Rust random skin colour and face generator prompts mixed player response

Post-apocalyptic survival game Rust recently added a new feature which gives each player a character with a randomly assigned skin tone and facial structures. The twist is players are unable to change this appearance, meaning they have no choice but to play as who they are given.

In a blog post detailing the changes, Facepunch Studios' lead designer Garry Newman said: "Just like in real life, you are who you are – you can't change your skin colour or your face. It's actually tied to your Steam ID.

"Right now your avatar is randomised via three things. Skin colour, head mesh and head material. We only have 2 face textures and 2 face materials, which means there's 4 possible combinations. We will be adding more of these later on (at which point your face will probably change)."

The response from fans has been mixed. As gathered by PCGamesN and Gamespot some people are interested in the reasoning behind the update, while others are chastising the inability to customise character appearances.

"I actually really like the whole 'you are who you are' and not being able to change his own appearance idea" said one Reddit user, his full response to the update is below. Another Reddit user meanwhile is perfectly happy with his randomly assigned blue pubic hair - to be fair, who wouldn't be?

Those on the games Steam community weren't quite so happy.

"There's still work to be done," says Newman in the blog, "So consider this just the boilerplate of an idea for now. It's quite pleasing to see different races working together in game, and makes you realise how arbitrary race is."

Rust is still in its public Alpha stage of development with a full release still some time away.