Good Morning, Survivors,
Noize here with the latest news about our Rust server. I know many of you have been waiting patiently for the new map’s release, but unfortunately, I have some less-than-ideal news regarding the most recent update. While progress was being made, last month’s Rust update caused more complications than we anticipated. I want to take this opportunity to explain what went wrong, how it affects the map’s release, and what I’m planning to do next to address these issues.
The Big Question: Will the Map Be Released?
The initial plan was indeed to release the map soon. However, the addition of new rock formations and the removal of older ones have turned this process into an unexpectedly massive undertaking. The challenge lies in having to reapply each rock formation manually, one by one. I managed to save some of the work for a future map, but dealing with the current state of the editor has become a major headache.
The update cluttered the map with hundreds of rock formations, causing significant performance issues. In some areas, there are too many items concentrated in small spaces, including duplicated rock formations that are overlapping or clipping through monuments. This has led to frequent desktop freezes and client crashes, making it nearly impossible to continue work without technical interruptions. I suspect that the update may have also altered the way topology is handled within the game.
Wait, What’s Topology?
For those unfamiliar with the term, topology in this context refers to the invisible “paint” that defines what should spawn in specific areas of the map. For example, a forest topology would spawn trees, while a sideroad topology spawns junkpiles, vehicles, and other roadside items. Essentially, it controls what type of environment and resources appear in certain areas. With the topology system potentially affected by the update, everything from forests to roadside junkpiles could be out of alignment.
So, What’s Next?
Despite previously stating that this would be my last custom map, I’ve decided to create a brand-new one. Instead of sticking to the original plan, I’m working on something simpler but equally exciting—a full underground experience. Don’t worry, it won’t just be endless tunnels filled with NPCs. I’ve been looking into some cinematic inspiration and am aiming for something along the lines of what we saw with Mantonia—a massive underground bunker, similar to Deadside’s bunker update.
What About the Map Size?
The new map will be 4k in size, with 75% of it featuring forested areas. While this means we may not be able to include every monument available in Rust, I’ll do my best to add as much as I can without overwhelming the design or performance. The idea is to balance fun exploration with functionality, focusing on what works best for the underground concept.
When Will the Map Be Released?
I’m targeting the next major wipe on December 5th for the release. However, this heavily depends on the stability of the editor and whether or not I can overcome the technical hurdles. While things seem to be working at the moment, I don’t fully trust the editor in its current state after what it did to the original map.
Server Updates
As for the server itself, we’ve upgraded to new hardware, and you’ll notice that we’re now running on a new IP address. With the upcoming Rust updates over the next few months, we expect smoother gameplay and better performance for everyone.
Apologies and Moving Forward
I know this isn’t the news many of you were hoping for, and I apologize for not being more vocal in recent weeks. I’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes, even waiting on external help for the map issue—which, unfortunately, never came. But I do have some good news to share with you all.
Rust Gaming Guides Incoming!
In the coming days, we’ll be adding over 20 new guides to our website, tailored specifically to help new Rust players. These guides will cover a variety of essential topics, from locating scraps in loot crates to monument-specific tips and tricks. Once the new custom map is ready and released, we’ll also be adding guides that cover everything players need to know about exploring and surviving in the custom underground environment.
