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SCUM
Survival · Open World · Gamepires
SCUM July Update 2026: TEC1 Tutorial, Mutant Animals & 80 Slots
The SCUM update lands on July 20, 2026: TEC1 training center, mutant animals, Master Hunter quests, reworked UIs and an 80-player test. Every feature explained.
Last updated July 15, 2026 · RespawnHost
When does the SCUM update release?
The next SCUM update releases on Monday, July 20, 2026. It’s the July chapter of the ongoing “Into the Wild” season (after the May and June updates) and brings a new tutorial system, mutant animals, the Master Hunter quest system, reworked menus and a test run with 80 players instead of 64. Gamepires hasn’t announced an official version number yet.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Release | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Season | ”Into the Wild” (May–July 2026) |
| Highlight | TEC1 training center & reworked tutorial library |
| Slot test | 64 → 80 players (in testing) |
| Version | not officially confirmed yet |
Note
The update was announced as a preview. Individual features (especially the 80-player test) may still change before release — we'll update this article as soon as the final patch notes are out.
What’s new in the July update?
TEC1 training center & tutorial library
Newcomers get a dedicated TEC1 training center that walks them through their first steps on the island. On top of that comes a reworked in-game tutorial library, split into categories like survival, crafting and hunting. It makes SCUM’s famously steep learning curve a little more approachable.
Mutant animals
The wilderness gets more dangerous: mutant boars, wolves and deer roam the island — with noticeably increased resistance. If you used to hunt with a single shot, you’ll have to rethink.
Master Hunter quests
Fittingly, a Master Hunter quest system launches in three difficulty tiers. The hunting quests reward experienced players and give the new animal behavior a purpose beyond bare survival.
Quality of life: “Drop All” & new UIs
- “Drop All” function for faster inventory management — empty your backpack in one step.
- Reworked interfaces for crafting, cooking and base building.
Rewards
As a bonus there are exclusive items like weapon charms and furniture recipes.
What do 80 players mean for your server?
The planned jump from 64 to 80 slots is the most important change for server operators. More players means more puppets, vehicles and structures in the simulation at once — and therefore more RAM and CPU demand. If you want to push your server to 80 slots, check your package choice first.
Tip
The 80-player mode runs as a test at first. Plan more generously for a full 80 slots: as a rule of thumb we recommend more RAM for densely populated servers — details in the RAM & packages guide.
Do you have to wipe your server after the update?
No — private servers are never force-wiped. The previous “Into the Wild” updates (1.3 in May 2026) also came without a mandatory wipe. Gamepires occasionally wipes the official servers via announced partial wipes; on your own server you decide. If an update changes the world significantly, a voluntary partial wipe can make sense — see the wiping your server guide for how.
Warning
Before every major update, take a backup of the SCUM.db. If a patch makes the database incompatible, you can roll back without data loss — see save game & backups.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly does the update release? On Monday, July 20, 2026. Gamepires hasn’t officially confirmed a time of day.
Which version does the update bring? The version number hasn’t been named ahead of release. It’s the July chapter of the “Into the Wild” season.
Do all servers really get 80 slots? The 80-player mode starts as a test. Whether and how it becomes permanently available for private servers depends on the outcome of the test phase.
Do I have to wipe after the update? On private servers, no. A wipe is optional and entirely your call.
Are the mutant animals everywhere? As it stands, the mutation affects boars, wolves and deer with increased resistance. Exact spawn details will come with the final patch notes.
Related guides
- RAM & packages — what 80 slots demand in resources
- Wiping your server — when a wipe after the update is worth it
- Save game & backups — mandatory before every major update
- Configuring your server — slots, puppets & more in ServerSettings.ini
Ready for July 20? Rent a SCUM server — full config control, online in under 90 seconds.