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.

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.

Starting today, Red Dead Online players can battle across four new maps in the Showdown Series, spanning four Showdown Modes (Overrun, Spoils of War, Plunder, and Up in Smoke), each featuring Throwing Knives and Shotguns.

Plus, yesterday’s announced Double XP boost in any Showdown Series extends to this week’s Featured Series and four new maps, with more new Showdown Maps to come.

Double Rewards on All Showdowns Plus Daily Challenge Streak Rewards and More

Keep your wits and your blades sharp this week - Red Dead Online is introducing four new maps to the Showdown Series, each of which sees you armed with just a fistful of Throwing Knives at the round's outset. Keep an eye out for the Shotguns littering the map for a deadly edge in combat. Take part in this week's Featured series - or any Showdown Series - to earn Double XP through April 13th.

Overrun - Pike's Basin

A good, old-fashioned turf war in the arid climes of Pike's Basin. The rules are simple: Capture and retain the most territories to win. It's surviving and holding on that are the hard part

Spoils of War - Roanoke Valley

Just to the north of the Annesburg Mines, the great state of New Hanover plays host to a deadly game of capture. Defend your stockpile from enemies while stealing from them at the same time. Whichever team steals the most wins. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Plunder - Stillwater Creek

Take control of unclaimed loot in the long grass and murky waters of Stillwater Creek, returning it to your team's home base to outscore your rivals. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Up in Smoke - Kamassa River

The calm waters of the meandering Kamassa River are the backdrop for this frenetic and explosive mode. All players start out carrying a package -- the goal is to deliver said package to your enemy's camp without getting killed. Whichever team delivers the most or all of their packages by the end of the game will destroy the enemy base for good. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Look out for fresh maps hitting two more Showdown Modes in the next couple of weeks.

A portion of all proceed from Red Dead Online and GTA Online over April and May 2020 will go toward relief for those affected by COVID-19.

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