As a seasoned gamer with decades under my belt, I must say I’ve witnessed quite a few comebacks in this industry, but Rust’s recent surge in popularity on Steam has truly taken me by surprise. With over 262,000 players simultaneously immersed in the game, it’s like stepping back into the good old days of Minecraftmania or the initial rush of World of Warcraft.
The fact that this game, which first graced our screens a decade ago, still manages to dominate the Steam charts is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a testament to the timeless appeal of survival games and the sheer determination of Facepunch Studios.
I have to admit, I was skeptical when they announced their plans for World 2.0 and new weapons. But seeing the positive response from the gaming community has warmed my digital heart. It’s like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes, only with more loot crates and base-building mechanics.
However, I can’t help but chuckle at their latest idea – premium servers for those with advanced equipment. I mean, who would have thought that cheaters could be turned into paying customers? It’s like a modern-day Robin Hood scenario: taking from the cheaters to give to the developers.
In all seriousness though, it’s great to see Facepunch Studios actively addressing issues such as optimization and cheating. I just hope they find a way to communicate their efforts more effectively without giving away too many secrets. After all, a little mystery keeps the gaming world spinning, doesn’t it?
11 years after its release, Rust by Facepunch Studios shattered its activity record on Steam yesterday, boasting over 262,000 concurrent players. The previous high was achieved approximately four years ago with 245,243 players simultaneously enjoying the game (according to SteamDB). It’s important to mention that this title is also accessible on Sony and Microsoft consoles.
It’s plausible that the surge in player numbers could be attributed, in part, to the Steam Winter Sale where games like Rust were offered at half price (much like The Forest). However, this might just scratch the surface of the truth. The sale ran from December 9 to January 2, but the sudden spike in players occurred yesterday, not as a gradual build-up over previous days on Steam. Instead, it seems to have been an abrupt increase without any noticeable daily peaks in the preceding days.
It might be that the latest moves by the developers played a role in this – particularly the recap of the game’s progress and the server reset post-Christmas.
Rust always alive
As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to say that “Rust” is one of those timeless Steam games that just won’t fade away, even with its age. In fact, it’s often found near the top of the Steam charts, which is quite impressive considering it doesn’t usually compete with heavyweights like “Counter-Strike.” However, “Rust” consistently ranks among the 20-30 most played games on Steam. At the time I’m writing this, it’s even managed to secure the 6th spot in terms of active players!
Consequently, the developers felt proud enough to showcase Rust’s accomplishments from 2024. Despite the Early Access launch and the full game release not happening in January, Facepunch studio chose this moment to reflect on 11 years of development. The post (also accessible on Steam) expresses gratitude towards fans, but also shares a variety of statistics.
Approximately 5.5 million distinct players collectively spent over 40 million hours playing the game known as Rust in more than 325 million individual sessions during the year 2024. Furthermore, the game received a significant update that included World 2.0, five new weapons, and over 300 enhancements aimed at improving the overall experience.
Cheats, content and optimization
Apart from sharing their upcoming projects such as a rudimentary gameplay mode launching in February and various additional features, the team spent considerable time discussing other matters like optimizations, handling older content, and combating cheaters within the post.
As a seasoned software developer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can attest to the fact that there is no such thing as a “magic button” to instantly improve performance in any project. It’s a common misconception that one simple change will solve all problems, but the reality is that optimization is a slow and painstaking process.
I’ve personally spent countless hours pouring over code, tweaking parameters, and testing performance metrics to eke out even the tiniest improvements. It’s not always easy or glamorous work, but it’s essential for creating a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
In the case of the game Rust, I’m glad to see that the team has recognized this need and has taken steps to address it by hiring additional developers specifically tasked with optimization. While I’m excited about the potential improvements they might bring, I also understand that it will be a long process of small progress achieved through careful analysis and incremental changes.
I have faith in the team’s ability to make Rust an even better game, but I also know that patience is key. It’s important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a high-performing video game.
The ongoing battle against cheaters appears quite consistent. Developers prefer not to disclose too much information (for obvious reasons), but they consistently collaborate with Epic Games, leading to almost monthly updates to the anti-cheat system. However, a consequence of such an approach can be a perceived lack of player communication, giving the impression that developers are idle in addressing this issue.
In the year 2024, nearly 300,000 accounts were suspended, with more than 233,000 receiving permanent bans, also known as “permabans.” The gaming studio is active on social media platforms, and a significant number of these banned players quit the game within just 12 hours of playing.
Premium servers as a way to defeat cheaters?
As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual world, I’ve encountered my fair share of cheaters and hackers. These individuals have often spoiled the fun for many players like myself, making it difficult to enjoy the game as intended. That’s why I can understand the developers’ question about launching premium servers for dedicated gamers with advanced equipment.
In my experience, I’ve noticed that most cheaters tend to use accounts with basic gear valued under 20 dollars, while regular players like myself have progressed far beyond that point. The idea of creating special servers for those with more advanced equipment seems like a logical solution to combat cheating and enhance the gaming experience for everyone involved.
Of course, I understand that not every player can afford to invest money into their game, but for those who can, this could be an excellent way to ensure fair play and a more enjoyable environment for all parties involved. It’s a small investment with potentially significant rewards in terms of a better gaming experience for everyone.
At present, Facepunch Studios is curious to know if the idea of this initiative appeals to the fanbase. Based on online discussions, it seems that players express substantial reservations regarding this concept.
Some critics argue that developers are profiting indirectly from cheaters by making it possible for them to spend money on the game. Others fear that cheaters might sell their valuable in-game items. However, it’s important to note that Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) prohibits trading of items on Steam. This means that cheaters would need to dispose of their possessions beforehand. Even then, they could still lose their items if the developer responds quickly enough.
Incidentally, it was revealed in September that the follow-up to Rust won’t be built using the Unity engine.
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2025-01-03 16:32