Project Zomboid 42.21: Zombie and Visibility Fixes
UNSTABLEUnstable 42.21 fixes disappearing and duplicated zombies, improves XXL tree visibility, and addresses split-screen and multiplayer issues.
Key Changes
- 1Fixed zombies disappearing after players leave and re-enter a world chunk in single-player and multiplayer.
- 2Addressed zombie duplication in multiplayer.
- 3Improved XXL tree cutaways and transparency, though the changes remain a work in progress.
- 4Fixed a split-screen crash involving players sharing a moving vehicle.
- 5Fixed a dedicated-server exploit that allowed players to bypass Steam authentication and prevented SteamID bans.
- 6Fixed high-ping driving issues involving map loading, passenger teleportation and multiplayer juddering.
- 7Re-enabled the loadstring and loadstream commands.
All Changes
🐛Bug Fixes(6)
- fixFixed zombies disappearing after players left and re-entered a world chunk in single-player and multiplayer.
- fixAddressed zombie duplication in multiplayer.
- fixRefrigeration now correctly applies to food in a bag inside a fridge or freezer.
- fixExplosives now work in basements.
- fixUpdated the in-game player map to remove inaccuracies encountered while exploring.
- fixFloorboard stash containers found using annotated maps are now more appropriately named.
🌳Visibility(2)
- changeXXL trees: XXL trees cut away better for players in vehicles, no longer hide overhung houses and furniture, and have adjusted transparency; the changes are a work in progress.
- changeIncreased brightness on several lamp and illuminated tiles.
🛠️Quality of Life(4)
- changeCharacters automatically re-equip items after exercise.
- changePlayer pathfinding avoids trampling farming plants where possible.
- changeThe localization system supports more translatable strings.
- changeSpawn Point Selection: Spawn Point Selection preview videos now match Map Glowup.
⚖️Balance(6)
- changeWelder: The Welder occupation starts with Welding recipes instead of Blacksmithing recipes.
- buff86 more fluid containers can be used to purify water in the appropriate oven type.
- buffWashing machines can clean dirty rags, strips and bandages.
- changeFridges and freezers warm gradually on the day the power goes out.
- changeAntibiotics: Antibiotics can be packaged using the “pack in box” crafting recipe.
- changeMap subbiomes no longer generate trees on dirt.
🖥️Split-Screen(4)
- fixFixed read book statuses and XP boosts being shared incorrectly in split-screen.
- fixFixed split-screen fishing issues.
- fixFixed a crash when split-screen players shared a moving vehicle.
- fixAdditional minor split-screen fixes were made.
🌐Multiplayer(9)
- changeExpanded anti-cheat protections to guard against various new cheats.
- fixFixed safehouse exploits.
- changeServer Update: Server Update in the server browser now displays the last wipe instead of the last restart.
- changeConnect: The server browser disables Connect when no server is selected.
- newAdded a notification when a player tries to connect to a multiplayer server running a different game version.
- fixFixed an exploit that allowed players to enter dedicated servers without proper Steam authentication, preventing SteamID bans.
- fixFixed high-ping driving issues around ~150+ ping, improving map loading ahead of cars, passenger teleportation and multiplayer juddering.
- fixFixed a Z-level desync issue to better synchronize player coordinates.
- fixAdditional multiplayer fixes address desync, animations and sounds.
🔧Modding and Servers(1)
- changeRe-enabled the loadstring and loadstream commands after they were disabled in the 42.20.4 Stable hotfix.
Summary
Zombies and visibility
Zombies no longer disappear when players leave and re-enter a world chunk in single-player or multiplayer, and multiplayer duplication issues have been addressed. XXL tree cutaways and transparency have been adjusted, though the developers consider the changes a work in progress.
Gameplay and quality of life
Characters re-equip items after exercise and try to avoid trampling crops. Welders start with Welding recipes, 86 more containers can purify water in appropriate ovens, and washing machines can clean dirty medical materials. Refrigeration, explosives in basements, the player map and other details have also been corrected.
Split-screen and multiplayer
Split-screen fixes address shared book progress and XP boosts, fishing and a moving-vehicle crash. Multiplayer changes include expanded anti-cheat protections, safehouse exploit fixes, a Steam authentication fix, high-ping driving improvements and server browser adjustments. The loadstring and loadstream commands have been re-enabled.