Today, Rockstar has announced a deal with Gamestop to bring an exclusive downloadable gift to customers who pre-order Red Dead Redemption. No, it isn't a new level, a special mount, or an exclusive weapon, it's... an outfit. Because we all know how much cowboys love to look pretty. There's no image of the exclusive outfit yet, and there's actually a good reason for that. For "the first time ever," players will actually be able to choose which of the three outfits they want to come with the game, bringing the idea of a pre-order gift to a whole new level. What is that level, you ask? I have absolutely no idea, but they sound pretty excited about it.

"We're privileged to have fans that are just as passionate about our games as we are," said Alex Moulle-Berteaux, head of marketing for Rockstar Games. "Having fans choose their own pre-order bonus is a unique way to let them be a part of Red Dead Redemption."

My only hope is that the outfits look nothing like the ones found in the game already. I want Niko's awful brown coat, a pig mask from Manhunt, or the ability to dress up like an Old Western hooker. That would be worth voting for. The press release is below, and we'll keep you posted.

Rockstar Games Announces Exclusive Red Dead Redemption GameStop Pre-order Content

New York, NY – December 8, 2009 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with video game retailer GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) to offer exclusive in-game content for consumers who pre-order Red Dead Redemption on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft or the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system either in-store or online at www.gamestop.com. For the first time ever, consumers will have the power to vote for their choice of one of three in-game outfit challenges as their exclusive pre-order bonus on the retailer's website.

"We're privileged to have fans that are just as passionate about our games as we are," said Alex Moulle-Berteaux, head of marketing for Rockstar Games. "Having fans choose their own pre-order bonus is a unique way to let them be a part of Red Dead Redemption."

Players can vote to choose an outfit that will be earned by completing a unique set of in-game challenges. Once the challenges are completed and the outfit is unlocked, the outfit will uniquely affect how the surrounding world responds to the game's protagonist, John Marston. Stay tuned throughout the month of January for new information about the outfits and their effects in-game.

[Source]