SCUM

SCUM

Released Jun 2025

Welcome to SCUM, a ruthless open-world survival game where deep character customization defines the prisoner you become. Loot, craft, hunt, build, and fight to outlast a hostile island where every choice can change your fate. Stay alive. Stay dangerous. Become harder to kill.

74% positive · 127K reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

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Evaluation

SCUM launched its 1.0 release on June 17, 2025 and has maintained a consistent monthly major update cadence ever since. Since the previous evaluation, three more major updates have shipped: the August Update on August 25, 2026 (introducing the TEC1 Research Facility, mutant bears, expanded cooking and food effects), the October Update on October 5, 2026 (closing out the "Into the Wild" season with expanded fishing, returning birds, mutant animal clothing, and the Apex Deathmatch Arena), and a new cosmetic DLC — the SCUM Specialist Angler Pack — released alongside the October update on October 5, 2026. The October 5, 2026 patch notes explicitly confirm that Into the Wild is now complete, but also make clear that development is actively continuing. The developer states: "Work on our next season is underway, but the next release will be a standalone update." That standalone update is described in detail — planned contents include a new Tattoo System, controller support, and making Photo Mode free for all players, along with two optional cosmetic DLC tattoo packs. The developer also mentions exploring an optional "Survivalist" ruleset as a longer-term direction. The September 30, 2026 preview post further confirms that following the Specialist Angler Pack, tattoo packs will be "the final paid DLC released in 2026" — language that implies continued DLC releases into 2027. The developer also states that future DLC plans and themes will be previewed ahead of each update. Gamepires and Splash Damage reaffirmed their ongoing joint commitment to SCUM's future in the May 19, 2026 development status post, describing a long-term seasonal approach to updates. The most recent developer communication was on October 5, 2026 — the day before today's assessment date — confirming an unbroken cadence of monthly communication and major content delivery stretching back through 2026. All 22 listed DLC items are marked as released, with the most recent (SCUM Specialist Angler Pack) releasing on October 5, 2026. No unreleased DLC is currently listed on the store.
Evidence
October Update patch notes confirm the Into the Wild season is now complete, but explicitly state: 'Work on our next season is underway, but the next release will be a standalone update.' Plans for that update include a new Tattoo System, controller support, and Photo Mode for all players.
news post · Oct 5, 2026 source content planned
high
October Update preview post confirms the next standalone update's contents (tattoos, controller support, Photo Mode), announces two optional tattoo DLC packs, and states that tattoo packs will be 'the final paid DLC released in 2026' — implying further DLC in 2027. Also mentions exploration of an optional Survivalist ruleset.
news post · Sep 30, 2026 source content planned
high

Content

22 of 22 released · no outstanding content
Released
Jul 2026

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Gamepires
Achievements
69
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP

About this game

Welcome to SCUM Island!

Welcome to SCUM, a ruthless open-world survival game where prisoners are dropped onto a vast, hostile island and forced to survive by any means necessary.

Every decision shapes who you become and how long you last. Scavenge, loot, craft, hunt, build and fight for every advantage as you adapt to a world that wants you dead.

Stay alive. Stay dangerous. Become something harder to kill.

A Survival Game With Teeth

SCUM is built on deep, interconnected survival systems that give every choice weight.

Your health, survival skills, metabolism, and fatigue are all shaped by an intricate progression system that defines how long you last.

But you’re not alone out here. Former contestants re-animated as Puppets shamble across the land, mutated experiments twisted into monsters lurk in the dark, and every other player has the same goal as you: Survive long enough to leave a mark.

Risk-taking, high-stakes and tragedy all make for a great show. In SCUM your actions directly shape how you are perceived through the world’s reputation system.

Team-up or go it alone. SCUM gives you the systems, what you do with them is up to you.

The Island

You're trapped on a vast and dangerous island built for opportunity and discovery, so scavenge what you need and craft what you don’t have.

SCUM’s 225㎢ map is inspired by all aspects of Croatian territory. Sprawling across beautiful Adriatic coastline, lush forests and harsh freezing mountain sides. Explore high-security military zones and hidden corners of the island, all offering something worth claiming or something worth fearing.

The prisoners who look beyond the next meal may begin to understand what’s really going on here, if they live long enough.

If you can survive here, you can survive anywhere.

Do you have what it takes?

Key Features

  • Massive open world with diverse and dangerous environments

  • Deep character customization, metabolism and survival simulation systems

  • Complex crafting, looting and base building

  • PvP and PvE with no fixed progression path

  • Persistent character development and skill growth

  • A live-broadcast survival premise with real attitude

  • Ongoing development with expanding systems and world depth

Last evaluated Oct 6, 2026
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