Rust continues to evolve, and July’s development updates have unveiled an ambitious set of changes and features arriving over the next few months. From an overhaul of hardcore mode to a redesigned main menu, naval combat improvements, and even a teased Warhammer crossover, here’s everything revealed so far.
Hardcore Mode Refresh Brings Fog of War, Craftable Compass, and Tougher Economy
Hardcore mode is getting a significant refresh in August. Players will notice a new craftable compass replacing the removed UI compass — available as a default blueprint for 75 metal fragments. The fog of war mechanic also returns: players must now explore the map to reveal it gradually, with new admin commands available to reset or clear fog.
Additionally, upkeep costs in hardcore are being increased (currently tested at 5× normal rates), and future updates will remove weapon crafting and vendors entirely. Weapons will only come from loot, while ammunition remains craftable but at ten times the current cost.
New Menu and Store Overhaul Coming in August Patch
A long-awaited UI redesign is also slated for August 7. The main menu now features tabs for Home, Play, Store, and Inventory across the top, while social features are moved to the bottom of the screen. Server browsing has been streamlined, and gesture customization gets a dedicated menu, with some premium gestures available via the store.
The store itself gets better skin previews, allowing players to zoom and rotate skins, plus updated previews for DLC like the Floors & Ceilings pack and the newly released Legacy Walls and Gates set, which now include barbed wire and revised placement restrictions.
Faster Loading and Backend Optimizations
Developers have also begun testing new loading optimizations, reportedly reducing load times on staging servers by up to 65%. These improvements are expected to roll out in the August patch if testing continues to show positive results.
Visual and Quality of Life Changes
Several visual enhancements and minor fixes are also coming, including:
- New spatial biome fog, volumetric clouds, and post-processing effects (about 80% likely to launch in August).
- Oil refineries now act as heat sources, providing comfort when nearby.
- Players can now pick up research tables without emptying them.
- Miniguns in turrets will require a spin-up delay before firing.
- Improvements to no-build zone visuals and admin visibility indicators.
- Armor descriptions will include movement speed info.
For mapmakers and modders, new prefabs are being added, including AI navigation obstacles, nav mesh zones, and updated NPC spawners.
Naval Update: Boat Building, Cannons, Anchors, and Ghost Ships
On the horizon is the much-anticipated naval update, expected to release around October. Players can look forward to modular boat building with nautical components like sails, cannons, gangplanks, and railings. The final cannon model has now been revealed, and anchors are being tested to slow, though not entirely prevent, drift.
Interestingly, commits referencing ghost ships have also surfaced, possibly hinting at a seasonal event tied to the naval update’s release window.
Upcoming DLCs and Warhammer Crossover
In addition to the Legacy Walls DLC already live, more DLCs are planned:
- Pilot Hazy DLC (August): Includes a pilot-themed hazmat skin, M15 pistol skin, and an exclusive pilot-themed code lock skin.
- Decor Lighting DLC (September): Adds decorative lighting elements for bases.
Meanwhile, a previously announced Warhammer 40k crossover remains largely under wraps. According to earlier statements, the crossover will include themed hazmat skins, base and character cosmetics, and weapon skins. While no release date is confirmed, speculation suggests it may align with Warhammer 40k’s 40th anniversary in 2027 — though hidden development commits hint it could arrive much sooner.
Stay Tuned
Facepunch continues to deliver a steady stream of improvements and creative additions to Rust. With major updates landing in August and October, and crossovers on the horizon, the game’s evolution shows no signs of slowing.
Players eager for a tougher survival experience, better visuals, and expanded naval combat will have plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.
