SCUM November update: Steam Deck, Photo Mode and wipe checks

SCUM’s November 9 update is scheduled to introduce controller support and make Photo Mode available to every owner, and Gamepires says Linux and Steam Deck players will soon be able to join multiplayer through Proton. The buying distinction matters: these announcements do not establish a date for Proton multiplayer, a native Linux edition, a Deck Verified rating or guaranteed handheld performance.

November 9 is the announced date

Gamepires confirmed the date in its November 6 preview, alongside the return of a revamped tattoo system and further fixes. The publisher also says it will focus more heavily on stability and issue more frequent hotfixes. This article uses the official previews and store information, not hands-on testing of the new build.

At the pre-release check on November 9, the full update notes had not appeared in the official news feed. There was no confirmed unlock hour to convert for Europe, the Americas or Asia. Wait for the release announcement and your Steam download before arranging a session around the new features.

Proton support and Deck verification differ

Steam still lists the Windows build. Proton is Valve’s compatibility layer for running Windows games on Linux, so the announcement concerns another way to run that version. It does not announce a separate native Linux download. Do not buy an additional copy or look for a special Linux edition just because you already own SCUM on Steam.

Valve’s Deck Verified assessment covers input, display, launch behavior and system compatibility, including middleware. A publisher confirming multiplayer access addresses an important requirement, but does not by itself establish every part of that assessment. Check the current compatibility details in the Steam store or your Deck library rather than treating a headline as a new certification.

Controller support is described as its first release, with feedback informing later improvements. That wording gives no basis for promising that every menu or peripheral will work exactly as you expect. If playing without a keyboard is essential, wait for the final control instructions and reports on the setup you intend to use.

For readers comparing another recent PC controller rollout, our World of Warcraft: Forever controller and access guide separates its announced input support from handheld compatibility. Apply that same distinction when deciding whether SCUM meets your needs.

Photo Mode moves into the base game

The earlier October preview explains the ownership change in more detail: Photo Mode will leave Supporter Pack 2 and become a base-game feature. Existing pack owners are due a selection of tattoos at no additional cost, while the pack’s other contents remain unchanged. Do not purchase that add-on solely to obtain the camera feature being made available to everyone.

Gamepires previously outlined more than 40 starter tattoos for everyone and two optional themed cosmetic packs. Those were plans in the October preview; the November announcement confirms the tattoo system’s return without publishing the complete paid-pack lineup or prices. Separate the starter designs, replacement owner content and optional purchases when the final listings arrive.

The official wipe already happened

There is a reason older previews can cause confusion. The October preview, published on September 30, originally tied a partial official-server wipe to the forthcoming standalone update. Gamepires later moved that wipe to the October 28 Halloween release and said there would be no further official-server wipes during 2026. The newer schedule supersedes the earlier plan.

The October 28 patch notes confirm that the official merges and partial wipe were completed. Retained characters kept attributes, skills and gold, while bases, gear and other specified progress were reset. If you return to find an old base missing, check that earlier change before assuming the November update caused it.

The no-further-wipes statement concerns official servers. It does not promise what an independently run community server will do. Check your own server’s notices, particularly if you have not played since October, and confirm its name and destination before trying to reconnect with friends.

Check these before returning or buying

What the final notes must settle

The preview does not specify a date for Proton multiplayer, a Proton version, recommended Deck graphics settings, patch download size or a full controller compatibility list. It also does not establish how the new controls feel in ordinary play. Those are meaningful gaps for a handheld-only buyer, even when the headline features are welcome.

Owners can assess the update without buying cosmetic extras. New players whose purchase depends on handheld use should wait for the release notes and a credible demonstration of the current build on comparable hardware. A cautious purchase here is about the features you need today, rather than assuming every promised improvement has already arrived.