Rockstar Newswire

We've put together just a few handy tips and tricks - including a few things you may have missed even if you've spent your entire past week living in the vast open world of Red Dead Redemption. These are all basic quick tips. We will be providing more advanced tips in the coming weeks.

Fast Travel - Need to get to another town fast? In single player, approach a Stagecoach Taxi and ride shotgun or as a passenger. And when not in a town, settlement or gang hideout, set up camp whether you're on your horse or walking around on the ground by pressing Select and choosing Campsite (Basic or Improved) in your kit. Setting up camp will give you the option to travel to a waypoint or town within any previously visited area, as well as offering the option to save or change outfits. In multiplayer, make your way to the nearest town and look for the Transport post. Whether with the Stagecoach Taxi or the Transport, select your destination and you're on your way. Both the Stagecoach Taxi and Transport are shown with a wagon wheel icon on your radar and map.

Newspapers - Want to find out more about the goings-on with characters and the world around you in Red Dead Redemption? Buy a Blackwater Ledger newspaper. They're available at various places around the game world - for instance, from the gentleman on the steps right outside of the train depot at MacFarlane’s Ranch. And be sure to keep reading newspapers even after you've completed the storyline.

Gesturing - Want to tip your hat or say hello to someone as they pass by John in single player? Only when near another person, tap the circle button on PlayStation 3 or the B button on Xbox 360.

Running - Getting Marston into a sprint is a snap. Hold A on Xbox 360 or X on PlayStation 3 to run. Tapping the same button will gain you a bit more speed and have your character sprint.

Moneymaking and Ammunition - Loot bodies and find chests for free ammunition and money. One example of where you can find chests is in Pike's Basin. Also check for ammunition in the chests and armoires in your Houses. These properties are on your map in the shape of a green house. You must complete a few missions before getting your first House in MacFarlane's Ranch.

Capturing Bounties Alive - Once you get the lasso (unlocked by completing missions for Bonnie MacFarlane), you can capture bounties alive and earn more money. Some people will put up a lot of resistance when you are trying to lasso them. Just give them a single non-fatal shot in the arm or leg to immobilize them.

Rattlesnakes - While one of the smallest animals in the game, rattlesnakes aren't too difficult to find as long as you listen closely when running around or riding on your horse.

Multiplayer Aiming - Not the type of person that favors aim-assistance? Once you reach level 15 in multiplayer, you will have the option of playing in the Hardcore version of the various multiplayer game types, where aim-assistance is stripped away. (Please note - for the extremely hardcore, we will have some particularly hard levels coming your way soon. Details to follow in a few days or so.)

Health Regeneration - Your health regenerates if you get injured, both in single player and multiplayer. If you find yourself in the heat of a battle and in danger of dying, use cover with R1 (PS3) or RB (Xbox 360). You can also use medicine to replenish health if you're in the midst of danger and can't get away to hide.

Storyline Completion - Keep in mind that the storyline is not completely over with until you see the end credits. Even after the credits, you can continue playing any challenges or stranger encounters you wish to finish. (Note: Posting storyline spoilers in the comments will not be tolerated. Please don't ruin other people's game experience. We may well do an Asked & Answered purely on the storyline in a few weeks, but we will ask for the questions nearer that time. Please don't post them here now.)

If you've got a friendly tip or trick to share, feel free to share it with everyone. What's your most reliable weapon? Favorite town? Fave animal to hunt? And let us know any other tips we should cover in the future...