7/8 @ 2pm EST - An update was just released which should fix the crazy XP gains. Given the absolute shit-show this has been since the update, we're doing complete wipes (map and XP) on all of our servers to give everyone a clean start.

7/8 @ 11:55am EST - Well, the XP system is a bit fucked - people leveling up insanely quick. The team is aware and working on some fixes.

8:06pm EST - Another server build hit just a little while ago and performance is improved even more. Looking better!

6:55pm EST - The latest server build has performance a bit better, but still lower than normal. Helk confirmed another hotfix is planned for tonight and another, bigger hotfix is also planned for tomorrow.

5:16pm EST - Shit is still fucked. We're in a holding pattern awaiting a hotfix. Stay tuned to the stream and @Rustafied for updates.

4:25pm EST - There are some serious issues with performance (possibly related to rain collision) - fix incoming shortly.

4:00pm EST - The update and devblog are live!

2:02pm EST - Our update stream is live!

1:50pm EST - The staging branch is working again and the new airfield is in (see pictures below). Our update stream will go live in about 10 minutes!

12:30pm EST - When is the wipe!? As always, the exact time is unknown. @playrust tweeted 6 hours ago that the patch would go live in 8-10 hours. So, we're looking at a launch anytime in the next 2 to 4 hours from now. Given the state of the staging branch, we're planning on starting our update stream at 2pm EST now.

12:10pm EST - We're just hours from the launch of the patch and the team is still cranking out code. It looks like the new airfield art has made it in, along with a couple more ways to gain XP (gutting fish, crafting with leather), and we've also got some item balance (info below). Unfortunately, the staging branch is currently broken, so we may be starting our update stream a bit late. Stay tuned...

12:01am EST - The team at Facepunch has a big one in store for us this week: the new XP system is going live along with a slew of other game changers.

This update will force a map wipe across all servers and set all blueprint knowledge back to zero (or as it’s now known: level 1). Tune in to our update stream starting at 2pm EST (changed from 1pm EST) and follow @Rustafied for news throughout the day. Let’s get into it...

XP system

The new experience system completely changes how character progression works. Instead of finding or researching blueprints, players now gain XP to level up and unlock the items through completing tasks like harvesting nodes, chopping trees, killing animals, shooting the helicopter, and so forth. In addition, every item (including resources) now has an owner - creating many new gameplay opportunities.

Accompanying these changes are a slew of new user experiences. Main thing: the inventory and crafting screens have been separated. 'TAB' brings up your standard inventory - plus a sweet new quick craft, which shows all the items you can craft given your current inventory - and 'q' brings up the actual crafting menu. Also, we've got new escape menus. Here are some screens:

We have a full guide on this new system almost ready to go, stay tuned for a link. In the meantime check out these resources for more information on the XP system:

• Rust Update: XP System Merged by Phaedo
• rustunlocked.com
• List of unlocks per level (tech tree)
• Rust XP - How does it work?
• XP buy order

Also, here are some handy commands for server owners to test things with the new XP system:

• 'data.export' - Exports XP data
• 'xp.add' - Add X amount of XP
• 'xp.reset' - Resets your level to 1
• 'xp.setlevel' - Set your level to X
• 'xp.addlevel' - Adds X level
• 'xp.history' - Shows your XP history
• 'randomowner' - Changes ownership of item in slot 1 (top left) to a random player

Notes work!

Holy shit, after having this item technically in game (just not working) for months now, Garry has added functionality to notes. They work how you would expect: craft or find a note, then transcribe your message.

Notes can be left on corpses, boxes, loot crates - basically anywhere you can store and inventory item. They can be read by anyone and cost one paper (100 wood) to craft. Here's what the interface looks like:

Shifts in craft times

Helk has done everyone a solid by making many craft times 'more sensible.' What does this look like? In most cases, it means shorter time (the exception being high externals, which have been increased by 3 fold or more). Here are a few examples…

Pickaxe
Was
120 seconds
Now
60 seconds

Hatchet
Was
60 seconds
Now
30 seconds

Hoodie
Was
60 seconds
Now
30 seconds

Paper
Was
30 seconds
Now
5 seconds

Stone External Walls
Was
60 seconds
Now
180 seconds

Wood External Walls
Was
30 seconds
Now
180 seconds

Barren map

A new option emerges for those with slower computers: Barren goes live with this update. Offering the same procedurally generated terrain you’re used to, this map leaves out all grass, bushes, and various rock formations to maximize on performance.

Along with creating a more open environment, Barren boasts improved frames per second - a much sought after commodity, especially for those with less powerful machines. If you’d like to try it for yourself, simply type “Barren” into the map filter when browsing servers.

Hitscan added

A huge change to close range combat is also going live - hitscan has been added to the first several meters of bullet trajectory. What does this mean exactly?

Hitscan means the bullet travels in the straight line immediately when a gun is fired - instead of having a speed / arc over time (a.k.a. projectile, which is what the game currently has). After a certain number of meters (depending on the gun being fired) hitscan switches to the normal projectile method.

This improves the overall feel and accuracy of close range gunfights, while still maintaining the necessity to lead your shots from a distance. Based on initial tests, the pipe shotgun and revolver have very short hitscan distances, while the bolt and AK have the greatest.

Heli changes

The biggest PvE adversary in Rust just got a bit gentler on freshies - the attack helicopter no longer targets players wielding a simple hunting bow. In addition to this, experience point gains have been added for damaging the weak points of the chopper.

You’ll now get a couple XP points per weakspot destroyed (the exact points seems to vary each time). Remember: You also get XP for looting the boxes and harvesting the helicopter body.

Raid towers nerfed

There should be less crazy looking structures next to raided bases as of this update - the stability for pillars and roofs has been nerfed, making it much more difficult to build onto the top of someones base.

Item balance

Balance has been performed on several items. Here are the highlights:

• Eoka has been buffed
• Stone spear has been buffed
• Sword and machete now cost less
• Found items now have slightly more condition (you'll get a couple clips out of them now)

Aim throwing

Gone are the days of accidentally throwing your fresh metal hatchet in the grass; aim throwing is here. Behaving similar to bows, all tools and weapons are now thrown by holding right click to aim, then tapping left click to throw. In addition to this, you can now throw while sprinting - at the cost of some accuracy.

Dungeon art

Vince has completed a ton of new art on the dungeons throughout the map. He’s also added new elements to the airfield and other places. Unfortunately, this work has not been merged in yet, so it may not make it in at all this month. Only time will tell, stay tuned here for updates as we get closer to the launch.

Edit: It looks like the new airfield stuff has made it into staging - pictures pending!

Edit 2: Pictures added, it looks awesome!

Radiation is back (maybe)

Tied in with the new artwork, radiation has been added by default to various parts of the dungeons. Given this is on the same branch as the dungeon art, this also may not go live today.

Craftable rocks

You’re no longer totally fucked if you lose / break your rock - they can now be crafted. For the small price of 10 stone, you’ll have a fresh rock in 10 seconds flat.

New admin commands

Andre has added a couple of handy new commands for admins to determine location and teleport to a specific location. Here they are:

• teleportpos - teleport to a specific location
• printpos - print a specific location
• printrot - print rotation

Misc fixes / changes:

There have been a bunch of other miscellaneous fixes and changes. Here are some highlights:

• Overall improvements to graphics
• Motion blur added
• Dropped skinned items show the right skin
• Fixed alignment of crossbow viewmodel when aiming down sights
• Fishing traps ignore minnows as bait

New branches (of code)

With big updates come changes to code structure and organization. Before this week, all the XP updates we’re on the ‘prerelease’ branch. In preparation for the update, that code was merged into the ‘staging’ branch. When this update goes live, the ‘staging’ branch will become the ‘main’ branch.

As if that’s not enough, there is now a new branch, ‘july2016,’ which is the game in its current state (with the blueprint fragment system). This branch will no longer be updated, but will allow people to play the game in its pre-XP system state.

New Rustafied servers!

Given the prerelease branch is no longer being updated (for the time being), I’ve decided to convert our prerelease servers into main branch servers. Our 100 slot EU prerelease will now be 'EU Low Pop' and our 150 slot US prerelease server will now be 'Rustafied.com - Small.' Here’s a description of both:

Rustafied.com - Small
For the avid PvPer
150 slots, 3k map, weekly wipes

Rustafied.com - EU Low Pop
Less people, less wipes, in the EU
100 slots, 4k map, monthly wipes

These servers will both go live when the update hits.