In SCUM, an open-world survival game you can play alone or on online servers, you start on a large island with nothing but an orange prison uniform. The first thing you do is pick up two rocks from the ground and cut bushes for sticks, because those become a knife and a spear. The island is full of Puppets, zombie-like enemies that react to noise, and sentry mechs guard the military bases. Sandbox mode is solo, but on a PvP server, other players can attack you.
Much of your early time goes to searching houses and towns for clothes, weapons, and anything that lets you carry more. You craft what you find into tools and gear, and you cook and hunt to keep your food up. You also have to watch your health, bleeding wounds, fatigue, and metabolism, which tracks what you eat and drink. Later, you can build or fortify a base to store what you collect.
As you survive, you build Fame by staying alive, killing Puppets and other players, looting, crafting, fishing, and taking part in events. Fame opens up the better items at the trading outposts. What you work toward is up to you, whether that's a stocked base, better gear, or more Fame.
- Developer
- Gamepires
- Publisher
- Gamepires
- Release
- Early Access: 2018-08-29 · Full release: 2025-06-17
- Platforms
- PC (Windows)
Game data
Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons in SCUM are the guns, bows and crossbows you use to hit targets from a distance. Guns hit hardest, but their noise draws puppets toward you, while bows and crossbows are quiet and depend on strength and skill. Most guns take only one caliber of ammo, and worn-out weapons jam more often, so keeping them in good condition matters.
Weapon Attachments
Weapon attachments are add-on parts for guns and bows in SCUM. They include suppressors, scopes, red dot sights, flashlights, rails and adapters, bayonets, flash hiders, bow sights and silencers, and Weapon Ghillie wraps. Many change how a weapon sounds or how you aim it, and many fit only certain weapons, so check compatibility before you buy or craft one.
Vehicles
SCUM's vehicles cover cars and trucks, motorcycles and ATVs, boats, aircraft, and human-powered bicycles and wheelbarrows. A car needs at least three wheels, a driver's seat, an engine, a battery and fuel to run, and an alternator keeps that battery charged. Engines come from the Mechanic, while players with medium Engineering can handle most other repairs themselves with a Car Jack and a Car Repair Kit.
SCUM gameplay tips
- Practice in sandbox or on a PvE server first. Sandbox is solo, and PvE servers are the gentler way to start, so you can learn crafting, health, and metabolism at your own pace before other players become a threat.
- Keep quiet around birds. Loud noise scatters crows and seagulls, and that tells anyone nearby that someone is coming.
- Walk past Puppets instead of running. Running draws them in, and once one spots you, nearby Puppets join the chase.
- Craft an improvised backpack early. Your starting clothes limit what you can carry, and in warm areas you can give them up to make one.
- Work through the fishing quests. The three tiers pay out Fame and cash, and some reward better fishing gear, so fishing pays off beyond the catch.
- Build Fame before you save up for trader gear. Many trader items need a set amount of Fame on top of their price, so cash alone won't get you the item.