How will your character appear in RDR2 Online

[PijaPaUnLao34]

How do you think your character will be presented into the game when the Online mode releases? In GTAO you get off a plane and met Lamar who says that you know each other from Lifeinvader and after that he introduces you to a few contacts. so you think it will be something like that? Will you spawn in a hotel room and do everything by yourself? What you think?

[Commander S]

Was thinking about this recently, because there's definitely an intro sequence (going by the trophy/achievement list), and R* have said that RDO is going to be more narrative-driven from the get-go (similar to things like After Hours), rather than just totally context-free.

 

Thing is, the GTAO intro was pretty much that kind of thing already, with a broad enough premise to fit all manner of characters (you've just come off the plane, and Lamar helps get you started - simple enough!), so something along those lines would be best, IMO. Particularly since they've also mentioned a distinction between law-abiding characters and outlaws, and not just criminal characters like GTA - that kinda rules out something as specific as 'everyone starts by getting busted out of prison', which'd frame characters as outlaws (regardless of whether you actually want to go down that route) from the get-go.

 

Heck, they could do a nod to RDR1's intro, and actually have players enter the game by stepping off the train at Blackwater or wherever:

 

 

 

Beyond that, I reckon that ...well, to say anything more would spoil single-player, but there are a couple of characters from RDR2 who would be ideal recurring contacts for RDO, similar to Lamar, Lester, etc. There's at least one person who serves as a contact for bounty hunting in the main game, so I reckon it'd be easy enough to have the same in Online, too.

 

TL;DR: I reckon 'same overall structure/approach as GTAO' would make sense, and work the best - we'll see, I guess...

[Willy A. Jeep]

Yeah, I concur with @Commander S. Getting off a train or paddlewheel a la GTA Online's airplane entry makes sense for any kind of character. Show off a town and all the features the player can engage with, NPCs going about their business, and introduce whatever player interactivity there is from there on out. I'm not privy to the characters of the game, but I doubt the intro will be too heavy with its (character's) expectations and implications. Lamar, while obviously a helping hand right at the start, isn't all too involved as the plot of GTA Online goes on. So, if there is a character to get the player situated, I still doubt they'll be hugely important as time goes on. Though I expect a less character driven introduction to the game elements overall.

 

That said, I am curious as to how logging back into the game will work. What kinds of spawn points can we expect?

[Commander S]

13 hours ago, Willy A. Jeep said:

 

That said, I am curious as to how logging back into the game will work. What kinds of spawn points can we expect?

Again, I reckon it'll be like GTAO - there'll probably be a version of the interaction menu, with the option to set your campsite (being the equivalent to safehouses) as your default spawn location when entering the game.

[CrimsonFolo]

I think coming in on a train would be good too. You can break your own horse and name it potentially while having stables as garage equivalent. I'm hoping that you ain't forced to be a 100% murdering psychopath. If there is a random spawn option, i too believe that it would probably spawn you randomly in a compatible camp spawn location.

[White Shark]

I too wondered this. I think it would be cool if the game made it random as to which station you get off the train at, or a random port. This would spread people out a bit more when the game first starts up.

[Oldsport]

i heard somewhere (reddit i think) that you will be a prisoner in shackles being transported to jail and escaped. then u will start from there

think thats better than a train tbh

[White Shark]

44 minutes ago, Oldsport said:

i heard somewhere (reddit i think) that you will be a prisoner in shackles being transported to jail and escaped. then u will start from there

think thats better than a train tbh

I like this method too. Would be exciting to start like this, with nothing to your name except for the clothes on your back.

[Commander S]

Thing is, that's ...kinda bullsh*t for anyone hoping to be (mostly) law-abiding - and means our characters aren't a blank slate when we start. 

 

Again, look at GTAO - stepping in off the plane, you could be pretty much anyone, because it's such a broad introduction. You're new in LS, and ...that's it - anything beyond that is up to you.

 

Meanwhile, having everyone start RDO as an escaped convict is pretty limiting, IMO - and also adds a dimension of 'what were they doing before we started playing?' to the whole scenario. I'd much rather be able to define everything about my character - and seeing as (again) the folks at R* did mention a distinction between being a law-abiding type or an outlaw, it's a bit counter to that to have things be so specifically themed as 'outlaw' from the beginning, and then have to undo that afterwards.

 

Just let us be 'new in town', and roll from there - it's simple, and doesn't railroad players in any way before they've even finished the intro cutscene...

[White Shark]

34 minutes ago, Commander S said:

Thing is, that's ...kinda bullsh*t for anyone hoping to be (mostly) law-abiding - and means our characters aren't a blank slate when we start. 

 

Again, look at GTAO - stepping in off the plane, you could be pretty much anyone, because it's such a broad introduction. You're new in LS, and ...that's it - anything beyond that is up to you.

 

Meanwhile, having everyone start RDO as an escaped convict is pretty limiting, IMO - and also adds a dimension of 'what were they doing before we started playing?' to the whole scenario. I'd much rather be able to define everything about my character - and seeing as (again) the folks at R* did mention a distinction between being a law-abiding type or an outlaw, it's a bit counter to that to have things be so specifically themed as 'outlaw' from the beginning, and then have to undo that afterwards.

 

Just let us be 'new in town', and roll from there - it's simple, and doesn't railroad players in any way before they've even finished the intro cutscene...

 

You could be a completely innocent man / woman, framed for a crime.  Justice and proper investigations wasn't that effective back then.  Spin your own story in your head as to what your character is!  After all, in the real world, only we ourselves know what our own life stories are fully about.

 

[Commander S]

3 hours ago, White Shark said:

 

You could be a completely innocent man / woman, framed for a crime.  Justice and proper investigations wasn't that effective back then.  Spin your own story in your head as to what your character is!  After all, in the real world, only we ourselves know what our own life stories are fully about.

Oh, I've seen plenty of ...creative 'spin your own' story stuff with GTAO - things like how someone's GTAO character is actually the former crime kingpin of Las Venturas, and is just pretending to be some random schmo getting shown the ropes by Lamar.

 

Personally not a fan of that approach to games - by that thinking, I could play RDO as a sci-fi game, because it's 'really' playing out in the holodeck on the USS Enterprise. Like I say, just have our characters as complete nobodies to start with, and let us define them by our choices and actions. After all, for players who want to start in media res, with a more concrete backstory for the protagonist, surely that's what RDR2 single-player is for, eh?

[Verbal Soze]

Like this

A true modern american with obesity and insulin resistance cowboy i call him Bob the fat bitch

[Slonitram]

On 10/30/2018 at 11:30 AM, Oldsport said:

i heard somewhere (reddit i think) that you will be a prisoner in shackles being transported to jail and escaped. then u will start from there

think thats better than a train tbh

That'd definitely be a cooler introduction than stepping off a boat or a train as a regular civillian. It'd be also interesting if you were being transported in the wagon along with other players and you all have to escape at the same time.

[djb204]

I think we will play as a criminal on death row (hanging date approaching) on the prison island. Something happens where we manage to escape to the main land. From there we must change our identity (name, appearance, etc) by visiting barber shops and clothing shops. We create our character and venture out into the world as a new person. Why we were in jail will be up to our imagination. We make up our own past. It’s our character. If I link up with any of you Online maybe I’ll tell you about my character’s past sometime  

Edited November 1, 2018 by djb204

[djb204]

On 10/30/2018 at 1:41 PM, Commander S said:

Thing is, that's ...kinda bullsh*t for anyone hoping to be (mostly) law-abiding - and means our characters aren't a blank slate when we start. 

 

Again, look at GTAO - stepping in off the plane, you could be pretty much anyone, because it's such a broad introduction. You're new in LS, and ...that's it - anything beyond that is up to you.

 

Meanwhile, having everyone start RDO as an escaped convict is pretty limiting, IMO - and also adds a dimension of 'what were they doing before we started playing?' to the whole scenario. I'd much rather be able to define everything about my character - and seeing as (again) the folks at R* did mention a distinction between being a law-abiding type or an outlaw, it's a bit counter to that to have things be so specifically themed as 'outlaw' from the beginning, and then have to undo that afterwards.

 

Just let us be 'new in town', and roll from there - it's simple, and doesn't railroad players in any way before they've even finished the intro cutscene...

Why they were in jail could be completely up to you. Use your imagination. Create your own back story. Maybe your character was innocent? (framed, misidentified, etc).

 

Getting off a train in a town would be a good way too. Rockstar could also make it a random town just to change it up for everyone.

 

The thing about the prison scenario though, is that it has a higher potential to set up an online tutorial to introduce new players to the game’s systems. Escaping prison could be the tutorial. Getting dumped off a train to fend for yourself cold be intimidating for new players. 

[djb204]

If possible....

 

- Native American

- Warpaint.

- Long Hair.

- Leather and beaded attire.

- Horse with Native designs painted on it.

- Feathers hanging from me, my horse, and weapons.

[Shadowfennekin]

If that realistic hair growth is still a thing I think I'm gonna be a woman. I have to deal with shaving irl every two days, I don't want to deal with that for my Online character as well lmao

[Pressure Drop]

There is an achievement for completing the intro to Red Dead Online, called "Breakout", and the picture is of a shackles and ball & chain broken free. So I am hoping we will create our character then have some sort of O Brother Where Art Thou prison-break style sequence for the intro. You can meet random NPC prisoners in story mode who want you to shoot their shackles and are on the run, maybe that will be us soon!
I think by the evidence though we can 100% guarantee some sort of prison break or escape from a chain gang for the intro. Can't wait!

[Lonely-Martin]

Uugh, starting as a bandit. 

 

This ain't GTA. I'll use the surrender option* and do my time, come out clean then f*ck off into obscurity an free man.

 

* If I can, suicide if not.

 

Genuinely, if that's true. Bit disappointed by that and with that trophy saying something like 'stop another posse up to sh*t' I fear public only is all we get too. (If PvE lobbies come, definitely going to be excluded like GTA:O from stuff).

 

Bah. I ain't letting this online tarnish what's been an absolute epic story here. Unlike story mode, I'm seeking spoilers. I want as much known asap before I even look. And after GTA:O, the real bullsh*t will show up far quicker to me.

 

Yep, story is complete. Now I can start thinking again. And I think R* believe pitting us against each other is best for business. But will try to remain positive though.

 

I want the best but really fear the worst. Hope I'm wrong, big time!

[Commander S]

12 hours ago, djb204 said:

Why they were in jail could be completely up to you. Use your imagination. Create your own back story. Maybe your character was innocent? (framed, misidentified, etc).

 

Getting off a train in a town would be a good way too. Rockstar could also make it a random town just to change it up for everyone.

 

The thing about the prison scenario though, is that it has a higher potential to set up an online tutorial to introduce new players to the game’s systems. Escaping prison could be the tutorial. Getting dumped off a train to fend for yourself cold be intimidating for new players. 

Well, again, there's already a contact in the game who hires people to do bounty hunting - it would be just as simple to have them do like Lamar, and show you the ropes.

 

The more I think about it, I reckon there's actually potential for R* to tap into fan nostalgia for RDR1 - imagine the intro being a literal homage to RDR1, with your character starting off on the boat, then getting the train to Armadillo. I don't think they will do it, but it could even work right down to replicating specific shots from the previous game (all of which would look really impressive with RDR2's visual bells and whistles).

[RyuNova]

On 10/30/2018 at 3:16 PM, White Shark said:

I like this method too. Would be exciting to start like this, with nothing to your name except for the clothes on your back.

 

I thought that was a Skyrim reference but I may be wrong.

[White Shark]

4 hours ago, RyuNova said:

 

I thought that was a Skyrim reference but I may be wrong.

Yeah, I think that's why the idea works so well. This time it will be without the dragon though lol.

[AUScowboy]

Drunken jaded Native American with a perverted sense of moral authority. Trevor as an Indian more or less. Surely they'll bring over stuff like hair growth tonic and the alcohol tolerance stat. This will be the first online character I make up a loose story for and mostly because the RDR2 world feels so detailed and alive that it kind of feels mandatory to me at least. Maybe he can be a black sheep from Red Harlow's mother's side of the family.

 

I also hope the intro is neutral enough because I ultimately plan on playing as a good fella more or less..

Edited November 4, 2018 by AUScowboy

[ALifeOfMisery]

34 minutes ago, AUScowboy said:

Surely they'll bring over stuff like hair growth tonic

I'll be so disappointed if R* don't bring over hair growth, long hair and full beards. 

[RyuNova]

1 hour ago, ALifeOfMisery said:

I'll be so disappointed if R* don't bring over hair growth, long hair and full beards. 

 

I would be very disappointed if they lose that and that if coats don't have physics.

[ALifeOfMisery]

2 minutes ago, RyuNova said:

 

I would be very disappointed if they lose that and that if coats don't have physics.

I just hope the whole "because clipping" BS is put to rest across the board.

 

Yeah people will b*tch, make memes, poke fun etc. But I'd rather have good customisation and physics while putting up with some clipping issues than sacrifice the customisation and physics.

[RyuNova]

1 minute ago, ALifeOfMisery said:

But I'd rather have good customisation and physics while putting up with some clipping issues than sacrifice the customisation and physics.

 

THANK YOU!

I have said it all along, let me wear what the f*ck I want even if it clips. So many times in GTAO I tried making great combos of clothes only to be denied. The glitched and clip clothes look the best.

[ALifeOfMisery]

2 hours ago, RyuNova said:

I have said it all along, let me wear what the f*ck I want even if it clips.

Couldn't agree more.

 

It happens in SP. In some cut scenes once I'd gotten Arthur to maximum beard length, there was clipping caused by wearing a pulled down bandana. I wasn't up in arms, tweeting how the game is unplayable, I accepted a minor issue as a consequence of being able to have the exact level of character customisation I wanted.

 

A fair trade in my book. One which I hope is allowed in RDO.

Edited November 4, 2018 by ALifeOfMisery

[crybaby17h16]

an intro of a prison break or a rescue maybe like the intro of sadie adler, where a gang rescue outlaws but get a debth to be paid for that rescue, so the intro will be a rescue of your character and you gotta play the next missions and all of them are sort of just a tutorials and collect money to pay that gang... and you will be like introduced to the world...

 

i hope hair growth, all physics of the environment and pretty much every single detail of rdr2 to be present in rdr online.

in gta online they had story driven dlcs or whatever they are called, but those stories were just superficial and kinda dumb like with lowriders or doomsdayheist, i understand that they don't want to waste good stories in a dead online game... I hope that wont happen in rdr online, and i hope each dlc for the online comes with a creative and memorable stories with lot of missions and gameplay, and they can overprice some items of course but just deliver a quality content.

 

[MostlyPonies]

GTA's online protagonist was a simple two bit criminal who came to Los Santos for better opportunities. Rockstar tried to turn him into a criminal kingpin, but the gameplay doesn't reflect this, and now the tone and balance of GTA Online is a mess.

 

I worry that they'll do the same thing with RD Online. The more specific the online protagonist's story is, the worse it'll be if Rockstar eventually goes off the rails with it.