Red Dead Redemption 2: Reports on HUD Altering NPC Directions Are Supposedly False

According to some recent reports from outlets who had hands-on time with Red Dead Redemption 2, disabling the HUD or mini-map allegedly made NPCs offer more detailed directions. Alanah Pearce, formerly of IGN, also spent time with the game and has clarified that said reports are false.

Pearce shared her experience in the following tweet:

Also, got some clarification: the articles circling saying that if you remove your HUD in the game NPCs will give you more directions are false. They’ll always give you directions, people likely just noticed them more when their HUD was off.

— Alanah Pearce (@Charalanahzard) October 10, 2018

So there you have it. NPCs in Red Dead Redemption 2 are programmed to offer detailed directions, regardless of a player’s UI settings. Unfortunately, Rockstar Games has yet to weigh in on the matter. Therefore, we still lack an official confirmation.

Since the studio is best known for its incredible attention to detail, the now false story about NPCs isn’t the only intriguing detail making the rounds. Red Dead Redemption 2 has also received praise for the massive assortment of wildlife present throughout its world. That protagonist Arthur Morgan and his weapons require maintenance are additional ways in which Rockstar is doubling down on immersion.

Red Dead Redemption 2 arrives on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 26, 2018. The game’s online suite, Red Dead Online, launches as a beta on an unspecified date during November 2018.