Red Dead Online Players Fell Victim To A Hilariously Petty Hack

"Red Dead Online," the online component of "Red Dead Redemption 2," has a serious hacker problem, just like many other popular online multiplayer games. Ever since "Red Dead Online" first launched, layers have complained about a number of over the top hacks, ranging from fraudulent loot chests to spooky two-headed skeletons. Back in March, Rockstar Intel reported that Rockstar Games has posted listings for jobs that might help anti-cheat efforts, possibly because of the problem's severity.

But sometimes, hacking really is just a bit of fun and games. For instance, Redditor Ghroznak recently shared an amusing experience in which a hacker attached signs that read "DONATE: Please Donate For the Poor" to the backs of theirs and a friend's avatars. Ghroznak took the prank in stride, agreeing that they were indeed lacking in funds.

"Apparently the game knows me and my friend are poor and decided to literally label us as such," they wrote. 

Ghroznak explained that they just completed the Moonshiner mission when the signs suddenly appeared. They claim they don't know how they got there — just that they and their friend left the shack and suddenly discovered the signs on their backs. One commenter mused that one of the actual "Red Dead" developers could somehow be behind the harmless prank, rather than the typical malicious hacker.

"There are 2 types of modders," the commenter observed. "Those who do harmless pranks like this, and those who teleport around blowing everyone up." 

Game Rant points out that the signs in question actually come from a "Red Dead Redemption 2" story side mission, "Of Men and Angels." In that mission, a nun named Sister Calderon asks if he can help donate food to the poor. Sister Calderon has these particular signs, a three-legged poster complete with a pot for collecting change, beside her. In other words, it seems as the prankster might have figured out how to gain access to the data for the signs. 

Luckily, the hacked signs didn't seem to actively harm the players. Others in the thread have reported random bombardments and teleportation at the hands of hackers. One commenter described an experience where they had nearly delivered their wagon before it was blown to bits. To them, and many sympathetic onlookers, these hackers seem to get nothing but "sick enjoyment" out of inconveniencing others. 

At the very least, Ghroznak's hacker encounter represents an instance where hackers might've provided some laughs and improved an experience, rather than ruined it.