How to Pre-Load Red Dead Redemption 2

If you want to play Red Dead Redemption 2 the second its released for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 you’ll need to pre-order a very specific version of the game and download it ahead of time.

The Red Dead Redemption 2 release date is just days away and that means the final release details are falling into place. The game’s massive download size is now confirmed and Rockstar’s now confirmed a pre-load for those that want to jump into the action as soon as possible.

The Red Dead Redemption 2 pre-load is confirmed for Friday, October 19th, at 12AM Eastern and it gives Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players a chance to skip long download times on the game’s October 26th release date.

If you want to play Red Dead Redemption 2 ASAP, here’s how to pre-load the game ahead of the release.

Pre-Order Red Dead Redemption 2

If you want to pre-load Red Dead Redemption 2 ahead of its release date you need to pre-order any digital version of the game.

You can pre-order Red Dead Redemption 2 from a variety of retailers, but make sure you pre-order the right edition for you and your budget.

If you pre-order a physical copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 you’ll need to pickup your copy from a local store the night of October 25th or wait for a delivery on October 26th.

The PS4 version of the game includes two game discs.

Clear Space

If you plan to pre-load Red Dead Redemption 2 you’ll need a ton of free space on your internal or external storage.

The Red Dead Redemption 2 download is massive. Xbox One players are looking at a 88GB download while PS4 owners are faced with an 89GB download.

If you’re running out of space on your hard drive(s), you’ll want to dig into your files and delete games, apps, and saves you no longer need in order to make room.

How to Pre-Load Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS4

Again, the PS4 Red Dead Redemption 2 pre-load starts at 12AM Eastern on Friday, October 19th.

Once the clock strikes midnight on the East Coast, your PlayStation 4 will automatically start downloading the game if you’ve got automatic downloads enabled. Here’s how you can activate automatic downloads on your PS4:

• Go to Settings.
• Go to Power Saving Settings.
• Set Features Available in Rest Mode.
• Check the box next to Stay Connected to the Internet.
• Enable Turning On of PS4 from Network.

After you do that:

• Go to Settings.
• Go to System.
• Go to Automatic Downloads
• Check box next to Application Update Files.

Once that’s complete you’ll want to put your PS4 into Rest Mode. To do that press and hold the PS button on your controller and select Enter Rest Mode.

After that’s done the power indicator on your PlayStation 4 will turn orange and you should be ready to pre-load the game on Friday night/morning.

Like game updates, automatic downloads sometimes fail so you’ll want to log on before the Red Dead Redemption 2 release date to make sure the game is fully downloaded. If something went wrong you’ll need to manually pre-load the game.

To do this, turn on your PlayStation 4 and head into the PlayStation Store. The easiest way to find Red Dead Redemption 2 will be through a search on the store.

If you pre-ordered, you should be able to install it from the game hub.

How to Pre-Load Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox One

Pre-loading works the same on the Xbox One. The pre-load should start automatically, but if it doesn’t, you should be able to manually install the game from the Red Dead Redemption 2 hub.

First, you need to make sure your Xbox One has an internet connection and you’re using the Always Connected power option. Always Connected means your Xbox One goes to sleep instead of shutting off completely.

Once you’ve done that you’ll need to turn automatic downloads on. To do that:

• Press the Xbox button your controller to open the guide.
• Choose Settings.
• Select System.
• Select Updates.
• Select Keep my games & apps up to date.

This will let your Xbox One download games and applications when the device is sleeping.

Sometimes automatic downloads won’t work (we’ve had this happen many times on the Xbox One X) so you’ll want to check to make sure the game has properly downloaded.

If it hasn’t you’ll need to find the Red Dead Redemption 2 hub in the Store. If you pre-ordered the correct version of the game you should be able to install it manually from there.

Buy for a Great Story & Voice Acting

> 1 / 7

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a sprawling game with lots to do. There are plenty of other games that provide a huge sandbox to play around though few games can match the quality of Rockstar's open world experiences. And that starts with the story and the voice acting.  I'm not going to spoil anything here, but know that Red Dead Redemption 2's storyline, characters, and dialogue are the backbone of this game. Many games provide a huge playground, but very few back it up with a memorable cast of characters that you truly care about and want to interact with. Often times characters are underdeveloped, annoying, and/or forgettable. It's the exact opposite in Red Dead Redemption 2. You'll might even come to love the game's most vile characters.  The main story line is outstanding and believable and the actors (including the original John Marston) and actresses that voice the main characters, lesser characters, and various other NPCs truly bring these them to life. The main story is just one piece though. There are side quests with minor characters and random events with strangers. You can also interact with every person in the game.  These side missions and the organic random interactions have been quite enjoyable. On one ride up into the mountains to look for a legendary animal I ran into five unique random events. This is a world populated with characters that are truly interesting and believable and it's one of the game's obvious (once you start playing) strengths. If you love a good western or if you like good writing, the story alone is worth the price of admission.

> 1 / 7