Facepunch Studios has rolled out a comprehensive July update for Rust, marking another milestone in the survival game's evolution with over 380 free updates delivered since launch. The update introduces several highly requested features while addressing underlying systems that will enable faster content creation in the future.
Party System Simplifies Multiplayer Experience
The most visible addition is Rust's new party system, allowing players to invite friends through Steam and join servers together as a coordinated group. When joining a server for the first time, party members spawn in close proximity and are automatically placed on the same team, eliminating the frustrating process of tracking down friends across the map. The system also enhances team management by enabling direct invitations from the chat panel and allowing players to add friends even when they're not on the same server.
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| The introduction of the party system enhances multiplayer coordination, allowing friends to team up seamlessly in Rust |
Deployable Snapping Transforms Base Building
Base construction receives a significant quality-of-life improvement with the introduction of deployable snapping functionality. Players can now hold left shift to automatically align beds, chests, shelves, and workbenches to walls and corners with precision. The system offers two modes: Simple mode prioritizes wall alignment, while Advanced mode enables sophisticated corner snapping and groups similar objects together, such as automatically aligning multiple shelves or storage containers.
Mission System Overhaul Enables Faster Content Development
Behind the scenes, Facepunch has restructured Rust's mission creation framework to address longstanding development bottlenecks. The previous system required extensive manual setup of conversation nodes, translation fields, and data entry, making new mission creation cumbersome and error prone. The updated tools automate much of this process, potentially accelerating the rollout of new quests and objectives throughout 2025.
Patrol Helicopter Adjustments and Outpost Expansion
The controversial patrol helicopter system receives further refinement after previous changes proved problematic. The helicopter now consistently flees toward monuments with locations displayed on the map, maintaining the tug of war mechanics while giving initiating players better chances at securing valuable loot drops. Additionally, players can now unlock a new spawn point at the Outpost location through a mission involving NPC CZ-721, though this spawn option includes a 30-minute cooldown.
Technical Improvements and Future Roadmap
The update includes enhanced erosion simulation for more realistic terrain blending, improved turret optimization, and a dedicated UI sounds slider. Facepunch addressed roof stability concerns by implementing targeted fixes for pyramid base issues while preserving popular bunker mechanics that have become integral gameplay elements.
Looking ahead, August will bring a Hardcore mode refresh alongside additional quality-of-life improvements. The highly anticipated Naval Update later in 2025 will introduce modular, player-built boats equipped with cannons, while animal AI improvements and a mysterious Warhammer collaboration remain in development. The game is currently available at a 40% discount through July 10, priced at USD 23.99 / GBP 20.99, as Rust continues its dominance in the survival genre with over 20 million copies sold on Steam.
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| The immersive landscapes of Rust will be complemented by future updates, enhancing the player's experience in this vast world |