2026-02-07

Rust adds functional ships and deep-sea zone

Facepunch's Rust update introduces buildable seafaring vessels, new deep-sea area and improved NPC behavior

In parallel with the nautical content, Facepunch has updated bot AI. Researcher NPCs (scientists) have been reworked so they maintain continuous visual tracking of players, making straightforward flanking maneuvers more difficult. Their behavior in oceanic locations has also been adjusted: in maritime areas scientists may investigate a player’s last known position or respond to sound cues rather than using the same routines as on land. These AI changes affect both combat encounters and stealth planning during sea expeditions.