Project Zomboid News

As always it is recommended that you create a new save with no mods after updates. Updates fix bugs and introduce new changes that may not be compatible with any older saves, especially ones older than the last patch.

[h3]How do I subscribe to the Unstable beta branch?[/h3]
Right-click PZ in your Steam library.
Select "Properties".
Under "Game Version & Betas" select "Unstable".


FIXES

- Fixed additional cases of the game not loading where the username has non-ascii characters
- Fixed animals not moving when rope is attached
- Fixed GlobalModDataPacket

As always it is recommended that you create a new save with no mods after updates. Updates fix bugs and introduce new changes that may not be compatible with any older saves, especially ones older than the last patch.

[h3]How do I subscribe to the Unstable beta branch?[/h3]
Right-click PZ in your Steam library.
Select "Properties".
Under "Game Version & Betas" select "Unstable".


FIXES
- Fixed game not loading when the username has non-ascii characters

Hello Survivors, we hope your barricades are holding strong!

Today we’re releasing Build 42.15 Unstable, and along with a big list of fixes, balancing, multiplayer stability improvements, and new items, we have two big content updates for you to wade into, with your baseball bats swinging (or axes - axes work too):



While players are still able to hyper-customize the settings in Project Zomboid to their liking via Custom Sandbox mode, and this is certainly still a supported and valid way to play, we know that many players want “Out of The Box” defaults that cater to their playstyles without needing to adjust settings. To that end, it has come time to refresh the Game Modes and to start to dial in balancing for a lot of the new features that have been added in Build 42. To that end, Apocalypse mode has been re-balanced to serve as the ‘Lore Canon’ game mode, while the other modes have been replaced with new versions catering to different play styles.

As Apocalypse is the ‘Canon’ mode, elements such as loot tables, animal growth cycles, crop seasons, vehicle condition, and others are focused on capturing an authentic feel of 1993 Kentucky overrun with the Undead (for example: more plentiful firearms in the world). This means that certain ‘gamey’ features such as Zombie Respawn and Zombie Pop Loot Effects have been disabled. We have also adjusted certain gameplay elements based on playtesting, such as reducing the effect of Muscle Strain and Discomfort, making fences more vulnerable to concentrated Zombie attacks, enabling firearm jamming, and more.

Outbreak is intended to cater to players who want a mode respecting players who may have limited time, while remaining challenging if you bite off more than you can chew. In general, things like non-combat skill progression, refrigerator effectiveness, animal/farming timelines, and loot density are more suited for less time-intensive playthroughs.

Extinction is meant for veteran players, while bringing Sprinters into an official game mode for the first time in Project Zomboid. Expect brutal resistance, scarcer supplies, and be prepared to be on your toes at all times. This mode is NOT recommended as your first time Zomboid experience, as it will then likely be very short.

Rising is the place for those who want a more cozy experience, so they can head out and build that perfect post-apocalyptic homestead. With less of a focus on combat, and more abundance of the building blocks for the new world, it’s up to you to put in the hard work to craft your new existence. Just don’t let your guard down, because this is still ‘How you Died.’

Each of the new Game Modes has a corresponding pre-set in Custom Sandbox for you to tweak to your liking. Expect final tuning to the various settings in the game modes based on playtesting as we move forward towards B42 Stable.


As many noticed in the 42.14 update, there was an Ammunition Rework to consolidate and update item types, and as many also guessed, this was in preparation for new firearms being added to the game. These new firearms are balanced to fit in with the existing set of guns (and their refreshed visuals) and complement the existing armory.

These firearms are intended to be consistent with the types of guns popular in 1993 Kentucky, and there has also been an extensive loot table rework to more properly represent the distribution of firearm types across civilian, police, and military usage. Ammo cross-compatibility is also a focus, so survivors who want an efficient loadout on loot runs should pay attention to both ammo and magazine selection.


JS-14 Rifle - A 5.56x45mm rifle fed from a twenty-round magazine, and utilizing a scaled-down action based on the M1A Rifle, the JS-14 is extremely popular among civilians, and also used by some police and corrections agencies. It is robust and lightweight, although not well known for its accuracy.

JS-3T Tactical Shotgun - Often referred to as a “Riot Gun,” this 12 Gauge shotgun is the police model of the ubiquitous JS-2000 Shotgun, featuring a higher capacity with increased weight. Extensively used by police as heavy firepower for patrol officers, it is also utilized by the military for breaching and close-combat situations.

L92 Carbine - First designed in 1892, the tried-and true lever action has been a favorite of Americans since it was first introduced. The L92 is a modernized version introduced in the 1950’s, firing the smokeless .357 Magnum cartridge, rather than the original obsolete cartridge variants.

L94 Rifle - A classic “deer rifle,” the L94 and its .30-30 cartridge is one of the most famous and popular hunting and ranch rifles of all time. While the rimmed cartridge has seen limited adoption in other firearms, the L94 provides a handy, accurate, and lethal package.

MSR7T Tactical Rifle - Built on the ubiquitous short-action 788 receiver in 7.62x51mm, the MSR7T is specialized for police and military use, with an accurized barrel and heavy stock. While somewhat bulky, it is the preferred choice when long-range precise shots are required.

Trapper Carbine - Developed in the 1980’s, the Trapper Carbine was intended to provide a cost-effective, handy, versatile carbine for camping and wilderness use. Sharing the popular .45 ACP ammo and magazines with the 1911 pistol, the Trapper provides a compact weapon for mid-range use, although it has a reputation of being somewhat unreliable.



Gameplay updates include a new gamepad firearm aiming system for better controller support, reduced durability impacts when using tools for their intended purpose, adjusted light cones to more properly represent different lights/flashlights, “And More!” The full Update Notes can be found HERE, detailing more new features, balancing changes, and LOTS of fixes for both Single and Multiplayer.

A reminder that the B42 Unstable Branch is…well…Unstable. So don’t forget to backup your save (or, as recommended, start a new one), with the knowledge that updates can and will break things. Our “Friends of the Beta” testing group has already provided a bunch of feedback on this new content, and we want to hear yours as well! You are always welcome to join our Discord discussion HERE, our forums HERE, and you can sign up for our newsletter HERE! Swing by and let us know your thoughts on the new content!

Stay strapped, friends, and avoid the things that go bump in the night.

The Indie Stone

As always it is recommended that you create a new save with no mods after updates. Updates fix bugs and introduce new changes that may not be compatible with any older saves, especially ones older than the last patch.


[h3]How do I subscribe to the Unstable beta branch?[/h3]
Right-click PZ in your Steam library.
Select "Properties".
Under "Game Version & Betas" select "Unstable".


NEW

- New Game Mode Defaults: Game Modes have been rebalanced and updated, with all but Apocalypse and Custom Sandbox replaced with new versions. Each includes a pre-set in Custom Sandbox to view/modify all specific mode settings. Expect future adjustments based on playtesting feedback.
--"Apocalypse" is intended to serve as the 'Lore Canon' game mode, representing what REALLY happened on July 9th, 1993. Core changes including removing Zombie Respawn, reduced impact of Muscle Strain and Discomfort, more realistic Animal growth rates, adjusted Loot levels, and more.
--"Outbreak" is designed for players desiring an accellerated play experience, with an overal focus on less time investment for advancement.
--"Extinction" is focused on a brutal hardcore experience, and is intended for veteran players who want more of a challenge. BEWARE SPRINTERS.
--"Rising" is intened for players who want a little more breathing room to explore, build, and create.
--"Custom Sandbox" remains to allow players to customize settings to their desired play style, and remains a 'core' and valid way to enjoy Project Zomboid.

- New Firearms (including relevant magazines, loot distributions based on rarity/appropriateness of firearms, and repair recipes)
-- JS-14 Rifle - 5.56x45mm
-- JS-3T Tactical Shotgun - 12 Guage
-- L92 Carbine - .357 Magnum
-- L94 Rifle - .30-30
-- MSR7T Tactical Rifle - 7.62x51mm
-- Trapper Carbine - .45 ACP

- Character now recieves a reading speed boost when sitting.
- New gun store loot story prototype at Stendo's.
- Added new map symbols for animals.
- Gamepad Aiming Tech prototype - Work in Progress
-- Implementing basic aiming reticle handling for Gamepad aiming. Uses aim axis to place target reticle relative to player.
-- Added reticle slow-down when over active target for more precise targeting.
- Added option to toggle Livestock Zone visual overlay on/off
- Shift + Click allows user to select multiple items in workstation menus
- Renamed Game Option "Pause when focus is lost" to be more clear, enabled by default on new game installs.

- New SFX for Large Containers:
-- Small Metal Door
-- Clothes Rack
-- Carboard and CardboardLarge

BALANCE

- Tool Usage Balance Changes
-- Removed tool requirements from several tiles when picking them up
-- Removed tool degradation for screwdrivers in electrical-related recipes
-- Reduced the durability drain on tools designed to chop trees, when chopping trees
-- Garden hoes now have the ability to remove stumps

- Loot Table Updates:
-- Updated missing Distributions Entries & Incorrect Roomdefs
-- Added 'policeswat', 'prisonlocker' and 'swatlocker' roomdefs. Removed forced merge for 'policestorage' and 'policegunstorage'
-- Added GunStoreAmmunition to military lockers in gun stores. Added 'metalfabrication' and 'metalfabricationstorage' roomdefs. Added CrateMetalBars and CrateMetalPipes to 'metalshop' and 'metalshipping'
-- Added 'sewingfactory' roomdef. Added fabric rolls to sewingstore. Added CrateWallpaper to crates and cardboard boxes in furniture store storage.
-- Added ButcherFish to seafoodkitchen display counters.
-- Integrated new firearms into the loot lists. Added 'gunStorage' modifier to containers to ensure approropriate magazines and ammo spawn with the correct guns. Removed unused modifiers from Distributions.
-- Updated maximum displaycases that can spawn items in gunstore roomdef
-- Created a room definition for Music school.
-- Microwaves now have ability to spawn Cup of Coffee and TV Dinner

- Decreased penlight light cone size, increased vehicle headlight light cone size
- Made the head turning while sitting on furniture a bit more gradual.
- Lowered the impact of animals corpses on vehicles when driving over them
- Balanced inconsistent Neck Muscle Strain caused by certain sewing activities
- Fluid collection properly caps at player's max carry weight
- Removed ability to sleep on toilets


MP

- Optimized Animal designation zone update
- Hid google auth and two factor for now, they will return in the future when fixed
- Reduced the sound radius for vehicles in MP

- Multple fixes for GrappleTech
-- Fixed player stuck when start/end grab corpse
-- Fixed sync when login near player, that grab corpse
-- Additional small fixes
- Fixed melee attacks passing through zombies near vehicles and animals
- Fixed multiple server-side and client-side errors
- Fixed desync with clothing. Outfits weren't updating on players in different map chunks
- Fixed a server crash
- Fixed MaxAccountsPerUser option
- Fixed the incorrect position of the remote player's character near an obstacle. Remote players would appear on wrong side of the walls
- Fixed car trunk capacity not updating after receiving damage
- Fixed clock alarm SFX playing endlessly if the watch was dismantled while playing the alarm.
- Fixed safe-to-eat mushrooms receiving the poison tag if cooked together with poisoned one.
- Fixed not being able to interact with the composter (Craftsman)
- Fixed attached animal ropes, which now break like in SP.
- Fixed remote player not playing HitReaction animation
- Fixed disappearing dirt and blood splats on clothes when character unequipped those clothes
- Fixed desync with incorrect position of the remote player's character on Z coordinate
- Fixed character getting damaged when climbing up/down on the escape rope.
- Fixed exception when attempting to remove graffiti with a 2-handed cleaning item
- Fixed Soap not being used in MP
- Fixed Propane Tank dupe
- Fixed Endless magazine loading animation
- Fixed food duping with .replaceOnCooked() if taken from a stove a few seconds before the cooking indicator becomes completely full.
- Fixed double barrel shotgun consuming 2 rounds in one shot.
- Fixed not being able to paint signs
- Fixed missing pain from disinfecting wounds
- Fixed not being able to pick up fallen zombie hats/glasses
- Fixed floor rendering built on water tiles
- Fixed items missing from zombie's corpse if they got stuck as a result of performing a backstab
- Fixed cars getting stuck mid-air again
- Fixed missing XP gain notification when crafting items.
- Fixed not being able to saw logs via RMC context menu
- Fixed damage from falling and walking through trees not syncing
- Fixed firearm not racking on insert magazine
- Fixed pressing the Back button while starting a host server not stopping the server
- Fixed inability to set a role to the user which is not in the white list
- Fixed dismantling stack of CD players consumes 2 items per action
- Fixed melee weapon held on logout preventing maintenance XP gain until re-equipped
- Fixed CookingSounds not playing when foods are cooked.
- Fixed sfx's for walking barefoot and in shoes
- Fixed Garage Doors shaking when being unlocked from inside
- Fixed cooking sounds cutting out when multiple items are being cooked.
- Fixed barbecue cooking sounds not playing in multiplayer.
- Fixed protective gear not increasing discomfort level.
- Fixed not being able to delete a user from the user list if he has a record in the user logs
- Fixed server option Drop off white list after death not working
- Fixed not being able to raise Fitness XP level through the Check stats panel.
- Fixed character was taking feet damage when driving over broken glass barefoot
- Fixed issues with in-game map shared symbols
-- Translations for the shared-symbols panel are now defined
-- Fixed the checkmark texture size in the Players panel.
-- Private symbols no longer flicker between opaque and semi-opaque while using the Sharing tool.
-- The shared-symbols panel is no longer placed overtop the legend panel.
-- Fixed map symbols flickering after disconnecting from a server using shared symbols.
- Fixed option “Username Disguises”
- Fixed missing Maintenance XP from weapons with more than 20 .conditionLowerChanceOneIn
- Fixed container put-item sounds not playing in multiplayer


FIXES

- Thank you to copiumsawsed for reporting a security vulnerability. This issue has been patched in all listed versions.
- Fixed multiple RMC entries for Toilets
- Fixed Ragdoll zombies flipping before getting up when being ran over
- Fixed jumping zombies when shooting at them
- Fixed spamming Crouch speeding up magazine reload
- Fixed players getting stuck in vehicles when entering an open car door while aiming
- Fixed fuel pumps resetting
- Fixed TV Remotes having a 1.67% chance of returning a battery instead of a 60% chance
- Fixed invisible View Cone on Mac
- Fixed Caffeine Pills restoring 100% of fatigue instead of 4%
- Fixed holding ALT drastically increasing gun damage
- Fixed infinite shoves
- Fixed Lemongrass & Ginger Root not reducing Food Sickness
- Fixed getting different amount of Logs from trees in SP and MP
- Fixed not being able to drop items out of car windows when the item wasn't held in main inventory
- Fixed being unable to reload while the game tried to get ammo from an unequipped container in the player's inventory
- Fixed error that occurred when taking Engine Parts while a Wrench was in an unequipped bag
- Fixed error spam when certain actions were performed in LiveAnimationTrackEntries
- Fixed error when building stairs over fire
- Fixed blood splatters appearing where an animal was picked up and not where it was killed
- Fixed not being able to read when "Minutes per Page" sandbox option was set to the minimum of 0.0
- Fixed brick texture overlaying shutters
- Fixed being unable to click on Garage Doors when they are transparent
- Fixed invisible fire / incendiary burned tiles
- Fixed wrong depth map for many items, tiles and stacks of Crates
- Fixed tiles with snow overlay spawning indoors
- Fixed chicks only dropping heads when butchered, they now drop meat as well
- Fixed tooltip stating Medium Leather Drying Rack could be used for Deer Leather
- Fixed Wet Bath/Dish Towels drying in the rain
- Fixed disassembled Trough parts collecting water
- Fixed multiple issues with Soap consumption
- Fixed multiple issues with Washing character
- Fixed character repeating drinking action when selecting multiple times before the first completed
- Fixed disassembling electronics in inventory giving less XP than placed ones
- Fixed characters continuing to accrue Fitness / Running XP when they fell asleep while running into a bed
- Fixed incorrect Random Electricity Shutoff settings
- Fixed Fishing Net with Chum producing too much fish
- Fixed floating barricades when a wall is destroyed
- Fixed wrong window being barricaded when attempting to barricade N/W corner windows
- Fixed the cutaway-wall window outline for one window not being rendered when there is both a west and north window on the same tile.
- Fixed odd wall cutaway when there is only a single tile gap between buildings
- Fixed being unable to build shelves/wall-mounted objects overtop player-built floors
- Fixed not being able to build shelves on corner walls
- Fixed Saucepans being destroyed when using the last remaining Rice to make food (ex: Sushi; Cabbage Roll)
- Fixed Eggs not freezing
- Fixed some Prescription Glasses not removing the foraging search radius penalty
- Fixed parked cars not moving when bumping them with another car
- Fixed mannequins not updating visually in raided houses
- Fixed characters not having a cold in A Realy CD DA challenge
- Fixed Hay Bale duplication bug
- Fixed dragging a VHS tape from the floor into a VCR leaving a duplicate VHS on the ground
- Fixed animal info for male Raccoons. Male raccoons shouldn't attack each other
- Fixed Crafting/Building UI text not being spaced out
- Fixed ZombieClawChainlinkFence, ZombieClawMetal, and ZombieClawGarageDoor sounds not playing
- Fixed missing container sounds for crafted_05 small metal cabinets
- Fixed looping SFX from Noise Makers
- Fixed Metal Pole Fences playing incorrect SFX
- Fixed Snare Traps not displaying properly on new renderer
- Fixed not being able to sit on North-facing toilets
- Fixed some glass were walls hiding character's model
- Fixed rendering for vents
- Fixed not being disassemble some pianos
- Fixed being able to walk through fence to sit on Base.Mov_RedChair
- Fixed small boulders blocking vision
- Fixed small stones having collision
- Fixed sometimes being fireproof (more to be fixed in the future)
- Fixed animal skeletons in containers yielding endless bones
- Fixed corpse sickness not decreasing near corpses while wearing a Gas Mask / Respirator
- Fixed Gas Masks / Respirators still providing 100% corpseSicknessDefense after filters have been removed
- Fixed not being able to pick up corpses when "Very Low Weight" or below
- Fixed crash when killing animals with a Pipe Bomb. Note: In MP, animals are currently not receiving damage from bombs
- Fixed Fire Officer using Police Officer profession icon in character creation screen
- Fixed Forged Buckets not being available for Bucket Mauls due to missing "METAL_BUCKET" tag


TECHNICAL/DEBUG

- Localization clean-up. Translation files are now in json
- Updated Mac and Linux libs
- Fixed world context-menu error in debug mode when the debug option UI.HideDebugContextMenuOptions is enabled
- Updated Console txt file. Now PC specs are always listed
- Fixed hardcap for Fitness when player enabled GodMode


MODS

New modding guide/changelog.
- Fixed COMMON/VERSION folders not being detected correctly in the mod directory. Game now only requires one of the two folders
- Fixed mod translation, modID, client-server files check logic
- Fixed translation loading order
- Added translation support for mod.info (title, description)
- Fixed incorrect mod file comparison between client and server
- Fixed ModID, WorkshopID logic
- Fixed bug with Mod null check
- Fixed mod info panel
- Fixed mods display menu in Pause menu
- Fixed icon/poster file path for mods on Linux
- Added .glb for model file watcher
- Improved error message when clients are missing a mod from the server
- Fixed WorkshopItem description generation, added support for 512x512 mod image preview