Developer The Indie Stone has released new information about some of the systems and gameplay mechanics coming to Project Zomboid in the future.
In a new developer diary published on Steam, he details the “technical update branch build 42”, which is a continuation of build 41 and contains many experimental technological updates and changes.
Perhaps the most interesting of these is the blacksmithing system, which The Indie Stone says has “come a long way in the last month.”
According to The Indie Stone, in Project Zomboid, “most of the items that could logically be crafted in real life can be crafted in game.” The result is a “more durable, man-made version” of a standard item. Examples include a spiked bat, a spear with a sharp tip, and a sharp sword. Blacksmithing is also implemented quite deeply: you can create your own forge, then move on to creating a furnace, forge, and even a blast furnace.
On top of all of the above, the crafting system also brings with it an entirely new fluid system, and The Indie Stone claims that they’re working hard to “transform existing systems into a new fluid mechanic.”
The video above shows working on dyes that can be mixed organically in a container to create different colors. However, this is just an example, it looks like fluid mechanics will be used in other parts of the game, which will create a more immersive survival simulator.
Another thing The Indie Stone is particularly excited about is the new door mechanic in Project Zomboid.
Doors in the game will now behave more realistically: where previously they simply opened, they will now be animated, using the technology branch’s depth buffer to increase immersion and simulate real doors.
This Project Zomboid dev diary contains a lot of other interesting information, so if you’re interested in how the game’s technology branch is developing, it’s worth reading it in full here Here.
Other new additions include additional character creation voice sets, various new map touches, and UI improvements for high resolutions.
If you’re not already familiar with Project Zomboid, it’s a very ambitious indie survival simulator that has been in development since at least 2011.
The project is still in early access, with experimental features such as 100-player multiplayer and others being introduced as development progresses.
You can purchase the game now on PC via Steam.
