Was Rust a DayZ Clone? Exploring the Origins and Evolution of a Survival Phenomenon
The short answer is yes, Rust was initially conceived as a clone of DayZ, the popular mod for ARMA 2. However, to simply label Rust as a mere clone would be a disservice to its unique evolution and impact on the survival game genre. Let’s delve deeper into its beginnings and understand how it branched out to become the distinctive and challenging game we know today.
The Genesis of Rust: DayZ and Minecraft Influences
Rust’s initial inspiration is undeniable. The core concept of survival in a harsh, open-world environment with an emphasis on gathering resources and managing hunger, thirst, and health directly mirrors the gameplay loop that made DayZ a sensation. The need to scavenge for supplies, contend with other players, and the ever-present threat of death were all hallmarks adopted from the DayZ formula.
However, Rust didn’t stop at just replicating DayZ. It also incorporated elements from another juggernaut in the gaming world: Minecraft. The crafting system, allowing players to create tools, weapons, and structures, bore a strong resemblance to Minecraft’s building and item creation mechanics. This combination created a unique blend where the tense, player-versus-player survival of DayZ was merged with the freedom and creativity of crafting from Minecraft.
Early Days: Zombies and Survival
In its early iterations, Rust did include zombies as a primary threat, further solidifying its DayZ-inspired roots. These undead adversaries were a constant danger, requiring players to be vigilant and resourceful. However, this was a temporary phase. As development progressed, the developers at Facepunch Studios shifted focus.
In February 2014, they made the crucial decision to remove zombies entirely, replacing them with the more aggressive and challenging red mutant bears and wolves. This pivotal change marked a move away from a traditional zombie survival game to one that highlighted a unique form of player interaction, and the importance of scavenging and crafting. The introduction of wildlife as a threat reinforced the core theme of surviving in a hostile environment, but with an emphasis on player vs player interaction.
Rust’s Evolution: Defining its Own Identity
While the initial spark came from DayZ, Rust has undeniably carved its own path. The game’s focus shifted towards player-driven interactions and base building as core pillars of its gameplay. Facepunch made the choice early on not to pre-populate the map with interesting locations for exploration, and instead, decided to give the players the tools to create their own. Player-built bases, ranging from simple shacks to fortified fortresses, became a defining feature, emphasizing the territorial and competitive aspect of the game.
The game also evolved to include a range of weapons, from primitive tools to firearms, adding complexity to combat encounters. The social dynamic of Rust, where trust is fragile and betrayal is always a possibility, further sets it apart from its source material.
Rust Legacy and the Shift to Modern Rust
It’s also worth mentioning Rust Legacy, the older version of the game. This version was eventually removed from Steam in 2016 because of low player counts and the cost of upkeep. The game that exists now is a vastly different product than the “Rust Legacy” version. These changes solidify that, while based on the DayZ mod idea, Rust has evolved into its own unique survival game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Rust and its origins to further clarify its history and development:
1. What was old Rust called?
The older version of Rust was called Rust Legacy. This version was eventually removed from Steam due to low player numbers.
2. Was Rust made before Ark?
No, Rust is a more recent game than Ark. While they are both survival games, they were not released at the same time. Rust is not by much though, as the two games are similar in age.
3. Why is Rust called Rust?
Rust was named after the rust fungus, a reference to the fungus’s hardiness and ability to withstand harsh conditions. This name reflects the game’s brutal survival theme.
4. Why is Rust not popular (among developers)?
Rust is considered to have a high learning curve for programming and has fewer libraries available compared to older and more established programming languages.
5. Did Rust used to be a zombie game?
Yes, in its early development stages, Rust featured zombies as a primary enemy. However, they were eventually removed and replaced with red mutant bears and wolves.
6. Who made DayZ?
DayZ began as a mod for ARMA 2 and was created by Dean Hall. He later joined Bohemia Interactive to work on the standalone version of the game.
7. Are they making a Rust 2?
Yes, there are plans to make a sequel to Rust. The developers have said that it will be made on a new, proprietary game engine rather than the game engine used on Rust 1.
8. Is Rust harder than Ark?
Both games can be challenging, but Rust is arguably more strict when it comes to the sleeping and raiding system, forcing players to be more cautious and strategic.
9. Is Rust or Ark more grindy?
Ark is generally considered more grindy due to its extensive crafting and taming mechanics. Rust emphasizes PvP and building, meaning that players are more likely to grind for weapons and building materials, as opposed to the amount of content in ark.
10. What is the first gun in Rust?
The Revolver is generally the first crafted gun in Rust. It’s a basic but reliable weapon for early-game combat.
11. What are the monsters in Rust?
Rust monsters are metallivores, meaning they eat metal. However, they do not eat all metal, and instead prefer rusted items to others.
12. What is the red name in Rust?
In Rust, a red nameplate indicates that a player is hostile, meaning they are likely to attack you.
13. Is black rust bad?
Contrary to what you might think, black rust is actually good. It forms when iron is exposed to highly alkaline salt and protects the metal from further corrosion.
14. Why is Rust replacing C?
Rust is being adopted as a replacement for C and C++ due to its safety and security features, which address common issues like memory leaks and buffer overflows.
15. Was Rust programmed in Rust?
Yes, the Rust compiler is written in Rust itself, although it is bootstrapped from a precompiled version of itself.
Conclusion
While Rust’s journey began as a DayZ clone with crafting elements, it quickly evolved into its own unique survival experience. Its emphasis on player interaction, base building, and resource management has shaped it into a distinctive and highly competitive game. Rust stands as an example of how inspiration from other games can lead to the creation of something entirely new and impactful, ultimately proving it is far more than just a DayZ clone.