Welcome to the January 2026 Summer Wipe! As we kick off a brand-new year of chaos, the first forced wipe of 2026 is officially here, launching on Thursday, January 1st.
While the “Summer” vibes are high, the island is heating up with more than just the sun. Here is what you need to know for this fresh start:
🏝️ New Year, New Meta
- Fresh Start: Every base is gone, every blueprint (on most servers) is wiped, and everyone is back on the beach with nothing but a rock and a dream.
- The 2026 Vision: The January update includes light technical changes and a special “2026 Preview” from Facepunch, detailing the massive roadmap for the year ahead.
- Deep Sea Tease: While the official Naval Update (featuring player-built ships and sea-based cannon combat) has been moved to February 5, 2026, players on the Staging Branch can already get an early taste of the “Deep Sea” content during this wipe.
🛠️ Wipe Day Survival Tips
- Race Motorbikes: Harvest red barrels for low-grade fuel, immediately find a motorbike. Getting away from the spawn beach and into the inner zones is key to securing a prime base location.
- Master the Metal Detector: The 2026 solo meta revolves around the Metal Detector. It can now find high-tier guns dropped by players in high-traffic areas like Outpost or near decaying clan bases.
- Secure Your Perimeter: Early raiding is rampant with Molotovs and Eokas. Upgrade to sheet metal doors as fast as possible to survive the first night.
📅 Community & Events
- Winter Sale: If you’re bringing in new recruits, the Steam Winter Sale is active until January 5, 2026, with 50% off Rust and various DLC packs.
- Grab your sunscreen and your semi-auto—it’s time to claim the island. See you on the beach!
Voodoo ZA Server Wipe Details
- Wipe Date: 1 January 2025
- Wipe Time: 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm (SAST)
- Map Size: 4000
- Map Seed: 1053219091
- Upkeep: 50%
- Minicopter Spawn: Yes (Can be found on roads)