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):
Game Mode Refresh
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.
New Firearms
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.
And More!
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