As an avid gamer, I know the frustration of getting that dreaded "wanted dead or alive" status in an open world game like Red Dead Redemption 2. Suddenly you go from wandering the wild frontier to having a target on your back as lawmen and bounty hunters aim to collect your head! Thankfully there are ways to get out of the perilous situation of being wanted dead or alive. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through how to drop the warrant and escape the long arm of virtual law.
Paying Your Bounty is the Most Direct Route
When I find myself with asky-high bounty, the easiest way I‘ve found to clear it is by literally clearing it – as in paying it off. In Red Dead Redemption 2, you can visit any Post Office or telegraph station and pay off all your bounties. It may hurt to part with the hard-earned cash, but forking it over beats getting shot on sight!
Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way. One time I got a bit greedy robbing homesteads up in Ambarino before I realized every lawman from Valentine to Annesburg was gunning for me. $1500 dollars later at the post office, I finally rode free again. So take it from me, when that bounty total starts spiraling, pay up!
Hands Up! The Surrender Option
Now if you‘re a more frugal outlaw like me, forking over your entire fortune to clear a bounty isn‘t always appealing. In that case, you may be able to simply surrender peacefully to the law, provided your crimes aren‘t too egregious.
With your bounty on the lower end, approach lawmen slowly with your hands clearly up and weapons holstered. Target them and select the surrender option to turn yourself in. You‘ll spend a few nights locked up in jail, but you‘ll walk free with your money still in your pocket – minus the bail amount of course. Just be sure to lay low for a while once they let you out!
Lay Low Long Enough for Things to Cool Down
So what if you can‘t afford the bounty and your crimes are too hot for surrender? Then it‘s time to get out of dodge and let things cool down. If you manage to evade capture and escape the region, the search for you will eventually die down over time.
The key is avoiding further incidents and staying off law enforcement‘s radar. Don‘t commit any crimes, robes, or acts of violence. Don‘t even go near towns with sheriff‘s offices! Lay as low as possible until enough time passes for them to essentially give up and forget about you. It‘s not quick, but cheapest route back to freedom.
Earn Redemption Through Bounty Hunting
This one may seem a bit ironic, but taking on bounty hunter missions can be a great way to clear your own name and wanted status. As the saying goes "it takes one to know one." By hunting down other criminals for the local sheriffs, you‘ll earn back their trust bit-by-bit.
Bring in enough petty crooks for bounties and before you know it, the law will be willing to dismiss your own. It‘s kind of a "scratch my back, I‘ll scratch yours" situation. Of course, this method works better when you‘re only Wanted rather than full on Dead or Alive. May still be worth trying though!
The Infamous History of "Wanted Dead or Alive"
The concept of pursuing outlaws and criminals "dead or alive" for a bounty originated in the American Old West, but it may not have been quite as prevalent as we see in Western films and games. Bounties and wanted posters definitely existed and offered rewards for either capturing or killing criminals. But "dead or alive" instructions were less common.
The Pinkerton Detective Agency is credited with popularizing the practice in the late 19th century. Their field agents and bounty hunters were infamously authorized to use lethal force when pursuing dangerous fugitives. Some criminals warranted extreme measures.
According to historians, only about 3% of Old West wanted posters specifically offered rewards for a criminal "dead or alive." But the most desperate outlaws earned the notorious designation, including legends like Jesse James and Billy the Kid.
Jesse James had bounties up to $25,000 for his capture or killing, while Billy the Kid was wanted for $500 dead or alive in his heyday. That was some serious money back then! Below is a data table showing some of the highest bounties offered on famous Old West outlaws:
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| Outlaw | Bounty Amount | Dead or Alive? |
|---|---|---|
| Jesse James | $25,000 | Yes |
| Billy the Kid | $500 | Yes |
| Butch Cassidy | $2,500 | No |
| Pretty Boy Floyd | $15,000 | Yes |
As you can see, being wanted dead or alive in the Old West meant you were far from a petty crook. The huge bounties offered and permission to use lethal force highlights how seriously the law took bringing these criminals to justice.
The Controversial Ethics of "Dead or Alive"
The concept of giving lawmen or bounty hunters explicit permission to kill fugitives has raised ethical concerns, even back in the Old West. Some felt capture and arrest should be prioritized over shooting on sight without trial.
But in extreme cases of dangerous, violent criminals, dead or alive options provided strong incentive for bounty hunters to stop the outlaws at all costs. Apprehending killers like Jesse James or Billy the Kid alive to stand trial was very difficult in remote frontier regions.
With today‘s communications and advanced law enforcement technology, safely capturing fugitives is far more feasible. So deadly force has even less justification now than in the Old West. However, in the most desperate cases like domestic terrorists, some argue dead or alive measures may still be warranted as a last resort.
As a society though, we‘ve largely moved past permitting "shoot on sight" instructions, even for the worst criminals. Every effort is now made to safely detain fugitives by minimizing lethal force. Ethics have evolved with the times.
Bounty Hunters – The Historic Professional Manhunters
In the Old West, bounty hunters made capturing or killing wanted outlaws their business. These skilled manhunters weren‘t lawful lawmen, but operated as hired guns and mercenaries within legal bounds. They were authorized to pursue wanted criminals across borders and jurisdictions.
Some of the most famous bounty hunters of the era included Tom Horn, the Pinkerton Detective Agency, and Pat Garrett who ultimately killed Billy the Kid. His partner Theodore Roosevelt also dabbled in bounty hunting for a time in the Dakota Territory.
Below are a few of the biggest bounties collected by notorious manhunters of the Old West:
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| Bounty Hunter | Outlaw Captured | Bounty Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Garrett | Billy the Kid | $500 |
| Tom Horn | Will Carver | $1,500 |
| Frank Gallagher | Harry Tracy | $3,500 |
| The Pinkertons | Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid | $1,000 each |
While bounty hunting is largely illegal today, these professional manhunters were the primary means of tracking down deadly fugitives in the pre-law enforcement Old West. They captured or killed many of the worst outlaws, claiming fortunes in bounties.
Bounties and Manhunts in the Modern Age
Today‘s law enforcement no longer issues warrants "dead or alive" or hires bounty hunters. Lethal force is used only as an absolute last resort. However, agencies like the FBI still offer massive rewards for information leading to the capture of criminals – up to $25 million even!
The FBI‘s Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list publicizes dangerous fugitives and asks the public for tips. Nine of the ten current fugitives are wanted for murder. The large bounties provide incentive for witnesses to turn in these modern day outlaws.
While not technically "wanted dead or alive," in practice the result is similar. Huge rewards remain a tool to entice manhunts for the worst criminals like serial killers, terrorists, and violent drug kingpins. The tactics may have evolved, but the principle of using bounties to capture fugitives continues today.
Implementing "Wanted Dead or Alive" Systems in Games
As an experienced gamer and data analyst, I‘m fascinated by how games like Red Dead Redemption handle "wanted" status and bounty systems under the hood. These complex gameplay mechanics need to balance realism, challenge, and fun.
Some key considerations for game developers include:
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How aggressively to make law enforcement pursue the player based on bounty amount. High bounties could trigger nearly instant overwhelming response.
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How realistic to make crime witnessing and reporting. Witness and law enforcement AI is key.
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How long bounties persist before expiring. Too short is unrealistic, too long overly punitive.
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Options for getting rid of bounties besides just paying them. Going to jail, court hearings, are all possibilities.
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Creative abilities for highly wanted players to shake pursuers, like changing clothes or bribing officials.
Implementing wanted and bounty systems that feel realistic and freeform while still providing challenge is an art form for open world game creators. The immersive danger of being pursued as a fugitive hugely expands gameplay possibilities and tension. Developers have gotten extremely creative, as the thriving outlaw mods for games like Skyrim illustrate!
Tips for Eluding Bounty Hunters and "Wanted Dead or Alive" Status
So say you‘re playing an open world Western and see that dreaded red skull "Wanted Dead or Alive" pop up. You know bounty hunters are now hot on your trail. How do you survive in the world with a target on your back? Here are some pro-gamer tips I‘ve cultivated:
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Periodically change your outfit appearance or even name at hotels to remain incognito. But not too frequently or it gets costly!
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Travel only off-road through untracked wilderness to avoid random encounters with lawmen on the roads. Use your hunter‘s instinct!
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Never visit stores or gunsmiths in towns where you are wanted. Bounty hunters often lurk nearby. Shop on the outskirts.
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Only enter settlements at night while wanted. Law enforcement presence and witnesses are lower.
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Stay mobile and avoid holing up in one location too long. Pursuers will eventually sniff you out.
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Modifying your honor can help – either through good deeds or bad. Outlaws have some advantages like intimidation.
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Don‘t shy away from using lethal force in self-defense against bounty hunters. They started the gunfight!
With thousands of hours in open world western games under my belt, these strategies have helped me successfully evade even the most persistent posses and lawdogs on my tail. Just stay crafty and you can survive as a wily fugitive. The key is adaptability!
In Summary – Dodging Virtual "Wanted Dead or Alive" Status
Hopefully this guide has given you some tactics to dodge, escape, or remove that troublesome "wanted dead or alive" status in western games when you get a bit too rowdy on the frontier. While it may seem dire, just stay calm, get creative, and bide your time wisely.
With the right moves, you can become a legend of the Old West, not as a notorious outlaw, but an honorable gunslinger bringing real justice to the land, on your own terms. And isn‘t that what these open world cowboy games are truly about? Just try not to let that bounty get too high in the process! Stay vigilant partners.
