3.0.0|Jun 29, 2026
View on Steam↗V3.0.0 Dead Hot Summer Stable Release Live!
5/5 Game-Changing
V3.0 'Dead Hot Summer' introduces 150 sandbox customization options, the Item Magnitude scaling system, and over 60 new POIs.
Key Changes
- 1150 new Sandbox customization options and 11 official presets added.
- 2Item Magnitude system introduced, adding boosted stats to looted gear.
- 3Combine Station added for merging item attributes and alternative repairs.
- 4Over 60 new Points of Interest (POIs) added to the world.
- 5Sign-Tech system overhaul delivering thousands of new environmental signs.
- 6New M60 turret added for late-game base defense.
- 7Customizable crosshair system with scale, color, and opacity options.
- 8Redesigned Main Menu with a darker, updated aesthetic.
- 9Progressive quality levels (Q1-Q6) added for most equipment mods.
- 10New Repair and Degradation settings, including permanent durability loss.
All Changes
⚙️Gameplay Systems(18)
- newSandbox System: Introduced 150 sandbox customization options for fine-tuning survival settings.
- newSandbox Presets: Added ability to create, name, and share custom sandbox presets.
- newUndead Matinee: Added 'Undead Matinee' preset: melee-focused, vintage movie style with slow zombies and scarce ammo.
- newMadmole’s Mayhem: Added 'Madmole’s Mayhem' preset: high pressure with item loss and durability penalties on death.
- newAlmost Creative Mode: Added 'Almost Creative Mode' preset: survival without the threat of the apocalypse.
- newBite Club: Added 'Bite Club' preset: hardcore perma-death mode.
- newLegacy Survival: Added 'Legacy Survival' preset: 2014-style old-school survival mechanics.
- new7 Days Later: Added '7 Days Later' preset: modern movie-inspired with fast-moving chaotic hordes.
- newCaveman’s Life: Added 'Caveman’s Life' preset: survival limited to primitive tools.
- newDumpster Diver: Added 'Dumpster Diver' preset: focus on scavenging and resourcefulness.
- newDying World: Added 'Dying World' preset: rapidly fading resources.
- newDisaster Film: Added 'Disaster Film' preset: stacking catastrophes.
- newChibi Mode: Added 'Chibi Mode' preset: fast, small, and cute entities.
- newItem Magnitude: Introduced Item Magnitude system, adding boosted stats (orange star) to looted weapons, tools, and workstation mods.
- newRepair System: Added optional Permanent Repair Degradation settings (5% to 25% loss per repair).
- newDeath Penalty: Added Death Degradation options, including permanent max durability loss on death.
- changeZombies: Zombies now have a chance to land hard and take regular unclamped damage from falls.
- buffFalling Damage: Increased animal and zombie falling damage when in ragdoll state.
🛠️Items & Crafting(10)
- newCombine Station: Added the Combine Station to merge attributes of similar items to increase power or perform repairs.
- newMods: Armor, tool, vehicle, weapon, and workstation mods now feature progressive quality levels (Q1-Q6).
- newM60 turret: Added the M60 turret for late-game horde defense, utilizing 7.62 ammo.
- buffSplints: Splints and Casts now treat sprained limbs in addition to broken ones.
- buffExploding Ammunition: Exploding arrows, bolts, and land mines no longer require duct tape to craft.
- buffLockpicks: Lockpick breaks are now capped at 14; the 15th lockpick is guaranteed to succeed.
- changeForge Tools: Bellows and Anvil tool mods now have quality tiers with progressive stats.
- buffTempered Blade mod: Tempered Blade mod can now be installed into Augers and Chainsaws.
- newClocks: Added craftable working clocks that rotate hands to match world time.
- newCalendars: Added craftable calendars that show the current day and time.
🌍World & POIs(6)
- newSign-Tech: Introduced Sign-Tech system, adding thousands of new environmental signs to POIs for improved immersion.
- newPOIs: Added over 60 new Points of Interest (POIs) across various tiers.
- newChampions Coliseum: Added Tier 5 POI: 'Champions Coliseum' (soccer stadium).
- newTier 4 POIs: Added Tier 4 POIs including Ironwood Paper Mill, ChemTech Distribution Center, and Water Treatment Plant.
- newRWG: Added RWG biome layout 'Circle 2' which doubles each biome.
- changeVehicles: Reduced HP of Burnt and Abandoned stripped vehicles from 1000 to 500.
🖥️UI & UX(5)
- changeMain Menu: Redesigned Main Menu with a darker post-apocalyptic aesthetic and upgraded visuals.
- newCrosshair: Added a fully customizable crosshair system with scale, opacity, and color settings.
- buffTraders: Trader doors now display the time they will open if currently closed.
- newSettings: Added a setting to allow a limit on in-game FPS.
- newUI: Added a button in the Player Cosmetic screen to remove all cosmetics at once.
💻Technical & Modding(5)
- changeWebDashboard: Integrated WebDashboard code into the core game for better stability and updates.
- changeLocalization: Renamed 'Localization.txt' to 'Localization.csv' for better spreadsheet compatibility.
- changeXUi Framework: Massive internal overhaul of the XUi framework, including a new XML-based binding system.
- newDirectX12: DirectX12 is now a supported graphics API on Windows.
- changeMetal API: Metal is now the default graphics API on Mac.
🐞Bug Fixes(7)
- fixShotgun Messiah: Fixed Shotgun Messiah Vol 7 perk not functioning correctly.
- fixPhysician perk: Fixed Physician perk not working between clients on dedicated servers.
- fixSocial System: Resolved issue where ally status was automatically removed.
- fixArmor: Fixed player armor visually unequipping upon death.
- fixWeapons: Fixed issue where guns would not reload fully if ammo was split between toolbelt and backpack.
- fixVehicles: Fixed an issue that could duplicate items in vehicle inventories.
- fixPerformance: Fixed memory cleanup hitches occurring during chunk generation.
Summary
The V3.0 Stable Release, titled 'Dead Hot Summer,' is a massive systemic overhaul for 7 Days to Die. The update centers on player agency, introducing a comprehensive Sandbox system with 150 settings and 11 new official presets to customize the survival experience. Gameplay is further deepened by the 'Item Magnitude' system, which adds boosted stats to loot, and the new Combine Station for merging gear. The world sees a significant visual and atmospheric upgrade through the 'Sign-Tech' system and the addition of over 60 new Points of Interest. Technical improvements include a redesigned main menu, a customizable crosshair system, and a major overhaul of the XUi framework for modders.