NPC’s can leave??

Hey fellow cowboys and cowgirls! I've been seeing a lot of questions about NPCs in Red Dead Online, and trust me, I've had my fair share of confusing encounters. The short answer to 'are there NPCs in Red Dead Online?' is a definite YES! They are absolutely everywhere, making the world feel alive and giving us plenty to do, from essential story missions to just encountering random folks on the trail. You'll find all sorts of NPCs in RDO. There are the shopkeepers in towns like Valentine and Saint Denis, always ready to sell you supplies or buy your pelts. Then there are friendly strangers who might offer you a side quest, or even less friendly ones who might try to ambush you! I remember one time I was trying to Deliver the supplies to the Camp, and an NPC just vanished mid-delivery, leaving me scrambling to figure out what happened. It definitely made me think, 'Why leave??' Now, about them leaving or seeming to disappear – that's a whole other can of worms! I've had moments where I'm riding along, and an NPC I was just interacting with seems to vanish into thin air. Sometimes, it's just the game's mechanics. If you ride too far away, NPCs might despawn to save server resources. Other times, it feels like a glitch, especially when they disappear right in front of you. I've even seen "Antagonizing?!" pop up after I accidentally bumped into someone, and next thing I know, they're gone or running away like their life depended on it, making me wonder if it was something I did! My theory is that a lot of it has to do with how dynamic the RDO world is. NPCs are part of random encounters that can pop up and then resolve quickly. If you're in a mission, certain NPCs might only be present for the duration of that task. For instance, after you complete a bounty, the target's allies might just fade out of existence once the mission is done. It can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to interact with them or chase them down. I've definitely had to quickly JUMP TO HORSE more than once to keep an eye on a fleeing NPC or to continue a pursuit before they despawn. So, while NPCs are a core part of the Red Dead Online experience, their presence isn't always permanent. It's a mix of game design, server performance, and sometimes, plain old glitches. Don't worry, you're not imagining things if they seem to vanish. It's just another part of the unpredictable Wild West! If you ever find an important NPC has vanished, sometimes simply riding away and returning to the area, or even switching servers, can help them respawn. It can be a bit of a dance, but it's all part of the unique charm (and occasional frustration!) of navigating the vast world of Red Dead Online. Keep your eyes peeled, and always be ready for the unexpected!