Naval Update Delayed: Facepunch Pushes Back Release to February

Old Rusty
Dec 4, 2025
3 min read

Sad news for all budding ocean going clans.

The Rust community has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Naval Update, a major content patch promising new mechanics, systems, and gameplay opportunities on the seas. Originally scheduled for December, Facepunch have now confirmed that the update will be delayed until 5th February 2026.

This marks the first time in Rust’s twelve-year history that a monthly update has been postponed, and the decision was not taken lightly. In their latest development blog, Facepunch outlined the reasons behind the delay and reassured players that the wait will ultimately deliver a stronger, more polished experience.

Why the Delay?

Facepunch’s explanation highlights several key factors:

Scale and Complexity: The Naval Update is one of the largest patches Rust has seen in years. It introduces new systems while reworking existing ones, making it far more complex than a standard monthly release. As the deadline approached, the team realised the build was not stable enough for live servers.
Performance Concerns: Testing revealed that releasing in December risked severe performance issues. Servers could have seen population drops of 100–200 players due to instability, forcing rushed fixes during the busiest holiday period.
Commitment to Quality: Rust’s monthly update cycle is a cornerstone of its identity. Facepunch stressed that they would rather delay than ship something “half-baked.” The Naval Update deserves polish, stability, and balance to ensure it enhances gameplay rather than disrupts it.
Content Reallocation: To soften the blow, some features originally planned for the Naval Update will now be included in the Christmas Update on 18th December 2025 at 19:00 GMT. This ensures players still receive fresh content before the end of the year.

What’s Coming Next?

Facepunch have laid out a clear roadmap for the months ahead:

Date	Update	Details
18th December 2025	Christmas Update	Festive content plus features reallocated from the Naval patch.
January 2026	Monthly Update	A lighter patch featuring a 2025 review and preview of 2026 plans.
5th February 2026	Naval Update	Full release, with additional time dedicated to performance improvements and polish.

Players keen to explore the Naval Update early can access it via the Staging Branch, though Facepunch warn that bugs and instability are to be expected. Details on staging access can be found here: Rust Staging.

A Historic First

Facepunch acknowledged that this is the first time Rust has missed its monthly update window in over a decade. While disappointing, the developers emphasised that the decision was made to protect the player experience and uphold the standards that have kept Rust thriving.

“The naval patch deserves that level of polish,” Facepunch stated, underscoring their commitment to delivering content that is fun, stable, and worth the wait.

UK Rust Server Notes

For UK Rust players:

Scheduled Wipe will still take place today at 19:00 GMT.
No additional content changes will be introduced until the Christmas Update.
Community events and seasonal features will continue as planned.

Closing Thoughts

While delays are never easy, this decision reflects Facepunch’s long-term vision for Rust. By prioritising stability and polish, the Naval Update will arrive in February as a stronger, more impactful addition to the game.

UK Rust will continue to keep the community informed as new details emerge. In the meantime, prepare for the festive wipe and look forward to the Christmas Update later this month.