Rust, a game created by FacePunch Studios, is leaving Early Access. Rust was first created in 2013, and was originally being tested as a browser game. In December of 2013, FacePunch Studio released Rust on Steam in Early Access. The game has been in Early Access for years.
We plan to leave Early Access on the 8th of February 2018. We’re not planning any big reveals, launch parties, around the world tours or cash prize giveaways for this event. We’re not going to move staff onto other projects. It’s very much going to happen without much fuss. It’s business as usual.
Leaving Early Access does not mean that Rust is finished, or that it will disappear. They intend to keep updating and improving the game. The reason they left Early Access was to make the development more stable. Rust will be transitioning to monthly updates.
Players can help by continuing to play Rust. There will be two versions of it: Main Branch and Staging Branch. Main Branch will have monthly tested updates with smaller, irregular hotfixes between them. Staging Branch will be “bleeding edge” with daily updates. Players can have both versions installed at the same time.
Another thing to be aware of is that there will be a price change. The current price is $19.99. The new price will be $34.99. FacePunch Studio wanted players to be aware of that ahead of the change.