Among the new systems introduced in Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are Cores, which reflect the state of Arthur's abilities. These are represented via the circular meters located just above your mini-map on the HUD. If you want to perform at your best, you'll need to pay attention to these Cores and the bars that encircle them.
If you've just started the game, chances are all of this Core and bar talk might be a bit confusing. After all, you're only given a very brief explanation in-game on how it all works, and this comes while you might be paying attention to dialogue or other happenings. And the details in the menu offer only so much insight. To help you get a grasp of the Core system, we've detailed in this feature how it all works and other useful information to keep in mind.
If you're looking for more guides, you'd be remiss not to check out our feature highlighting all the tips you should know before playing. Though, we also have guides on more specific subjects, like gun customization and money making. Be sure to read our Red Dead 2 review if you haven't already. If you're having trouble dealing with all this, you can turn on the cheat code that instantly refills your Cores and bars. But we all know that's no fun, so read on to the details below!
What Are Cores And Bars?
As stated, Cores are the circular meters located just above the mini-map. You have three Cores in total: Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye. In addition, there are Cores for your horse's Health and Stamina. The symbol at the center of the circle represents the Core, while the ring meter that surrounds it is known as a bar.
While the state of your bars are more important in the moment, it's your Cores that ultimately affect your long-term performance. This is because how well you do depends on the state of your corresponding Core. For example, the Health Core dictates how quickly the Health bar regenerates, and likewise for Stamina. If your Health bar is low but the corresponding Health Core has been maintained well, the rate at which you generate Health will be increased.
How Do I Refill My Cores?
To ensure your Cores are in tiptop shape, you'll need to keep yourself well fed, well-rested, and comfortably dressed in the climate you're in. Of course, you can always resort to items if you're ever in a pinch and can't seek out food or rest; Provisions instantly refill your Cores and Tonics will instantly refill your bars. Be mindful of which you choose to take, as while Tonics are good in the moment in the midst of a firefight, they're more short-term life-savers than the long-term benefit of using a Provision.
What Does It Mean To Fortify A Bar?
As you take Tonics, you'll notice that some fortify specific bars; these are represented as yellow items in your satchel. If you take this type of Tonic, the affected bar will fill up completely and won't drain for a few moments. How long a bar remains fortified depends on the quality of the Tonic. It's also worth noting that some Tonics can negatively impact your Cores, so make sure to pay attention to their descriptions before you take them--lest you want to find yourself made weaker during a firefight or intense hunt.
Bars Level Up Over Time
The state of your Cores affects the regeneration of your Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye, but the more you play the game, the more powerful your bars will become. Sprinting, for example, increases your Stamina bar, while taking damage and then restoring Health will build your Health bar. If you properly maintain yourself, all of your abilities will naturally improve over time.
Horse Cores And Bars
Horse Cores are represented by the Health and Stamina Cores with horseshoes in the center of them that appear when you're on your horse. While mostly identical to how your own Cores work, where they differ is how you maintain and increase them. Instead of overall maintenance of the horse's physical and dietary needs, you develop its Cores and bars by forming a stronger bond with them. Foods and Tonics can be used to help the general effort, but it's more through riding your horse, praising it, and grooming it will ultimately improve a horse's Health and Stamina.
The new Honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2 works differently than that of its predecessor; it's far more sophisticated. A large number of your actions impact the world, and you'll have to deal with a variety of consequences that can unfold based on what you do, even if it's something as simple as drawing your gun. Based on our experiences with the game, we've rounded up some thoughts and important things to know to help you on your way. It's worth noting that Arthur is a remorseless outlaw who skews toward the morally dubious side given his place in the Van Der Linde gang. But he does have some redeeming qualities, and he isn't totally stone-hearted. In this piece we break down all the key components of the game's honor and morality system.
Performing actions as simple as greeting people will boost his honor, which is represented in the game through a slider that is white and red, and a hat moves up and down. The white hat icon pops up on screen for good deeds, while a red hat emerges when you've done bad things. You can check your honor status at any time by pressing down on the D-pad.
Some of the other ways you can improve your honor are by throwing back fish that are too small to keep, offering to help people you meet on the side of the road, and sparing people when you have the choice in key situations. You can also pet dogs to boost your honor. Basically, if your deed gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, you can bet Arthur's honor will improve.
Things that negatively impact Arthur's honor include any number of actions that run from running someone over with your horse to blasting their head clear off with a shotgun. On the other hand, you may become a worse person in the eyes of Red Dead Redemption 2 include assaulting innocent people, looting innocent people's corpses (even if you didn't kill them), murdering people for no reason, mugging people, and running them down with your horse. Keeping fish that are too small also hurts your honor, while failing to mercy kill an animal after you miss a clean kill shot also incurs an honor hit (as it should!).
There are benefits for being nice and honorable, and consequences when you're a jerk. For example, you may come across a man wailing in pain on the side of the road who informs you he's been bit by a poisonous snake. You can suck the poison out and save his life or leave him to die. Upon saving the man, he gushes praise for you selfless and courageous act, but then you just go on your way, presuming to never seen him again. But you later see this man in Strawberry (or another town in the world), and he thanks you again and rewards you by paying for any gun you want from the gunsmith. If you chose to leave the man to die, this most likely never would have happened.
You might accidentally run someone over with your horse or click the shoot button when you meant to simply talk. Thankfully, the honor and morality system is flexible and fluid. So even if you gun down a group of innocents, you can swing back your honor pendulum by making an effort to do more good in the world. Or you can re-load a past save. It's also a good idea to be careful when you're on the extreme edges of the morality meter, as a single action in the opposite direction can knock your rating up or down significantly. For example, editor Edmond Tran accidentally knocked someone over with a horse and saw his honor meter drop by about one eighth, which is a lot.
In my playthrough, I tried to be an absolute monster who constantly engaged in dishonorable actions. I was able to get my morality meter almost completely on the dishonorable side--and I never bathed or contributed to camp--and ended up experiencing a number of adverse effects. Due to my criminal behavior, some missions were listed as temporarily unavailable due to my "Wanted" level, and it can take awhile for these to become available again. This can happen even if you're playing as a more honorable Arthur, so that's something to be aware of.
What's more, when you accidentally mow someone over with your horse in town, you may not be able to defuse the situation and convince a witness to decide not to report as you could if you were more of a nice guy. I was unable to pay off a witness or threaten them to stop, presumably due to how much of a scumbag I'd been in the past. Not only is it more difficult to persuade witnesses to not report your crime when you're a degenerate, but once they do, you'll encounter heavy patrols of well-armed law enforcement coming after you. On top of that, Bad Arthur racks up bounties individually by region, so you'll always have to be vigilant when traveling around. You can pay your bounty at any post office in the game, but doing so won't instantly make you a white knight.
Your honor level in Red Dead Redemption 2 affects the game in ways you may not immediately notice. For example, the music changes depending on your status, while the journal entries that Arthur records reflect the decisions he's made in the story. What's more, the killcams become more gruesome when you're a detestable jerk who only looks out for number one. If you're playing as Nice Guy Arthur, you'll enjoy benefits like store discounts, among other things.
Rockstar Games has teased that honorable and dishonorable activities will have consequences that you might not see or notice for a very long time, so it will be intriguing to see how some key choices play out in the long run as we continue playing.
What do you think about the honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2? Let us know in the comments below.
Red Dead Redemption 2's release has come for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Those who prefer to play games on PC may be rewarded with their patience eventually, but as of now we have no indication that Red Dead 2 will ever come to PC. That doesn't mean there is no hope at all, though.
So far the studio has given no official indication of a PC port incoming. There was some hope when a programmer seemingly outed a PC version online, but it remains unclear if that was merely a mistake. [Update: The latest glimmer of hope for PC fans comes via Rockstar Intel, which reports that the Red Dead 2 companion app includes references to PC in its code. It's possible these don't mean anything or are being misinterpreted, but it does bear noting.]
The most recent Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto V, did make the jump to PC after its initial console release. Following its original release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, Rockstar released upgraded Playstation 4 and Xbox One ports the following year, and then a PC port in 2015. Those later ports were widely lauded for their improved technical underpinnings, and the PC version has enjoyed an active mod community.
Red Dead Redemption 2 appears very similar to GTAV in key ways. It's a technical powerhouse that's already pushing the current console generation to its limit. While the Xbox One X came out ahead in a performance analysis, both it and the high-end PS4 Pro were said to be hitting the upper limits of their processing power. We may be on the verge of another console generation to debut in the next few years, so a port to those with some added bells and whistles could make sense. And if that happens, a PC port would be likely as well. Plus Red Dead 2 is already receiving positive reviews and helping Take-Two's stock price, so another shot in the arm from a port would be welcome for the company.
Then again, Rockstar has been inconsistent with ports in general and PC support more specifically. The original Red Dead Redemption never made the trip to PC, and in fact is still only available on PS3 and Xbox 360--along with Xbox One, via backwards compatibility.
Red Dead Redemption 2 could come to PC in a matter of years, but for the time being, your best bet is to saddle up on the current generation of consoles. If you need some help recalling the events of the first game, check out our story recap. Your console decision may come down to performance--keeping in mind that Xbox One X performed the best in a test, but PS4 has exclusive content for 30 days.
With Fortnitemares challenges continuing to roll out, Fortnite: Battle Royale continues to get its standard weekly challenges as well. Season 6, Week 5's are now available, and while a handful of them are easy, the same can't be said for certain others. Specifically, you may need a map to know where to go, which is where we come in. To speed things up we've put together guides for these trickiest challenges, the first of which is to record a speed of 27 or more on different Radar Signs.
Driving fast and recording that speed isn't the difficult part, it's actually finding the locations of the Radar Signs. Again, we've done the legwork for you, so all you've got to do is take a look below, where you'll find their locations. That should make things quicker and easier for you.
Radar Signs Locations
Southwest of Paradise Palms
North of Paradise Palms
South of Tomato Temple
West of Lazy Links
South of Pleasant Park
Another tricky challenge this week involves jumping through flaming hoops (when you think about it, pretty much all the challenges do, right?). We've found all of the locations for these flaming hoops and put together a map and video guide.
If you've still got challenges from previous weeks left to complete, you can use our comprehensive Season 6 challenge guide to get those done. Keep in mind that there's also a unique set of Halloween-themed challenges to do this week too. The Fortnitemares event was introduced as part of update 6.20 and, as part of it, there's new cosmetics to unlock too. Check out all the Fortnitemares challenges to see what you need to do to get them.
Update 6.20 and the Fortnitemares event also introduce a PvE element to the game. "During Fortnitemares, you'll face off against Cube Monsters in a whole new way of playing Battle Royale," Epic explains. "There are new weapons to fight back against these creepy creatures, like the Six Shooter and Fiend Hunter Crossbow.
"Take out the Cube Fiends and Fragments to pick up loot, and survive against enemy players." Interestingly, Fortnitemares seems to blur the line between the Battle Royale mode and Save the World mode by giving players zombie-like enemies to fend off.
You can see the other changes, additions, and tweaks that have been made to Fortnite this week by reading the update 6.20 patch notes.
Season 6, Week 5 of Fortnite has officially begun, meaning the next batch of challenges is now live, ready and waiting for you to complete them. This, it turns out, is easier said than done as there's a couple of tricky challenges among them. The first of these involves finding five flaming hoops and jumping through them using a Shopping Cart or ATK. You might remember this one from previous seasons, as it has been used before. However, the exact locations of the flaming hoops have changed, so you'll still need to dart around the map looking for them.
Or, alternatively, you could use our handy dandy guide here. We've found the flaming hoops and launched ourselves through them. Below you'll find a list of the exact locations of the hoops, along with a map that offers a visual representation of their locations. All you have to do is head to the points and do your best Evel Knievel impression. Just remember to grab an ATK or Shopping Cart along the way. You can also watch the video above to see us do it. Here's where to go:
Fortnite Season 6, Week 5 Flaming Hoops Locations
East of Retail Row on Car Sculpture
East of Paradise Palms
Northeast of Lucky Landing
North side of Dusty Divot
Between Risky Reels and Wailing Woods
Alongside the weekly challenges, Fortnite developer Epic Games has also kicked off Fortnitemares, a Halloween event with its own unique selection of challenges. The event is quite different from anything Fortnite's battle royale mode has done before, as it includes an element of PvE.
"During Fortnitemares, you'll face off against Cube Monsters in a whole new way of playing Battle Royale," Epic explains. "There are new weapons to fight back against these creepy creatures, like the Six Shooter and Fiend Hunter Crossbow. Take out the Cube Fiends and Fragments to pick up loot, and survive against enemy players."
The reward for completing the Fortnitemare challenges is cool new cosmetics, including a special skin. The Deadfire Outfit is described as a "new type of reactive outfit" that, as you progress in a match, will change. The shift in visual style is dependent on the damage you deal to your enemies and also how long you're able to stay alive. The skin also comes with the Shackled Stone Back Bling, and the Dark Shard pickaxe is also available in the store. These are also reactive cosmetics.
All this was rolled out as part of the latest patch. Take a look at the full Fortnite update 6.20 patch notes for more on everything that has been changed, tweaked, added, or removed.
The beta for Fallout 76 has officially begun, but as you read this, you likely can't actually play it. That's because Bethesda only has its servers available at certain times; trying to get in outside of these specific windows will yield a "login failed" error. Below, we've got all the details you need to know regarding exactly when you can play. At the time of this writing, the next test takess place on October 28 (October 29 for some regions), again only on Xbox One. Bethesda has also confirmed the first dates and times that will be open to PS4 and PC players. Read on for the full schedule.
Fallout 76's debut test was available only on Xbox One for a four-hour window on October 23. That has since passed, with Bethesda deeming it an "amazing start." Additional test periods will continue to be available for a limited time. The purpose of this is to force players together at a specific time to stress test and put the game through its paces. Sessions will typically last 4-8 hours in a given day, and then the beta will be inoperable again until the next session. The process will repeat between now and the game's release date on November 14.
A beta code is available to anyone who pre-ordered the game across Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4. Pre-loading is only available on Xbox One for now, since the PC and PS4 betas will begin on October 30. You'll receive a code with your physical pre-order to enter into the accounts page, or you'll be entered into the pool automatically if you pre-order a digital copy. Note that those codes don't grant you access. Rather, they put you into the potential pool of players to get a distribution code later, since Bethesda is rolling out the invites in waves.
Upcoming Fallout 76 Beta Times
October 27 (Xbox One only)
US Pacific Time: 2 PM - 4 PM
US Eastern Time: 5 PM - 7 PM
UK BST: 10 PM - 12 AM
Australia AEDT: 8 AM - 10 AM (Sunday, October 28)
October 28 (Xbox One only)
US Pacific Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
US Eastern Time: 12 PM - 2 PM
UK GMT: 4 PM - 6 PM
Australia AEDT: 3 AM - 5 AM (Monday, October 29)
October 30
US Pacific Time: 4 PM - 8 PM
US Eastern Time: 7 PM - 11 PM
UK GMT: 3 AM - 7 AM (October 31)
Australia AEDT: 10 AM - 2 PM (October 31)
November 1
US Pacific Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
US Eastern Time: 2 PM - 7 PM
UK GMT: 6 PM - 11 PM
Australia AEDT: 5 AM - 10 AM (November 2)
November 3
US Pacific Time: 2 PM - 6 PM
US Eastern Time: 5 PM - 9 PM
UK GMT: 9 PM - 1 AM
Australia AEDT: 8 AM - 12 PM (November 4)
November 4
US Pacific Time: 11 AM - 6 PM
US Eastern Time: 2 PM - 9 PM
UK BST: 9 PM - 1 AM
Australia AEDT: 5 AM - 12 PM (November 5)
Bethesda plans to let to keep your progress from the beta through to the full game. Pre-ordering also will get you 500 Atoms, the in-game currency, for purchasing cosmetic items in the shop. Fallout 76 is due out on November 14. For more details, check out our guide to everything we know.
Previous Fallout 76 Beta Times
US Pacific Time: 4 PM - 8 PM (Tuesday, October 23)
US Eastern Time: 7 PM - 11 PM (Tuesday, October 23)
UK BST: 12 AM - 4 AM (Wednesday, October 24)
Australia AEDT: 10 AM - 2 PM (Wednesday, October 24)
Part 3 of the Fortnitemare event is now available, which means there's new challenges for Fortnite players on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android to complete. For those that may not have been keeping up with the game, Fortnitemares is a Halloween event that sees Kevin the Cube spawning zombie-like creatures called "Cube Monsters." Along with this PvE style twist on gameplay, there's new cosmetics to unlock, with the ultimate goal of getting the Dark Engine Glider for completing all four sets of challenges.
Part 3 of the Fortnitemare challenges asks players to destroy 25 Cube Brutes, do 2,000 points of damages to Cube Monsters using Explosive Weapons, search seven chests in the corrupted areas dotted around the island, and visit Wailing Woods. The final challenge in that set is a multi-parter, which the second stages revealing itself once you make your way to Wailing Woods. Each of the challenges will get you 500 XP and, once they're all done, the rare Virulent Flames contrail.
Fortnitemare Part 3 Challenges
Destroy Cube Brutes (25) -- 500 XP
Deal damage with Explosive Weapons to Cube Monsters (2,000) -- 500 XP
Search chests in Corrupted Areas (7) -- 500 XP
Stage 1: Visit Wailing Woods (5) -- 500 XP
If you've missed previous weeks, you can find out more about them in our Fortnitemare Part 1 and Part 2 breakdowns. The event also includes some fresh cosmetics that can be purchased using V-Bucks from the in-game store. These include the Deadfire skin, which looks different depending on the damage you deal in a match and how long you're able to stay alive. Dark Shard pickaxe is also available in the store.
Fortnite update 6.20 ushered in the Fortnitemares and also introduced the new Six Shooter weapon to the game. The patch also gives players the ability to redeploy Gliders after they've landed on the Island. This is quite a big change to the way the game is played, and so it's currently in testing.
Epic has launched a major update for Fortnite that includes Fortnitemares, a new Halloween-themed event. This features Save the World and Battle Royale components, and in the latter mode, there is a new set of challenges to complete with separate rewards from the standard weekly challenges. Among the first batch is one asking you to dance with gargoyles; below, you'll find a guide on where to go and the locations for all the gargoyles you'll need.
This challenge asks you to dance in front of five different gargoyles. The trouble is, these are spread all over the Island, so you may end up wasting time running into dead-ends. Luckily, we've managed to find them and can give you their exact locations to save you the time and effort. You thankfully don't need to dance in front of all five in a single match, so you can leisurely take care of these across multiple games. Just don't be surprised if players are camping on these spots, looking for easy kills.
Below you'll find a map with the exact locations of the Gargoyles as well as a list of where the gargoyles are. You can also watch the video above to see us complete the challenge.
Fortnitemare Day 1 Gargoyle Locations
Viking Village: Head inside the large building atop the hill.
North of Flush Factory on top of the mountain
West of Lazy Links in the mine that's shaped like an umbrella
Haunted Hills inside the Gothic Castle, in the main hall
Between Wailing Woods and Risky Reels on the hill
Tomato Temple: In the lower courtyard
Retail Row: In the store with the Battle Bus above it
Unlike normal weekly challenges, completing these Fortnitemares challenges won't unlock Battle Stars for you to level your Battle Pass up. Instead you'll get experience points and specific rewards such as an emoticon, spray, contrail, and glider. Additionally, Epic is rolling out new challenges every two days, and to get that glider you'll need to complete all of them.
This first set of challenge sis available now, and you can get the details on all of them in our Fortnitemares challenges roundup. There are four challenges in total in this set; three of them are fairly straightforward, with the gargoyle one above being the outlier.
Fortnitemare also introduced a cool new skin type that reacts to the way you play the game. If you haven't already checked it out, you can see the Outlander Outfit and find out what sets it apart from other skins. In addition to this skin, Epic has also introduced the Shackled Stone Back Bling and the Dark Shard pickaxe. Both of these items are also called "reactive cosmetics." The Deadfire skin is available for 2,000 V-Bucks, while the Dark Shard harvesting tool costs 1,200 V-Bucks.
Fortnitemare was introduced as part of the Fortnite update 6.20 update, which also includes a new weapon: the Six Shooter. Epic is also testing the ability to re-deploy gliders after you've landed, so you can do that in the Battle Royale's various game modes now too.
This is not an instant win. No purchase necessary. Competition ends at 12:00 PM PT on October 29, 2018, in which 25 winners will be chosen at random and emailed a code for the full game (MSRP: $20).
Enter below:
About the game:
Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood is a bundle of the classic titles, but re-formatted to feature modern game elements. Experience two of the greatest games from the Castlevania series as you make your way to the top of Dracula's castle as Richter Belmont - descendant of the famed clan of vampire hunters - in Rondo of Blood, or take the leading role as Dracula's son Alucard in Symphony of the Night. Enjoy the unique world, the epic classical music, and the side-scrolling action in Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood, exclusively for the PlayStation4.
Fun facts about Symphony of the Night:
The Jewel Knuckles are a powerful and quick weapon you can normally get in the Outer Wall once Alucard gains Form of Mist, however, you can get it as well as the Mirror Cuirass early. Once you enter the Outer Wall, go down and to the left to fight an Armor Lord. In the room he's guarding, destroy the wall for some food and hold down for about 20 seconds to be transported to the room with the items.
After completing the game, a few New Game bonuses will be unlocked if you enter the name RICHTER, AXEARMOR or X-X!V''Q before starting a new game.
Fun facts about Rondo of Blood:
After defeating a boss, don't think you're safe yet! Bosses have one final desperation attack that can still get you after you take out their HP meter.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has released, and along with it comes the mobile companion app. The app links up with your copy of the game and helps you keep track of your location with an interactive map, along with a handful of other features so you can take the Old West with you around in your pocket.
The map lets you set waypoints and track your position in real-time. Aside from that handy widget, you can also view the game journal, shop for clothing, check your game progress, and read the game manual. It also links up with Rockstar's Social Club. The app itself is free on both iOS and Android, but both versions offer a $10 in-app purchase of the official strategy guide. The social club integration may be a boon to your gang of outlaws when Red Dead Online launches in November.
Perhaps most significantly, the companion app's code includes references to PC, according to Rockstar Intel. Whether this signals the development of Red Dead 2 for PC remains to be seen, but it does provide those hoping for that to happen with some small reason to get excited.
If you're a no-good scoundrel in need of more creative methods of getting ahead in the world, check out our full list of known cheats. And keep in mind some of those side missions have a time limit and can expire if you don't get to them quickly enough.
To get started on the right foot, check out our list of essential tips for beginners, and refresh yourself on the story from the first game. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive and ambitious game, and as noted in our review, it stands on its own even without knowing the details of John Marston's story.
"While Red Dead Redemption was mostly focused on John Marston's story, Red Dead 2 is about the entire Van der Linde gang--as a community, as an idea, and as the death rattle of the Wild West. It is about Arthur, too, but as the lens through which you view the gang, his very personal, very messy story supports a larger tale," wrote critic Kallie Plagge. "Some frustrating systems and a predictable mission structure end up serving that story well, though it does take patience to get through them and understand why. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent prequel, but it's also an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right, and it's a world that is hard to leave when it's done."
In Red Dead Redemption 2, hunting can be a key part of exploration and survival in the vast open world. In addition to finding food and other necessary supplies, you'll be able to use materials taken from fallen prey to craft outfits and talismans, which unlock special perks that amplify Arthur's main attributes. As you travel, you may even stumble upon an elusive animal that other explorers have rarely seen. Your first encounter with such a beast will be the Legendary Grizzly Bear, which can offer up a legendary bear pelt if you're able take ti down.
These Legendary Animals can be found across the many regions of the map and take some extra effort to hunt. While some of these are small in stature, there are many that tower in size over Arthur and are quite dangerous in a fight. But if you're able to take them out, you'll acquire the means to craft some of the game's most valuable accessories and outfits. These particular animals offer the rarest pelts and materials you can find, which can be turned in to the local Trappers and Fences--those shady, black market dealers offering up some of the rarest goods. But rest assured, any materials that can't fit in your bags will be sent straight to the respective merchants.
In this feature, we're giving you all the details you need in order to track and hunt each of the game's Legendary Animals. If you want some extra tips for general survival and even fishing--which has its own set of Legendary Fish--be sure to check out our guides and features relating to each of Red Dead 2's most involved gameplay systems. Furthermore, be sure to check out our new weekly series QuickDraw, which focuses on the game's numerous gameplay features and along with a broader look on the impact of the Red Dead series.
Location: During the Chapter 2 story mission Exit Pursued By A Bruised Ego, you'll encounter your first Legendary Animal. While it's possible to take down the bear at this time, you can return later if you want better firepower. You can find it in Grizzlies East, north of the lake O'creah's Run.
Legendary Beaver
Location: This rare beaver is known to wander southwest of Butcher Creek, which is directly to the west of Van Horn Trading Post.
Legendary Bighorn Ram
Location: Living up to its name, this unusual ram can be found at Cattail Pond, just west of Valentine--the first town you come across in Chapter 2.
Legendary Boar
Location: The rare boar can be found in Bluewater Marsh, north of Lagras in the Lemoyne region.
Legendary Buck
Location: In the mountains northwest of Strawberry, you'll encounter this large buck.
Legendary Bullgator
Location: First, you'll need to complete the Chapter 4 story mission Country Pursuits, which introduces you to the beast while showing you why it's so dangerous. Afterwards, you'll be able to encounter the massive gator in Bayou Nwa, west of Lakay--which is north of Saint Denis.
Legendary Cougar
Location: This fearsome feline can be found in Gaptooth Ridge, west of Tumbleweed.
Legendary Coyote
Location: The hunting grounds for this dangerous coyote can be found in Scarlett Meadows, northwest of Northwest of Rhodes and Southeast of the Old Mill.
Legendary Elk
Location: You can find this animal east of Bacchus Station in the Ambarino region--the northern section of the map.
Legendary Fox
Location: The fox can be found near Mattock Pond, just north of Rhodes in the Lemoyne region.
Legendary Giaguaro Panther
Location: To encounter this incredibly dangerous animal, you'll first need to prove yourself as hunter by reaching the rank 9 challenge for Master Hunter. Afterwards, you'll find it roaming west of Shady Belle in Lemoyne. This is directly east of Braithwaite Manor.
Legendary Moose
Location: This massive moose can be seen in the area of Roanoke Ridge, which is near the northeastern corner of the map. Legendary Pronghorn Location: This rare antelope is found wandering in Rio Del Lobo Rock, just east of Fort Mercer in New Austin.
Legendary Tatanka Bison
Location: In New Austin, you can find this rare bison just southeast of the MacFarlane ranch at Hennigan's Stead.
Legendary White Bison
Location: You can find another rare bison at Lake Isabella, just north of Mount Hagen in Grizzlies West.
Legendary Wolf
Location: This elusive wolf can be found in Cotorra Springs, west of Bacchus Bridge in Ambarino.
Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a bounty of goodies for pre-orders and its two special editions, but you'll have to wait before claiming many of them. The game's first chapter sets up many of the mechanics and story information you'll need, so you'll have to progress past at least that point before you can start to access your extras.
Keep in mind that in each of these cases, you'll also need to enter a code to enable the bonuses. Those codes can be found on slips included with your game disc. Even after entering the codes, though, the bonuses won't necessarily be accessible immediately. In case you're wondering where to find your loot, we've compiled a list of the goodies below.
War Horse -- The War Horse bonus is included with all pre-orders of Red Dead Redemption 2. It's accessible once you've progressed through the story mode enough to browse the available horses in the Stables.
Dappled Black Thoroughbred -- This special horse is included in Special and Ultimate editions. Like the War Horse, it's accessible once you can browse the Stables.
Eagle Talon Talisman and Iguana Scale Trinket -- Both of these bonuses are included in all Special and Ultimate editions, and they can be equipped at the start of Chapter 2. The Eagle Talon Talisman can be found in the Wardrobe and the Iguana Scale Trinket is in the Satchel under the Kit tab.
Nuevo Paraiso Gunslinger Outfit -- This outfit is included in Special and Ultimate editions. You can access it through your Wardrobe after completing Chapter 1.
Volcanic Pistol, Pump Action Shotgun, and Lancaster Varmint Rifle -- These specialty guns are included with Special and Ultimate Editions. They can be picked up for free at any Gunsmith after completing Chapter 1.
Bank Robbery Mission and Gang Hideout -- These are both available for Special and Ultimate editions. The Del Lobos gang hideout can be found in the world during story progression. The Bank Robbery Mission will also be available through story progression, and the game will notify you when it becomes available. If you miss the opportunity, you can find it in the Story menu to replay it.
While Red Dead Redemption 2 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One takes place in a very realistic world where many dynamic, and engrossing systems play off one another, this is a Rockstar game. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to engage in dumb and ridiculous fun. Beyond what you can make happen on your own, much like the original game, you can access a variety of cheat codes in the game to enhance and fundamentally alter aspects of your to suit your needs. Though we strongly recommend finishing the main story and seeing all the key events before trying out these codes out, you're free to use those to your liking at any time (though some codes do require advancing to a certain point in the story first).
In order to start messing around with these codes, you'll need to input the key phrases into the Cheats menu--which is accessible in the Settings option in the pause menu. While many of these codes can be used at any time, many of these options will require some extra effort to unlock. As of now, we haven't discovered all of them, and several of them will needed to be unlocked after acquiring specific newspapers from the various towns throughout the game. However, before you activate these cheats, you'll need to know that doing so will deactivate all Achievements and Trophies for your save game after the initial use. So before you go crazy with these codes, be sure to make a separate save file.
And with that, here's our quick list of some of the best codes to use. Though if you want to know more about Rockstar's open world western, go check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 review. Though if you're looking for tips and other details to learn, check our essential guide for newcomers, and along with our round up of interesting details that the game doesn't tell you about.
Drunk On Command
By inputting the phrase "A fool on command" in the cheats menu, you'll unlock the Drunk option. This will instantly make Arthur intoxicated, resulting in him wobble about as he struggles to stand up straight. You'll even get an occasional odd comment from him as he wanders down the street or insolation while in the wilderness. While enabled, this will keep the main character perpetually drunk. But if you've had enough, you can deselect the option to return Arthur to his sober self--and all without the nasty hangover.
A Horse Ride Is Only A Whistle Away
As you're gradually building a bond with your new steed, you'll notice that whistling for your horse will only work within fairly short distances. If you don't have time to invest in building up your bond to increase the distance, you can input the code "Better than my dog" to get it to come to you at anytime, regardless of where you are on the map. This can be quite handy when you're traveling the great distances and you can't be bothered to backtrack to where you last left them.
That New Horse Smell
However, if you feel you deserve a stronger and more able-bodied stallion to help you cover great distances, the code "Run! Run! Run!" will do just the trick. After activating this code, you'll instantly spawn a prized race horse for Arthur to ride. As Red Dead Redemption 2 features a large variety of different horses, this particular mare is naturally adept at getting from A to B quickly.
A New, Rejuvenated You
After spending so much time traveling in the wilderness and getting into dangerous scrapes with many of the gangs roaming the land, you'll often find yourself in rough shape. If you need a pick-me-up fast, then enter the cheat "You flourish before you die" to fully restore Arthur's main cores. Once you're top shape, you'll be able to dive right back into your adventure in no time.
Guns, Lots Of Guns
When you're living life as a bandit, the difference between seeing another day and laying face-first in the dirt could down to what weapon you're holding in your hand. So if you want to upgrade your own hardware to even the odds, use the code "Greed is American Virtue" to unlock a new set of weapons for the traveling outlaw. Once activated you'll find the Pump-Action Shotgun, Mauser Pistol, Semi-Automatic Pistol, and Bolt-Action Rifle sitting in your inventory. To unlock this cheat for use, you'll need to finish the Advertising, the New American Art mission in Chapter 3, and then acquire a newspaper in the town of Rhodes.
All The Ammo You Need
Red Dead Redemption 2 prides itself on on offering semi-realistic world where survival is dependent on the resources you have. However, there may come a time where you wish that ammo was in more plentiful supply. If that ever happens, all you'll need to do is use the cheat "Abundance is the dullest desire" in the menu, which is unlocked after picking up the newspaper in Valentine during Chapter 2. Once activated, all ammo will come in unlimited supply, and you can keep firing off your weapons without worrying to count your bullets.
WWE Evolution is the first all-women's PPV in the history of the sports entertainment giant, and it airs today on the WWE Network. This landmark occasion is the natural progression of the women's revolution that's been happening in the sport for the past years. Female performers, once considered by some fans as the "bathroom break" portion of the show, will now carry an entire production on their own. And the main event--a title match between Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella, is a sort of meta-commentary on the Women's Evolution, and how the division will continue progressing forward.
The Bellas Twins debuted on the main roster in 2008, and they functioned as models and valets nearly as much as in-ring competitors. Their appearance and their twin gimmick, rather than their in-ring skill, kept them on TV. But in their defense, they were neither an exception nor a special case; they were emblematic of the way that most women wrestlers were promoted a decade ago. The Bellas were the ideal representatives for the era they dominated. And they were a far cry from the mud wrestling, bra and panties, lingerie, and Playboy shenanigans just a few years prior.
Progress is incremental, and the Bellas Twins were a necessary prelude to the current, modern era. They were sexy but not debased. They were passable ring workers, even if they weren't great ones, and they featured in the sort of 5-minute matches that the #GiveDivasAChance movement was built on. And when Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte Flair debuted on Raw, the Bellas took steps to raise their game. Nikki, in particular, evolved into a solid competitor before a serious neck injury sidelined her.
But transitional, intermediary steps to change are rarely celebrated; it's the people who definitively break the mold that get the hype, even if the smaller transitions are necessary to make that break possible.
Nikki and Brie position themselves as underrated pioneers in the Women's Evolution. But even if that's true, they'll never have the same critical acclaim as Lynch, Flair, Banks, and Bayley, who served as a storyline rebuttal to the "Divas Era" that Brie and Nikki dominated.
On the October 15 episode of Raw, Rousey leaned into this perception; in addition to calling the Bellas DNB's (which she claimed was a "PG" acronym for Do-Nothing Bellas), Rousey fired off this controversial zinger:
"My entire career I've been knocking down doors. The only door you ever knocked down was the door to John Cena's bedroom. And he eventually threw you out of that exact same door!"
Brie looked shocked, Nikki looked pissed, and the audience went wild. Some critics have derided Rousey's promo--that it cheapens the women's division to reduces Nikki to a sexual opportunist. But it's also a self-critical, meta indictment of the narrow ways that WWE female performers have been booked and stereotyped in years past--as the supportive girlfriend, the manipulative valet, or the hungry gold digger. And in a subversive way, Rousey came off a little heelish in this exchange because she's attacking two women from an earlier, more limiting era, who cannot be fairly judged on the same merits as the up-and-comers.
Rousey promotes herself similarly to how Paul Heyman promotes Brock Lesnar--as a lethal force that the audience can believe in. And this promo, which implicitly contrasts her own decorated, competitive history to Nikki's scripted one, is a continuation of that narrative. Rousey has more real-life legitimacy than any other woman on the roster, but she is also a recipient of the goodwill they've generated. And although the Bellas are not in Rousey's league, skill-wise, they have a point. They moved the needle by inches--necessary inches--to get the women's division to a current state that would promote Rousey as its champion.
WWE has done something clever. Rather than making Rousey and Nikki's title match at Evolution a comparison of prowess--which Rousey obviously wins--they're making it into a referendum on the Women's Evolution itself, which is more debatable. Who deserves credit? Who broke which ground? Who's underrated and who's overpraised? And who gets to tell this story, when all is said and done?
These are questions that will be litigated for years; everyone wants to take credit for a success. And this storyline is the first of many meta narratives. Let's hope to see more; these feuds are, above all, something that WWE's savviest fans can invest and believe in.
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, October 28 for live coverage of Evolution.
Today is a landmark moment for the women competitors of WWE. The sports entertainment giant is hosting its first event where every competitor on the card is female. The show is called Evolution, and it will celebrate the progress the women's division has made in recent years at WWE while bringing back some of the legends who paved the way.
Evolution comes to the WWE Network on Sunday, October 28 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET / 11 PM GMT, with the Kickoff Show starting one hour prior. WWE's Evolution will be held at NYCB Live in Uniondale, New York. If you're in the area, tickets are still available for the upcoming event. If you want to check out the event for yourself, you can subscribe to WWE's streaming service for $10 a month, or sign up for a free month and cancel at any time with no obligation.
If you are excited to see Alexa Bliss and Mickie James team up at WWE's all-women's PPV, Evolution, prepared to be a little bummed out. Due to injury, Bliss cannot compete at the upcoming show. She will be replaced by Alicia Fox in the tag team match. Also, because of this change, Fox has been removed from the Battle Royal match.
Thus far, everything on the card is straight fire. The glorious pirate Kairi Sane and her amazing elbow drop continues her rivalry with the Queen of Spades, Shayna Baszler, for the NXT Championship. Also, Charlotte gets a rematch for the Smackdown Women's Championship against the super-arrogant--and super-wonderful--Becky Lynch in a Last Woman Standing match, and the buildup to that match has been phenomenal over the past few weeks.
As of this writing, there are seven matches on the card. There is a week left to go before the show, but we'll keep you updated as more matches are announced.
Evolution Match Card:
16-Woman Battle Royal
Sasha Banks, Bayley & Natalya vs. The Riott Squad
Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai (Mae Young Classic 2018 Finals)
Kairi Sane (c) vs. Shayna Baszler (NXT Championship)
Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Alicia & Mickie James
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (Last Woman Standing Match for the Smackdown Championship)
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nikki Bella (Raw Championship)
Entrants in the Battle Royal:
Asuka
Naomi
Carmella
Nia Jax
Ember Moon
Dana Brooke
Lana
Billie Kay
Peyton Royce
Mandy Rose
Sonya Deville
Tamina
Torrie Wilson.
Michelle McCool
Alundra Blayze
Ivory
Molly Holly
Kelly Kelly
Maria Kanellis
Zelina Vega
Make sure to come back to GameSpot on Sunday, October 28 for live coverage of the event.
Pirates of the Caribbean has become one of Disney's longest running modern franchises, in part because of the iconic character Johnny Depp created, Captain Jack Sparrow. Now it appears Captain Jack may have sailed his last voyage, as the franchise is facing a possible reboot without Depp's involvement.
Speaking to Daily Mail, producer Stuart Beattie strongly suggested the franchise is moving in a different direction for the sixth installment. Beattie was the screenwriter behind the original breakout hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and has remained on with writing and producing credits for subsequent films due to the use of his characters.
"I think [Depp]'s had a great run," said Beattie. "Obviously he's made that character his own and it's become the thing that he's most famous for now. It's been great for him and it's been great for us."
In the same interview, he implied his own involvement in the franchise is over, which would suggest that the studio is done using his characters and ready to start from a clean slate. "There's that saying, 'Don't frown because it's over, smile because it happened.' The fact that they're rebooting something that you did means that you did something that was worth rebooting. It's an honor to be rebooted."
While the original films focused heavily on the love story of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), Depp's Jack Sparrow took on a life of its own and he became a primary focus of the other two films in that original trilogy, which wrapped up the Turner-Swan story. From there, the Jack Sparrow character went on to lead in two more films: 2011's On Stranger Tides and 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales. A sixth film is currently in production.
GameSpot Theatre returns to PAX Australia in Melbourne this year, with a swath of panels to inform and entertain. We've got panels featuring Hitman 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Pete Hines from Bethesda, and more!
If you're in Melbourne, come visit us! The theatre is located by the main entrance on Level 1, next to the Take This AFK Room.
If you're not lucky enough to be at PAX Aus in person, you'll be able to watch all the action via livestream and on-demand video right here on GameSpot, so stay tuned after the show!
Super Smash Bros. started off as a crazy experiment by Nintendo that morphed into a game of enormous scope—insanely spanning more than 30 game franchises and featuring third-party characters. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate due out in December, join us as we rummage through Smash's history, look at how it's revived dead franchises, discuss what we want to see in the upcoming game, talk about how it has become a popular competitive fighting game, and learn a few tips from the pros.
PANELISTS: David Johnson [Publication Director, Zelda Universe], Shona Johnson [Project Manager, Zelda Universe], Cody Davies [Community Manager, Zelda Universe], Jack "Pudge" Gorman [Smash Tournament Organiser, Couch Warriors], Joshua "Sora" Lyras [Pro Melee player, ORDER], Nick "Extra" McKenzie [Pro Smash 4 player, Dark Sided]
1:00 PM - Let's Hack A Video Game!
Have you ever wondered how you might go about breaking into a video game, and twisting its gross, hidden insides to your will? Join Lance McDonald (Warpchair), known for cracking open hidden Bloodborne and Dark Souls secrets, as he performs a live hack of PS1 horror classic Silent Hill using only cutting edge technology from 1999. We'll show processes, talk methods, and answer your questions about video game hacking!
When it comes to building memorable characters in a game, what you see on screen is only part of the story. So what goes into creating an entire character with just your voice? We grill the experts on the voice acting process and put them through their paces recreating their favourite characters (and maybe a few new ones) live on stage.
PANELISTS: Claire Reilly [Senior Editor, CNET], Cissy Jones [Voice Actor, The Walking Dead, Firewatch], Courtenay Taylor [Voice Actor, Regular Show, Fallout 4]
4:00 PM - Hitman 2: Six Million Ways to Die…Choose One
Join IO Interactive's Eskil Møhl for an hour of creative, murderous hijinks as he goes hands-on with Hitman 2. And he wants you, the PAX audience, to be an accessory!
5:30 PM - Zelda Universe Presents: Ocarina of Time, 20 Years Later
2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Ocarina of Time, a game that not only influenced the Legend of Zelda series for decades but also quite literally changed the video game landscape. We return to the polygons of the past and discuss how it shaped the industry, whether the game still deserves its accolades, whether it's still relevant today, and if it's been surpassed by more recent titles. There will be trivia with prizes for correct answers, so brush up on your knowledge of the game.
PANELISTS: Shona Johnson [Project Manager, Zelda Universe], David Johnson [Publication Director, Zelda Universe], Cody Davies [Community Manager, Zelda Universe], Sebastian Wilkinson [Contributor, Zelda Universe]
PANELISTS: Emma Williams, Sam Pandelis, Russell Peters, Tiffany Keane, Alfredo Cheng-Gonzalez, Jesse Wilsone
12:00 PM - Lee Carvallo's Simpsons Game Reviewing Challenge
You've seen plenty of reviews of real Simpsons games, but what about the fictional games of The Simpsons? How DO you Escape From Grandma's House? What's the best way to win Triangle Wars? Our panel of Simpsons Superfriends review the best Simpsons games that absolutely don't exist… except in our cromulent imaginations. As they say in Bonestorm, "Come to this panel or go to hell!"
PANELISTS: Claire Reilly [Senior Editor, CNET], Lucy O'Brien [Games & Entertainment Editor, IGN], Mark Serrels [AU Editor, CNET], Edmond Tran [AU Editor/Senior Producer, GameSpot], David Milner [Editor, Game Informer Australia]
1:30 PM - This Year's Indie Game-Changer
The Nintendo Switch hasn't just revolutionised the way we play games, but also the games we're open to playing. Indie games are seeing a lot of success on the hybrid console, so join a panel of Aussie independent game developers as they share their stories about how the Switch has changed the landscape, and share their favourite Nindies.
PANELISTS: Joe Park [Harmonious Games], Ash Ringrose [SMG Studios], Henrik Pettersson [The Voxel Agents], Matthew Rowland [League of Geeks], Eugenia Woo [Switch Focus], Edmond Tran [GameSpot]
3:00 PM - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Let's Play
Let's keep this friendly! The biggest ever Smash Bros. game is coming soon. Very soon. So soon that we're getting a whole theatre in on the training for its arrival! A Nintendo exclusive, come and check out panel teams take on Smash and the audience on the big screen!
Some of the most impressive board games and RPGs today bring us amazing miniatures. If you want to help bring your tabletop adventures to life but don't know where to begin, start here and step into the world of miniature painting! Join us as we show you how to get started on your miniature painting journey, and take you through the simple steps to go from a bare model to your very first miniature masterpiece.
PANELISTS: Marc Chee [Marc Chee], Natalie Szymczak [Eva Studios]
12:00 PM - Why The Mainstream Media's Reporting On Fortnite Is Dumb And Harmful
The mainstream media's coverage of the popular battle royale game Fortnite has been discouraging. Over-the-top, sensational, and unsubstantiated stories are hurting gaming's perception for the mainstream audience. Come watch a panel of experts discuss why that's happening and what can be done about it.
PANELISTS: Alice Clarke [Herald Sun], Tim Biggs [Sydney Morning Herald], Chris Ferguson [Stetson Univesity], Raelene Knowles [IGEA], Eddie Makuch [Gamespot]
1:30 PM - Video Games, Ya Baw Bag
Can you guess what video game the angry Scottish man is talking about in his beguiling Scottish brogue? We challenge a host of Australia's best games journalists. Can you understand a single word of what this guy is saying?
PANELISTS: Mark Serrels [CNET], Claire Reilly [CNET], Joab Gilroy [Red Bull], Jess McDonell [GameSpot], Dan Crowd [IGN]
3:00 PM - The Great Port Resurgence
Ports, remasters, and remakes of games are getting increasingly common. But how does a new version of a game change the way we see it and play it? We talk about the value and apprehension behind HD re-releases and Nintendo Switch ports, and try to come to a definitive conclusion of what works and what doesn't.
PANELISTS: Pete Hines [Bethesda], Lee May [Defiant Development], Dean Woodward [League of Geeks], Jess McDonell [GameSpot], Edmond Tran [GameSpot]
4:30 PM - One Perfect Game's Mario Tennis Invitational 2018
It's time to lace up the Dunlop Volleys, string up the rackets and step on the court. Eight of Australia's best and brightest streamers, podcasters and presenters will duke it out in a highly prestigious Mario Tennis Aces tournament in what is sure to be a smash hit. Come and help cheer your favourite gaming personality to glory!
Bethesda has been one of the highest-profile major publishers throwing its weight behind the Nintendo Switch, but this won't extend to Fallout 76. During a panel at PAX Aus today, Bethesda marketing executive Pete Hines stated that Fallout 76 on Nintendo's console "wasn't doable."
That being said, Hines said every Bethesda studio considers the Nintendo Switch for its new products, but whether or not it works out depends on a number of factors. Hines said Bethesda management allows the individual teams to decide what's best for their games. Management at Bethesda never gives studios mandates, and this includes the platforms it chooses to support.
"The Switch is something I can say with certainty that it's a part of every conversation with every dev we have now about what we're doing going forward because we consider it to be a viable platform," he said. "If the game will work on it, we want it to be on every platform possible. Fallout 76 is not because it just wasn't doable. But honestly, there is no game in development that we haven't had a conversation about [bringing it to Switch]. 'Does this work on the Switch, do you have a plan for the Switch?' It's not a mandate. Everything we do has to be developer-led, but it's something we want to make sure is on folks' radar.
"I enjoy us being seen as the third-party leader in terms of supporting Switch," he added. "People go, 'Hey, you've got a lot more stuff [on Switch] than this publisher or that publisher.' That's what I want Bethesda to be known as. We're guys who will take some risks."
Hines also made it clear that another one of Bethesda's pursuits is to make money. Bethesda is launching games on Switch because it believes it'll end up being a smart commercial decision. "You go where the money is because that's how you stay in business," he said. "What we have seen compels us to say, '[Switch] is a viable platform for the kind of things we do going forward.'"
During the panel, Hines teased that "the next Wolfenstein" game is also coming to Switch. That's intriguing because the new standalone game Wolfenstein: Youngblood is only confirmed for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. There is also a third major Wolfenstein coming, but no platforms have been announced yet. It appears Hines was referring to one or both of these games.
Bethesda's Pete Hines has some strong, bold words for where he wants to see games go in the future. During a PAX Aus panel today, Hines said he believes the gaming industry would benefit from moving away from the idea of platform exclusives. No one buys physical media like a DVD or Blu-ray and worries about having the necessary hardware to play it, and Hines would like to see that model in games.
"I think you're going to see platforms get more homogenised," he said. "Because truthfully, there's really not a reason for [competing consoles] to be different. You don't buy a DVD and then worry about which DVD player you have. You just buy a DVD and anything that plays DVDs works. And I think games are going to start to move closer and closer to that."
Hines said he sees a future where you buy a game and play it on whatever platform you want.
"You might decide to play it on the Sony machine or the Microsoft machine or use the Google [streaming] service, but it will start--I think--to look more like it really doesn't matter what you choose to play it on," he said. "You just want to play this game on the thing you choose to play your games on whether that's because where your friends are or whatever. Things like cross-platform play, cross-platform progression, all of that stuff."
"We as an industry need to start to move to not be so beholden to, 'I only make a thing for that machine and not this one.,'" he added. "The faster we get to that the better it'll be for developers, the better it'll be for games. I think we as an industry--because we need to--are going to move less toward differentiation--'Why is a thing better on one platform than another'--and more toward I just want to make a thing that everybody can play. Because that's ultimately what's going to get you the most players; that's what's going to get devs the most money and reach the most fans."
Hines' comments seem to fall in line with the rumours about new consoles like the Xbox Scarlett system and others placing more of an emphasis on streaming. In the movie, TV, and music business--which is now dominated by digital and streaming--the content you purchase generally is able to move with you to whatever new piece of hardware from any supplier that you buy. There are those in gaming who believe game streaming--the "Netflix of games"--is going to be a very big deal very soon. Sony already operates in that space with PlayStation Now, while Microsoft is working on a game-streaming service of its own. EA is also working on a game-streaming network.
Platform-exclusives like God of War for PS4 an Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox One are largely marketing vehicles to help sell consoles. If you want to play God of War, you need to buy a PS4. There is no other way to play it. But if streaming picks up and platform-holders relax their policies, that could result in major changes in where and how people play games. Google's Project Cloud streaming service is already showing with Assassin's Creed: Odyssey that you don't need a console to play the newest, best-looking games.
Hines has already teased that he knows something about new consoles, so he very well might have been alluding to the capabilities of those systems, though nothing is confirmed. Intriguingly, the CEO of Take-Two, Strauss Zelnick, has made very similar comments to what Hines said today. During a presentation recently, Zelnick talked about how the "closed system walls" that exist between Microsoft, Sony, and others need to come down. He didn't mention new consoles by name, but it makes sense that he is among those who would be briefed on new hardware before it's announced.
"The closed system walls are coming down, and they have to," he said. "Streaming is going to accelerate those walls coming down. We're all here for the consumers. If you're going to create rules that don't benefit the consumers but somehow you think benefit your enterprise, you're mistaken. Consumers will go elsewhere. You have to pay attention to what the consumer wants."
What do you think about the future of gaming as it relates to streaming and being able to play anywhere you want? Let us know in the comments below!
Red Dead Redemption 2 lets you fish, and it's a robust, enjoyable, and rewarding pursuit that's a perfect for the game at large. It's also somewhat involved, so we've put together a guide to help you learn the basics, so you can quickly start to catch fish and have a fun time. This guide also goes into depth on the different types of fish in the game and where to find them, while we've also provided a the map to help you find all 13 of the game's Legendary fish.
Starting off, fishing in Red Dead Redemption 2 is unlocked by playing the Chapter 2 story mission "A Fisher Of Men," in which you teach young Jack Marston to fish. You take little Jack down to the river for a fishing lesson, and this serves as your introduction to the system.
How To Fish:
The first step is to select your Fishing Rod from the Items menu. Next, you must attach bait to it, and this is divided into two categories: Bobber and Lure (more on that later).
Hold LT/L2 to grip the rod and then RT/R2 to cast. How long you hold down RT/R2 will determine how far the cast goes. It might take you a few times to get a feel for it, but it's rewarding to land a cast precisely where you want it. Once you've cast your line out, what happens next depends on the bait you used. With a bobber, all of you have to do is sit and wait to get a bite You can tap RT/R2 to attract a nearby fish (if you're standing close enough to shore you might even see the fish in the water), but do it too much and you'll spook them. With a lure, you have to reel in until you feel a bite. If you see a fish, cast beyond it and reel in the lure so the fish sees it coming by. Be sure to wait until you feel a strong bite before "striking"--with a bobber or a lure--as fish will often nibble a few times before biting down the hook. Once you've landed a fish, the real work begins.
The fish will immediately pull back, and you'll feel your line get tight, with your rod bending in reaction to the tugging. Wait until the fish becomes tired before reeling in; trying to reel as a fish is tugging will cause your line to break. With a fish on the line, push the left stick in the opposite direction the fishing is moving to tire it out faster. You can also click in the right stick and push it in any direction to prevent the fish from taking more line out. However, you must be careful with this approach as you can snap your line very easily. You will also snap your line if a fish pulls away and gets behind a rock or other object.
You reel in by rotating the right stick counter clockwise. You'll want to reel in as fast as possible when the fish grows tired, while also being mindful of how much line you have out, how taut the line is, and where the fish is in the water. Pushing the left stick down as you reel in speeds up the process because it brings the fish directly in towards you. I found it was helpful, if not a little embarrassing, to use my thumb and index finger at the same time to reel in even faster.
The amount of fight a fish puts in is directly related to its size and type. You'll be able to reel in smaller fish such as bluegills, rock bass, and smallmouth bass with relative ease. But catching larger fish, like Sturgeon and Sockeye Salmon, can entail fights that take multiple minutes to complete. If you snap your line, you'll lose your bait or your lure, but don't get discouraged as they are plenty of fish available in Red Dead Redemption 2's numerous lakes, rivers, and swamps.
Bait Types:
Just like in real life, selecting the right bait is critically important if you want to reel in a big one. You can purchase basic bait types like bread, corn, and cheese, or spend more money on worms and crayfish that help you land bigger fish. There are also lures specific to rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as "special" lures that you'll need to catch the biggest fish and the Legendary ones. Here is a rundown of the bait types we've come across so far.
Bobber:
Bread: good for smaller fish
Corn: good for smaller fish.
Cheese: good for smaller fish.
Worms: excellent for medium sized lake fish.
Crayfish: good for larger size fish in deeper parts of rivers and lakes.
Crickets: excellent for attracting medium-sized river fish.
Lure:
River lure: attracts all small and medium size fish in rivers.
Lake lure: attracts larger lake dwelling fish.
Swamp lure: attracts swamp dwelling medium and large size fish
Special River lure: increases your chances of catching medium to large river fish.
Special Lake lure: increases your chances of catching medium to large lake fish.
Special Swamp lure: increases your chances of catching medium to large swap fish.
Bait And Tackle Shops:
The Bait And Tackle shop in Lagras sells everything you need for fishing, including live worms, crayfish, and all lure types. It's the only Bait And Tackle shop we've found so far in the game.
Types Of Fish And What To Use To Catch Them
There are many different types of fish that can be found in Red Dead Redemption 2's lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps. Here are the ones we've caught so far, as well as the bait type that provided the highest likelihood of reeling them in successfully.
Bluegill -- Cheese
Chain Pickerel -- Corn
Redfin Pickerel -- Bread
Rock Bass -- Cheese or other natural baits
Smallmouth Bass -- Any type of natural bait
Bullhead Catfish -- Cheese or corn
Perch -- Bread
Lake Sturgeon -- Lake lure
Largemouth Bass -- Crayfish
Steelhead Trout -- Worms
Muskie -- Lake lure
Sockeye Salmon -- river lure
When To Fish
The time of day matters if you want to have the best success fishing. Early morning and afternoon are when fish bite the most, due to bugs flying close to the surface. You should also try to fish when it's raining, because the drops on the water make fish believe bugs are around.
Where To Fish And Specific Conditions
To find the fish you're after, you'll have to fish in the right spot. Here's a rundown of the locations where we've found the following fish.
Bluegill -- All lakes and rivers; most active during rain.
Chain Pickerel -- Lakes, rivers, and swamps; most active in sunny weather.
Redfin Pickerel -- Rivers in the south; most active on warm, sunny days.
Rock Bass -- All clear water in the country; most active on sunny days.
Smallmouth Bass -- Northern rivers; most active during rain.
Bullhead Catfish -- Swamps; most active during rain.
Perch -- Rivers and lakes across the country; most active during sunny weather.
Lake Sturgeon -- Southern lakes and swamps; most active during overcast weather.
Largemouth Bass -- All waters in the south; most active during rainy weather.
Steelhead Trout -- Lakes, mostly in the south; most active during rainy weather.
Muskie -- Northern lakes; most active during overcast days.
Sockeye Salmon -- Rivers in the north; most active during overcast weather.
One further note is that fish, particularly bigger ones, loooovvvvve to hang out at the mouths of waterfalls, as the water there is more oxygenated than other areas. Try there if you're struggling.
Legendary Fish:
Head to the shore of Flat Iron Lake in the Heartlands to a place called Gill Landing. Here, you'll meet a stranger named...Gill, who is a world-renowned fisherman, or at least that's what he wants you to believe. He'll hand you a map with the locations of 13 epic-sized fish you'll find throughout the game. Snag them all and report back to Gill for your prize. These are indeed mighty fish, so expect the toughest fishing battles the game has to offer. You will need to use the "special" lures mentioned above to bag these big ones. The best advice I can give is to try to catch them when they're already close to shore, so as to cut down on your reeling time significantly and improve the odds of landing the fish. Here's the map:
Watch Out For Goats
There are unpenned billy goats throughout Lagras that can cause problems while fishing. On multiple occasions, I was fishing near the swamp and a goat smacked me in the rear, breaking my fishing line while I was reeling in. It was frustrating, and I thought it might have been a bug. But it happened three times, so the lesson here is to watch out for goats while fishing in Lagras.
Boats
At a certain point a few hours into the game, you will steal a boat and bring it to camp. At this point you can use it to head further into a lake to go after the bigger fish that tend to live in deeper water. You can also steal boats you find on your journey to fish anywhere you'd like.
No Ice Fishing
Red Dead Redemption 2 has snowy, cold locations with frozen lakes and ponds, and one of the Legendary fish is located in a lake that is partially frozen over. However, there doesn't appear to be any true ice fishing where you drill through the ice and drop a line in. Here's to hoping Red Dead Redemption 2 gets the guaranteed-seller "Ice Fishing Expansion" down the road…
Rockstar Game's newest release, Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4 and Xbox One, is a game where you'll want to spend a great deal of time uncovering all of its secrets and details. You can spend 50-plus hours just completing the main story, slowing accumulating wealth and honor. But if you're someone looking for a shortcut--who wants to find a quick path to success while living the life of an outlaw in the last days of the wild west--we've got you covered. Much like the original game and GTA V, Red Dead 2 features an assortment of cheat codes that unlock additional resources, with some injecting odd gimmicks and quirks into your game.
To find the Cheats menu, press the pause button and select the Settings option. In this menu, press Triangle or Y (on PS4 and Xbox One, respectively) to pull up the Cheats menu. From here, you'll find a long list of locked cheats. Initially, you won't know what any of these do or how to unlock them. Many of these codes can be activated by putting in the correct phrase, but others will require some extra time and effort.
In addition to finding passwords while exploring the world, some of which are written into the ground, throughout the game you'll find newspapers for sale in towns, and some of these offer clues as to how to unlock these extra fun options. More newspapers will become available after completing main missions, which you'll see detailed in news articles. While many of these cheats introduce some mostly benign bits of fun--such as keeping your character, Arthur Morgan, perpetually drunk--activating these codes at any time will have some consequences for your save game. Once you activate these codes, all Trophies and Achievements will be deactivated on this particular file. As a result, before trying any of these codes, be sure to make a separate file for your main save.
With over 30 codes to unlock, some of which have some specific requirements, we've collected a list of cheats that we've uncovered thus far. We also have a separate feature discussing some of the most entertaining and best cheats in Red Dead Redemption 2. Be sure to check back with GameSpot as we update this page with new codes, and how to find them.
Cheat Code
Name
Description
How To Unlock
Abundance is the dullest desire
Infinite Ammo
Unlimited ammunition for all weapons.
Unlocked by purchasing the New Hanover Gazette No. 27 in Valentine or the Blackwater Ledger No. 62. Can be done after journeying to Horseshoe Overlook in Chapter 2.
A fool on command
Drunk
Always stay drunk (can be turned off in cheat menu)
No requirements
Better than my dog
Increase Horse Whistle Range
Activating will allow your Horse to find you regardless of distance.
No requirements
Greed is American Virtue
Heavy Weapons
Grants you instant access to the Bold-action Rifle, Mauser Pistol, Pump Action Shotgun, and Semi-Automatic Pistol.
Unlocked by purchasing Saint Denis Times No. 46 or the Blackwater Ledger No. 65 after completing the mission Advertising, the New American Art in Chapter 3.
I shall be better
Set Dead Eye To Level 3
Activating this cheat will upgrade your Deadeye skill. Level 3 is the initial level, but more will be added as it is unlocked.
No requirements
I seek and I find
Set Dead Eye To Level 5
Activating this cheat will upgrade your Deadeye skill. Note this is tied to the "I shall be better" cheat.
No requirements
Keep your dreams simple
Create Wagon
Activating this cheat will spawn a wagon, and along with another horse.
No requirements
Run! Run! Run!
Create Race Horse
Activating this cheat will instantly spawn a Race Horse for use.
No requirements
The lucky be strong evermore
Increase Stamina
Activating this cheat will grant infinite stamina for you and your horse
Unlocked by purchasing the Blackwater Ledger No. 68 after the mission Dear Uncle Tacitus in Chapter 5.
Virtue unearned is not virtue
Increase Honor
Activating this cheat will increase your Honor to the maximum amount (good honor)
Unlocked by purchasing the Blackwater Ledger No. 67 after the mission Banking, The Old American Art in Chapter 4.
You flourish before you die
Set Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye Bars to Full
Restores all health, stamina, and Dead Eye energy to full.
No requirements
You long for sight and see nothing
Fog Of War
Activating this cheat will reveal the full map before discovery.
Unlocked by purchasing the Blackwater Ledger No. 66 after the mission Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern in Chapter 3.
Red Dead 2 is now available on PS4 and Xbox One. If you want to hear more of our thoughts on Rockstar's expansive open-world western, check out our full Red Dead 2 review. We've got much more in store for the game in the coming weeks, which includes our new recurring series QuickDraw. For now, take a look at our round-up of fascinating and interesting facts the game doesn't outright tell players, and along with other useful tips you should know.
In Red Dead Redemption 2, you're going to be spending a lot of time riding your horse. There's nothing but land, and lots of it, in Rockstar's latest open-world so journeying on horseback is a reality you're going to have to accept during the game's opening hours. Fortunately for you, there are ways to expedite your travels.
There's a fast travel system hidden in Red Dead Redemption 2. Better yet, there's a couple ways you can go about doing it. Below we highlight the two main methods, but before you seek them out, we do highly recommend making horse riding your primary means of travel. After all, it's your time spent out in the world where you can better discover all the game has to offer, as well as author your own unique adventures.
It makes sense that transportation technology of the day would be a form of fast travel in the game. Both stagecoaches and trains can get you places you want to go quickly. However, you'll have to pay a small fee to use them, and they require you to physically travel to them first--you can't just warp around by picking an icon on your map.
Stagecoaches appear on the map as an icon that resembles a wooden sign pointing in two different directions. Labeled as "Taxi Coach" in the game, you can use these to take a stagecoach to locations you've previously visited. The fee increases based on the distance travelled, so make sure you've got enough on you to cover the charge.
If you're looking to ride a train, you'll to need to purchase a ticket. These are sold at post offices in town, which are icons on the map with an envelope on them. Trains will take you to previously visited towns that have stations with train tracks running by them.
Method 2: Camp Fast Travel
It's possible to fast travel from your camp after unlocking the upgrade, "Next in Line." You can find the camp upgrades page by approaching the donation box at your camp. The fast travel upgrade is the second option in the list and costs about $325, so make sure you've saved up enough and find this upgrade worthwhile in general as you may want to refocus your funds on more fruitful endeavors.
Once you've unlocked the upgrade, you'll find a map on the back of the stagecoach next to Arthur's bed. You can use it to travel to a variety of locations, which includes certain towns and other significant locations in the game. Be wary, your camp fast travel only works one way, so if you use it to go to a town on the other side of the map, you'll need to either ride your horse, hire a stagecoach, or take a train to get back.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally here. Rockstar's new open-world western game is now available on both PS4 and Xbox One, and it presents players with a massive, deep open world to explore. The main story alone will take you in the neighborhood of 50 hours to complete, and that's before engaging in much of its side content--and all of this is to be followed by Red Dead Online in November, the game's online multiplayer component.
To help you make the most of the experience, we've put together numerous guides and tips, tackling both specific aspects of the game and a broader array of things you should be aware of before starting. Rockstar has opted not to hold your hand with many features in the game, leaving it to you to either discover them or find them hidden away in menus. We'll also be taking a look at some of these examples to ensure you're aware of everything the game has to offer.
We've got plenty of other guides and tips on the way, and we'll continue to update the list below with all of them. While you wait to actually get your hands on the game, be sure to check out our RDR 2 review.
Cheats
One potentially big aspect of the new game is cheat codes. Like GTA V before it, RDR 2 allows you to use cheats and even has an entire menu available for the feature. However, at this early stage, we don't actually know what all of them are; at least some are cleverly hidden in newspapers in-game. We'll be doing our best to hunt these down and will report back as they are uncovered--you can see those we've been able to confirm in our list of all the Red Dead 2 cheats. If GTA V is anything to go by, you may have the opportunity to get unlimited money, raise/lower your wanted level, and spawn horses at any time, though there's no guarantee Rockstar's approach to cheats hasn't changed in the intervening years. In the meantime, we've also got a rundown on the best RDR2 cheats that are worth a try.
Do You Need To Play Red Dead Redemption First?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the third game in the Red Dead series, though it's only closely connected to its direct predecessor. However, RDR 2 is a prequel, taking place years before the events of the first RDR. If you've played the previous game, you'll recognize the names and faces of many of its characters, including RDR protagonist John Marston. We dive into whether you should play RDR first in our feature, but whatever choice you make, you should give our Red Dead Redemption story recap a look to refresh your memory--or fill in the holes for the first time.
Tips To Know Before Starting
As with any game, it can be useful to start with certain knowledge in hand. That's certainly true of RDR 2, which is a dense game full of various systems that interact with each other. With that in mind, we've put together a list of key tips you should know before booting up the game for the first time. We've kept spoilers to a minimum, but you'll want to be aware, for instance, that side missions can expire if you don't get to them quickly enough.
How To Make Money Fast
As an outlaw, you're after money, but not necessarily out of sheer greed. Whether your motivation is the betterment of your gang and its members or because you simply want a new gun and horse, you're going to want to get your hands on as much money as possible. With that in mind, we've put together a guide on how to make money quickly.
Outfits And Climates
Among the ways Red Dead 2 tries to immerse you in its world is with its climates. You'll have to account for temperatures if you want to maximize your performance, wearing appropriate clothing depending on where in the world you are. We've rounded up all of the outfits we've come across so far to give you an idea of what you can find.
Things The Game Doesn't Tell You
As you play and share stories with friends, you may come to realize there are any number of things the game doesn't tell you. There are various interesting details and tidbits you could miss because Rockstar isn't throwing them in your face, so we've done our best to round up a number of these so you don't miss out on some opportunities during the course of your adventures.
How Do Morality And Honor Work?
Among the many systems you'll find in Red Dead 2 is honor. Arthur Morgan may be a criminal no matter what choices you make, but there are degrees to which he is a bad guy. That comes into play with morality and honor, as your actions will either boost or lower your honor. Pressing down on the D-pad allows you to see this at any time, and something as simple as greeting a passerby will allow you to build it up. Aside from how people react to you, it's worth being aware of the implications of your honor--Good Guy Arthur will get discounts at stores, which is one way to save some cash.
Some Side Missions Can Expire
If you're a completionist, the thought of optional missions disappearing is downright awful. But whatever your approach to playing games like Red Dead 2, you should absolutely engage with some of the optional content involving your gang. These sequences feature some of the best character moment in the game, but if you advance far enough in the story, some of these missions will go away whether or not you've done them. You can find out more about how this works in our PSA on side missions expiring.
How Do I Fast Travel?
Fast travel does exist in RDR2, although it's not something you'll do by selecting a point on your map and warping there. The means for quickly moving around involve using actual modes of transportation, such as stagecoaches. Provided you have the patience, you're much better off running or taking your horse, because you'll encounter some of the game's most interesting content that way. But if speed is of the essence, consult our explanation of how fast travel works.
All The Guns
As noted above, money is at a premium, so you don't necessarily want to buy every weapon you lay your eyes on. You may want to plan ahead, so we've rounded up all of the guns we've discovered so far in order to give you a sense of what awaits.
Health, Stamina, Dead Eye, And Horse Cores And Bars Explained
One of the many new wrinkles in Red Dead 2 is the Core system, which dictates a variety of aspects of your character. It can be a bit complex to wrap your head around, with Cores influencing bars but bars being used before Cores, among other thing. Do yourself a favor and get a good grasp on this key system by checking out our guide to how Cores work.
Fishing Tips
Early in the game, you'll gain the ability to fish, which can be a fun mini-game to kill some time with. You can get by without much strategy, but if you're interested in getting the biggest, legendary fish that existing in Red Dead's world, you should consult our fishing guide for tips and legendary fish locations.
How To Find The Legendary Animals And Pelts
During Chapter 2, you'll encounter your first Legendary Animal--an enormous Grizzly Bear. From here, you'll be able to track and hunt the game's rarest animals, some of which will require added firepower. If you want to know the location of every single elusive animal in Red Dead 2's world, go check out our Legendary animal sand pets guide for guidance on how to find them, and what to do with that legendary bear pelt.
Perks Guide: Trinkets, Talismans, And The Crafting Components You Need
Perks offer improvements to Arthur's overall abilities that are unlocked by obtaining Talismans and Trinkets, which are primarily crafted at Fences. You'll need parts from Legendary Animals to craft them. Others are rewarded to you by completing specific missions under special conditions. Check out our Perks guide offering a detailed run down all of the Talismans we've found so far, what they do, and what you need to unlock them.
The topic of "crunch," or extended periods of stressful and intense development that often happens at the end of a game's production or in the lead up to a milestone review, has been making headlines in recent weeks and months. Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser said a small team at Rockstar worked 100-hour weeks multiple times to finish Red Dead Redemption 2, while the closure of Telltale led to resurfaced reports about the stressful development and toxic culture at the California studio. There is a human cost to developing games, and this has become increasingly evident in recent times, though "crunch" itself has been a part of game development since the beginning of the business.
At PAX Australia this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with three top figures at one of the biggest game developers and publishers in the business: Bethesda. I wanted to know more about what the company thinks about the controversial topic, and what can be done to make things better.
Fallout 76
I chatted with Bethesda marketing VP and executive Pete Hines; ZeniMax Online Studios boss and The Elder Scrolls Online game director Matt Firor; and Tim Willits, the studio director of Doom, Quake, and Rage studio id Software. Across three separate interviews, I heard largely the same story: each unit experiences periods of "crunch," but each man stressed the importance of taking time off to enjoy life outside of work.
Hines, who works in publishing and not development (he doesn't even work on the same floor as developers inside the office), said he emphasises to his team that they need to have a positive work/life balance. There are serious consequences to working too hard, he believes. "Burnt out, talented people are useless," Hines said emphatically.
Willits, who enlisted in the Army ROTC program to pay for college and believes everyone should spend a year in the Army, said if the studio's internal review process is working correctly, the amount of "crunch" should be minimal. Willits explained that in the course of development, id Software executives and higher-ups on the publishing side at Bethesda do a check throughout a game's development to ensure it doesn't lead to a situation where developers need to work long hours to meet a milestone.
"What we do is we have major checkpoints throughout the production of a game to ensure that we are in scope, that we are on schedule, and that we have the right resources," he said. "And then at these points throughout development, if we find that something gets out of whack, 'Uh oh, the scope's too big; we don't have the resources' then we can make these adjustments."
The Elder Scrolls Online
This is of course an ideal situation, but Willits made it clear that working extremely long hours has diminishing returns. "Employees become bad employees if they work too much. Working a 100-hour week, you mentally become so fatigued," he said. "You are less effective and less creative than working a good solid normal work week where you're productive is far better than a 100 hour week when you're not. It's been proven time and time again; [working long hours for extended periods of time] does not help."
As for ZeniMax Online Studios, the nature of the MMO genre is such that developers must constantly push out new content and updates to keep players coming back (and spending money). ZeniMax puts out new updates for The Elder Scrolls Online every 12 weeks, and Firor acknowledged that some might see this as a never-ending treadmill with workers constantly being pushed to stick to that schedule no matter the cost. Firor said ZeniMax is not perfect, but he believes the team is doing a good job at doing right by its employees. He pointed to how many ZeniMax employees have been with the studio for a decade or longer as evidence that people enjoy the studio culture and want to stay.
Below you can find the full comments from Hines, Willits, and Firor about crunch and what they're teams are doing about combating crunch.
Pete Hines; Bethesda Vice President
"I don't think I'm qualified to speak to what it is at Bethesda Game Studios or honestly at any of our studios. I'm not, day to day, in any of our studios. I do think from all of my time at Bethesda that I and we have tried to encourage a healthy work-life balance. I'm a father of two kids. My youngest was six months old when I started at Bethesda; now I have a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. my entire career has been with one or two boys and I've managed to make sure as best I can that I am around and I'll leave work--my kid's got a soccer game, I'm going to go watch his game, I want to see him play. I'm going to leave for Australia for two weeks and I want to see him play one last time, and nobody goes, 'No, we're in this or that' I think we've tried to embrace and emphasize that I have a lot of people in my office that are in very different places in their life journey."
"I definitely have the oldest kids of anybody in my department. I have lots of people who just had kids or are expecting who are in a very different place, but I have always emphasised to them that you've got to have both. it's not to say that people don't work hard or work late, but I never tell anybody that 'you have to be here all night or you have to work so many hours.' that said, I have no business commenting on Rockstar or anybody else. I don't work there, I don't know. I don't even work upstairs at BGS. I don't know who is there or how long."
"All I can control is the folks I work with and I'm pretty clear with them that the balance has to be there [because otherwise] you burn out, and burnt out talented people are useless. I need people who feel like they are respected and want to keep working there as opposed to, 'I just chewed 'em up and spit 'em out.'"
Tim Willits; id Software Studio Director
"We believe the work/life balance is really important. This is all through Bethesda. What we do is we have major checkpoints throughout the production of a game to ensure that we are in scope, that we are on schedule, and that we have the right resources. And then at these points throughout development, if we find that something gets out of whack, 'Uh oh, the scope's too big; we don't have the resources' then we can make these adjustments. And that's really important. Bethesda does a really good job with these major milestone check-ins. And then we have all the stakeholders at the publishing level that review, 'how are you, where are you' and we work with HR; we have a great PTO policy, in my opinion. Our managers also have some flexibility. If someone works a little extra here, they give them a little extra off over there. So I do think we have a good balance where we've been able to avoid some major problems."
"We have very passionate employees but as someone who has been in this industry for a long time--I have triplets, I have a family. When you're at work, you work smart. You don't waste time watching YouTube videos at work. When you're home, you're with your kids and your family. This has been proven for so long. Employees become bad employees if they work too much. Working a 100-hour week, you mentally become so fatigued. You are less effective and less creative than working a good solid normal work week where you're productive is far better than a 100 hour week when you're not. It's been proven time and time again; [working long hours for extended periods of time] does not help."
Matt Firor; Game Director ZeniMax Online Studios
"I'm never going to hold us up as perfect but we let the teams determine what they're going to do per update. Because, yes, every 12 weeks sounds like it's a treadmill, but we know there is going to be an update 12 weeks later. So we don't have to cram everything in to so it really lets us schedule out what we want to do. And again, we're not perfect, but we've hard a very stable group of people for a long time. We have lots of 10-year anniversaries every group meeting. So I think we're doing pretty good."
Red Dead Redemption 2's release date has finally arrived, and you can read all about in our Red Dead 2 review. As with any game with a "2" attached to it, newcomers might be wondering if they'll understand what's going on, while returning players are eager to know if the new game will feature callbacks and references to the first game.
A number of GameSpot editors have spent considerable time with Red Dead Redemption 2 so far, and in our experience, Rockstar has done a pretty good job of making sure everybody will have a good time with this one whether you're familiar with the first game or not.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel that features an entirely new character, Arthur Morgan, in the starring role. You play as a member of the Van der Linde gang, the group of outlaws referenced in the first Red Dead Redemption and led by a man named Dutch. Characters from the first game like Bill Williamson and Javier Escuela are in your gang, while Red Dead Redemption 1 protagonist John Marston also plays a role in the story. The sequel provides clues about how John got his scar, while other characters make fun of his inability to swim.
It won't affect your enjoyment of interacting with the gang if this is your first introduction to them, but seeing them at a different point in their respective lives and witnessing the things that happen to them which ultimately shape the people they become in Red Dead Redemption 1 is a great treat for fans of the series.
As far as the game world is concerned, Red Dead Redemption 2's map includes a number of locations from the first game. We found it was fun to revisit these places, while newcomers are also in for a treat to see them for the first time and looking better than ever.
It's at the later stages of the game when returning players are rewarded for their prior investment. We won't get into spoilers here.
Whether or not you've played Red Dead Redemption 1, you should be able to enjoy the sequel. Rockstar plays the balancing act between rewarding series fans and not alienating newcomers pretty well in our experience so far.
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