Female Red Dead Online Players Speak Out: Harassment and Targeting Rampant After Update

Rockstar Games recently dropped a surprise update for Red Dead Online called Strange Tales of the West Vol. 1, bringing supernatural-themed missions to the MMO-lite western world. While fans are saddling up and jumping back in, a concerning issue has resurfaced: female players report being targeted and harassed much more aggressively than their male counterparts.

• The update adds new missions but also highlights ongoing harassment problems.
• Female characters face disproportionate abuse, including hogtying and simulated assault.
• Players share viral clips and Reddit stories detailing toxic behavior.
• Hackers exploit game mechanics to worsen harassment.
• Women form exclusive groups or private lobbies for safety and support.

Update Brings Players Back, But Problems Remain

After three years of silence, Rockstar surprised fans with the Strange Tales of the West update on July 1, which introduces new supernatural quests. Despite its modest size compared to past updates, many players have returned to explore it. Unfortunately, this comeback has also reminded some players of a harsh reality: playing as a female character in Red Dead Online can be a frustrating and hostile experience.

Viral TikTok Shows Harassment in Action

A viral TikTok watched over 1.2 million times features a player known as Arthur’s Ex. In the clip, she gallops across the plains when another player appears with a woman hogtied on his horse. After a brief standoff, Arthur’s Ex cleverly hogties the aggressor instead and escapes. The video sparked thousands of comments from female players sharing their own stories of harassment, such as being trapped by groups of players or experiencing simulated assault in various games like Roblox and Call of Duty.

One comment with over 14,000 likes reads: “I remember the first time this happened to me I didn’t even know they could do that.” Another TikTok user, oilbead, shared, “I stopped playing RDR Online because dudes were too mean, they make it not fun by ganging up on you [in] every town you go to and following you, like wow [you’re] so funny and original, you hogtied me and killed me.”

Why Female Characters Get Targeted More

Red Dead Online is known for its chaotic player interactions and violent gameplay, so conflict is expected. However, female characters seem to be targeted more quickly, more frequently, and with greater aggression. One player commented, “My main is a male character and when I made a female character on a side [account] I got attacked more in a week that I would in MONTHS on my main.”

Discussions on Reddit confirm this pattern, with players sharing stories of being harassed simply for choosing female avatars. One thread titled “The harassment against women in this game is real. And it sucks” has over 1,000 upvotes and details incidents ranging from targeted attacks to hackers forcing characters into humiliating situations.

Hackers and Exploits Make Things Worse

Like in GTA Online, hackers on PC use mod menus to disrupt gameplay. Female players often report hackers spawning valuable items on them, attracting other players to attack. In some cases, these hackers then have the nerve to ask victims for real-life photos or friend requests. This kind of abuse is becoming more common, especially among newer players who may not know how to defend themselves.

One Reddit user described being rendered naked and pinned down by another player while NPCs sang a mocking song. Another shared footage of being forcibly glued to a male character and taunted in Spanish. Even though players can equip defensive mode or respawn to avoid harassment, attackers find creative ways to bypass these protections.

Communities Form to Support Female Players

In response, many women are banding together in exclusive posses or social groups to enjoy the game without harassment. Some retreat to private servers, while others seek revenge on their harassers. Male allies also step up; for example, Arthur’s Ex mentions going online with a group of male bodyguards who help fend off attackers.

She says, “I love them so much and don’t even know them IRL. They have made people leave lobbies for targeting me.” Supporting women in the game can mean drawing your revolver to protect others or simply standing together against toxic behavior.

Interestingly, some male players even play as female characters to bait harassers and turn the tables on them. One Reddit user joked about being asked for nudes while sporting a humorous avatar look, saying, “I didn’t send them nudes, but I’m sure they appreciated my hairy ass in speedos at the pool on a family vacation. I think I was blocked after that lol.”