newest update, Blood Money, on July 13, slinging a cache of content into the online open-world game, including three new crime contracts. Blood Money leans into the idea that players are outlaws in the wild west, thrusting players into a world of more organized crime. While Red Dead Online Blood Money brings standard changes to a live-service game update, such as new items, discounts and a new ranking system, it also adds new gameplay mechanics that could significantly change the game.
Red Dead Online Blood Money's narrative is straightforward. After traveling to Saint Denis, players meet mob boss Guido Martelli, who will begin to issue illegal contracts for them to carry out. Right hand man to Angelo Bronte, Martelli is ultimately tasking players to recover Capitale, a unique system of currency designed for the Bronte mob. Initially intended for high scale, sensitive crimes, Capitale has become widespread among common criminals, and the Bronte family wants it back.
Once players have been introduced to Martelli, missions will immediately become available. Some will take the form of contracted, large-scale crimes, free roam missions, or other smaller-scale crimes such as robberies. Capitale is not a reward for completing these missions; players must loot bodies and camps and scour the world to find every last bit of the dark currency. To start on their path amassing Capitale, Martelli will introduce Red Dead Online players to crime contracts.
Red Dead Online's Crimes
Crimes are an entirely new part of Red Dead Online, and can be completed solo or in multiplayer groups of up to six people. Completing crime contracts will not only help players collect crucial Capitale, they will also solidify their status and earn trust within the Bronte crime family. Returning Capitale found during crime contracts will help players gain access to new and expanded opportunities, such as larger crimes designed to take down a U.S. senator whose star is on the rise.
The three crime contracts available at Red Dead Online's Blood Money launch are each comprised of three parts and a unique mini-narrative for players to explore. In The Railroad Contract, players help Martelli by attacking the Central Union Railroad company. The Jeb Phelps Contract sends players to rescue gang leader Jeb Phelps, then working with him to recover his stash, a good portion of which includes Capitale. Meanwhile, the Bluewater Contract sees players helping Bluewater John recover his debt.
In order to carry out these contracts, players must find any number of Bronte d criminals after speaking with Martelli. Anthony Foreman, the head of the Foreman Brothers gang, can be found at Doyle's Tavern or Radley's House. Reputed bounty hunter James Langton is based out of New Austin, while thief and murderer Sean MacGuire can be found in the Great Plains or Tall Trees. One common criminal, known only as Joe, is found in Osman Grove, New Hanover, and is associated with other such outlaws as Micah, Cleet, and Samson Finch.
More crime contracts and opportunities will become available as Red Dead Online's Blood Money gets deeper into its season. While not much is known about the specifics of these crime contracts, Rockstar Games has said they will feature a wide range of illegal activity, from simple stagecoach holdups to multi-stage robberies. The addition of crimes will eventually lead to Red Dead Online's first ever train heist, a staple illegality in the world of the wild west.
