Everyone in Rust is getting a new face

Everyone in Rust is Getting a New Face

Rust players are in for a visual overhaul, as everyone in Rust is getting a new face with the latest update. The game’s character customization has always been a unique aspect, but now, the player model is getting a complete redesign. Facepunch Studios has confirmed that the player model has been overhauled from the ground up, introducing improved meshes, materials, and more realistic proportions. This change will affect how players look in-game, though certain core features like race and gender remain unchanged.

Why Now?

Despite Rust's regular updates with new features, the player model had gone largely unchanged for nearly a decade. Facepunch Studios acknowledged that while the old model served its purpose, it had become outdated and limited future development possibilities. “The old player model has served us well for almost 10 years, but it’s lagged behind the rest of the game for some time,” the studio said. “Visually, it was showing its age, but just as importantly, it was holding us back from making bigger improvements to characters, animations, and implementing future features.”

What’s Changing?

With the new update, players will notice a significant difference in their characters’ appearances. While the face is changing, the race and gender of each character remain the same, ensuring that players who have grown attached to their existing models won’t be completely thrown off. Facepunch Studios said, “Your face will change, but race and gender seeds have been kept intact, so we’re hoping it won’t be too much of a shock for those of you who have grown attached to your random seed over the years.”

The update also brings a number of other visual improvements:

• Expanded the number of heads in the game, with each head now having unique materials and additional details such as eyelashes and improved eye lighting.
• Reworked and expanded hairstyles and beards, using new anisotropic shaders to make hair feel more natural.
• Updated all clothing to work with the new rig and proportions, giving a lot of older assets a much-needed refresh and fixing some long-standing issues.
• Modernized the art pipeline behind the player model, making future fixes and improvements much easier to ship.

In the coming months, players may also see the introduction of a player customizer, though the details are still being discussed internally. Facepunch Studios mentioned that they hope to implement this feature by the end of the year.

For now, players can enjoy the new look of their characters, along with other additions to the game like weapons, armor, and decor. The new player models and animations are already in action, offering a fresh visual experience for Rust’s community.