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City Defense Z Roadmap

[p]Dear Survivors,
[/p][p]With City Defense Z, we are entering a brand-new era in this tough but thrilling journey we’ve embarked on together. Today, we’ll share with you the major innovations and systemic transformations coming to City Defense Z in the upcoming period. Which mechanics are evolving, which systems are being introduced for the first time, and what maps await you... All are covered in this roadmap.
[/p][p]But first, let’s take a brief look back.
In the past few months, we launched the demo and had the chance to test the core gameplay thanks to your valuable feedback. Then we made an important decision: we took down the demo. The reason? The updates we made began to fundamentally change the core dynamics of the game. The demo, in its current form, no longer represented this new structure, and we didn’t want it to create a misleading first impression.
[/p][p]During this process, we re-evaluated the core design of City Defense Z, and the game has now evolved into a rogue-lite structure. With permanent progression systems, a replayability-focused design, and ever-changing strategic decisions every run, we aim to deliver a deeper and longer-lasting experience. Now it’s time to explore where this world will evolve together.[/p][p][/p][h2]Upcoming Features & Updates
[/h2][p][/p][h3]Building System Expansion[/h3][p]The city-building process is now deeper and more tactical. With new building types, a 5-level merge system, and daily cards, every move requires a plan. With reroll and utility cards, full control of the city is in your hands.[/p]
  • [p]Add 2 New Building Types: Laboratory (blue) and House (gray) buildings[/p]
  • [p]Complete 5-Level Merge System: All buildings can now merge up to Level 5[/p]
  • [p]Daily Card System: 3 random building cards per day with strategic choices[/p]
  • [p]Card Reroll Feature: Reroll daily cards for better options (upgradeable through research)[/p]
  • [p]Building Utility Cards: Relocation and Direct Level-Up cards for flexibility
    [/p]
[h3]Combat System Overhaul[/h3][p]With the advanced combat system, every detail has been redesigned. Soldiers can now be merged just like buildings. You'll be able to strengthen units through a five-stage evolution chain from pistols to flamethrowers. With zombie variety, new defensive structures, and interactive mechanics, nighttime battles become far more deep and tactical.[/p]
  • [p]5-Level Soldier Evolution: Soldiers can merge from Pistol → Shotgun → Assault Rifle → Minigun → Flamethrower[/p]
  • [p]Population System: Housing capacity limits and soldier management[/p]
  • [p]Enhanced Weapons: Mortar artillery and additional defensive structures[/p]
  • [p]Booster System: Zombies will drop boosters during combat for tactical advantages[/p]
  • [p]Zombie Hole Mechanic: Interactive holes appear at night requiring tapping and airbombs to seal[/p]
  • [p]Advanced Enemy System: Boss encounters and multiple zombie types with unique tactics
    [/p]
[h3]Complete Resource Economy[/h3][p]The economy system is being completely revamped. Resources will now be actively collected, and five different currencies (resources, ammo, food, research points, and population) will work in an interconnected way. You’ll need to farm to feed your population otherwise, hunger penalties will directly affect game balance.[/p]
  • [p]5 Currency Types: Resource, Ammunition, Food, Research Points, Population[/p]
  • [p]Food System: Crop farming, hunger penalties, population sustenance[/p]
  • [p]Manual Collection: Active resource management gameplay[/p]
  • [p]Economic Balance: Interconnected resource relationships
    [/p]
[h3]Meta Progression System[/h3][p]City Defense Z is getting a permanent progression system. With 8 different upgrade trees and over 40 permanent upgrades, every run will make you stronger. Using research points, you’ll be able to extend your strategy long-term and shape your own playstyle.[/p]
  • [p]8 Upgrade Trees: Buildings, Soldiers, Food, Walls, Expeditions, Reroll, Airstrikes, Research[/p]
  • [p]40+ Permanent Upgrades: Persistent progression across all runs[/p]
  • [p]Research Point Generation: Laboratory buildings and expedition rewards[/p]
  • [p]Strategic Depth: Meaningful choices for build customization
    [/p]
[h3]Map Progression Campaign[/h3][p]Map variety is coming to City Defense Z, and each one offers a brand-new tactical experience. From abandoned cities to military complexes, research facilities to medical zones, these maps differ in difficulty, environmental conditions, and story progression.[/p]
  • [p]Map 2 - Urban: Abandoned city with medical district (75-day survival)[/p]
  • [p]Map 3 - Industrial: Military complex with structured facilities (90-day survival)[/p]
  • [p]Map 4 - Laboratory: Research facility for vaccine development (100-day survival)[/p]
  • [p]Story Integration: Connected narrative across all maps[/p]
  • [p]Environmental Challenges: Unique tactical requirements per map
    [/p]
[h3]NPC Community System[/h3][p]A brand-new character-driven system is coming. Your base now comes alive with 8 unique NPCs. Each has voice-acted interactions and actively moves around the base, providing strategic support in four specialization areas: farming, military, research, and expeditions.[/p]
  • [p]8 Unique NPCs: Elena “Greenhouse” Vasquez, “Iron” Pete Morrison, Captain Alexis “Fortress” Kane, “Boom” Rodriguez, Dr. “Quantum” Kim Nakamura, “MacGuyver” Thomas Wright, “Shadow” Maria Santos, “Compass” Jake Harrison[/p]
  • [p]4 Specialist Groups: Farm, Military, Research, Expedition specializations[/p]
  • [p]Voice-Acted Dialogue: Immersive character interactions with radio static effects[/p]
  • [p]Living Base: NPCs move around your base and provide strategic buffs
    [/p]
[h3]Expedition System[/h3][p]The expedition system brings strategic mission management to the game. NPCs are sent out on the map to gather resources; the higher the mission risk, the greater the reward. Team composition directly affects success rates, and failure can mean permanent character loss.[/p]
  • [p]Resource Gathering Missions: Send NPCs to collect materials[/p]
  • [p]Risk/Reward Mechanics: Higher rewards for more dangerous expeditions[/p]
  • [p]NPC Permadeath: Emotional stakes with permanent character loss[/p]
  • [p]Strategic Planning: Team composition affects expedition success
    [/p]
[h3]World Events System[/h3][p]The world events system integrates storytelling with mission progression. The Commander in your base provides tactical insights, while the World News Speaker enhances the post-apocalyptic atmosphere. This system offers clear objectives, staged progression, and a narrative experience beyond survival.[/p]
  • [p]Dual NPC Announcements: Base Commander (tactical) + World News Speaker (atmosphere)[/p]
  • [p]Apocalyptic Atmosphere: Global situation deterioration updates[/p]
  • [p]Mission Progress: Clear objectives with story integration[/p]
  • [p]Immersive Storytelling: Deep narrative experience beyond survival
    [/p]
[h3]Competition & Achievements[/h3][p]With the competition and achievement system, you’ll be able to test your skills. Earn your place on the global Steam leaderboards and complete over 100 achievements to gain research points. Participate in weekly and monthly survival challenges to conquer difficult goals and unlock permanent progression advantages.[/p]
  • [p]Steam Leaderboards: Global ranking system for competitive play[/p]
  • [p]100+ Achievements: Survival milestones, building mastery, combat challenges[/p]
  • [p]Research Point Rewards: Achievements boost progression[/p]
  • [p]Elite Challenges: Advanced goals for dedicated players[/p]
  • [p]Survival Challenges: Weekly/monthly competitive events
    [/p]
[h3]Traveler Trading System[/h3][p]With the traveler trader system, you’ll be able to trade your resources strategically. Random merchants will visit your base, offering rare items and unique upgrades that deepen your economic management.[/p]
  • [p]Merchant Visits: Random trader encounters[/p]
  • [p]Resource Exchange: Strategic trading opportunities[/p]
  • [p]Rare Items: Unique upgrades and bonuses[/p]
  • [p]Economic Depth: Advanced resource management
    [/p]
[h3]Visual & Audio Polish[/h3][p]With visual and audio enhancements, you’ll experience the game more smoothly and immersively. All models will be overhauled, sound design will be completely revamped, the UI will be more accessible, and performance improvements will ensure smooth gameplay across all systems.
[/p]
  • [p]Enhanced Models: All current assets get visual upgrades[/p]
  • [p]Sound Design: Comprehensive audio overhaul[/p]
  • [p]UI/UX Improvements: Streamlined interface and accessibility[/p]
  • [p]Performance Optimization: Smooth gameplay across all systems[/p]
[p][/p][h3]Additional Content[/h3][p]There will always be something new to discover with fresh content. Take part in seasonal events, expand your specialist groups with new NPCs, face new challenges in bonus maps, and enjoy community-requested features.[/p]
  • [p]Seasonal Events: Special time-limited challenges[/p]
  • [p]New NPC Characters: Expand specialist groups[/p]
  • [p]Bonus Maps: Additional environments and challenges[/p]
  • [p]Community Features: Player-requested improvements[/p]
[h2]What This Means for Players[/h2][p]With all these developments, City Defense Z will offer a much deeper and more satisfying gameplay experience. Strategic decision-making will diversify through enhanced building and combat systems, the resource economy will become more balanced with meaningful choices, and night battles will be more interactive with booster drops and zombie hole mechanics. With permanent meta upgrades, every run will contribute to long-term progression. The four-map story campaign will offer a structured narrative, while achievement systems provide clear goals and permanent rewards. Steam leaderboards will support competitive play, and the new voiced NPC system will make your base more lively and personal. When all these systems come together, City Defense Z will no longer be just about survival it’ll become a living, evolving, and deep world experience.[/p][p][/p][h3]Community & Wiki Support[/h3][p]To strengthen our bond with the player community, we’ve launched an official City Defense Z Wiki page! You’ll find tactics, character details, building information and more. city-defense-z.fandom.com/
[/p][h3]Stronger Together[/h3][p]Thanks to your support during the demo period, we continue building this grand vision. New content is on the way and we need your strength now more than ever.[/p][p]
– The City Defense Z Team[/p][p]
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