Rust is a multiplayer survival game from Facepunch Studios. You start with a rock and a torch on a hostile island, and the official description says the only aim is to survive. Wildlife, weather, hunger, thirst and radiation all cause trouble, but the biggest danger is the other people on the server. Whether you team up with them, trade with them or get raided by them is up to you.
Rust began as an early access game in December 2013 and had its full release in February 2018. It has been updated regularly since then, so the game today is quite different from the one that launched.
Game Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game title | Rust |
| Platform | PC (Windows and macOS, per Steam). Console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are listed by Wikipedia; see the platform section below. |
| Release date | Early access: December 11, 2013 (Wikipedia). Full release on Windows and macOS: February 8, 2018 (Steam, Wikipedia). |
| Genre | Multiplayer survival (Wikipedia). Steam files it under Action, Adventure, Indie, Massively Multiplayer and RPG. |
| Developer | Facepunch Studios. Wikipedia also credits Double Eleven for the console versions. |
| Publisher | Facepunch Studios |
| Storage requirement | 45 GB of available space on PC and Mac (Steam system requirements). The exact download size was not supplied. |
| Version or update | No version number was supplied. Facepunch publishes a content update every month, and the latest one on the official site at the time of checking is the Livestock Update. |
| Languages | 25 interface languages on Steam. 13 of them also have full audio and subtitles: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal) and Turkish. |
About Rust
Rust takes place on a large open-world map, usually an island with smaller islets around it. According to Wikipedia, maps can be procedurally generated or pre-built, and they commonly include arctic, temperate and arid areas. Steam also mentions a jungle biome and, in 2026, additions such as modular boats, the deep sea, tropical islands and floating cities. Across the map you will find abandoned settlements and landmarks called monuments, from military sites to oil rigs. Some are safe places to trade, and others are high-value targets that tend to attract fights.
There is no story campaign in the source material. Players set their own goals: gather resources, build a base, craft better gear, and decide how to deal with everyone else. Wikipedia notes that the game started as a DayZ-style project with crafting ideas borrowed from Minecraft. Zombies were later replaced by animals such as bears and wolves. Facepunch’s Garry Newman has said the team wanted to give players tools rather than fill the world with scripted places to visit.
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Key Features
- Multiplayer-only survival. Rust is described as solely multiplayer, so other players are part of every session. Steam lists online PvP and online co-op.
- Survive from scratch. You begin with a rock and a torch and have to manage hunger, thirst, health and temperature. Wikipedia also lists drowning, hypothermia, hostile animals and radioactive zones, where the right clothing is needed to survive.
- Crafting and research. Steam mentions a tech tree. Wikipedia explains that advanced items need a workbench and a researched blueprint, so what you can make depends on what you have found and learned.
- Base building and raiding. Bases protect your loot and let you claim territory. Raiding other players’ bases is a core part of the game, so security is something you plan for.
- Servers you can choose. Players can pick from official, community and private servers with different rules and difficulty. Steam also notes that you can host your own server and use server-side mods.
- Vehicles and transport. Steam lists horses, modular cars, hot air balloons, helicopters, bikes, trains and boats. Wikipedia adds that modular cars can be customized with parts like extra beds, armor or storage, and that tugboats can work as mobile bases.
- Electricity, farming and automation. Steam lists these as systems you can build into your base and settlement.
- Regular updates and events. Steam promises a content patch every month and mentions seasonal events, so the game keeps changing.
- Rust+ Companion app. The official site describes a companion app that sends alerts when you are being raided and lets you coordinate with your team.
- Content controls. Steam says in-game nudity, blood, player-made signs, voice chat and text chat can be turned off in the options menu.
Gameplay and Player Experience
Each life starts the same way: you gather basic materials, craft your first tools and find somewhere safe before night. Dying leaves your body and everything you carried behind, and you respawn with only a rock and a torch, either at a random spot or at a bed or sleeping bag you own.
Combat uses bows, melee weapons and craftable guns. Wikipedia says bullets travel in an arc instead of landing instantly, and that headshots do more damage. Clans are common, and Wikipedia describes them sharing housing and supplies and joining organized raids. Airdrops, patrolling helicopters and the Chinook cargo helicopter create moments that draw players together and often lead to fights. Safe zones such as the outpost, bandit camp and fishing village let you buy supplies and trade, and hostile players there are shot by turrets.
Wipes. Servers reset on a schedule. Wikipedia explains that a wipe removes player bases and progress so everyone starts from the same point. Servers wipe every few weeks to every few months, and blueprints may be kept depending on server settings. Wikipedia also says Facepunch’s monthly update forces a wipe on the first Thursday of each month. Because Wikipedia gives two slightly different descriptions of wipe timing, check the rules of the specific server you join.
Modes. Wikipedia reports that a softcore mode was added in February 2021 to reduce player losses, such as by limiting clan sizes. Steam also lists a Primitive game mode. The sources don’t explain how these modes work in detail, so check the official site before you rely on them.
What reviewers said. Wikipedia summarizes critics at the 2018 full release as praising the PvP combat and survival challenge, while criticizing the rough beginner experience and the amount of grinding. Metacritic shows a PC score of 69, and Steam currently shows 86% positive across more than 530,000 English reviews. Those are the numbers on the pages at the time of checking, and they may change.
Platform and Availability
PC. Steam lists Windows and macOS. The official site’s Buy Rust links go to the Steam store page. At the time of checking, Steam listed Rust at $39.99 USD, with a 50% promotion ending October 8. Prices and promotions change, so confirm them on the store page.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 11 64-bit, Ryzen 5 1400 or Core i5-6600, 12 GB RAM, Radeon RX 470, GTX 1060 or Arc A580, DirectX 11, 45 GB. An SSD is highly recommended. | Windows 11 64-bit, Ryzen 7 3700X or Core i7-6700K, 16 GB RAM, Radeon RX 6600 XT, RTX 3060 or Arc B580, DirectX 12, 45 GB. An SSD is required. |
| macOS | macOS Monterey (12), Apple M1, 12 GB RAM, 45 GB | macOS Monterey (12), Apple M1 Pro, Max or Ultra, 16 GB RAM, 45 GB |
Steam also notes that Rust uses kernel-level anti-cheat (Easy Anti-Cheat), which has to be removed manually after uninstalling the game, and that it requires agreement to a third-party EULA.
Consoles. Wikipedia reports that Rust Console Edition launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 21, 2021, and that native PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released on June 26, 2025. It also reports that the PS4 and Xbox One versions were delisted in May 2025 and their online servers shut down in October 2025. These console details come from Wikipedia only, so check the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store or the console site linked from the official Rust website (rust.double11.com) for current availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Rust alone? The sources describe Rust as a multiplayer-only game, so you will share a server with other players. Steam says you can host your own server, but the sources don’t say whether that suits solo play.
What platforms is Rust available on? Steam lists Windows and macOS. Wikipedia lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released in June 2025, and says the older PS4 and Xbox One versions have been delisted. Check the official stores for current console availability.
What is a wipe? A wipe resets a server’s map, including player bases and progress, so everyone starts again from scratch. Blueprints may or may not carry over, depending on the server’s settings. Wipe schedules differ between servers, and Wikipedia reports that Facepunch’s monthly update forces a wipe on the first Thursday of each month.
Is Rust still being updated? Yes. Steam says there is a guaranteed content patch every month and more than 395 content updates so far. The newest update shown on the official site when this page was checked is the Livestock Update, which Facepunch describes as a refresh of farming with new livestock animals, critters and swimmers.
Can I turn off nudity or chat? Steam says in-game nudity, blood, player-made signs, voice chat and text chat can all be disabled from the options menu. The game does contain violence and caveman-themed nudity.
Final Overview
Rust is a PvP-focused survival game built around starting from nothing, building a base and dealing with other players, with monthly updates and servers that wipe on a schedule. Critics at the 2018 full release praised the PvP combat and survival challenge, but they also pointed out how tough the beginner experience is and how much grinding is involved. Players who like open-ended survival, crafting and unpredictable encounters with other people may find the concept interesting. Anyone who wants a story campaign, a solo-first experience or a low-pressure game may find it less suitable.
