Rust's October update has introduced a significant expansion to its survival mechanics with the addition of livestock, including cows and sheep. Players can now harvest various resources from these animals, such as dung, meat, bones, leather, milk from cows, and wool from sheep.
An Evolving Economy
The new animals are integrated into Rust's economy. Players can acquire livestock and then trade them with a new Stable vendor. This vendor also purchases wool. New fencing options have been added to allow players to build pens for their animals. While the exact method of capturing livestock is not detailed, Facepunch Studios suggests the process will be intuitive. Players can also breed animals, aiming to create superior genetic lines.
The game developers have noted that interacting with the NPC vendor can have consequences; angering the vendor by haggling too aggressively will result in a 15-minute cooldown before further transactions can be made.
New Consumables and Crafting
Among the new resources, milk stands out. Players can drink milk directly, refrigerate it for up to four hours, and then skim it. This skimming process yields both skimmed milk and cream. The developers have specifically highlighted that "cream is a more powerful consumable" than milk. Both milk and cream can be added to tea to enhance its effects.
Additionally, raw and spoiled meat can now be utilized in a biofuel generator. The update also expands the game's wildlife with the introduction of smaller creatures like squirrels, rabbits, frogs, and turtles.
