Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.

America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed.

After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.

Built from the ground up for the latest hardware, Red Dead Online blends the classic multiplayer of the original Red Dead Redemption with the best of everything we have learned since then about creating deep multiplayer experiences. The result is something completely new and fun, and an experience that will continue to expand and evolve over time as we gain valuable feedback from our community in the Beta period.

Now that everyone has had a chance over the past month to experience the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang in Red Dead Redemption 2, it is time to begin the beta period for Red Dead Online.

Built from the ground up for the latest hardware, Red Dead Online blends the classic multiplayer of the original Red Dead Redemption with the best of everything we have learned since then about creating deep multiplayer experiences. The result is something completely new and fun, and an experience that will continue to expand and evolve over time.

With the gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 as its foundation, Red Dead Online transforms the vast and deeply detailed landscapes, cities, towns and habitats of Red Dead Redemption 2 into a new, living online world ready to be shared by multiple players. Create and customize your character, tailor your abilities to suit your play style and head out into a new frontier full of things to experience.

Explore the world solo or with friends. Form or join a Posse to ride with up to seven players; gather around the fire at your Camp; head out hunting or fishing; visit bustling towns; battle enemy gangs and attack their hideouts; hunt for treasure; take on missions and interact with familiar characters from across the five states; or fight against other outlaws in both spontaneous skirmishes and pitched set-piece battles; compete with other players or whole Posses in open world challenges and much more.

Elimination Series Bonuses & Ability Cards Boost

The Elimination Series Playlist is rewarding those with the fortitude to go head-to-head with their enemies in single elimination modes like Make It Count and Gun Rush. Players competing in any and all Elimination Series events will receive a 50% Cash and XP Boost. Plus, all equipped Ability Cards will dish out 30% more XP.

Meanwhile, this week is the last chance for adventurous Red Dead Online players to reach a 3-day Daily Challenge Streak and receive a Treasure Map as a bonus in exchange for their dedication. Access your Treasure Map in the Documents tab of your satchel and track down the booty for high-value rewards, including RDO$ and Gold.

Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue Additions

The featured limited-time apparel in the Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue this week includes offerings like the Fanned Stovepipe Hat, Irwin Coat, Porter Jacket and Strickland Boots,good-looking gear that’s tough enough to handle anything you can throw at it. The plush red and black leather Austin Boots, meanwhile, are here to stay as a new style.

Discounts

Don't get caught lacking on the frontier. Frequent your local Gunsmith this week and find a bevy of discounts and sales across the board, including: 50% off all Regular, High Velocity and Express Ammo for Pistols, Revolvers, Repeaters and Rifles; 50% off all Shotgun Shells and Slugs. General Stores and Fences, meanwhile, are offering 35% off Cigars, Cigarettes and Jolly Jack's this week.

Limited-Time Twitch Prime Benefits

As part of our ongoing partnership, Twitch Prime members who have linked their account to their Rockstar Games Social Club profile can pick up the Tasman and Danube outfits, the boisterous "How Dare You" emote and the high-powered Carcano Rifle, all for free and without Rank restrictions.

Twitch Prime members who play Red Dead Online this week will also receive an additional 10% discount on all of the discounts listed above: 60% off Regular, High Velocity and Express Ammo for Pistols, Revolvers, Repeaters and Rifles; 60% off Shotgun Shells and Slugs; 45% off Cigars, Cigarettes and Jolly Jack's chewing tobacco.

Visit here for more details on linking your Rockstar Games Social Club and Twitch Prime accounts, and stay tuned to the Newswire for more Red Dead Online news in the coming weeks.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is currently available for PS4 and Xbox One.