After spending most of its lifetime available only to PC gamers, the popular survival game Rust will finally release for console players this month. Both PS4 and Xbox One will get the console port of Rust, and of course, Xbox Series X|S and PS5 players will be able to play it via backwards compatibility. As for what day/time players can download Rust, it varies depending on which version of the game they've purchased and which platform they choose to play it on. This guide will help new Rust: Console Edition players know exactly when they can jump into the game.
Although Facepunch Studios is the original developer of Rust, the console version is also developed and published by Double Eleven. Facepunch stated back in 2018 that Rust would be getting a console version, but due to COVID-19 and other delays, the console version's progress was set back significantly. In early March 2021, Double Eleven first released PS4 Pro gameplay of Rust to give fans a sense of how the game would function on consoles. Double Eleven's Twitter account currently contains information on different release times for Rust: Console Edition as well as updates for early access players.
Rust Console Version Release Times for PS4/Xbox One
The console release of Rust comes in three different editions: Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate. The pre-ordering phase for these editions ended on May 14, and players who purchased either the Deluxe or Ultimate editions get "welcome packs" with different extra items for their characters like skins and Rust Coins. The Deluxe and Ultimate editions also grant players early access to the game before those who have the Standard Edition. The early access period began yesterday for PlayStation players followed by Xbox players at 12:00 a.m. UTC this morning.
The early access period will continue until May 21, but Standard Edition owners will be able to jump into the action just a little bit earlier. According to Microsoft's website, players downloading Rust on Xbox will be able to do so at 7:00 p.m. EST on May 20, a few hours earlier than the listed release date on May 21. For PlayStation players, the PlayStation store says gamers will be able to download the game on May 20 as well, although it does not specify a time. Considering the PlayStation and Xbox release times for the earlier editions were around an hour apart, it's likely they will be close together for the Standard Edition too.
For those who never played Rust on PC, new players will need to have an online service subscription for Xbox or PlayStation because Rust is an online-only experience. Rust: Console Edition will function similarly to Rust for PC and allow players to set up private servers to compete in with friends. The game also periodically goes through forced progress wipes to lighten the load on servers, although it's unknown at this point if this will function differently on consoles.
When Rust: Console Edition fully releases on May 21, it will feature cross-play between Xbox and PlayStation consoles. As of now, there is no cross-play support between consoles and PC. Although Xbox Series X|S and PS5 players can play the console edition through backward compatibility, the game does not come with specific next-gen upgrades. But developer Double Eleven has stated that the Rust: Console Edition content roadmap will be different from PC and this may include next-gen releases sometime in the future.
Rust is available now on PC and macOS and is currently in early access for certain PS4 and Xbox One console editions. It releases in full on May 21.
Source: Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store
