Project Zomboid Build 42 – Everything New
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, a major update was released, one that's still flagged as unstable.
Let's break down what was added and what was removed.
How to Play Build 42 on mikasa.host
When you purchase a server on our website, it's created with the current stable version of the game, which at the moment is Build 41.
To switch to Build 42, go to the "Startup" tab in the control panel, change the "Steam Beta Branch" to unstable, then go to the "Settings" tab and select "Reinstall Server."
This will start the server reinstallation process.
Build 42 requires significantly more server resources.
We recommend at least 4GB of RAM (the "Angler" plan) for it.
Animals and Hunting
Previously, players could only catch rabbits, birds, and rats through the relevant trapping skill. Now the developers have added a whole range of new animals and new interactions with them.
Farm Animals
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Chickens:
Chickens require a chicken hutch built inside a livestock zone. It protects the birds from predators and makes it easy to collect eggs. Two breeds are featured in the game:- Leghorn (white);
- Rhode Island (brown).
Chickens can be bred, fed, watered, and used as a steady source of eggs. With a rooster present, the flock will grow naturally, and any surplus birds can always be used for meat.
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Cows:
Cows are one of the most valuable farm animals. With good care, they regularly produce milk, which can be consumed directly or used to make dairy drinks.
Keeping them requires a spacious pen with feeders and constant access to water. A lack of food, water, or poor living conditions lowers the animal's health and affects its productivity. Besides milk, cows provide a large amount of meat, hide, and other resources after slaughter, enough to last a long time. -
Sheep:
Sheep are valued for more than just meat. They can be sheared regularly for wool, which can be used in crafting. Like other farm animals, sheep need a fenced pasture, water, and enough feed. With proper care, the flock can gradually grow, providing a stable source of both wool and meat. -
Pigs:
Pigs gain weight quickly and are one of the best sources of meat. They can process a wide variety of food, making them relatively low-maintenance compared to other animals. Efficient upkeep requires a sturdy pen, regular feeding, and constant access to water. After slaughter, the player gets a large amount of pork and other useful resources.
Wild Animals
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Deer:
Unlike livestock, deer live in the wild. They can't be kept on a farm, so the only way to get them is through hunting. A deer provides the player with a large amount of venison and a hide, but it's cautious and can flee quickly at the slightest noise. For a successful hunt, it's best to use firearms, a bow, or carefully planned tracking methods. -
Rabbits:
Rabbits can now be found not only in traps but directly out in the game world. They move quickly, hide in tall grass, and react to the player's approach. They can be caught with traditional traps or hunted directly. Rabbits are a good source of rabbit meat for a lone survivor. -
Rats:
Rats are much more common near towns, garbage dumps, and abandoned buildings. Despite their small size, they can also serve as an additional food source when resources are scarce. -
Birds:
Besides domestic chickens, various wild birds can be found in the world. They make the environment feel more alive, and some species can be hunted or caught with traps.
A Major Overhaul of the Crafting System
Build 42 introduces a wide range of new crafting stations and methods, including pottery, blacksmithing, stoneworking, brewing, and the crafting of pointed metal weapons, along with related professions and skills.
Crafting stations come in several tiers, from primitive Stone Age–style furnaces to modern electric machines that can only be found ready-made on the map (though you may be able to craft rougher-looking alternative versions yourself).
Most items you'd expect to be able to make with blacksmithing can indeed be made that way. In most cases, the result is sturdier and better-crafted than the standard version you might be used to.
New building and crafting options have also been added:
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Construction:
- clay walls;
- stone walls;
- new wooden walls and structures.
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Production and survival:
- food preservation methods;
- drying racks;
- shelters;
- many other craftable objects.
Expanded Map
In Build 42, the game world has become significantly larger. The developers expanded existing towns, added new settlements, businesses, forested areas, and dozens of unique locations to explore. As a result, familiar routes no longer guarantee safety, and exploring the world has become interesting again even for experienced players.
The changes affect nearly every aspect of world exploration:
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New territories:
- additional towns and settlements;
- industrial zones;
- farms and ranches;
- new landmarks and secret locations.
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Verticality of the world:
- taller buildings with more floors have appeared;
- the ability to build multi-story structures has been greatly expanded;
- the rendering of tall buildings has been reworked.
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Exploration:
- more places to search for rare loot;
- new buildings with their own atmosphere;
- a wider variety of travel routes.
Improved Combat System
The combat system has also received a lot of changes. Now each weapon type feels noticeably different, and a character's effectiveness depends more heavily on the relevant skills and equipment.
New melee weapons have been added, hit animations have been reworked, firearm handling has been improved, and interactions with enemies have changed. Some weapons now have their own unique usage traits and skill progression.
Lighting Overhaul
One of the biggest technical changes in Build 42 is the completely reworked lighting system. Light now naturally spreads through windows, doors, and openings, and rooms without light sources genuinely become dark. The new system significantly enhances the game's atmosphere and directly affects gameplay.
You can read more about all the changes directly on the official website.