Rust August update makes the survival game's hardcore mode even more realistic

Facepunch has just dropped the Rust August update, and its big feature is the return of Hardcore mode in a new, even more realistic incarnation. There's something in the patch notes for everyone, though; the survival game remains one of Steam's most-played games daily, and Facepunch promises that you'll still have lots to get stuck into even if you aren't a Hardcore player. With a long-requested menu overhaul, faster loading, metal detector changes, and improved atmosphere, the overall Rust experience is about to get much slicker too.

The Rust August update is rather fittingly named 'Harder Core.' The returning Hardcore mode, polished up with new ideas and some community-requested changes, is "a fresh way to experience Rust," Facepunch explains. It doesn't expect the mode to stay popular forever, but is eager to watch players respond to its challenges and listen to your feedback over the coming months. This will then help to guide future decision-making across the board and make one of the best survival games on PC even better.

Fog of war is back exclusively for the Hardcore mode, obscuring the map when you first spawn in and gradually revealing it as you explore. Facepunch wants "to heighten the inherent risk and reward gameplay in Rust, hopefully leading players to consider their next moves carefully as the consequences for dying can be significant."

To make navigation more interesting, you'll be given a new handheld compass item, which must be equipped to see your location on the map. The traditional orientation markers integrated into Rust's HUD are disabled for Hardcore mode, so the compass is now the only way you'll be able to know where you're going. The new item will also be available in other modes if you'd like to use it, but won't be necessary there.

You can no longer craft or research firearms at all in Hardcore. "You'll be at the mercy of what loot you find in the world," Facepunch teases, although it does say that you're able to repair any found weapons without needing to research them. Alongside this, the crafting costs for all ammunition have been increased by five times, making every engagement a much bigger commitment.

To further emphasize this "more complex thought process when deciding whether to attack other players," sleeping bag respawn cooldowns in Hardcore have been raised to 15 minutes, with those for beds increased to ten. Finally, upkeep costs have been doubled for the mode, encouraging "tighter, more efficient base designs" over giant, widespread compounds that can begin to dominate the map.

Moving beyond just the Hardcore mode, there are some other gameplay changes. Miniguns that are placed in autoturrets and attack helicopters now spin up before they start shooting. Weapon stats will dynamically update as you add or remove attachments to make tracking their effects easier. You can honk your horn on tugboats. There are new keybinds for placing map markers and clearing all of your current pins. Admins using Rust commands for invisibility or godmode will now see a visual indicator when they're turned on.

Metal detectors have been given an overhaul - or, more accurately, the way lost gear works is changing. Now, when a player's backpack or dropped weapon despawns, it will be buried for a day, and you'll be able to seek it out with a metal detector. It won't be exactly where it was left, to prevent people from burying items just to pick them up later. The chances of finding one are low, but increase based on the number in the area, ensuring that scavenging the site of a raid feels rewarding.

Rounding out the August update are a wealth of quality-of-life and performance upgrades. Loading optimization should result in "up to 65% quicker loading from desktop to loading into a server," and the game's memory usage should drop by 10-20%. The menus have been given a fresh coat of paint, with a new navigation bar along the top and features such as server map previews, a redesigned store, a skin viewer, and a more tidy and useful inventory screen.

Settings have been reorganized into separate categories, along with a search bar that should let you quickly seek out the particular option you're looking for. The gesture wheel has been overhauled, and now uses a quick drag-and-drop interface to slot in your favorite emotes. Finally, new volumetric clouds and biome-localized fog should enhance the overall atmosphere and better support a variety of dynamic weather.

There's a lot of reasons to check back in with Rust this month, then, and if you've always considered jumping in but have never taken the plunge, you're in luck. A Steam sale discount has gone live alongside the new update, letting you snag one of the most popular games on Valve's entire store at half price.

The Rust August update is out now. You can buy the game at a 50% discount until Thursday August 14, paying just $19.99 / £17.49. Check the full patch notes courtesy of Facepunch, and get ready to discover just how hardcore you really are.

Wondering whether your PC is up to the task? We've got the latest Rust system requirements so you can quickly check. You might also want to consider an upgrade to the best gaming headset in 2025, to make sure you don't miss a single footstep in the undergrowth.

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