Red Dead Online is experiencing renewed activity following Rockstar's addition of fresh missions, reigniting fan speculation about a potential next-gen update for Red Dead Redemption 2.

Many players had accepted Rockstar's apparent departure from Red Dead Online updates since 2022, making the surprise Strange Tales of the West expansion particularly exciting. The update introduces four new missions along with hints of future content.

The recently released trailer marks Rockstar's first promotional material for Red Dead Online since 2021.

Here's Rockstar's official description:

Theodore Levin, an author investigating frontier mysteries, requires assistance documenting bizarre phenomena across the American West. These Strange Tales of the West missions demand bravery when confronting the supernatural.

Players can access these four new Telegram Missions by retrieving Levin's letter from any Post Office or Camp Lockbox, then launching them via Satchel or Player Menu.

The new missions include Strange Tales of The Plague, Modern Science, The Bayou, and The Wilderness. As reported by @videotechuk_ on social media, the update introduces a zombie-infected game mode initially set in Armadillo.

The new zombie "infected" mode tasks players with eliminating infected NPCs armed with knives and transporting them via wagon with teammates.

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive across social media platforms and discussion forums.

Some fans speculate this zombie-themed content might hint at an Undead Nightmare-style expansion, though Rockstar's focus remains primarily on Grand Theft Auto VI's development.

Recent rumors suggest Rockstar may be preparing Nintendo Switch 2 and enhanced current-gen console versions of Red Dead Redemption 2 for potential late 2025 release.

Considered one of gaming's finest achievements, Red Dead Redemption 2 maintains its reputation years after launch. Fans are currently enjoying the Strange Tales of the West update labeled as "Vol.1," indicating possible future installments.

While Rockstar's long-term plans remain uncertain, this update demonstrates renewed commitment to Red Dead Online's player base.