Gamepires has released a significant update for their open-world survival game SCUM. Going Nuclear 0.8 update comes with radiation zones and nuclear power plants for which you need hazmat suits and other equipment to enter. Fan-requested features such as modular base building have also been added to the game.

Going nuclear

The main features of this update are the power plant area and the implementation of a radioactivity system. This new location comes with new dangers and high-tier loot can be found here. You won’t just be able to enter due to the aforementioned radiation.

As the exploded core of the power plant is still active getting closer will intensify your radiation level. You can prevent contamination by wearing a hazmat suit, if you did not wear one and got into contact with it you can wash your clothes with soap or take a bath. If you eat something that is radioactive you can get rid of it through sweating or urinating. If you stay contaminated for a longer period of time these methods will no longer work and they will have different effects on your body. From feeling fatigued or losing hair to dizziness or even death. 

At this point, there are two types of treatment. Phoenix tears will cure any level of radiation and are the only item to save you from the highest tier. Potassium iodide pills are a new medicine in SCUM and will block the effects for a short period of time.

Modular base building

This highly requested feature will make it easier to construct your base. New walls, stairs, etc have been added to play around with. The building tab has been separated from the crafting window and is now found in its own menu. Structures need to be supported the higher you build. The stronger the material you build out of the more support it gives to your build. When using the modular base building mechanic you are limited to a certain amount per flag. This number will be increased the more players you have in your squad. So if you come across a large base you know it will have loot for a whole team in it. The limit can also be increased by the server owner.

Gardens

You will now be able to place your own farm plot and grow over 20 different kinds of vegetables. Each plant has its own conditions to grow so be sure to check this when planting them. Watering can be done in one of three ways, using a water container, raining, and urinating on it. You can fertilize your crops by using either an organic or industrial-made fertilizer. Using organic will speed up growth by 25% and you will harvest 5% more while using industrial is double that amount. Plants can also be infected by pests and other things. To counter this there are multiple different chemicals to help you out.

Cars and banking

Now when you find a car out in the world it will have different parts missing. You will need to push it to a car workshop to fix it up. New parts can either be found on the island, taken from other cars, or bought from the car mechanic.

Banks can now be used to store your cash. Each player needs a valid credit card in order to deposit or take money from their account. Only a certain amount can be taken off at once. Respawning will now cost you money, depending on where you want to respawn the amount will increase. Your credit card will only be able to go up to -$2500 and if you go below this amount and die, your character is permanently dead and you will have to create a new one. This is how permadeath works in the new update.

These are the major additions to the new SCUM 0.8 Going Nuclear update.

What is your favorite new feature? Let me know in the comments.