary account. This design choice likely stems from a variety of factors, including:
- Account Management: Simplifying account management and progression tracking.
- Resource Allocation: Streamlining the allocation of in-game resources and preventing exploits related to transferring items between multiple characters.
- Community Identity: Fostering a stronger sense of identity and investment in a single character within the online community.
While this limitation might seem restrictive at first, understanding the available workarounds can help you realize your dream of multiple outlaws.
Workarounds: Becoming a Multi-Character Outlaw
Although you can’t have multiple characters directly within a single Red Dead Online account, there are a couple of ways to sidestep this restriction:
Creating Multiple Accounts
The most straightforward method is to create multiple accounts on your gaming platform (PlayStation, Xbox, or PC). This involves setting up new user profiles on your console or PC, each linked to a separate Rockstar Social Club account.
The Process:
- Create new platform accounts: Follow the instructions for creating a new user profile on your PlayStation, Xbox, or PC.
- Link to Rockstar Social Club: When you launch Red Dead Online on each new account, you’ll be prompted to link it to a Rockstar Social Club account. Make sure each account is unique.
- Start a new game: You can now start a new Red Dead Online journey with a fresh character.
The Catch:
- You’ll need to purchase Red Dead Online (or Red Dead Redemption 2, depending on how you access the online mode) for each account.
- Managing multiple accounts can be tedious, requiring you to switch between profiles to play each character.
Leveraging Cloud Saves (Limited)
Some players attempt to use cloud saves to create different character states, but this method is unreliable and not officially supported. It involves backing up your character’s save data to the cloud, creating a new character, and then restoring the original save to revert to your first character.
Why This Is Not Recommended:
- It’s prone to data corruption and save file issues.
- It requires constant manual manipulation of save data.
- Rockstar Games may implement measures to prevent this type of save manipulation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to having multiple characters in Red Dead Online:
1. Can I have multiple roles on Red Dead Online with one character?
Yes! Unlike the single-player campaign, Red Dead Online lets your character take on multiple specialist roles, like Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner, and Naturalist. You can pursue all of these roles simultaneously with a single character.
2. Can I be a girl in Red Dead Online?
Absolutely! Red Dead Online lets you create and play as a female character. You have full customization options to tailor her appearance.
3. How many characters can I play in Red Dead Redemption 2 single player?
In Red Dead Redemption 2‘s story mode, you primarily play as Arthur Morgan. After a certain point in the story, you take on the role of John Marston. However, you control one character at a time, not simultaneously.
4. Can you start a new game in RDR2 without deleting your progress?
Yes, you can manually save your progress under the “Story” tab in the menu. Then, choose “New Game.” Just be careful not to overwrite your existing save file when manually saving.
5. How many players can be in a Red Dead Online lobby?
Red Dead Online lobbies typically support around 32 players. This can fluctuate slightly.
6. How many people can play a legendary bounty in Red Dead Online?
Legendary Bounties can be completed solo or with a posse of up to four players.
7. What is the highest-paying job in Red Dead Online?
Bounty Hunting is considered one of the most lucrative roles in Red Dead Online, offering quick payouts of both money and gold.
8. What is the most profitable role in Red Dead Online?
The Trader role is widely regarded as the most efficient for earning pure income.
9. Is it worth getting the Prestigious Bounty Hunter License?
If you enjoy Bounty Hunting, the Prestigious Bounty Hunter License adds new ranks, items, skills, and infamous bounty targets, making it a worthwhile investment.
10. How big are Red Dead Online lobbies typically?
You should normally find around 30 or so players roaming the world with you, but it can range down to lobbies with as few as 2-7 players at times.
11. How many guns can you carry in RDR2 online?
You can carry up to four weapons at a time: two sidearms (after unlocking dual-wielding) and two long guns.
12. Can you play RDR2 online without finishing the story?
Yes, you can jump straight into Red Dead Online without completing the story mode. You start with a customized character and a fresh slate.
13. Is there a way to play RDR2 without Arthur dying?
The only way to keep Arthur alive indefinitely is to stop progressing in the story before his illness takes hold.
14. Can a 12-year-old play Red Dead Online?
The game is rated M for Mature due to violence, blood, and suggestive themes. Parental discretion is advised, and some parents may find it suitable for older children (12+) with adjusted violence settings.
15. Can you become a hunter in Red Dead Online?
While there isn’t a specific “Hunter” role, the Trader role involves significant hunting activities. Also, taking on the Bounty Hunter role involves tracking down targets.
The Future of Red Dead Online
While Rockstar Games hasn’t explicitly announced plans to change the single-character limitation, the community continues to provide feedback and suggestions. Perhaps future updates will introduce more flexible character options. In the meantime, creating multiple accounts remains the most reliable, albeit costly and inconvenient, workaround.
Understanding the design decisions behind Red Dead Online and exploring available options empowers you to tailor your Wild West experience to your preferences. Whether you stick with one character, manage multiple accounts, or explore different roles, Red Dead Online offers a vast and engaging world to explore.
Further Reading
For more in-depth research on game design and learning, explore the resources at the Games Learning Society. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.