Rockstar was pretty upfront about it too. This choice was made so it could shift resources and focus on the monumental task that is Grand Theft Auto 6, as well as the franchise at large. In fact, not even three full weeks after this announcement about Red Dead Online no longer getting major updates, it announced a new one for GTA Online. It’s really crummy timing that rubs salt in the wounds of those who are still upset about Red Dead Online.

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GTA Online’s Criminal Enterprises Update

All in all, the GTA Online Criminal Enterprises update adds new daily Special Cargo gigs for Executives, the ability to modify custom bikes for Bikers, new resupply missions for Gunrunners, and new Club Management missions for Club owners. It also adds Operation Papertrail, a 1v4 mission with the IAA, and it adds a handful of new vehicles. Furthermore, there are some adjustments to the GTA Online economy to improve payouts across the board. It may not be the biggest update to ever come to the game, but its timing cannot be understated.

Red Dead Online’s on life-support mode, so to speak, so new things for its specialist roles, missions, economy, and so on are out the window. It’s no surprise, of course, but that doesn’t make the proximity of the announcements much better.

For many, it’s hard to see this as anything but a red flag for the Red Dead franchise overall. Red Dead 2 is successful and beloved, but it’s not successful on the same level as Grand Theft Auto 5. It and GTA Online have really been the cash cow for Rockstar Games, and who knows how far away Grand Theft Auto 6 is. Many fans want Red Dead Redemption 3, but it’s easily years away—if it ever comes.

No one wants Red Dead Redemption to be another franchise dropped by Rockstar, like Bully, but it remains to be seen. How Rockstar Games and its various titles look 5 or 10 years away are just that: 5 or 10 years away.

Red Dead Online is available on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.

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