Rockstar Games has today unveiled one of Red Dead Redemption's multiplayer modes. Like Grand Theft Auto IV, "Free Roam" lets players explore the entire single-player gameworld in an online, multiplayer environment. Players can continue to explore on their own, or band together to form "posses" of up to 8 hombres. While possied-up, players can take on other posses, hunt down criminals or start a "group activity," like a traditional multiplayer deathmatch. Up to 16 players can be in the same online lobby simultaneously.

As with GTA IV, experience points are gained as you play through the game. There are 50 levels of character progression, with experience points unlocking new weapons, mounts, characters and challenges.

Today's announcement emphasizes that Free Roam is just one part of the Red Dead Redemption multiplayer experience. "There are more structured competitive modes that we'll reveal soon," Rockstar promises. Catch the trailer after the break.