Project Zomboid

<h2 id="plot">Plot</h2>
The plot of Project Zomboid centres around the "Knox Event" which is conveyed through in-game <a href="/facts/Radio/XFr909M2">radio</a> broadcasts and <a href="/facts/TV/X4YG5nT1">TV</a> channels. The initial cause and origin of the "Knox Infection" remain a mystery, with characters in the in-game radio station, KnoxTalk, speculating a variety of possibilities, including a <a href="/facts/Prion/UJfG9EfS">prion disease</a>, an <a href="/facts/Divine_intervention/FJRFBR6w">act of God</a>, or <a href="/facts/Bioterrorism/YW2rmVls">bio-terrorism</a>. The infection is known to be spread through contact with saliva, blood, and eventually becomes airborne; however, the player is immune to the latter mode of transmission. After being infected, individuals first experience a <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">high fever</a> followed by increasing feelings of anxiety and nausea, which will progressively worsen until they succumb to the disease. There is no cure for the Knox Infection, and it is <a href="/facts/Terminal_illness/brGbbwLL">invariably fatal</a>.
The game begins on July 9, 1993, approximately three days after the United States military establishes a blockade surrounding the infected areas of <a href="/facts/Muldraugh,_Kentucky/mj8JJafP">Muldraugh</a>, Riverside, <a href="/facts/West_Point,_Kentucky/3zVV8gtC">West Point</a>, and Rosewood, dubbed the Knox Exclusion Zone. <a href="/facts/United_States_Army/WACWBEK9">U.S. Army</a> General John McGrew, who oversees containment measures within the Knox Exclusion Zone, issues a statement informing the public to remain calm, assuring that no fatalities have been reported within the Exclusion Zone.
On July 11, the <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">WHO</a> grounds all non-essential international flights to prevent the global spread of the infection. Riots erupt in various American cities and curfews are implemented in <a href="/facts/New_York_City/YlyvFmVC">New York City</a> and <a href="/facts/Miami/L5FsgQcb">Miami</a> following a series of deaths and injuries in these areas. The next day, a picture is leaked from West Point to the media showcasing a one-armed man covered in blood and standing among corpses, which fuels fear and panic surrounding the situation. On July 13, media interviews with survivors who had been released from military captivity within the Exclusion Zone reveal the nature of the infected to "hunt" the living, spreading the infection through bites.
General John McGrew issues a statement on July 14 assuring that "America is safe" while elaborating on details of the Knox Event, confirming that the infection is spread through direct fluid contact, scratches, and other "un-American" acts of violence. Increased chaos within the Exclusion Zone eventually leads to a breach of the military blockade, resulting in the complete withdrawal of the military. Around this time, Louisville canonically becomes infected (though the player can visit Louisville prior to the breach and find it infected). By July 15, the first reports of individuals falling ill to the Knox Infection without being bitten are confirmed by the media. As the Exclusion Zone expands, the airborne transmission of the virus becomes apparent. On July 16, in a desperate attempt to contain the spread, the United States military demolishes bridges over the <a href="/facts/Ohio_River/wSAPrwfS">Ohio River</a>, killing hundreds of escaping civilians and effectively trapping survivors and zombies within Knox Country.
On July 17, the highly contagious virus is confirmed in <a href="/facts/Cincinnati/PcyTWhS4">Cincinnati</a>, <a href="/facts/Mogadishu/B5DlpNob">Mogadishu</a>, <a href="/facts/Seoul/H0Xloz9o">Seoul</a>, <a href="/facts/Okinawa_Prefecture/2PNlxv5K">Okinawa</a>, and multiple cities in <a href="/facts/England/U9mE5bGL">England</a>. In a final broadcast, General John McGrew addresses the individuals unaffected by the second wave of the Knox Event, urging them to take extreme measures for their survival. He confirms that while these immune individuals cannot contract the disease naturally, they remain susceptible to infection through fluid contact, specifically citing bites. McGrew commands these survivors to defend themselves, stressing the importance of their survival for the continuation of humanity. The general ends his message assuring the survivors they haven't been forgotten and promising rescue and support. Subsequently, most radio and television stations cease operation by July 18, marking the <a href="/facts/Global_catastrophe_scenarios/sXHS0DTh">end of the world</a>.

<h2 id="gameplay">Gameplay</h2>

In Project Zomboid, the player aims to survive for as long as possible in an <a href="/facts/Apocalyptic_and_post-apocalyptic_fiction/6a9bYkqe">apocalyptic</a> and <a href="/facts/Zombie/LR5MoBP8">zombie</a>-ridden area around the city of Louisville, <a href="/facts/Kentucky/DaTW05Rt">Kentucky</a> – referred to as 'Knox Country' – which has been quarantined by the government.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> The player can choose their character's appearance, occupation, and <a href="/facts/Trait_(role-playing_games)/nr8hjXDL">traits</a> before selecting to spawn within one of four starting towns, the occupation that is chosen also will influence where exactly the character will spawn (e.g. a firefighter has a higher chance of spawning in a fire station if the chosen town has one). On top of avoiding zombies, the player has to manage their personal needs (such as hunger, stress, fatigue, and boredom) to stay alive through resting, scavenging for supplies, and using survivalist techniques. The player can level skills through activities and reading skill books and magazines. The game uses the traditional <a href="/facts/George_A._Romero/mDYLvB9D">Romero style</a> slow-moving zombies, though certain zombies are faster than others, and sandbox mode includes a setting for <a href="/facts/28_Days_Later/06YNP1sJ">28 Days Later</a>-style "sprinter" zombies.
The game features a variety of preset difficulty modes, along with a <a href="/facts/Video_game_genres/yHpBg0aK">sandbox mode</a>, which allows the player to customize game settings such as zombie population, virus transmissibility, and the rarity of loot. Additionally, the game features a set of fixed 'challenge' scenarios, some of which are set on separate, smaller maps and/or feature unique gameplay elements, like an endless winter storm or a zombie horde which tracks the player after one in-game day.
'Knox Country' – the playable region in Project Zomboid – heavily bases its locale on the <a href="/facts/Louisville_metropolitan_area/wy8ewBq7">Louisville metropolitan area</a>. The towns of <a href="/facts/Muldraugh/mj8JJafP">Muldraugh</a>, <a href="/facts/West_Point,_Kentucky/3zVV8gtC">West Point</a>, and <a href="/facts/Louisville/n2aJVoJv">Louisville</a> are loosely replicated in the game world alongside other fictional locations, such as Riverside.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> The world becomes more desolate and decrepit as time progresses, with water and power grids shutting off within a month, followed by the erosion and overgrowth of the region's structures. The game also features a detailed climate system that approximates the <a href="/facts/Humid_subtropical_climate/vr1kMhwS">humid subtropical</a> weather patterns of the area; cold and warm <a href="/facts/Weather_front/n4PXdp1f">fronts</a> form and shift, causing a wide range of weather events, from warm, sunny days to severe tropical storms. Seasons also change as time passes, so choosing appropriate gear for the current season and weather is an important factor in survival.
Player-made <a href="/facts/Video_game_modding/Keze0GUe">mods</a> allow for further customization of gameplay and are downloadable via the <a href="/facts/Steam_Workshop/nrpWwLA9">Steam Workshop</a>. The mods range from minor changes to the interface such as visible stamina, hunger, and water bars, to complete overhauls of gameplay mechanics, the addition of new mechanics, and custom-made maps and expansions of the current game map. These mods can be found in the Steam Community Workshop. A community wiki is also actively maintained by the players, with detailed guides on gameplay and tips for survival.

<h2 id="development">Development</h2>
Project Zomboid major release timeline <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a>Pre-release years in red<table><tbody><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="2">2011</th><td>0.0.0</td></tr><tr><td>Pre-Alpha</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="2">2012</th><td>0.2.0</td></tr><tr><td>Experimental Combat Build</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="7">2013</th><td>Build 1</td></tr><tr><td>Build 11: "Steam Release"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 14</td></tr><tr><td>Build 19</td></tr><tr><td>Build 20</td></tr><tr><td>Build 21</td></tr><tr><td>Build 23</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="6">2014</th><td>Build 25</td></tr><tr><td>Build 26: "Online MP & 3D Character Models"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 27: "Trapping"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 28: "Firearm Overhaul"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 29: "Foraging"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 30: "Erosion"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="2">2015</th><td>Build 31</td></tr><tr><td>Build 32: "Spiffo's Workshop"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="3">2016</th><td>Build 33</td></tr><tr><td>Build 34</td></tr><tr><td>Build 35</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="3">2017</th><td>Build 36</td></tr><tr><td>Build 37</td></tr><tr><td>Build 38: "The Pre-Vehicles Build"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="2">2018</th><td>Build 39: "The Vehicles Build"</td></tr><tr><td>Build 40: "The Weather Build"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">2019</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">2020</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">2021</th><td>Build 41: "Animation Overhaul"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">2022</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">2023</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">2024</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">2025</th><td>Build 42: "Expanded Crafting and Balance"</td></tr></tbody></table>
According to the developers, the game has been something they "always wanted to make" and their "dream game" although they felt that they would be unable to due to time commitments. This changed after the success of <a href="/facts/Minecraft/vwarQdG7">Minecraft</a>, which showed them "another way to develop a game" that would produce a quicker result.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> They have also said the main inspiration for the game were <a href="/facts/Zombie_movies/dUPmRrJV">zombie movies</a> as opposed to <a href="/facts/Zombie_video_games/R3bHhLeV">zombie video games</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a>

<h3>Beginning</h3>
The game was first released as an "Alpha Tech-Demo" on May 28, 2011.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> It is written in Java for its portability, using <a href="/facts/Lightweight_Java_Game_Library/43yxT8cL">LWJGL</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a>

<h3>Early setbacks</h3>
In June 2011, soon after the game's release as a paid <a href="/facts/Pre-alpha/z4Q4RElA">pre-alpha</a> <a href="/facts/Tech_demo/BTsD4fY5">tech demo</a>, the game was <a href="/facts/Internet_leak/6jKcdHGy">leaked</a>, and unauthorized copies spread to many other websites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> The <a href="/facts/Copyright_infringement/33JDsS5S">unauthorized</a> version of the game enabled downloading from the Project Zomboid servers with the press of an 'update now' button, regardless of whether the user already had the latest version. In order to avoid paying for these downloads, The Indie Stone took the customer-only paid version offline,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> and instead, released a free "public tech-demo" for download the next day.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>
On October 15, 2011, the apartment of two of the developers was broken into, and laptops containing large amounts of the game code, which had not been backed up externally, were stolen,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> resulting in severe delays to the game's development.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> Due to these setbacks, they gave a presentation at <a href="/facts/Rezzed/rEJwjQX9">Rezzed</a> entitled "How (not) to make a video game", going over some of the lessons they have learned since starting the project.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a>

<h3>Continuation</h3>
On November 8, 2013, Project Zomboid was released via <a href="/facts/Steam_(service)/nrpWwLA9">Steam</a>'s Early Access.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> and later on the Indie Stone released a <a href="/facts/Multiplayer/8CC60Nwj">multiplayer</a> version of the game publicly<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> before being removed and later re-integrated in Build 41.60.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> Between new version releases, developers actively communicate with the player base through their blog and <a href="/facts/Discord/Q10BXbo3">Discord</a> server. On occasion, development blog posts called "Thursdoids" provide detailed sneak peeks on updates and improvements planned in the next <a href="/facts/Software_build/uTz1koQy">build</a>, as well as community-made mod showcases.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a> On December 17, 2024, Build 42 of Project Zomboid entered <a href="/facts/Open_beta/z4Q4RElA">open beta</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://projectzomboid.com/">Official website</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://theindiestone.com/forums/index.php">The Indie Stone forums</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Greg (14 September 2011). "Alphafunding for Indie Games". Desura Community. Desura. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130630204910/http://www.desura.com/groups/desura/news/alphafunding-for-indie-games" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130630204910/http://www.desura.com/groups/desura/news/alphafunding-for-indie-games</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"Games released by The Indie Stone on their IndieDB profile". Indiedb.com. Retrieved 2013-05-15. <a href="http://www.indiedb.com/company/the-indie-stone" target="_blank">http://www.indiedb.com/company/the-indie-stone</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Bren, Pat (2024-12-17). "Build 42 Unstable". Project Zomboid. Retrieved 2025-02-14. <a href="https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2024/12/build-42-unstable/" target="_blank">https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2024/12/build-42-unstable/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Survive". Projectzomboid.com. 20 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-05-15. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130329201259/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/04/survive" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130329201259/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/04/survive</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Brown, Andy (14 December 2021). "Zombie survival game 'Project Zomboid' adds multiplayer servers". NME. <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/zombie-survival-game-project-zomboid-adds-multiplayer-servers-3118357" target="_blank">https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/zombie-survival-game-project-zomboid-adds-multiplayer-servers-3118357</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Vaughan, Andrew (23 March 2022). "Where to find Gas Stations in Project Zomboid". Pro Game Guides. Retrieved 2 October 2023. <a href="https://progameguides.com/project-zomboid/where-to-find-gas-stations-in-project-zomboid/" target="_blank">https://progameguides.com/project-zomboid/where-to-find-gas-stations-in-project-zomboid/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"PZ Updates". The Indie Stone Forums. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 2022-10-25. <a href="https://theindiestone.com/forums/index.php?/forum/35-pz-updates/page/7/" target="_blank">https://theindiestone.com/forums/index.php?/forum/35-pz-updates/page/7/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"Version history - PZwiki". pzwiki.net. Retrieved 2022-10-25. <a href="https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Version_history" target="_blank">https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Version_history</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Walker, John (June 2011). "Interview: Indie Stone On Project Zomboid". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 18 April 2022. <a href="https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/interview-indie-stone-on-project-zomboid" target="_blank">https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/interview-indie-stone-on-project-zomboid</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Walker, John (June 2011). "Interview: Indie Stone On Project Zomboid". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 18 April 2022. <a href="https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/interview-indie-stone-on-project-zomboid" target="_blank">https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/interview-indie-stone-on-project-zomboid</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Simpson, Chris "Lemmy" (2011-05-28). "Alpha Tech-Demo Released!". Project Zomboid. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 2024-12-08. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110601173230/projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/05/alpha-tech-demo-released" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110601173230/projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/05/alpha-tech-demo-released</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"APZDTISA #3: This time with LIVE MULTIPLAYER!". Project Zomboid. 17 February 2014. <a href="http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2014/02/apzdtisa-3-this-time-with-live-multiplayer/" target="_blank">http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2014/02/apzdtisa-3-this-time-with-live-multiplayer/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Yin-Poole, Wesley (20 June 2011). "Pirates force Project Zomboid offline". Eurogamer. Retrieved 21 August 2011. <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-20-pirates-force-project-zomboid-offline" target="_blank">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-20-pirates-force-project-zomboid-offline</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Sorry we've had to take the game down for the day". Project Zomboid. 2011-06-18. Archived from the original on 2013-02-14. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130214071940/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/sorry-weve-had-to-take-the-game-down/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130214071940/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/sorry-weve-had-to-take-the-game-down/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">"Free Public Tech-Demo Released!". Project Zomboid. 2011-06-19. Archived from the original on 2012-03-26. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120326120846/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/free-public-demo-released/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120326120846/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/free-public-demo-released/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">"Project Zomboid Burglary: Statement". Project Zomboid. Archived from the original on 2013-03-18. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130318154543/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/project-zomboid-burglary-statement" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130318154543/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/project-zomboid-burglary-statement</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Good, Owen (16 October 2011). "Burglary Delivers Huge Setback to Indie Game Project Zomboid [Updated]". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2013. <a href="https://kotaku.com/5850245/burglary-delivers-huge-setback-to-indie-game-project-zomboid" target="_blank">https://kotaku.com/5850245/burglary-delivers-huge-setback-to-indie-game-project-zomboid</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Conditt, Jessica (16 October 2011). "The Indie Stone is burgled, loses code for latest Project Zomboid update". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2015-01-31. Retrieved 30 June 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150131112005/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-indie-stone-is-burgled-loses-code-for-latest-project-zomboi/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20150131112005/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/the-indie-stone-is-burgled-loses-code-for-latest-project-zomboi/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Project Zomboid Rezzed Session - How NOT to make a game!". YouTube. Eurogamer. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2013-05-15. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgPI0qkdU4" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgPI0qkdU4</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">"It's Been A Long Road…". Project Zomboid. 4 November 2013. <a href="http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2013/11/its-been-a-long-road/" target="_blank">http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2013/11/its-been-a-long-road/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"APZDTISA #3: This time with LIVE MULTIPLAYER!". Project Zomboid. 17 February 2014. <a href="http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2014/02/apzdtisa-3-this-time-with-live-multiplayer/" target="_blank">http://projectzomboid.com/blog/2014/02/apzdtisa-3-this-time-with-live-multiplayer/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">"B41 MP Test 41.60 Branch Released!". Project Zomboid. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022. <a href="https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2021/12/b41-mp-test-41-60-branch-released/" target="_blank">https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2021/12/b41-mp-test-41-60-branch-released/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"News Page". Project Zomboid. Retrieved 28 July 2022. <a href="https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/" target="_blank">https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"Build 42 Unstable". Project Zomboid. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024. <a href="https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2024/12/build-42-unstable/" target="_blank">https://projectzomboid.com/blog/news/2024/12/build-42-unstable/</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Project Zomboid open-in-new

Project Zomboid