Halloween is right around the corner, and as it turns out, there’s evidence that suggests Rockstar Games is planning something big for Red Dead Redemption 2 to celebrate the spooky holiday. Last year, some Reddit users reported that zombies were appearing in Red Dead Online, an apparent result of a then-recent update. Though there was some speculation it would lead to a Halloween event, that wasn’t the case in 2019. But there’s a new reason to believe something RDR2-related is coming soon.
The first Undead Nightmare DLC, which introduced zombies to the western environment, was released in October of 2010, the same year the original Red Dead Redemption debuted. The expansion is set in an alternative timeline and doesn’t follow the events of the main game, but nonetheless, the DLC was well-received by fans of the franchise.
The YouTube channel Red Dead Guides was the first to reveal that zombie models had been found within RDR2’s data. Audio files suggesting something called ‘Army of Fear’ is on its way were located deep inside the game’s code. It’s unclear what all of this means, but if it is zombie-themed, players could finally be getting an Undead Nightmare 2. However, another thing that remains unclear is whether the supposed new content would come in the form of purchasable downloadable content like Undead Nightmare or simply another Red Dead Online update. Rockstar has been mainly focused on the game’s online multiplayer and has never released additional single-player content for the second Red Dead Redemption game. As such, it’s more likely that any new content will come in the form of a Red Dead Online update. If the new content will actually introduce zombies to Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s likely to come sometime around Halloween.
Other Halloween Content RDR2 Should Introduce
Granted, while it would be exciting to see new content in Red Dead Redemption 2, whether in the form of multiplayer or single-player content, choosing to go down the zombie route again may not be the wisest decision. Undead Nightmare was fantastic, but trying to recreate its success once again may feel repetitive and unoriginal. There’s so much more Rockstar could do with new content rather than going down a familiar path, and this is the perfect time to get creative.
Consider these alternative Halloween themes: Players can already go hunting for vampires in Red Dead Redemption, but one thing they can’t do is track down a werewolf. Equipped with silver bullets, players could be tasked with tracking down a human-turned-werewolf on a night with a full moon. Or, Rockstar could consider Ghost Busters-esque content that allows players to hunt for ghosts across Red Dead Redemption 2's map, and learn their stories in the process. Similarly, while players can find a haunted train in RDR2, it would be even better to have a full-blown story and mission featuring the spooky ride.
Needless to say, while the Red Dead Redemption 2 fandom is always ready to welcome new content to the fold, there’s a lot more that can be done in terms of new content rather than adding zombies back again. With Halloween on the horizon, however, only time will tell whether Red Dead Redemption 2 players get that additional content or not, but if they do hopefully it won't just be an Undead Nightmare 2.