Requirements to get the new free version of Red Dead Redemption for Xbox Series

The update will arrive at no cost, but only certain players will be able to access it on Xbox Series.

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The new version of the classic Western game is raising many questions among those who already have it in their digital library. Rockstar has detailed how the free update will work, but the fine print is causing confusion, especially on Xbox, where a native edition for Xbox One never existed. That difference is key to understanding who can upgrade to the new edition without paying an extra euro.

While on PlayStation and Nintendo everything is simpler, on Microsoft’s platform the question arises: does any copy of the game work or only some? And most importantly, what happens to those who still have the original disc?

Who receives the free update of Red Dead Redemption on Xbox Series

The decisive point is the type of license each player has. Rockstar has confirmed that the free update will arrive for those who own the retrocompatible digital edition. And here comes the key part:
that “retrocompatible digital version” is, literally, the Xbox 360 edition purchased on the Microsoft Store.

• ✔ If you have Red Dead Redemption in digital format purchased on Xbox 360 → you will receive the free update.
• ✔ It also includes Undead Nightmare, which is part of the new edition.
• ✘ If you have the game on physical disc, even if it works on Xbox Series → there is no free update.

In Xbox, there was never a specific edition for Xbox One, so the only valid license is the digital one from 360. It doesn’t matter if you have the original disc or the physical GOTY edition: Microsoft cannot validate those copies to apply this modernized update.

The good news is that, if you purchased the game digitally at the time, you will automatically upgrade to the new edition without paying anything more. And, according to user comments who know the requirements, you don’t even need to have Undead Nightmare separately: it will be included in the updated package.