Repo ↗ · Source README ↗ · Markdown & license bundle

Image reference (original game): SurrounDead · original-game artwork, provided by IGDB. Image rights remain with their respective owners. This illustrates the referenced original game, not the actual visuals of this rewrite or mod.

Source maintainer: dlewi069 · Revision: b79d8367fbb9 · Catalogued: 2026-10-12

Source license: Documentation license not confirmed · Article: Independent introduction

This is an independently written project introduction, not a reproduction or translation of the README. Documentation permission is unconfirmed or limited in scope. Read the linked repository for the full instructions. Feature and progress claims come from the source documentation and have not been independently playtested here.

RustDead is a project that rewrites SurrounDead in Rust. The original SurrounDead is an open-world post-apocalyptic zombie survival game, and this project attempts to rebuild its systems in a custom engine rather than modify the original content. The README estimates the port at roughly 40% complete and states that the core engine data layer, physics, survival simulation, AI state machines, economy and inventory systems are mapped, with 3D mesh import and level construction still to come.

Technically, the project uses an ECS architecture and an OpenGL 4.6 isometric 3D window, and includes a Python setup script that detects a Steam installation of SurrounDead, converts proprietary uasset files to obj or gltf, and verifies audio and textures. The README lists many gameplay features, including a skill tree, lockpicking, weapon attachments, special infected, bandit AI, trading and bounties, medical trauma, cooking, airdrops, vehicles, night vision, radio, difficulty and saves, but these are mostly in development or experimental and are not evidenced as fully playable.

As for limitations, the README itself says visual assets and levels are still being prepared, and some systems are reverse engineered from the original data tables. The repository contains tests and screenshots, but the README does not clearly prove that all claimed features work. RustDead should therefore be understood as an ongoing rewrite effort whose completeness and playability remain to be verified, not a released finished game.