Facepunch Studios has officially confirmed the upcoming launch of Rust Premium, a new monthly subscription service for its survival game. This announcement comes as a relief to many players who feared the implementation of a Battle Pass system, a feature initially present on the game's roadmap but later revised.
The Printed and Polished patch notes for the November update confirm that Rust Premium will be overhauling the existing Premium status. Previously, Premium access was granted to players with at least $15 in Rust items in their Steam inventory. The forthcoming iteration will transition to a paid monthly service.
While the exact details remain somewhat vague, the subscription is expected to offer exclusive perks such as high-quality cosmetic skins for clothing, deployables, and collectibles. Crucially, the service will not include any gameplay-affecting elements like leveling systems, quests, or challenges, distinguishing it from a Battle Pass. The developers have stated there will be no progression systems or "anything that resembles a Battle Pass system."
It is anticipated that Rust Premium subscribers will gain access to exclusive quality-of-life features and potentially character customization options, a long-requested feature by the player base. The patch notes are described as "coming soon," and given that it was slated as a fourth-quarter addition, the service is likely to launch with the next force wipe update in early December.
It remains unclear whether current Rust Premium players will retain access to Premium servers or receive a veteran status. The focus of this update, however, is primarily on optimization and ensuring the game's stability, with the introduction of Rust Premium being the most notable change.