4:45pm EST - Although the most recent update did improve server FPS, performance is still a lot lower than normal. Given smooth gameplay is our top priority, we've decided to wipe the map (no blueprint wipe). Wipe will happen at 5pm EST (15 minutes from now) - new map to be posted shortly after.

1:30pm EST - It is a new week in Rust development and we've started with a bang: skin tones and head textures! Gone are the days of every Newman looking the same, your character's look is now defined by your Steamid. Before we get into the details, lets talk about performance...

Performance

Last week's update introduced a bunch of changes to Rust: rivers, bridges, and an overall more diverse landscape. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with some previous updates, performance took a hit. Although not immediately apparent, server side FPS steadily dropped to the single digits as slots filled up and more entities entered the map. Smaller servers are in luck as this appears to only be affecting servers with populations of 100 or more. In addition to server performance, there have been many reports of client FPS being lower as well.

Exacerbating the issue further, building costs are drastically lower now, allowing people to build much larger, much quicker. Our main server is about to pass the 200k entity mark in the next several hours, putting us in unknown territory. Thankfully, Garry did push a commit before which includes some server performance fixes and AI profiling (another culprit of low server FPS). I’m planning on updating to the most recent server build in a little bit and hopefully we’ll see a performance boost. That said, if it’s still shitty later today, I will likely exercise the nuclear option: A map wipe.

50 Shades of Newman

Hold on to your bucket helmets my fellow Newmans, Rust has gone interracial. Skin tones and head textures are now unique for each player. Don't go looking for that light to dark slider just yet, skin tone is defined by your unique steamid.

Might this give those of a darker complexion some form of advantage at night? Maybe, although given the recent gamma boost fixes, good luck seeing anyone at night, regardless of their ethnicity.

So far, skin tones seem to range from Samwise Gamgee to Samuel L. Jackson (and everywhere in between). To see what your new identity is, opt into the development branch and join or dev branch server on the official list. Be happy with what the Rust gods provide because your unique look carries from server to server, permanently tied to your steamid. Here’s some pictures:

Edit: The new character models are showing up on any sever as long as your client is opted into the development branch.

Big maps bugged

Another issue which arose out of last weeks update is custom map sizes are pretty buggy. Reports of players spawning in the sky and issues building have been coming in. Given this, server owners may want to consider going back to the default 4000 worldsize for the time being.

Metal wall cost

As I mentioned above, the cost of all building items shifted pretty drastically last week. One glitchy thing players are experiencing is with the cost of upgrading to the top tier armored walls. Although it appears to cost 100 wood, 100 stone and 100 metal. It is infact costing 200 metal and 100 stone (no wood). This is, if you have 200 metal on you. If you only have 100 metal, it’ll still upgrade and only cost 100 of each stone and metal. Lesson here: Only carry 100 metal at a time when upgrading to the armored tier.

Stone pickaxe

Daniel has moved the stone pickaxe to the “Done this week” section of trello. Although it is not yet on the dev branch, I expect we’ll see it in game for Thursday’s big update.

Base decorations

Paul has added a new card for base decorations and attached this image. Sweet, I can’t wait for people to be able to customize the look of their bases!

Question? Comments? Join the conversation at Rustaforum.com