SCUM
The SCUM development team has released their 123rd development update, revealing significant news for fans of the hardcore survival game - SCUM will be leaving Early Access in the next quarter of 2025, marking its official 1.0 release. This milestone comes with an extensive list of improvements and new features that players can look forward to.
What's Coming in SCUM 1.0?
According to the development update, one of the most significant changes will be a complete overhaul of Points of Interest (POIs) across the prison island. The team plans to make each location more distinct and immersive, addressing a common piece of feedback from the community. This will be part of a broader map overhaul aimed at improving the overall gameplay experience.
The programming team is working on several major features, including improved rain and wetness effects, enhanced NPC spawning mechanics, and a new high-loot POI. They're also making significant improvements to the server browser and optimizing server functionality, while continuing to enhance the anti-cheat system.
Vehicles and Weapons Getting Major Updates
Vehicle enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the tractor is being prepared to return to the prison island. The hard surface team is continuing work on this vehicle while also addressing issues with vehicle armor, which is being reworked and fixed.
Combat is also receiving attention, with two-handed melee weapons getting increased reach. This adjustment should make these weapons more viable options in both PvP and PvE encounters, offering players more tactical options.
Enhanced Immersion Through Sound and Weather
The animation team is focusing on improving weather effects, particularly rain, while the sound team is reworking environmental sounds. These changes aim to create a more immersive experience as players navigate the harsh prison island environment.
New Content and Server Options
The game design team is developing additional options for server owners and creating new Deena tasks. These improvements will give server administrators more control over their gameplay experience while providing players with new objectives to pursue.
Will PvE Players Get More Content?
In response to community questions, the developers confirmed that more PvE content will be added for the 1.0 release. They also plan to continue supporting the game with additional content after the official launch, ensuring that both PvP and PvE players have plenty to look forward to.
What About Single-Player Missions?
For those who prefer to play solo, the developers noted that missions are already available in single-player mode. Players looking for information on how to access these missions can find details in a previous post on the Steam Community page.
Server Files and Post-Launch Support
While the team is considering releasing server files, they made it clear that this isn't a priority until after the 1.0 release. This suggests that community-hosted servers with custom configurations might be possible in the future, but players shouldn't expect this feature immediately.
The development update concludes with a confirmation that SCUM will exit Early Access in the next quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone for the game that has been in development since its initial Early Access release in August 2018.
As SCUM approaches its full release, the development team's focus on addressing community feedback and improving core gameplay elements suggests that the 1.0 version will deliver the definitive prison island survival experience that fans have been waiting for.