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.


Right-click PZ in your Steam library.
Select "Properties".
Under "Game Version & Betas" select "Unstable".

• The Survival Guide has been updated with new content
  
• Added additional static spawn points to Sandbox Mode
  
  • Brandenburg
    
  • Echo Creek
    
  • Ekron
    
  • Fallas Lake
    
  • Irvington
    
  • March Ridge
    
  • Valley Station
• Added new Skill VHS tapes
  
  • Aiming
    
  • Animal Care
    
  • Blacksmithing
    
  • Electrical
    
  • First Aid
    
  • Knapping
    
  • Pottery
    
  • Tailoring
    
  • Welding
• Fluid container empty rates now depend type of container
  
• Added book "The Moments of Darius" by Ignas
  
• Updated Pet Name list in memoriam

• Additional WIP controller changes have been implemented. (Please keep providing feedback. It has been extremely valuable.)
  
  • The ability to customise controls in-game still requires additional work, and will be included in a future update.
• Added dedicated Credits Screen
  
• In-Game UI improvements
  
  • Clamp XUI to screen size
    
  • Rearranged and compacted Crafting window craft control box
    
  • Reduced size of input item boxes
    
  • Rearranged and compacted recipe filter box
    
  • Compacted Building window input panel
    
  • Reduced size of output item boxes
    
  • Fixed Crafting window input and output panels
    
  • Reduced preferred width of handcraft window
    
  • Reduced preferred width of build window
    
  • Compacted craft inventory panel
    
  • Improved scale of Admin Powers window
    
  • Host loading bar width has been resized

• Game Mode Defaults Updated
  
  • Apocalypse
    
    • Chance for vehicles to spawn with gas increased from "Low" to "Normal"
      
    • Increased "Other" loot spawn rate from 0.6 to 0.8
      
    • Increased "Wound Infection Damage Factor" from 0.0 to 1.0
  • Extinction
    
    • Increased "Wound Infection Damage Factor" from 0.5 to 1.0
  • Outbreak
    
    • Increased "Other" loot spawn rate from 0.6 to 0.8
      
    • Increased "Wound Infection Damage Factor" from 0.0 to 1.0
  • Rising
    
    • Increased "Other" loot spawn rate from 0.6 to 1.0
      
    • Increased "Wound Infection Damage Factor" from 0.0 to 1.0
  • Sandbox
    
    • Vehicle "Chance Has Gas" setting value of "Normal" reduced from 70 to 45
• Occupation Values Updated
  
  • Chef now gives +1 Short Blade instead of +1 Short Blunt (bug fix)
    
  • DIY Expert now gives Inventive Trait instead of +1 Carving, point cost changed from -4 to -2
    
  • Doctor point cost changed from -2 to 0
    
  • Electrician point cost changed from -4 to -2
    
  • Farmer now gives +1 Strength
    
  • Nurse point cost changed from -2 to 0
    
  • Rancher point cost changed from -2 to 0
    
  • Welder point cost changed from -6 to -4
• - Trait Points Updated
  
  • Nutritionist changed from -4 to -2
    
  • High Thirst changed from +1 to +2
    
  • Smoker changed from +2 to +3
• - Animal stress gain & its impact have been rebalanced
  
  • Animals gain less stress from zombies
    
  • Animals gain less stress under rain (only certain animals don't like rain!)
    
  • Animals gain less stress due to sound
    
  • Animal's stress is reduced more when petting them
    
  • Animals should flee less often due to stress
    
  • Animals will start to destroy objects at stress 80 instead of 70
• Reduced the rate that gasmask/respirator filters are drained by corpse sickness
  
• Reduced tool degredation for Tailoring recipes
  
• Added moodle buffs to Radio/TV shows that were not awarding them
  
• Adjusted encumberance values of coffins and gym mats
  
• Adjusted Carpentry XP awards for WoodFloorLvl2, WoodFloorLvl3, SofteningBeam, TanninBarrel and ChurnBucket
  
• Updated several tile properties
  
• Changed the tooltip for scrapping tiles to be consistent with picking up tiles
  
• Updated some flyer definitions, pictures, and text
  
• Added guardrails for the “Other” loot distribution functionality so it doesn't include inappropriate containers such as trash containers, fridges, freezers, coffins, etc

• Fixed being unable to set Zombie speed in MP
  
  • We are looking forward to receiving your feedback on sprinters and slow zombies! If there
  are any remaining issues left, please let us know.
  
• Added Thread-safe DDoS protection for RakNet
  
• Removed unused server options
  
• Moved map progress from client to the server
  
• A new option "Friends and nearby users" has been added to the "Map remote player visibility" setting
  
  • Map remote player visibility = 3 (Friends and nearby users)
    
    • Faction members are visible on the mini/world map at any distance. Other users will be shown on the mini/world map if near and in the line of sight.
• Fixed a rare server crash when driving vehicles
  
• Fixed the rope tied to an animal disappearing after relogin
  
• Fixed being unable to build constructions if standing near a container
  
• Fixed Pipe bomb/Aerosol bomb not doing damage to players or animals
  
• Fixed timed fluid actions not working properly when queued
  
• Fixed Spawn with Self server setting respawning player in a random spot
  
• Fixed character spontaneously taking off their clothes
  
• Fixed an exception occurring when disassembling a working TV
  
• Fixed characters interacting with items from a distance
  
• Fixed climbing rope desync
  
• Fixed "double-tap" door interactions causing doors to instantly open and close
  
• Fixed Unable to view the safehouse info through the safehouse list window
  
• Fixed drying racks "Take All" button not working properly
  
• Fixed the location of a bite/scratch on the body not matching the damage on the character's clothing
  
• Fixed character automatically rotating when standing above/under a vehicle
  
• Fixed Favourited Light Sources losing their favourite status after being transferred to a held container
  
• Fixed "scrap failed" halo text not being displayed
  
• Fixed rope not returning to character's inventory when "Remove Escape Rope" used
  
• Fixed climbing over walls not causing muscle strain
  
• Fixed admins being able to apply cheats after permissions removed
  
• Fixed renaming of food not syncing
  
• Fixed an issue where if multiple players apply a bandage to the same wound, all bandages are consumed
  
• Fixed an exception when uninstalling vehicle parts
  
• Fixed scratches from spiked armour disappearing from characters
  
• Fixed being unable to create a new user without a password via the /adduser command
  
• Fixed exercises not raising the character's body heat generation value
  
• Fixed an issue where after creating a host game players are unexpectedly returned to the main menu
  
• Fixed zombies teleporting on hit
  
• Fixed an issue with open and eat actions not working properly
  
• Fixed memory consumption spiking when players explore beyond the map bounds
  
• Fixed an anti-cheat false positive
  
• Fixed the character not getting stained with blood after butchering an animal
  
• Fixed "Wash yourself" action being performed instantly
  
• Fixed a server-side exception with ISClothingExtraAction
  
• Fixed Welding Torch uses not being synced after disassembling objects
  
• Fixed Occlusion Parameter not working as expected on Remote Events
  
• Fixed server list loading on start
  
• Fixed petting animals not increasing the animal's acceptance or decreasing stress
  
• Fixed server hangs on world save creation
  
• Fixed thumpable doors animation doubling

• Updated icon for 'already read' literature to be more readable
  
• Fixed not being able to examine Container Info for fluid container entities
  
• Fixed D-Pad not working on Scythe Grass action on controller
  
• Fixed not being able to pick up dung with a controller.
  
• Fixed Device Options and Disassemble context menus not showing up with controller
  
• Fixed controller button presses within the RMC causing interactions with the world
  
• Fixed characters performing sporadic actions while controller is at rest
  
• Fixed being unable to continue splitscreen characters in subsequent play sessions
  
• Fixed an issue with toggleCrouch not working properly
  
• Fixed infected player characters not zombifying on death
  
• Fixed firearm magazines not increasing their encumbrance value when loaded with ammunition
  
• Fixed firearms not appropriately increasing in encumbrance when a loaded magazine is inserted
  
• Fixed animations not playing when player is seated
  
• Fixed emotes not being performed when character holding a non-weapon item in their offhand
  
• Fixed "Forge Bar Half" with steel quarters returning an Iron Bar Half
  
• Fixed certain objects not being destroyed in fire
  
• Fixed a campfire's IsoFire being removed when a different object on the square was destroyed
  
• Fixed being unable to pick up / disassemble generic cooler shelves and magazine stands
  
• Fixed not being able to disassemble player-constructed fence posts
  
• Fixed missing collision on some furniture items
  
• Fixed being able to pick up light switches
  
• Fixed top-most railing on stairs not preventing players from accessing containers on the floor below
  
• Fixed "Disassemble Object" showing instead of tile names
  
• Fixed not being able to disassemble log gates
  
• Fixed issue with vaulting animation not lining up with tile art
  
• Fixed single tile arched doorways being set up as windowframes
  
• Fixed RMC context menu for some lights not having text
  
• Fixed being unable to barricade windowframes
  
• Fixed being able to read obsolete skillbooks
  
• Fixed standing zombies not crawling under cars, even when the sandbox setting is "always"
  
• Fixed chasing zombies being able to fall through Log Walls
  
• Fixed an issue where the character would always move east after standing up, regardless of input direction
  
• Fixed fliers/brochures not displaying relevant text when opened from map icons
  
• Fixed destroying a wall next to a lit campfire causing an exception
  
• Fixed rabbits being able to spawn in water
  
• Fixed digging furrows generating exceptions
  
• Fixed occasional Zero Length Vector error when placing items or removing windows via Pick Up tool
  
• Fixed freezes/crashes when selecting Random Traits if game language is set to Polish
  
• Fixed error when using makeup
  
• Fixed character not coughing/sneezing when they have a cold
  
• Fixed locked doors not appearing in the RMC under certain conditions
  
• Fixed visual issue with some spawned items that appeared to be floating
  
• Fixed "Show Recipes" not working for Schematic Pages
  
• Fixed an exception in isClimbingRope when the game is paused
  
• Fixed an exception that could occur when grabbing items
  
• Fixed Animal Footsteps not playing when they run along fences
  
• Fixed Claustrophobic still being available after selecting Agoraphobic, and Agoraphobic reappearing for Veterans after any trait was selected.
  
• Fixed missing space in tutorial "Fill Empty Jar" context interaction. Previously read "FillEmpty Jar"
  
• Fixed not being able to butcher dead rabbits found in random building stories
  
• Fixed "Cut Up Circular Sawblade with Bandsaw" being listed "Cut Up Tire with Bandsaw"
  
• Fixed Water/ElecShutModifier display incorrectly showing in non-debug sandbox settings
  
• Fixed pathfinding issues when sitting behind High Tables
  
• Fixed zombies being unable to break some breakable fences
  
• Fixed being able to sleep on swing sets
  
• Fixed inverted colours and extreme visual effects when adding a second character via couch co-op in CDDA
  
• Fixed player-made buildings being automatically powered
  
• Fixed an issue where multiple KeyBindings on the same key weren't detected correctly
  
• Fixed walls being disassemblable in basements allowing players to make holes into the void
  
• Fixed FireBrushUI "Add by click" and "Remove by click" not setting the correct z coordinate
  
• Fixed the Admin Powers window not changing available cheats list after role changing
  
• Fixed Recipes filter panel width counting
  
• Fixed controller sensitivity buttons not responding for some font sizes
  
• Fixed a console error when interacting with drying racks
  
• Fixed ground snow rendering darker than intended
  
• Fixed puddles flickering on/off
  
• Fixed curtains automatically close/re-opening when interacting with Shift+E
  
• Fixed typos and updated the in-game tips
  
• Fixed a bug with controller & CD player
  
• Fixed a sporadic exception with IsoObjectUtils
  
• Fixed Lua error when reading print media with the "Auto reveal print-media map locations" option enabled.
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause animation tracks to abruptly stop
  
• Fixed Turn180s being twitchy on keyboard
  
• Fixed HeadLookAround while sitting on furniture
  
• Fixed a lua crash on RemoveAllZombies
  
• Fixed character incorrectly aiming when pressing LCTRL while mouse is over UI
  
• Fixed viewcone and many character stats becoming NaN after performing physical actions while eating, then performing another physical action
  
• Fixed Potter's wheel not being completely destroyed when burned
  
• Fixed Drill presses and bandsaws randomly spawn in sheds

• Fixed M16 shooting sounds when the camera is zoomed out to the maximum distance
  
• Fixed driving over live zombies on the ground playing wrong sounds
  
• Fixed scrap failure and success sounds not playing
  
• Fixed scrap-success sound for low metal fences
  
• Fixed tent sounds only playing on old tents
  
• Fixed disassembling metal/chainlink fences playing either no or incorrect sounds
  
• Fixed Lamb still playing baby sounds when grown up
  
• Increased animal vocal sound range from 40 to 70.
  
• Increased vehicle engine sound radius from sqrt(1200) to 70
  
• Increased rain ambiance radius from 10 to 20
  
• Fixed vehicle sfx bugs in MP
  
• Removed distance cap for gunshots and explosions

• Added additional security validation
  
• Added a warning to the SteamWorkshopItem Submit screen for the new popup
  
• Updated spiffo_combat.png

As always, discussions regarding this update can be found pinned to the Project Zomboid Discussions Forums here.

Hello Survivors, we hope your shelter is keeping you dry and warm!

Shortly we plan on releasing Build 42.17 Unstable, which contains some new sandbox options, balancing changes, and (as usual), tons of bug fixes and Multiplayer stability improvements. A lot of this content was based on your feedback, so please keep it coming! While 42.16 saves should convert to 42.17, there are always potential issues with converting saves between Unstable builds, so as always we recommend starting a fresh save with each update, and backing up any existing ones before updating.

So turn off Life and Living and let’s jump right in:


For Sandbox players, there is now an option to choose from each of the “Exclusion Zone” towns to start in when creating a new Sandbox game. This gives players more options when setting up custom gameplay scenarios. When choosing this option, please keep in mind that Occupational Spawns are not supported outside of the four ‘canon’ starting towns, and your spawn location will be much more static when using non-canon starts.

While less broad than the 42.16 Occupation Revamp, 42.17 does bring some important fixes and tweaks to Occupations and Traits. Chefs now properly use blades instead of blunts to do their cooking, Farmers receive a Strength boost reflecting their heavy workload, and DIY Experts now receive the Inventive trait to represent their ability to…DIY. Several Occupations have also had their point costs reduced based on observed usage impact.

On the Trait side of things, Smoker and High Thirst will get a small Trait point boost, reflecting overall B42 game system changes affecting their impact on gameplay. Nutritionist will also be a bit more palatable cost wise as it primarily provides information.

Additionally, one big new option for Multiplayer servers is the ability to enable Sprinters if desired! This should still be considered a prototype, and we are actively on the lookout for edge cases that may come up under heavy server loads.


One set of items that players will be able to find in the world is an entirely new set of VHS Tapes, providing boosts to skills that previously were only available to be increased by practicing the skills themselves. These VHS Tapes are complete with their own new storylines and characters, and will rarely be found in Video Stores and homes across Knox Country.

The “Store Loot Story” prototype that we rolled out as a test in Stendo’s has been moved into a secure location in Louisville. This feature as it applies to shops needs to be ‘vaulted’ for now, until it can be implemented to work consistently with loot settings and adapted to store locations across the map. Stendo’s still has plenty of guns and ammo to loot, if you can get in and out alive.

On the game mode side, “Other Loot” rates, which includes things like cigarettes and dental floss (which can now be used in Tailoring in place of thread) has been increased in all game modes except Extinction, and cars are a bit more likely to have gas in the tank in Apocalypse. Loot tables continue to be updated for a variety of locales, with some items becoming more plentiful overall, and several missing items added to Foraging tables.


The WIP Controller revamp continues, with tons of your feedback reviewed and new systems integrated affecting sensitivity, movement inputs, and interaction mapping. We appreciate your continued patience and constructive feedback as we work to polish this important feature.

Remember, friends: Smoking is bad for you.

The Indie Stone

As always, discussions regarding this update can be found pinned to the Project Zomboid Discussions Forums here.