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.

This week's Red Dead Online update rewards the adventurous with the Explorer Care Package and introduces the menacing red-tinted Durham Coat. Players who link their Rockstar Games Social Club accounts to Twitch Prime will also get unique benefits now and into the future. Read on to learn more.

Explorer Care Package

In Red Dead Online, fortune shines on the bold and adventurous who roam the frontier in search of townsfolk to help, game to hunt, herbs to cook and Daily Challenges to complete. With seven new challenges each day of the week, simply complete a total of 10 Daily Challenges before July 16th to earn the Explorer Care Package, full of helpful items that will fuel your adventures across the Old West.

The Explorer Care Package includes 60 Poison Arrows -­ deadly arrows with poisoned tips typically crafted using an Arrow, Feather and Oleander Plant after acquiring the Poisoned Arrows Pamphlet. Use these to quickly down man or beast. The package also includes 100 rounds of Varmint Cartridges - .22 caliber rounds designed for smaller animals – such as rabbits - with sure fire performance.

Other helpful items include Thyme, Wild Mint and Oregano, providing a healthy fortification for your Dead Eye, Health and Stamina respectively. Cook them with the Prime Beef Joint or Tender Pork Loin (also included in the package) to create hearty meals that grant a temporary Gold Core. You’ll also get Live Crickets and Live Worms for fishing and 5 tins of Jolly Jack’s that fully restore and slightly fortify your Dead Eye.

New Catalogue Items

The Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue has much to offer outlaws and socialites alike this week.

As far as permanent offerings go, the double-breasted machine sewn red Durham Coat is now available in stores. The Riggs Fringe Coat is a new addition that sports a short cape with layered fringing, while the uncomplicated Fieldwork Hat will keep your head covered from the sun and elements.

Players venturing into the North and bracing for snow can take advantage of returning limited-time offerings and purchase the furry Cossack Hat, while those prone to whimsy might prefer a more fashionable chapeau, like the Gardenia Hat.

Twitch Prime Sign-up Benefits

All players who link their Social Club account to Twitch Prime and claim their benefits between July 1st and July 19th will receive RDO$300 and the Superior Ammo Bundle, which consists of:

• 30 x Dynamite Arrows
• 60 x Incendiary Buckshot Ammo
• 30 x Volatile Fire Bottles
• 200 x Express Pistol Ammo
• 200 x Express Revolver Ammo
• 200 x Express Repeater Ammo
• 200 x Express Rifle Ammo

If you are a Rockstar Games Social Club member with a subscription to Twitch Prime, visit here to link your account.

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