How do Red Dead Online microtransactions work?

There was no doubt that Red Dead Online microtransactions would feature in the game, considering how huge the online Wild West is and the scale of weapons, equipment, and other useful items available to spend your currency on. With Rockstar reaching a phenomenal level of success with the microtransactions used in GTA Online, there was always going to be similar system put in place for Red Dead Online, so that players can spend some of their real world cash to jump ahead and unlock items that would otherwise be unattainable for them. Despite this, there are a few subtle difference between the two systems, so let us bring you up to speed with everything you need to know about how Red Dead Online microtransactions work.

Are there Red Dead Online microtransactions?

Rockstar have gone down the tried and tested route it followed with GTA 5, so while there aren't any microtransactions tied to Red Dead Redemption 2 itself, there are Red Dead Online microtransactions. With the sustained success of microtransactions in GTA Online over a 5+ year period, you can bet your bottom (virtual) dollar that Red Dead Online has a microtransaction system to provide you with a shortcut to better rewards.

How do Red Dead Online microtransactions work?

Red Dead Online gold bars — (Image credit: Rockstar Games)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Red Dead Online follows a similar system to the GTA Online Shark Cards, which you use to buy virtual currency and get a better exchange rate the more real money you spent at once. Obviously 'Shark Cards' are very much geared to GTA Online's modern marketplace, so instead you'll be purchasing Red Dead Online Gold Bars to bolster your in-game currency like a good ol' prospector, allowing you to unlock items you don't have the virtual dollars for.

What can I buy with Red Dead Online microtransactions?

You can use Red Dead Online microtransactions to buy items that are specifically cosmetic, such as a new hat or something to snazz up your camp, rather than anything that could give you an in-game edge. Weapons have to be purchased using in-game cash for example, rather than Gold Bars.

Interestingly, you can earn Gold Bars in Red Dead Online too, without having to pay any real money for them, but according to Reddit users it'll take you around eight hours of play to earn yourself one, single, Gold Bar. So if you wanted to buy something special, like fast travel from your camp for example, which costs 112 Gold Bars, you're looking at having to clock almost 900 hours to earn that amount. Or you can reach level 65 in Red Dead Online of course.

Looking for more help? Then check out our essential Red Dead Redemption 2 tips in the video below: