A new Project Zomboid update could make multiplayer servers much more deadly

The next Project Zomboid update is about to make your sandbox adventures more varied, and your multiplayer lobbies a whole lot more terrifying. Developer The Indie Stone has been cooking up fresh overhauls for its zombie game, and says that Project Zomboid build 42.17 is almost ready for release. This latest patch includes a range of balance tweaks designed to further ramp up the realism, some new VHS Tapes to train skills that previously weren't catered to, and slightly more plentiful loot, including easier access to gas.

When the new Project Zomboid update lands, you'll be given the option to choose between any of the 'Exclusion Zone' towns as your starting point for sandbox mode, freeing up the potential to create more specific custom scenarios. The Indie Stone cautions that occupational spawns (where your initial location can be impacted by your chosen job) aren't currently supported outside of the four 'canon' starting towns, so you should expect to begin your adventure in a more static position for each of the other possible settlements.

The range of VHS Tapes has been expanded, with an entirely new set added to the pool that can now spawn in your world. As one of the few ways to gain skill experience outside of actually performing the action in question, these additions will offer "boosts to skills that previously were only able to be increased by practicing the skills themselves." They also have fresh storylines and characters attached to them, so seek them out in homes and video stores as you travel across Knox Country.

On the balancing side, both the Smoker and High Thirst traits will now afford more points if you take them, to reflect their current impact on gameplay. Conversely, Nutritionist will be made cheaper, "as it primarily provides information." Chefs will use blades (instead of blunts) for cooking, Farmers have been given a Strength boost to reflect their high-impact workload, and DIY Experts will get the Inventive trait included as standard. The Indie Stone has also reduced the point costs of several occupations "based on observed usage impact."

The rates for drops classified under 'other loot' have been raised "in all game modes except Extinction." That includes the likes of cigarettes and dental floss, the latter of which can now be used as a thread replacement for Tailoring. Cars in Apocalypse mode are more likely to have gas in the tank. The developer says it's continuing to update loot tables across many locales; you should expect some items to be "more plentiful overall," and a handful of missing items are now correctly included in the Foraging tables.

Stendo's Firearms Emporium, one of the most reliable sources of munitions, is no longer running its prototype 'store loot story' model, which The Indie Stone has shifted "into a secure location" while it works on the feature. It explains that it's working out how to implement this to be more consistent with loot settings, so that it can be deployed across more store locations across the map. It reassures, "Stendo's still has plenty of guns and ammo to loot, if you can get in and out alive."

Finally, you now have the option to enable sprinters in multiplayer servers. It's considered a "prototype" for the time being, but you already have to be prepared for some serious panic if you're choosing to turn on Project Zomboid's optional, high-speed, lurching killers. It's been good to see The Indie Stone taking a more proactive approach to keeping the community updated on development in recent months. We're still waiting on the promised stable version of build 42, but continued improvements are all part of the process of reaching that goal.

Work also continues on updating controller support, "with tons of your feedback reviewed." Its most recent change here has been rather divisive, causing many players to ask for the option to switch back. The Indie Stone says it's implementing new systems that affect "sensitivity, movement inputs, and interaction mapping," and thanks players for their patience and responses. Developer 'AmazingSully' writes, "It's not the final product yet, but I have a feeling you'll be happier with what comes out."