Kean_1

It's not just you. Others feel the same way but then again, there are others that don't. I guess I fall in the latter category. Although unsure initially, I liked the changes in the last TU and I like what I'm hearing about the upcoming updates. Seems to me R* is hell bent on a "one size fits all" Free Roam and while I may not agree with that direction, I have to say that I like that they are at least trying to establish a balance in FR. Personally, I think it was pretty evident by R*s description of Free Roam throughout that they intended it as a playground for all play styles (i.e. solo, PvE & PvP). .....but along the way some dismissed that notion and argued that it was supposed to be a PvP free for all, etc. I think now that R* has delivered a more clear explanation of their vision in the latest "state of beta", that argument has become more of a wish or request than what some thought of as a goal the devs had. For the sake of others who have asked for it, I do hope that someday they introduce hardcore lobbies and private sessions. .....but in the current situation with only a one-mode RDO as our only choice and all else remaining unchanged (e.g. auto-aim, explosive ammo, perks, etc.), I actually like the changes and this tweaking of the balance is what will (personally) keep me playing. As for how it will all shake out, I agree with @The_Liquor that time will tell. I think some folks will simply move on, others will stay and new players who like the changes will join in. .....as always.

I'll likely opt for Defensive mode most times if not all. As @Netnow66mentioned, there are already several missions that encourage randoms to challenge me as well as PvP events, player assassinations, daily challenges, etc. that I routinely participate in (some not necessarily as a volunteer) and I'm ok with that. Besides, there is still the possibility of randoms trying to kill me regardless of my status so it's not as if the threat goes away entirely, but I'm not going to put myself out there as a more willing target because that's simply not what I do (even now). I don't know if others noticed but there was something in the explanation of the Hostility system that caught my eye..... Seems that when someone gets marked as a hostile that everyone else who isn't hostile may be able to attack them without penalty. .....so those white-hats running around trying to help keep law and order so to speak may have more opportunity an incentive to do so.

I wouldn't say most who have voiced concerns about the subject would agree that open participation missions would be considered "griefing" per se. ......although I would say that there are have been folks who will tend to lump most people who complain about griefing into that camp. Personally, I don't particularly like the randomness of being chosen as the target since sometimes I'm trying to do something at that moment and it can be a PITA. Also, I find the missions boring as most times the pursuer is usually quite far from my location so it's easy enough to avoid them. As for targets becoming sour, I will say that I have had my fair share of pursuers that have done that too after successfully defending myself. After the mission was over they would keep coming because they were upset I fought back I guess. ....it goes both ways.

Personally, I liked the changes in the last TU with the proximity and colored blips along with the revised parley mechanic to include whole posses. I'll tell you the truth though, I never got to use that feature as I only ran into a couple situations that would have warranted it if they had been able to kill me outright. What I wasn't happy about and agreed with those who raised hell about it was the fact that you would be penalized for self defense. I'm quite glad to see they will be attempting to address that in the upcoming update with the new Hostility system. Attackers will be marked as enemies and victims will not be penalized with a bounty nor any ding to their hostility level / blip status. I also like the fact that players will have the option of a Defensive or Offensive play style. ....and the fact that Defensive will make engagements with others free aim. This should really help newer players out as they won't be so easily steam rolled. ....and if they are, they still have options. The Offensive option still keep the current game play the way it is so folks have that choice. Beyond all that I think it's important to note that R* has clarified their vision in this last announcement. With all the back and forth over what Free Roam is or what some thought R* intended it to be, I think it's now quite clear and frankly, I am happy to know it was what some of us have been expecting. That's not to say that there won't be problems, exploits ,etc., but I do like that they are trying.

There are a lot of elements like that in this game which R* is either vague about it simply doesn't inform us about.

For those interested in this topic that missed it, here is what is coming this Spring in regard to additional anti-griefing measure and features / options to further address gameplay balance. Regardless of what people's thoughts are on the subject of griefing/PvP in Free Roam, if there were any doubts before, I think this article makes it pretty clear what R*'s vision is for RDO and the direction they are going: RED DEAD ONLINE BETA: THE ROAD AHEAD With each passing week we continue to add more to the Red Dead Online Beta, and the next four weeks will bring new Showdown Modes and Racing Modes, as well as a new Free Roam Event that launched earlier today. Alongside incorporating player feedback and addressing existing issues, the beta period has allowed us to lay the groundwork for the more advanced aspects of Red Dead Online still to come. Our experience of building other online worlds has helped us create a more evolved foundation for the open spaces of Red Dead Online, but the world of Red Dead Online will evolve in its own unique direction - one in which players have greater freedom to customize their play style uniquely over time, allowing them to sink into the world and their character and feel more connected to the experience of living as cowboys, outlaws and gunslingers in the wilds of 19th century America. The next major update is currently planned to arrive later this Spring, bringing a host of feature upgrades and new content including: The Hostility System The Hostility system builds upon the anti-griefing measures added in February with smarter and responsive features that keep players immersed in the world through confrontations and PvP action. For example, players who have damage inflicted on them by attackers will be able to defend themselves without incurring Bounties or Hostility increases. Previously, the attacker and target would be marked as an enemy - now the attacker who inflicts damage will be immediately marked as an enemy to the attacked player; players will not accumulate Hostility increases for killing other players who are marked as an enemy. Hostility increases will not apply within structured events such as Free Roam Events, Free Roam Missions, Showdowns and Races. Engaging in player vs player behaviors related to Free Roam missions will not incur Hostility increases, however attacking other players not engaged in the activity will cause your Hostility level to rise. The Hostility System has many more functions and will help balance experiences for all play styles. Offensive and Defensive Playing Style Options Some players just want to immerse themselves in the world, riding, hunting and fishing in peace. We want to offer these options while allowing players to coexist comfortably alongside other players in the world. The Offensive Playing Style is much like the current Free Roam play as we know it while the Defensive Playing Style is a more evolved version of the Passive Mode concept, designed for Red Dead Online’s more grounded experience - giving players more flexibility in how they interact with the world and at the same time de-emphasizing hostile contact with other players. Choosing the Defensive option introduces balances that complement a less confrontational approach: Defensive players cannot be lassoed by rival players - although if a Defensive player lassos another player, they’ll be removed from Defensive play and incur a significant Hostility level increase. Defensive players will trade the ability to lock on to other players for the benefit that other players will not be able to lock on to Defensive players. While Defensive players can target and be targeted in free aim, they cannot deliver or receive critical hits – if a Defensive player is attacked with a headshot, they’ll survive and be able to defend themselves via the Hostility system or escape all while remaining Defensive. There are several other adjustments that come with the Defensive Playing Style, all of which are built to work seamlessly with systems like Hostility and Bounties to keep all players rooted in the world. Some other new additions include: More A Land of Opportunities Missions: continue Jessica LeClerk’s search for revenge as you explore the path of a Gunslinger or an Outlaw New Free Roam Mission givers and mission types: Red Dead Online is set in the years before the single player story so expect to encounter a range of new and familiar faces as you traverse the frontier The introduction of dynamic events: fight off ambushes, initiate rescues, defend folks in need and more as you travel across the world All this, plus updates to the character creator, restructured Daily Challenges that eliminate hostile gameplay in Free Roam and introduce streaks for bigger rewards, the return of another classic weapon, the LeMat Revolver from the original Red Dead Redemption, and much more. In the coming months, we will continue to add features and content that will allow players to immerse themselves in the world of Red Dead Online in brand new ways as they choose what kind of life they will make for themselves in frontier America.

I'll leave this thread here for now but if it turns out to be just another one of the same discussions on the topic of griefing (which quite frankly is at the root of your argument), I am going to merge it with the griefing thread as I have in the past. .....and I'm going to say this up front since there seems to have been a misunderstanding as to why I merged one of your threads before, I'm am not doing this to stifle your input, bury your posts, etc. This is simply because we don't need multiple threads discussing essentially the same thing with the same people making the same arguments regarding this hotly debated topic. It's nothing personal and never has been. I actually agree with some of your points. Having said that, you may have missed it but there is some additional news today regarding upcoming improvements to the balance of the game that you may be very interested in including an expansion on anti-griefing measures and new features to help balance the gameplay. Take note of the new Hostility system and Offensive / Defensive playstyle options:

The cool thing about this game is that there really is no such a thing as a "better" set up IMO. It really depends on the individual, their preference, their goals and their playstyle. It boils down to what works for you and the task(s) at hand.

I don't know if I'm right. Just a guess as I really don't recall when I was getting those treasure maps after while. I usually ended up just letting them stack up until I had 3 or so.

I think it tells you in the level progression menu what each level includes, no? I thought maps were mentioned in there too. Maybe it's every 10 levels after a certain point? I don't actually recall to be honest. .....I'm about lvl 65.

My go-to guns have been the Lancaster, Springfield and lever action shotgun. .....Schofields for sidearms. Those are the ones I use the most but especially the Lancaster.

RED DEAD ONLINE BETA: NEW FISHING CHALLENGE FREE ROAM EVENT ADDED TODAY Today’s update brings a new Competitive Challenge to the Free Roam Event rotation with the Fishing Challenge – compete against others to catch the most weight in fish, with variations across 3 different body of water types: Lakes, Rivers and Swamps. See below for a schedule of what’s still to come to the Red Dead Online Beta before our next full update: Today - Free Roam Event: Fishing Challenge March 26 - Target Races and additional PS4 early access content: Open Target Races April 2 - Showdown Mode: Up In Smoke April 9 - Showdown Mode: Plunder The Gator Hat, Ortega Vest and Woodland Gloves from today’s limited time additions to the Wheeler, Rawson & Co Catalogue. On top of new gameplay, each week will feature different bonuses including XP boosts, discounts, care packages and more along with new limited time clothing coming in and out of the Wheeler, Rawson & Co. Catalogue. This week’s limited time additions to the Catalogue are: Gator Hat Woodland Gloves Ortega Vest Pelt Half Chaps And this week enjoy a 30% XP boost on hunting animals, along with a Fishing Care Package that includes 5x Live Crickets, 1x River Lure, 1x Lake Lure and 1x Swamp Lure. All care packages can be received at either your Camp’s lockbox or the Post office.

Thanks @Azzimovve. I added the state of the update news to the first post in this thread. I'm tempted to get rid of all the remaining back and forth about the servers being down yesterday just to tidy this thread up and keep the discussion about the update. Me too. Also like the fact that they are fixing the bounty system for those who defend themselves which was another big concern for folks who wanted the ability to at least fight back without being falsely labeled. Curious to see how it all shakes out. ......of course with the knowledge that this is still all a work in progress. I do like the direction they're going however.

Saw this a little while back. Looks interesting. More a hardcore kind of survival game it seems. Moving this to Off Topic btw.....

It was mentioned that some of these new cosmetics were limited items. However, they will be rotated through stock which means we'll seeing some of these items back in the catalogue again.

So I take it you made the purchase? Glad you like it. I think it is one of the best of the cheaper titles out there myself.

There was an error earlier today where the R* servers were down including GTAO and the Social Club. It has since been resolved. If you are still experiencing problems I would advise you to report it to R* Support: https://support.rockstargames.com/categories/115001624507

Thanks for the update folks.

No one knows at this point why the servers are down. Everything we know has been mentioned in this thread already. Check the service status mentioned in several of the posts here if you want to (you guessed it) check the status of their servers. Yes, all servers seem to be affected including GTAO and Social Club. I will update this thread if there is any new news on the subject. ....or perhaps someone will beat me to it.

Seems some are still unable to listen. I am cleaning up this thread and removing some of the fatuos comments. I will update this thread when there is news about the servers. I also welcome those to comment if they have something constructive to contribute.

No, I have an interest in the topic of guns in general. The question is, did my earlier post help answer any of your questions?

Hi @Pest of the West and welcome to the forums. I noticed you have two threads created for this topic. I took the liberty of deleting the duplicate as I suspect it was by accident (please don;t intentionally post multiple threads on the same subject). Now, for this error, are you talking about an alert screen you get while playing the game or is this an error that has occurred just within the last few hours? If the latter, there is indeed an issue with all of the R* servers at the moment. Status updates will likely be posted in the following thread: If this is an in-game error you're experiencing, I would urge you to report it through R* Support here: https://support.rockstargames.com/categories/115001624507?redirect_lang=en_us&_ga=2.31508094.1321862141.1552942812-1719606522.1525287356 Hope this helps.

I would like to remind everyone to remain civil toward one another and respectful of the forum rules. Abusive and/or insulting exchanges will not be tolerated. I see a lot of new faces here which is great but please, there is no need for some of what I'm seeing here.

"Rockstar Support ‏ We are aware of an issue affecting access to Social Club and our game servers. We are currently investigating."

I think it's safe to assume that they are simply updating things on their end as well and online will resume soon enough.