Project Zomboid Build 42.20.0 Is Now Stable With a Huge Changelog

Project Zomboid Build 42.20.0 is now available on the stable branch. The Indie Stone announced the release through its official Steam announcement, which also includes a large changelog covering the move from Build 42.19 to Build 42.20.

The update brings a major map pass, new challenge modes, extra-large trees, controller improvements, multiplayer changes, security fixes, and a long list of bug fixes. The studio also released a small security patch for Builds 41 and 42.19. That change could affect some mods, so mod authors were asked to report compatibility problems through the mod_portal channel on Discord.

Players who want to return to Build 41 can do so from Steam’s beta settings. Right-click Project Zomboid in the library, select Properties, open Game Version & Betas, and choose legacy41.

Build 42.20.0 is a large release, and the complete feature overview is available through The Indie Stone’s Build 42 feature list. Here are the official notes for the stable release.

Project Zomboid Build 42.20.0 Patch Notes

Build 42.20.0 focuses on the revised Knox Country map, new challenge content, multiplayer stability, controller support, modding support, audio, and a wide range of gameplay and technical fixes.

NEW

• Map Glowup:
  • Many area across the map have received a substantial overhaul from the mapping team
  • Added a plethora of new tiles, buildings, and locations for these areas and elsewhere
  • Implemented performance optimizations surrounding these new areas and features
  • Various new room definitions and containers have been added and adjusted across a wide range of locations
• Added “Extra Large” Tree Types:
  • XL and XXL trees and updated worldgen biomes to include them
  • “Wood” loot generated by cutting down trees increased for Extra Large trees
  • XL tree overhang can be hidden using right-click when driving or scouting ahead
• Challenge Mode Revamp:
  • Two New Challenge Modes replace “Cabin in the Woods” in rotation: “28 Minutes Later” and “Top of the World”
  • Adjusted spawn coordinates for “Winter is Coming” and “A Really CDDA” challenge modes
  • Removed the ability to respawn in “A Really CDDA” challenge
  • Challenge Modes menu UI videos and descriptions updated
• Updated the Main Menu artwork
  • Main menu SFX is temporarily disabled
• Added epilepsy warning screen on startup
• Removed Unstable warning message from the main menu
• Added filter search boxes to the Discovered Recipes and Media UI.
  • The UI now also sorts alphabetically with discovered recipes on top

BALANCE

• Increased the amount of meat cuts gained from large animals when using the butcher hook
• Rebalanced vehicle speed/towing to improve towing experience; trailers can now detach when turning sharpness/speed is too high
• Increased the max limit for “Zombie count before deletion” Sandbox option from 500 to 5000
• Adjusted WouldInfectionFactor from 1.0 to 2.0 in Extinction mode
• Minor adjustments to the sand biome adjusting sand/dirt/clay balance

CONTROLLER

• Changed gamepad preset default to “Original” which sets running/sprinting bound to buttons
• Added gamepad focus and button rendering support for PrintMedia
• Moved gamepadBinding.lua from /shared to /client to prevent client-side bindings from being overridden on server join
• Added controller support in the trading interface
• Improved campfire interaction reliability when using a controller
• Fixed errors occurring when accessing the vehicle seat menu with controller
• Fixed an issue that could cause random brandishing or interruptions while standing or running with controller
• Fixed a red checkerboard momentarily displaying when swapping between controller types in the config UI
• Fixed the cursor not disabling after casting a fishing rod while using a controller
• Fixed respawning during a challenge on controller giving a stack error
• Fixed a lua crash that could occur when reading a brochure a second time
• Fixed OpenMap button not closing brochures
• Fixed an issue where controller input could cause the Multiplayer server list screen to lose focus and allow unintended menu navigation
• Fixed being unable to interact with crops on controller

MP

• Re-Worked and Re-Enabled anti-cheats
  • “antiCheatItem” removed as now server-side
  • NoClip and PacketException currently WIP
• Improved anti-cheat logging
• Added ServerOption “Show coordinates” to show/hide coordinates line on all connected clients
• Added ping values for each player in the Players and Users List tabs
• Improved load times between pressing “Click to Start” and the player spawning into the world
• Improved network performance during vehicle collisions with zombies
• Reworked transferring stackable items
  • This should significantly reduce the time required to transfer large stacks of items
• Added separate trading interfaces for each splitscreen player.
• Added a list of all tradable items to the trading interface.
• Fixed zombie culling triggering incorrectly, causing severe drops in zombie populations
• Fixed an issue where special characters in server names could cause errors or prevent proper server file creation.
• Fixed an exploit that allowed item spawning via animal attachment commands.
• Fixed an exploit that could allow users to spawn arbitrary items in the world.
• Fixed an exploit that allowed arbitrary item spawning via modData
• Fixed an exploit that allowed users to gain XP illegitimately
• Fixed an exploit that allowed users to manipulate items spawned while foraging
• Fixed a map exploit that allowed copying dedicated server map data
• Fixed some anti-cheat false positives
• Fixed the no-Steam game client not obtaining the public server list if it was unreachable on launch
• Fixed zombies desyncing when not visible
• Fixed remote zombies appearing out of sync due to incorrect animation timing
• Fixed an issue where remote players would immediately appear to land while falling.
• Fixed server option HidePlayersBehindYou not correctly applying when disabled
• Fixed XP boost provided by skill books not being calculated properly in some cases
• Fixed timed actions not queuing properly when installing/uninstalling vehicle parts if tools are in the backpack
• Fixed a client-side issue causing knocked down players to appear rotated 180 degrees
• Fixed “Day/Night Zombie Speed Effect” only affecting zombies in your immediate area
• Fixed wet towels not drying
• Fixed Whiskey+Water mixed containers sometimes losing water after teleporting and dropping them
• Fixed the owner transfer confirmation button tooltip text being incorrect when attempting to transfer ownership to a non-faction member
• Fixed the “Create Faction” button tooltip text being incorrect if factions are disabled in server options
• Fixed the crafting queue not stopping if required tools break
• Fixed antique stoves not affecting core temperature
• Fixed an issue where dumbbells could become unusable after interrupting the bicep curls exercise.
• Fixed an issue where crafting multiple Molotov cocktails in quick succession could consume items incorrectly.
• Fixed an issue where local chat was not displayed over characters, radios, or walkie talkies.
• Fixed garage doors opening and then immediately closing on the first interaction
• Fixed hand craft actions not working
• Fixed building animations playing for the wrong player in split-screen co-op
• Fixed placing furniture failing for distant locations when the movables cheat is enabled
• Fixed an issue where remote players moving while crouched could appear frozen in place.
• Fixed map chunks failing to load while the player is driving a vehicle
• Fixed an issue where trading could remove items from the wrong player.
• Fixed trading interface layout issues when using different font sizes.
• Fixed issues with object selection when right-clicking on objects in splitscreen
• Fixed characters with “All Thumbs” perk being unable to transfer some items from one container to another
• Fixed the player’s map visited data not saving after a server restart
• Fixed an issue where remote players could appear to vault or jump over low fences when simply walking near corners
• Fixed an issue that could cause servers to hang during chunk generation
• Fixed the vehicle’s trunk taking damage when driving over zombie crawlers
• Fixed an issue where remote players could appear frozen while dragging corpses, despite continuing to move normally.
• Fixed an issue where corpses could appear to be dropped unexpectedly while being dragged by remote players outside of the vision cone
• Fixed being unable to bury corpses or drop them into a container while dragging
• Fixed players occasionally becoming stuck in Hit Reaction state during PvP interactions.
• Fixed a client side exception that could occur when the client fails to create a zombie
• Fixed the shoot animation not playing for remote characters when a gun has no bullets
• Fixed instances where players could detect the presence of an invisible player (admin) nearby
• Fixed hidden shared map symbols reappearing after relogin
• Fixed dyed clothes not changing colour for remote players
• Fixed being able to overwrite CombatSpeed mid-game
• Fixed bomb throwing animation not playing for remote players
• Fixed warnings being spammed in console when the player shoots zombies with a shotgun
• Fixed a client side exception when the remote player on another chunk renames a container
• Fixed an issue where corpses could incorrectly remain visible after being moved into containers.
• Fixed the same building showing different loot for different players
• Fixed another case of animal skeletons reappearing in the player’s inventory after relogin
• Fixed killed zombies duplicating after relogin
• Fixed notes left by players not being saved correctly
• Fixed being unable to perform a medical check in split-screen
• Fixed remote players’ flashlight appearing to remain active after the battery is empty/removed
• Fixed “Enable melee PVP in Factions” also enabling firearm PVP damage
• Fixed dice roll and card pick results not showing for other players
• Fixed players not gaining Tracking XP when sneaking near wild animals
• Fixed not being able to properly disassemble double door gates or garage doors
• Fixed dropping a corpse midway through the grab corpse animation on controller freezing the player
• Fixed multiple stack errors occurring when connecting a split screen player 2 to a MP session
• Fixed an error that would occur when queuing two of the same protective gear
• Fixed a server-side exception that could occur during dedicated server startup
• Fixed a server-side exception that could occur when synchronizing custom light settings
• Fixed a case of animals duplicating when picked up
• Fixed being unable to pick up fallen zombie hats/glasses
• Fixed being unable to pick up items dropped using Disassemble
• Fixed chickens in a hutch disappearing after relog
• Fixed chickens sometimes disappearing after being placed inside a hutch
• Fixed footwear condition not appropriately syncing with the server
• Fixed throwing a corpse onto basement stairs resulting in the body having an incorrect Z coordinate and not being interactable
• Fixed player names overlapping when multiple players enter a vehicle
• Fixed all players lagging/stuttering when a player builds or interacts with gates
• Fixed rare issue where interacting with drying racks could cause world objects to disappear
• Fixed the “Dry self” action not consuming all of a towel’s remaining value
• Fixed world and inventory items disappearing in SP saves after a player gets kicked in MP
• Fixed a client-side exception that could occur when players were close together
• Fixed incorrect message being displayed when attempting to claim a safehouse from a distance
• Fixed an issue where certain cells within a chunk would not load for some clients
• Fixed player clothing not receiving damage when jogging through hedges/bushes/trees
• Fixed a performance issue related to puddle geometry
• Fixed removing mineral deposits not allowing items to be picked up
• Fixed holsters unequipping weapons and changing positions on the hotbar after relogging
• Fixed scratch ticket results not displaying until after moved from the inventory
• Fixed an issue where remote players could incorrectly appear to hop over low fences
• Fixed zombified players undressing after death
• Fixed “Reclaim Sling Bag” not working when the item is on the floor
• Fixed occasional graphical issues with the crafting animation for remote players
• Fixed water containers not updating correctly after watering plants
• Fixed a graphical issue where traits would duplicate momentarily in the Character Info panel after reading a book
• Fixed being able to fire weapons without ammo when the player has a high ping
• Fixed animals on a rope being unable to pass an open fence gate
• Fixed an issue where a player could become corrupted after attempting to pick up an animal that is playing the death animation

FIXES

• Fix to Modding API to restore functionality that was lost following security patch in 42.14
  • Additional Modding API documentation is planned in the future
• Fixed a rare crash that would occur for users with certain AMD GPUs
• Fixed a crash on the MacOS build
• Fixed desktop icons on Linux/MacBook not appearing properly
• Fixed being unable to get up quickly while holding a weapon
• Fixed the loot transfer window closing when exiting the pause menu
• Fixed items not auto-transferring when attempting to enter a vehicle seat containing more than 5.0 encumbrance
• Fixed lights not properly consuming generator power
• Fixed hypothermia applying damage incorrectly and killing players too fast
• Fixed Animal Info panel not opening and throwing errors
• Fixed cases where point-blank shots could miss due to muzzle position being inside the target
• Fixed 2 tile wide/long zones appearing as a blue line on the ground
• Fixed high cupboards not becoming transparent when they block view of the player
• Fixed animal stress instantly jumping to 100 when in range of an active car engine
• Fixed ISDesignationZonePanel not displaying the full size of a multi-part zone
• Fixed Mechanics UI showing duplicate install options for vehicle parts in backpacks
• Fixed zombies freezing/walking away when being thrown over objects
• Fixed an issue where crafting tooltips would show each item individually when packing stacks like ammo or nails.
• Fixed placeholder text being displayed when viewing the Animal Info page of some animals
• Fixed the racking bolt action rifle animation being out of sync with the sound
• Fixed overlapping text occurring in the context menu for some font sizes
• Fixed some incorrect tooltip text formatting for barbecues
• Fixed “Drop Corpse Into” function ignoring Organized/Disorganized traits
• Fixed an issue where Inventory and Loot panels had to be manually opened after loading a save or starting a new game.
• Fixed sensor bombs ignoring timers and immediately exploding after placement
• Fixed an error that would occur when checking fuel in camp fires
• Fixed floating artifacts in crafted denim shirt models
• Fixed another case of zombies phasing through short fences/windows/railings if stunned during climbing animation
• Fixed players incorrectly being able to throw corpses from a distance when right-clicking a window
• Fixed screwdriver appearing twice in the Mechanics UI when uninstalling parts
• Fixed dyed clothes not updating colour when placing them on the ground
• Fixed an error that would sometimes occur when double clicking possible ingredients in the crafting menu
• Fixed crafting progress bar not showing for bulk crafts after the first has completed
• Fixed world generation not correctly applying all intended simplex noise layers
• Fixed multi-tile feeding troughs becoming unusable after being picked up and placed
• Fixed an issue where incorrect surface heights on tiles caused placed items to clip
• Fixed an issue causing zombies to deal excessive thump damage
• Fixed an issue where being too close to vehicles allowed bullets to incorrectly pass through them
• Fixed incorrect context menu text being displayed for Base.Shoulderpads_Football
• Fixed an issue where zones could be incorrectly removed when using multiple map mods
• Fixed vehicle engine power being incorrectly set to the maximum script value instead of its calculated value
• Fixed vehicles with active alarms, engines, or sirens not updating correctly outside loaded areas
  • When a vehicle is updating outside the loaded area of the map, the object is a VirtualVehicle, not a BaseVehicle
• Fixed attached sprites on translucent cutaway walls drawing on top of foreground objects
• Fixed the player briefly becoming highlighted when mousing over the inventory button
• Fixed some words/phrases not being translatable
  • Note that this is a WIP. Some words/phrases may still be non-translatable
• Fixed food names not updating to the decayed versions when placed in the world
• Fixed Crafting and Building UI Favourites tab not displaying or filtering correctly
• Fixed an issue where players could incorrectly grab corpses from trunks from in vehicles
• Fixed being unable to start the drying process if the drying rack is installed on a player built floor
• Fixed some cases of multi-tile boulders not spawning all of their tiles correctly
  • Other edge cases are still being addressed
• Fixed brick walls, door, and window frames that couldn’t be plastered
• Fixed depth map issues for a wide variety of tiles
• Fixed various tile property issues such as vaulting through unopenable windows
• Fixed some elements of the UI disappearing when searching within workstations
  • If an invalid search string is entered “No Recipes Available” will display instead of empty ingredient inputs
• Fixed the world object context menu appearing and allowing interactions while map is open
• Fixed being able to butcher already butchered animals after placing it in a Livestock Trailer

SFX

• Added new SFX for metal saw crafting animation
• Added new SFX for FixWeapon, Welding, and Packing/Unpacking animations
• Added new SFX for Add/Remove bottles from water dispensers
• Fixed coughing after smoking not triggering SFX
• Fixed VOIP audio cutting out under heavy SFX load
• Fixed container corner pieces not having appropriate SFX
• Fixed repeated FMOD errors caused by 192 kHz audio devices
• Fixed some zombie bodyfalls not registering the correct surface and playing incorrect SFX
• Fixed occlusion parameter not working as expected on Remote Events for multiplayer
• Fixed incorrect SFX playing when vaulting over metal/glass fences
• Fixed Apply Alcohol to Bandages and Rags SFX not properly syncing to the animation
• Fixed the incorrect SFX being played when shooting another player during PVP

TECHNICAL/DEBUG

• Build 42 now correctly applies its default option settings when migrating from Build 41
• Re-added compatibility launch mode
• Removed extra debug info added for unstable
• Improved ZNet logging consistency and configuration for servers
• Improved reliability of packet logging for servers
• Added object pool statistics for improved monitoring and diagnostics for servers
• Fixed “SERVER STARTED” log message not printing properly
• Removed 225% default zoom option for Steam Deck
• Fixed certain exceptions not being reported when running Lua code
• Included XML files in the CheckSum verification

Build 42.20.0 is now the stable starting point for Project Zomboid players, while the legacy41 branch remains available for anyone who needs to stay on Build 41. Share your thoughts on the update in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.