In a surprising but welcome move for many players, Facepunch Studios has announced that they are reverting the recent workbench update in Rust. The controversial change, which locked workbenches behind the tech tree and removed the scrap requirement for crafting, will no longer be implemented.
What Happened?
Earlier this month, Rust introduced an overhaul to workbench crafting, requiring players to unlock workbenches through the tech tree rather than crafting them directly. The goal was to encourage structured progression and limit players from skipping ahead too quickly. However, the update was met with widespread criticism, particularly from solo players and small groups who found the changes to be overly restrictive and unnecessarily grind-heavy.
Why Is Facepunch Reverting the Change?
After receiving overwhelming negative feedback from the community, Facepunch Studios has decided to roll back the update. The workbench system will return to its previous state, allowing players to craft them directly without needing to unlock them in the tech tree. The scrap requirement will also be reinstated, restoring the familiar balance of progression that players are accustomed to.
Community Reactions
The decision to revert the update has been met with relief and praise from Rust players, many of whom felt that the tech tree restriction added unnecessary barriers to gameplay. Solo players, in particular, expressed frustration with the change, as it made survival even more difficult in an already harsh game environment.
Looking Ahead
While this reversal is a win for the community, it raises questions about how Facepunch will approach future progression changes in Rust. The studio has a history of experimenting with balance adjustments, and while some have been successful, others—like the workbench update—have proven unpopular. For now, players can continue crafting and unlocking workbenches as they did before, but it remains to be seen whether Facepunch will attempt another approach to workbench progression in the future.
Rust continues to evolve, and as always, the community’s feedback remains a crucial factor in shaping the game’s direction. With this rollback, Facepunch has shown that they are willing to listen when changes don’t resonate with the player base in which more companies could take example on by doing the same.
