Rust No More Zombies

Zombies: they're the flesh-craving trend that just won't go away. From movies, to TV to games these undead zed-heads are absolutely everywhere, bursting through barricades, feasting on brains and generally blindsiding unlikable lead characters.

If this were a war then humanity's rotten relation might already have won. Indeed, nothing seems to wins hearts and minds, quite like an entrée of actual hearts and minds. Luckily, the folks behind open-world survival title RUST don't see things quite so gravely. In fact, they're wiping out the moaning monsters for good.

Announced via the official RUST website earlier this week, the game's (which hails from the creator of Garry's Mod) latest update - available to download now - puts a direct stop to all future walker activity. Following weeks of speculation, not to mention numerous gamer complaints, the team at Facepunch Studios has finally decided to jettison the infected avatars.

While no particular reasons were noted for the change, the move is likely motivated out of a desire to differentiate the title from similar survival games, including DayZ, State of Decay and Dying Light. As fans eagerly await Facepunch's promise of imminent new info, the studio has opted to implement a temporary, predatory placeholder - filling the zombie void with a marked increase in red bears and wolves. Happy hunting.

Rust Field

For the complete release notes on the 6th of Feb update, keep on reading.

Wildlife

  • no longer exploitable by walking backwards
  • fears hostile wildlife
  • reacts to gunshots
  • hostile wildlife retreats if it cannot find a path to you
  • wildlife should not jump up and switch to random angles anymore
  • removed white wolf

Resources

  • added new models for wood & stone resources
  • wood & stone resources change model to indicate their quantity
  • added another stone resource — contains mostly stone

Other

  • fixed bugs with the level (such as rocks intersecting buildings)
  • the ‘oil tank’ area has been modified with cover
  • workbenches make you craft faster when standing next to them
  • added new player animations
  • improved melee attack animations
  • added locked backpacks and lockpicks test ( off by default )
    • when you die your backpack is locked for everyone else but you for a time
    • someone else can use a lockpick tool to bypass this time
    • lockpick tools are a default blueprint
    • you can’t use lockpicks on doors
    • the amount of time the backpack is locked for is per-server and can be set with the command player.backpackLockTime seconds
    • can be turned off by setting player.backpackLockTime to 0
  • footstep sounds will never play the same sound as the one previously played
  • grass textures have been improved

Known Issues

  • there are a small number of areas with what seems like invisible walls
  • there are one or two rocks without collision
  • there used to be  about 200 wolves in one area of the map, we fixed it, though.

Having begun life as a DayZ clone, it's interesting to note how the game's ongoing development process, including early access and player feedback opportunities have effectively shaped the RUST experience. It's quite possible that in future, many other titles — and particularly those appearing out of indie studios - will learn to embrace such player-led change.

Not feeling these alpha-build aliens? Petition to have them switched up with something more interesting. Not enjoying this sun-drenched setting? Have the developer dial up the lightning. If a zombie survival title can do-away with the undead, then anything ought to be possible.

Is RUST better off (un)dead or can the game still carve out its own survivalist niche? Is early access play proving more enjoyable or aggravating? Where should Facepunch Studios be looking to improve upon their formula? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check in with all of the latest gaming news, right here on Game Rant.

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RUST is now available as an early access Alpha title. A full release date has yet to be confirmed. The game is currently under development for PC, Mac and Linux platforms.

Follow Sam on Twitter @GamingGoo.

Source: PlayRUST