Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Rockstar introduced Fear of the Dark to Red Dead Online on October 29, 2019—not in a newly confirmed 2026 announcement. It is an asymmetric Showdown Mode in which empowered Night Stalkers face mortal Hunters, who can collect skull masks to weaken their opponents and strengthen their own weapons.
What is Fear of the Dark?
Fear of the Dark is a Showdown Mode inside Red Dead Online, the online mode for Red Dead Redemption 2. Rockstar’s Title Update 1.13 notes listed it as new content on October 29, 2019. The official description sets up a contest between two opposing roles rather than a separate game or expansion. Rockstar’s Title Update 1.13 notes
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox One) | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
X1 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 | $26.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 4 | $24.39 | Buy on Amazon |
How do the two sides work?
| Role | How the role works |
|---|---|
| Night Stalkers | Supernaturally fast, tough, and strong. Their powers are tied to skull masks scattered around the play area. |
| Hunters | Mortal opponents who can collect the scattered skull masks. As Hunters collect masks, Night Stalkers weaken and Hunter weapons grow stronger. |
That creates an asymmetric match: Night Stalkers bring superior physical abilities, while Hunters can change the balance by finding masks. Rockstar’s cited description explains those effects but does not specify every round-ending condition, so the exact win condition should not be inferred from it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Is Fear of the Dark a new Red Dead Redemption 2 update?
No new announcement is established here. The dated announcement in Rockstar’s documentation is the October 29, 2019 introduction in Title Update 1.13. A later Title Update 1.25 entry, dated July 13, 2021, mentions a fix for a defect in Showdown Mode – Fear of the Dark, confirming the mode appeared in subsequent game documentation; that entry does not say the mode was continuously available in a featured playlist. Rockstar’s Title Update 1.25 notes
#1 Best Overall
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun;Engage in conversation with people you meet. Your actions influence Arthur's honour;Horses are a cowboy's best friend, both transport and personal companion;Bond with your horse as you ride together to unlock new abilities
Has the mode appeared in later rotations?
Yes. The official Red Dead Redemption 2 Steam news archive lists a Halloween Series featuring Fear of the Dark for October 7–13, 2025, followed by a Hardcore Halloween Series featuring it for October 28–November 3. The archive associates the October series schedule with double RDO$ and XP through November 3. Those are historical dates and rewards, not evidence that the mode or bonus is available now. Check the official Steam news archive for dated announcements before relying on a current rotation or reward.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do you need to play?
Because Fear of the Dark is part of Red Dead Online, it is not a separately identified physical game or standalone expansion in Rockstar’s update notes. Access requires the base game that includes Red Dead Online; the cited announcement does not establish platform-specific compatibility or edition requirements.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed adventure.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the ground-breaking horror story expansion that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
- Experience the epic western adventures that defined a generation
Rank #3
- Get exclusive access to a bank robbery mission
- A collection of exclusive story mode boosts, bonuses and discounts
- Get three weapons Free at gunsmiths
Rank #2
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created. 4K Ultra HD not available on Xbox One or Xbox One S consoles
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
