Facepunch director Alistair McFarlane, who once offered to buy New World from Amazon and faked us out about Rust 2, has left the company
Alistair McFarlane, chief operating officer and director of Facepunch Studios, has departed the company after an 11-year tenure. McFarlane announced his exit on July 30 via social media, bringing to an end a career that began in QA and evolved into him becoming executive producer of Rust and the studio’s primary public face.
Throughout his time at Facepunch, McFarlane became one of gaming’s most recognizable studio representatives, frequently serving as the voice of the independent studio in communications with the Rust community. His departure marks a significant leadership transition for the company.
In his farewell message, McFarlane reflected on the intensity of his involvement with the project, stating that “Rust and Facepunch have consumed a huge part of my life. I’ve loved it, fought for it and given it everything I had.” He emphasized that stepping away was a difficult but necessary decision to focus on other aspects of his personal life.
McFarlane’s tenure was marked by memorable moments in gaming culture, including a notable attempt to purchase Amazon’s troubled MMO New World and community interactions surrounding Rust 2 announcements that generated both excitement and skepticism among players—moments that reflected his sometimes playful relationship with the gaming community.
The departure represents a notable transition for Facepunch Studios as it continues to support one of gaming’s longest-running and most successful early-access titles.