You can play by yourself (or with friends) on a 'private server'.

This method does not trigger any bans or other issues. It is not a mod of any kind. It does not alter game files. This is the only method I could find that is safe and not a hack of some kind.

However, please be aware that Rockstar could change that without notice.

1) Open Notepad and paste the code below into it.

2) CHANGE THE "password987". It's essentially a unique key password for connecting with you.

3) Name it "startup.meta"

4) Place it in "D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Red Dead Redemption 2\x64\data" (or where ever your game is installed)

5) Enjoy.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<CDataFileMgr__ContentsOfDataFileXml>
<disabledFiles />
<includedXmlFiles itemType="CDataFileMgr__DataFileArray" />
<includedDataFiles />
<dataFiles itemType="CDataFileMgr__DataFile">
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/cdimages/scaleform_platform_pc.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/ui/value_conversion.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/ui/widgets.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/textures/ui/ui_photo_stickers.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/textures/ui/ui_platform.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/ui/stylesCatalog</filename>
<fileType>aWeaponizeDisputants</fileType> <!-- collision -->
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/cdimages/scaleform_frontend.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE_PRE_INSTALL</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/textures/ui/ui_startup_textures.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
<Item>
<filename>platform:/data/ui/startup_data.rpf</filename>
<fileType>RPF_FILE</fileType>
</Item>
</dataFiles>
<contentChangeSets itemType="CDataFileMgr__ContentChangeSet" />
<patchFiles />
</CDataFileMgr__ContentsOfDataFileXml>

password987

You MUST change this keyword to something else. Otherwise, you will join other players with the same keyword.

This is the most important step.

As long as your friends have this same document with matching passwords then you will be allowed to connect to them and visa versa. You could post this on a Discord, for example, and everyone that uses your password will connect together. No one has to stay online or anything like that. I hope this is helpful.

Don't forget to like, rate and reward this guide so everyone that hates modders can enjoy a game free of them.

Thanks everyone, happy gaming!


PS: I've had to disable comments due to people advertising and posting false info. I still currently use this method and have not had any issues.

PPS: JUST BECAUSE ITS "private" DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN START HACKING/CHEATING/EXPLOITING. You will still get banned for all the usual shenanigans even playing entirely by yourself using this method (or any other)