DEV BLOG #15
Let’s start the Dev Blog with some exciting news! Tomorrow, March 30th, marks the release of our next update over on the Public Test Branch. This will be our 6th major content update, bringing Rust Console Edition even closer to the Steam version. Just like Power Surge, Cultivator will vastly expand on the way the game is meant to be played by adding a faster and more reliable way of growing your crops, helping you achieve self-sustainability when it comes to food resources, or creating a new way to generate scrap in case you decide to sell the fruits of your labour over at the Bandit Camp!
Planting and growing crops was possible before but with the new items and systems added in this update the process will now be a lot more engaging. For example, plants can now have different genetics and this will affect how fast the plants grow and how much can you harvest out of it. If you combine the right genetics you will be able to have a very profitable farm in no time. You will also be able to grow plants inside your base as long as you can provide them with light and water. Similar to electricity, you will have new items that will allow you to automate all of these processes.
Another feature released with this update is the Mixing Table and Teas. These will allow you to craft unique consumables that will give you various buffs for a certain amount of time, like resistance to radiation or healing over time. These buffs can be extremely powerful but you will need a decent amount of berries to be able to craft them.
With Cultivator we will also add a terrain revamp. This will enhance the visual fidelity of the game, making it look much better whilst improving the performance with new optimised assets. Here’s a quick comparison between the old and new terrain for Rust Console Edition:
As a last added bonus, the most requested community vegetable is making a comeback! With the release of cultivator, Potatoes will be available in game once again.
COMMUNITY PLAYTEST
With the imminent release over on the Public Test Branch we want to test all of these new features and make sure they are performing as intended before we consider a release over on the main branch, so from March 31st to April 3rd we will host a special Community Playtest.
There will be 10 different playtest servers spread across our supported regions and the goal is for everyone who wants to participate to build the most awesome farm they can create! This can be done individually or in a group. While building a farm, be sure to use as many of the new items as possible. This will help us detect any potential issues and work on fixes for them. The playtest servers will be under PVE rules so don’t worry about other players trying to raid your base, because that will not be possible. Monday as the servers close we will be recording a special video featuring some of the most awesome farm designs we can find, the video will then be released on the next Dev Blog in April. If you want a chance at being featured be sure to participate in the playtest!
A few days following the conclusion of the playtest, we will be sharing a feedback form with everyone who wants to provide us feedback. Your input is valuable to us in improving your overall experience, so kindly keep an eye on our PTB Discord server to ensure you don't miss the opportunity to share your thoughts with our development team!
OVER IN THE MAIN BRANCH
We’ve been working to resolve some of the most reported community bugs and although not all will be fixed in this next update, we will address a good amount of bugs with the patch coming out on the 30th of March, during the Monthly Wipe maintenance. Don’t forget that our wipe schedule changed, so now we have a maintenance window for our Monthly Wipes, that start at 6PM UTC and it’s expected to be finished at 6:30 PM UTC.
EASTER EVENT
Easter is coming to the island and we will have a special event to celebrate the occasion during the next month. From April 6th to April 27th, players will be able to collect Easter Eggs and crack them open to get some loot. Rewards can vary depending on the rarity of the Egg. If you get lucky you might get your hands on some powerful high tier weapons. This event promises to spice up your monthly wipe and help you take care of the competition. Get into the spirit with our new limited time seasonal cosmetics like the Bunny Onesie and the Bunny Ears! These will be available to craft for the duration of the event so don’t miss the chance of getting your hands on one!
Thank you for your constant support. We hope to see you on the island very soon!
