Facepunch Studios has confirmed that Rust’s long-awaited Naval Update will no longer arrive in November as originally planned. The update, which focuses on expanding the game’s ocean systems with new boats and sea-based mechanics, has been delayed until December to allow the team more time for development and testing.
Why the Delay?
According to the developers, the Naval Update’s scope turned out to be larger than expected. With new mechanics like modular boats, naval combat systems, and potential ocean monuments, the team decided it was better to take extra time to ensure stability and balance at launch.
Players following the staging branch noticed several unfinished systems, such as missing animations, incomplete damage models, and bugs affecting modular boat physics — all pointing toward a project that wasn’t quite ready for release. Facepunch explained that while the core systems are functional, more polish and optimization are needed before rolling it out to the live servers.
We all can agree that we are happy that the devs are taking their time for this massive update and that it is not ending up, like what happened with deadside for example.
What Players Can Expect
The delay doesn’t mean Rust will go without updates in November. Instead, Facepunch plans to release a smaller monthly patch focused on performance improvements, bug fixes, and minor balance adjustments while work continues on the Naval Update.
When it eventually launches in December, the update is expected to bring:
- New modular boats that can be customized similarly to modular cars.
- Expanded naval combat, including mounted weaponry and new ways to engage enemies at sea.
- Improved ocean exploration, possibly with additional points of interest or oceanic monuments.
- Enhanced water physics and performance tweaks for smoother boat handling.
Community Reaction
While some players expressed frustration at the delay, many welcomed Facepunch’s decision to postpone the update rather than release it in an unfinished state.
One community member wrote:
“Delaying it is the right move. I’d rather have a polished naval update than a broken one.”
Others hope the team will use the extra time to refine the mechanics and ensure the new systems integrate smoothly with Rust’s existing gameplay.
Looking Ahead
The Naval Update is shaping up to be one of Rust’s most ambitious additions yet, potentially transforming how players interact with the ocean. With its December release window, Facepunch appears committed to delivering a high-quality expansion that lives up to the community’s expectations.
