SCUM’s next Into the Wild update will arrive on Monday, August 24, 2026, taking players below the Island’s surface for TEC1 Research Facilities while adding mutant bears, new Master Hunter quests, and more ways to prepare food without equipment.
Gamepires outlined the upcoming changes in its Steam announcement. The August update follows July’s wildlife additions, which brought mutant deer, boar, and wolves into the Island’s hunting system through the July update.
TEC1 Research Facilities Hide Below the Island
Converted underground bunkers across the Island now hide TEC1 Research Facilities that were used to contain and study mutant wildlife. Reaching one will require a Research Facility Keycard, so players will need to choose their destination and prepare before going underground.
A timed purge sequence will begin after entry, and other prisoners may be inside at the same time. Anyone who reaches the center of a facility will discover what TEC1 has been keeping contained.
Mutant Bears Expand the Master Hunter Quests
The Island’s largest predator is getting a dangerous new variant. Mutant bears will appear at specific locations, giving the Master Hunter questline new challenges and exclusive rewards.
Completing the required quests can secure a Research Facility Keycard. Players can also take their chances searching for one in the wild, adding another reason to keep checking dangerous parts of the Island.
Heatless Recipes Make Food Planning More Important
New Heatless Cooking recipes will let players make meals such as salads and sandwiches without a cooking setup. That should make proper food easier to prepare while traveling or hiding from the Island’s many threats.
The Food Effects system will also be reworked. Keeping key nutrients at healthy levels can improve endurance, injury recovery, and resistance to sickness, while deficiencies can hurt those areas. Prepared and cooked meals will require less energy to digest than most other foods, giving players a reason to spend time making meals instead of eating whatever is closest.
More August Changes Will Arrive With the Full Notes
Gamepires also has balance changes, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements planned for the update. The complete recipe list and Food Effects breakdown will be shared when the August update goes live on Monday, August 24.
SCUM’s new facilities and mutant bears will give the Into the Wild season another dangerous layer. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Scum
Developed by Gamepires
