Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare To Be DLC AND Retail Release (YES!)

In a great (and very common sense) move, Rockstar Games has announced that gamers will be getting the upcoming Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare as not only a digital release, but a stand alone expansion that doesn't require the original Red Dead Redemption to play. Not only that, but the retail release will include the single and multiplayer expansions to the game, a move that will most likely get those who haven't yet played the western-themed action game yet to give it a try. Anyway, while I celebrate Rockstar's being smarter than some publishers and not abandoning users who still crave physical product, don't have the hard drive space on their consoles for the DLC or hell, don't yet have broadband access, go read the press release below the jump.

Rockstar Games Announces New Details and Release Date for Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare

Features all new single-player storyline and multiplayer content

New York, NY- October 14, 2010 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., today announced new details for the upcoming Undead Nightmare Pack from the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption. The Undead Nightmare Pack will be available October 26, 2010 for digital download from the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network* and PlayStation®Network.

"Undead Nightmare turns the world of Red Dead Redemption upside down," said Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games. "The supernatural vibe and the return of some favorite characters create a whole new game inside an already incredible world."

Undead Nightmare introduces hours of a new single-player storyline and brand new multiplayer content. Seemingly overnight, a zombie plague ravages the once bountiful frontier, decimating the landscape and reawakening the dead. In towns, settlements and outposts throughout the world, the uninfected citizens are left to fight for survival against waves of the undead. John Marston must ride out into the vast and terrifying world and survive long enough to find a cure.

Four zombie classes enter the fray, each possessing unique characteristics, attacks, and defenses. Mythical creatures roam the frontier, alongside zombie cougars, bears, wolves and many more. Taking down the undead requires non-traditional weaponry, including the new Blunderbuss, which can be loaded with looted remains of fallen zombies. The deadly Tomahawk and the Explosive Rifle make a triumphant comeback and will be available exclusively for those who downloaded the Legends and Killers Pack and the Liars and Cheats Pack.

The all new single-player narrative features new challenges, quests, and ambient events, including Missing Persons, where the player must find a missing survivor lost amongst the throngs of undead. New competitive multiplayer and multiplayer free roam content includes Undead Overrun, a brand new multiplayer survival mode where waves of infected attack and players must work together to stay alive against increasingly difficult odds.

Also coming soon, Undead Nightmare, a single, stand-alone disc that bundles together for the first time ever, the Undead Nightmare Pack, the Outlaws to the End Co-Op Mission Pack, the Legends and Killers Pack, the Liars and Cheats Pack and all the Multiplayer Free Roam modes released to date. Undead Nightmare will be available at retail stores everywhere for $29.99/£24.99/€29.99 and does not require a copy of Red Dead Redemption to play.

The Undead Nightmare Pack will be available from Xbox LIVE (800 Microsoft Points) and PlayStation Network ($9.99/£7.99/€9.99) and requires a copy of Red Dead Redemption to play. Red Dead Redemption, rated M for Mature by the ESRB, is currently available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The Legends and Killers and the Liars and Cheats add-on packs are available separately on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and on the PlayStation®Network and require a copy of Red Dead Redemption to play.

For more news and information, visit the official Red Dead Redemption website; become a friend of Rockstar Games on Facebook; or follow Rockstar Games on Twitter.

*Requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership for online play.