4:20pm EST - Given the majority of our player base voted for a fresh start, our main server is wiping in 10 minutes. I didn't wipe immediately after the update to make sure gameplay was solid. Besides some issues with dropping items, everything seems to be running pretty well. Here's the new maps for both servers.

3:47pm EST - The server and client update just hit. Our main server has not wiped yet, however, our dev branch server just got a fresh wipe and new map.

3:34pm EST - The devblog just came out.

3:26pm EST - The update should be hitting any time now. Maurino just shared some last minute patch changes with me:

Hide clothing changes
- Costs more than burlap now
- Protects better than burlap from attacks
- Doesn't protect from cold as well as burlap
Repair bench is now a default item and costs:
- 500 wood
- 100 metal fragments
These climate and metabolism changes look like they are going to have a big impact on gameplay (and clothing).

11:26am EST - It’s that day of the week again, time for an update and a devblog! The team is mostly focusing on bug fixes and play testing today, with a plan to launch the update later this afternoon (estimated release time from Garry is 3pm EST / 8pm GMT). Some stark changes to gameplay are in store, here’s a summary of what’s included in this update:

Update summary

Sleeping bag assignment
No more hammer demolish
Missing building parts fixed
Repair bench
Eoka works different
Stone texture improvements
Networking fixes

Bow aims different
Bow and arrow craftable by default
Damage indication
Metabolism changes
Handmade shell
Starter bps no longer dropping
Candle hat (maybe? not in dev yet)

To wipe or not to wipe?

We’re in a unique position: Our main server has been running for almost a week since the last wipe and performance is holding pretty strong. The update today will not force a wipe, making this the first week in a while where we don’t actually have to wipe. That said, I see many people calling for a wipe. To help gauge where the community is at, I’m putting up a poll to weigh in your opinion on wiping today. Note: The results of this poll are not definitively going to determine if we wipe or not, it’s mainly to gauge where people are at.

Vote now

No more hammer demolish

One huge change to gameplay (and specifically building) is coming today: the demolish option on the hammer is no more. There are some stark pros and cons to this one:

Pros

People can no longer easily destroy your whole house when they raid it
This will probably limit people building on rocks and such
You can still knock down the twig tier in a couple hits if you misplace a part while building

Cons

It’s a lot harder for builders to expand on their existing house
Maps stand to get much more cluttered if buildings aren’t demolished
It's easier to get totally locked out of your house now (even if you still have cupboard access)

Whether you like it or not, one thing is for sure, this will force a shift in how people plan their buildings and their raids. Side note: The admin demolish option is still on the hammer. Additionally, Garry fixed it so admins can still demolish in cupboard radius (before the menu wouldn’t pop up if building was blocked).

Handmade shell

A new type of ammunition is now in the game: the handmade shell. Costing 5 stones and 5 gunpowder, this ammunition can be crafted from the get-go (no need to find a blueprint) and shoots several projectiles (similar to a buckshot).

The Eoka is now the only weapon which uses this round (the Waterpipe Shotgun still uses 12 gauge shells). There have also been some changes to the Eoka in this update. The animations and reload action have been improved, however, you can’t currently aim down the sights.

Sleep bag assignment

Another cool change added yesterday is the ability to shift ownership of sleeping bags to other people on the server. This small functionality stands to have a huge impact on how people group up and live together. Here’s some shots of how it works:

Bow and arrow craftable by default

No more searching around for bow and arrow blueprints, you'll now be able to craft them by default.

Metabolism changes

Maurino has done a ton of changes to the metabolism system. Comfort works, cold damages you, armor protects against cold, climates have different temperatures and radiation is working again.

New C4 explosion

Minh has created a new explosion for C4, check out the video here.

Facial changes on the way

Looks like Newman is getting a facelift soon. Garry posted these two shots in our server admin community:

New loot containers

Daniel posted some new loot containers, looking good!

Question? Comments? Join the conversation at Rustaforum.com