2.5|Dec 12, 2025
View on Steam↗V2.5 EXP available now!
4/5 Significant
V2.5 Experimental introduces a fully supported 3rd person camera mode, the return of the 'smell' mechanic where meat and bleeding attract zombies, and the reintroduction of empty glass jars.
Key Changes
- 1New 3rd Person Camera mode with dedicated FOV and distance settings
- 2Smell mechanic reintroduced: Raw meat, bleeding, and flatulence now attract zombies
- 3Empty Glass Jars return with a new Forge recipe and loot integration
- 4Turrets now accept all ammo types (Standard, AP, HP) for better defense flexibility
- 5Workstation progression overhaul: Cement Mixer and Dew Collector moved to higher levels
- 6New Food and Water UI bars with numerical values for easier stat tracking
- 7Quest system logic updated to prioritize city traders and varied distances
- 8Temperature and Weather overhaul: Wind, altitude, and shelter now affect core temp
- 9Junk Turret ammo costs reduced and workbench requirement removed
- 10New Trader Jen model and free Original Survivor cosmetic pack
All Changes
🎥Camera & Controls(12)
- newCamera: Added Default Camera Mode setting to choose between 1st or 3rd person at game start.
- newCamera: Added 3rd Person Field of View slider independent of 1st person FOV.
- newCamera: Added 3rd Person Camera Distance adjustment via settings or in-game hotkeys.
- newCamera: Added 3rd Person Camera Mode options: Free Orbit, Locked, or Locked-on-Ranged.
- newServer Settings: Added server configuration to restrict camera mode to 1st or 3rd person only.
- newUI: Added Quick Actions radial menu for camera toggles, dropping weapons, and equipment attachments.
- newControls: Added Swap Camera Side / Scope Zoom Level button to change shoulder view or cycle scope zoom.
- newGamepad: Added bindable controller actions for individual toolbelt slots and menu shortcuts.
- removeGamepad: Removed dedicated scope zoom in/out bindings in favor of the new Swap Camera Side button.
- changeControls: Reset all input bindings to new defaults to accommodate reworked inputs.
- newAnimations: Added 3rd person animations for placing, repairing, and upgrading blocks.
- newUI: Added Orange 'X' crosshair state when weapon line of sight is obstructed in 3rd person.
🥩Survival Mechanics(15)
- changeSmell Mechanic: Zombies and animals can now smell raw meat carried by players.
- changeSmell Mechanic: Player bleeding now causes a smell that attracts enemies.
- changeSmell Mechanic: Dysentery flatulence now causes a smell.
- buffZombies: Zombies move faster when affected by player smell.
- buffPlayer: Added BuffSmellGrace providing a 20-second window before raw meat begins to smell.
- buffSmell Mechanic: Player smell is greatly reduced when sheltered and removed entirely when underwater.
- changeWeather: Temperature is now reduced by wind; shelter blocks wind effects.
- changeWeather: Temperature now decreases at higher altitudes.
- buffHeat Sources: Campfires, Forges, and Chem Stations now provide warmth when the player is cold.
- buffHeat Sources: Torches, Candles, and flaming projectiles now provide warmth.
- changeClothing: Clothing now provides heat and cold resistance stats.
- nerfSurvival: Increased starving and dehydration damage, reducing time to death to ~14:30 at 100HP.
- buffStamina: Stamina regen from thirst will no longer drop below 2 per second.
- changeEnvironment: Radiated barrels now emit radiation.
- newEnvironment: Added cough effects for players in the Desert and Wasteland biomes.
🛠️Progression & Crafting(11)
- newEmpty Jar: Reintroduced the Empty Water Jar recipe to the Forge (requires Crucible).
- changeLoot: Replaced all murky water found in loot with empty jars.
- nerfLoot: Toilets are now dried up and no longer contain murky water or jars.
- nerfProgression: Cement Mixer moved to workstation crafting level 35.
- changeProgression: Work Bench now unlocks at 9 Forge Ahead magazines.
- changeProgression: Lock Picks now unlock at 10 Forge Ahead magazines.
- nerfDew Collector: Dew Collector now unlocks at 15 Forge Ahead magazines and has increased crafting requirements.
- changeRecipes: Most recipes now require Grilled Meat instead of Raw Meat.
- newFood: Added Honey Glazed Sham, Honey Tea, and Honey Brisket items and recipes.
- newItems: Added Raw Meat Bundle item and localization.
- buffArmor: Increased Q6 Primitive armor to 2 mod slots; Non-Primitive armors scaled up to 5 slots at Q6.
🔫Combat & Turrets(6)
- buffTurrets: Turrets now accept all ammunition tiers (Standard, AP, HP).
- buffJunk Turret: Lowered lead cost of Junk Turret ammo from 3 to 2.
- buffJunk Turret: Removed workbench requirement for Junk Turret Shells and AP ammo.
- buffCombat: All ammo types now explode metal barrels, gas pumps, and propane tanks in one shot.
- newWeapons: Added unique muzzle flashes, textures, and prefabs per weapon.
- newCombat: Added GunJammed passive effect.
💰Quests & Traders(5)
- changeQuests: Traders now offer up to 7 quests per tier using a new distance algorithm (3 near, 3 medium, 1 far).
- changeTraders: Starter quests now prioritize traders near cities or high-density quest locations.
- newTrader Jen: Added a brand new model for Trader Jen.
- newCosmetics: Added Free Original Survivors Pack cosmetic content.
- newCosmetics: Added Free Holiday Santa Hat found in loot during holidays.
🖥️UI & Visuals(5)
- newUI: Added new food and water bars under health/stamina with numerical stat displays.
- changeUI: Repositioned toolbelt, toolbelt messages, and XP bar to the left side of the screen.
- newUI: Updated character window with 4-point lighting and a rotatable perspective camera.
- newCosmetics: Added 'hide' option to all cosmetic slots.
- changeUI: Updated art for the empty jar icon.
🌍World Generation(4)
- changeRWG: RWG highways now maintain a minimum space between them.
- changeRWG: Improved RWG district tile count accuracy and rural variety for towns and cities.
- buffPerformance: Optimized world load times for PC, Mac, and Linux.
- buffLoot: Increased zombie loot drop rate when active biome storm buffs are present.
🐞Bug Fixes(6)
- fixDrone: Fixed drone being unable to heal players while they are on a vehicle.
- fixNerd Outfit: Fixed Nerd Outfit skill point chance being applied while held on the toolbelt.
- fixQuests: Fixed quest sharing failures when players log in simultaneously.
- fixAI: Fixed AI destroy area logic failing if the player is too high.
- fixUI: Fixed player food stat server sync sending health values instead of food.
- fixAnimals: Fixed timid animals not running away when injured.
Summary
Major Gameplay Overhauls
This update brings significant mechanical shifts to 7 Days to Die. Players can now toggle between 1st and 3rd person perspectives with dedicated FOV and distance settings. The 'smell' mechanic returns, making raw meat, bleeding, and even dysentery-induced flatulence attractors for nearby predators and zombies. Additionally, the survival loop has been adjusted with the return of empty jars and a complete overhaul of how temperature, wind, and weather affect player stats.
Progression & Base Defense
Workstation progression has been rebalanced, pushing the Cement Mixer and Dew Collector further into the leveling process. However, base defense receives a boost with turrets now accepting all ammunition tiers and Junk Turrets becoming cheaper to maintain.
World & Quests
Random World Generation (RWG) sees improvements to highway spacing and district variety. Traders have also received a logic update, now offering a more balanced spread of quest distances and prioritizing locations near cities.