Red Dead Redemption 2 may have been delayed into 2018, but that doesn't mean that fans are any less eager to get their hands on it. But while this enthusiasm is admirable and probably means good things for the game's pre-order numbers, it also means that fans are being easily scammed.
This particular scam involves fake Red Dead Redemption 2 beta invites. A Twitter account with the handle @RedDead2Beta has been set up by someone, attempting to funnel players to a website called livebetaservers.com. Rockstar has not announced a beta for its game, and such an announcement seems highly unlikely. This Twitter account and website seem to be set up in order to collect data from eager fans – data that could potentially be used to access their social media, email, and banking accounts.
There are multiple red flags with this Red Dead Redemption 2 beta sign-up scam. The first is that Rockstar Games would not set up a separate Twitter account for one of its games, let alone a beta for that game. The company doesn't traditionally hold beta public beta testing for its games either, which is just one reason why the Grand Theft Auto Online launch debacle was such an issue.
The so-called beta's website is also located in Queens, New York, where Rockstar does not have offices. Moreover, the font used for the open beta poster is completely different to the font used for the game's logo, which is a sin that branding professionals like Rockstar would never commit. But despite these obvious warning signs, some are still bound to fall for it, hence this public service announcement.
Fans should keep their eyes peeled for these sorts of scams, as they are only set to grow while Rockstar continues to keep quiet about its game. Prospective players still have so many unanswered questions, and the game is less than a year away from release. For instance, fans still have questions about whether or not Red Dead Redemption 2 will have multiple protagonists, and how exactly the game's multiplayer will work.
Rockstar is known for its secrecy, and fans don't know something unless the company absolutely wants it to. Plus, judging by the hype and interest that follows all of its games, this strategy generally seems to pay off. But in this case, it also means that the door is open for scammers to fool unsuspecting fans who just really want to know more about the game. So, if only to dissuade scam artists, fingers crossed that Rockstar reveals more about Red Dead Redemption 2 soon.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is planned to release in the first half of 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.