Fans of Red Dead Redemption 2's online multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, have
long been dissatisfied with creator Rockstar. Players see Rockstar's continuous
support for Grand Theft Auto Online and ask why it appears to have ceased releasing
new material for Red Dead Online. They haven't given up hope, though. According to
a fresh leak, their ongoing demand for further upgrades might be rewarded.
Red Dead Online just received a minor, underwhelming update that was supposed to
boost the online game's security. While the update itself was unremarkable, data
miners discovered some intriguing modifications within Red Dead Online's files. The
reference is to the rustle owner dead and a string of text that says "This ranch's
owners have abandoned it. Return later. That's not conclusive evidence of a
forthcoming content upgrade, but it's enough to spark some conjecture.
The term rustling refers to the act of rounding up or stealing cattle, horses, or
sheep, and it is frequently connected with ranching and the western genre in general.
Rustling isn't an official feature, in the sense that there isn't a comprehensive system
in place to reward the behavior of snatching horses or other animals. However, it's
simple to understand how such a feature might fit into the universe of Red Dead
Online.

This isn't the first time data miners have discovered a reference to rustling in Red
Dead Online's archives. In 2021, a multiplayer map icon blip for rustling was
discovered. The little black and white image depicted a small home form with walls
and a roof, with what appeared to be a rustler inside wearing a cowboy hat and a
bandana over their lips. The blip does not appear in Red Dead Online or Red Dead
Redemption 2, prompting some to believe it is for future content.