# Project Zomboid Build 42.16.0 Unstable Released - Product: Project Zomboid (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/project-zomboid) - Vendor: The Indie Stone - Date: 2026-03-31 - Original notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/108600/view/533253197651772556 - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/project-zomboid/releases/2026-03-31-build-42.16.0-unstable-released What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog. Reuse: the summaries, labels and curation here are © What's New. Quote freely with attribution and a link back; wholesale republication of the corpus is not permitted — terms: https://whatsnew.fyi/terms. The vendors' own release notes remain their publishers'. --- - **added** — New Game Mode UI menu - **added** — New Traits Added: Tinkerer with +1 Maintenance and Target Shooter with +1 Aiming - **added** — Option to throw corpses over fences and through windows when using a controller - **added** — PowerA generic XBOX controller support - **added** — Campfires, BBQ's, and Fireplaces now supported in revamped RMC system - **added** — New highlight when mouse-over container with same highlight as moused-over on ground item in loot UI menu - **added** — Lore-friendly descriptions for Armor and Weapon Schematics - **added** — Bath Towel added to appropriate foraging item tables - **added** — L94 Rifle added to foraging tables - **added** — Kill animal item tag added to Handiknife inventory item - **added** — New roomdefs for crafting POIs - **changed** — Updated loading screen tips - **changed** — Changed default size of the various main screen UIs - **changed** — Anchor permanent Oven, Campfire, etc options to the lower-right of the loot UI to prevent conflicts with loot options - **changed** — Vehicle Lightbar Control UI Panel can now be repositioned - **changed** — Transfer liquid UI will default to maximum transfer amounts instead of none when appropriate - **changed** — Occupation Balance Pass with generalized increase in skill points for core profession competency and rebalanced occupation costs affecting most occupations - **changed** — Renamed Fire Officer to Firefighter - **changed** — Renamed Angler to Fishing Guide - **changed** — Renamed Wilderness Knowledge trait to Bushcrafter - **changed** — Increased cost for Cat's Eyes and Wakeful traits - **changed** — Decreased cost for First Aider and Iron Gut traits - **changed** — Increased bonus for Illiterate and Reluctant Fighter traits - **changed** — Decreased bonus for Weak Stomach trait - **changed** — Start fire speed with Bow Drill bonus removed from Outdoorsey and added to Bushcrafter and Former Scout - **changed** — Desensitized trait now also provides immunity to Discomfort - **changed** — Tailoring Skill Tree rebalanced to reward crafting items rather than grinding patches with adjusted XP rewards based on item complexity - **changed** — Increased capacity of MSR700 and MSR788 rifles - **changed** — Additional attachment availability for Double Barrel Shotgun, L94 Rifle and MSR7 Tactical Rifle - **changed** — Both Sawed-Off Shotguns variations now have stock removed - **changed** — Adjusted Sawed-Off Shotgun encumbrances to reflect smaller size - **changed** — Removed Recoil Pad from Sawn-off Shotgun and M16 attachment - **changed** — Removed Scopes from JS-2000 attachment - **changed** — Weapon Attachment Visual Update with new models and textures - **changed** — Repositioned Weapon Attachments for correct alignment - **changed** — Gamepad aiming reticles now render correctly for all players in split-screen - **changed** — Revamped gamepad aim and movement rebindings with improved input handling - **changed** — Using character offset so aimCenter is at chest height with PrecisionAim mode placing cursor in front of player - **changed** — Adjusted aiming and shooting thresholds to 1% to activate aim and 99% to shoot with movement set to less than 90% for walking and greater than 90% for running - **changed** — Emotes, EquipItem(s), and AutoWalk now work without aiming until stick is released - **changed** — Removed Echo Creek from Spawn Selection - **changed** — Reduced Stress Gain from Zeds Thumping Tall Fences - **changed** — Reading the back of VHS Tapes will function consistently with other reading interactions regarding character's available lighting and Illiterate Trait - **changed** — Added stress debuff to ice cream treats and candy - **changed** — Reduced Muscle Strain from Digging Furrows with a Spade - **changed** — Adjusted prefixes from bulletproof vest limb armor item display names to mitigate confusion - **changed** — Postcards will now spawn with appropriate subjects and not children's doodle subjects - **changed** — Restored the contemporary pool for subject matter for the base.Photo item - **changed** — Raccoon kits can now be killed by hand - **changed** — Clay Smoking Pipe can be fired in Large Kiln - **changed** — Increased the weight of animal trailers from 100 to 500 - **changed** — Fluid containers will update in realtime for partially filled containers when filling from a fuel pump - **changed** — Minor Loot Spawn adjustments and Decreased Erosion Speed in Apocalypse, Outbreak, and Rising game modes - **changed** — Extinction game mode: Increased Erosion Speed, Decreased Zombie Door Opening %, Decreased Rally Group Size, Increased Maximum Follow Distance - **changed** — Removed unused Zombie Door Opening % in Apocalypse, Outbreak, and Rising game modes that was causing confusion - **fixed** — Improved context-menu handling of window frames without windows - **fixed** — Fixed sluggish cursor when unarmed or using melee - **fixed** — Fixed MSR700 icon - **fixed** — Fixed melee aiming with precision-mode no longer spinning downwards or snapping back to zero - **fixed** — Map no longer disrupts aiming with KB+Mouse - **fixed** — Fixed AutoWalk lua crash using controllers - **fixed** — Fixed interact button getting through active UI and no longer opening doors while interacting with inventory items - **removed** — Extinction: Removed Day/Night Speed Effect that was stopping day Sprinters - **removed** — Disabled Welcome Text Box As always it is recommended that you create a new save with no mods after updates. Updates fix bugs and introduce new changes that may not be compatible with any older saves, especially ones older than the last patch. ##### _How do I subscribe to the Unstable beta branch?_ Right-click PZ in your Steam library. Select "Properties". Under "Game Version & Betas" select "Unstable". **IMPORTANT: B42.15 and earlier saves will not be compatible with B42.16+ builds.** If you wish to continue a 42.15 savegame, please select the "outdatedunstable" Steam beta and make a local backup of your game. ##### UI UPDATES - Added new Game Mode UI menu - Updated loading screen tips - Campfires, BBQ's, Fireplaces now supported in revamped RMC system - New highlight added when mouse-over container with same highlight as moused-over "on ground" item in loot UI menu - Changed default size of the various main screen UIs - Anchor permanent Oven/Campfire/etc options to the lower-right of the loot UI to prevent conflicts with loot options - Improved context-menu handling of window frames without windows - Vehicle Lightbar Control UI Panel can now be repositioned - Transfer liquid UI will default to maximum transfer amounts instead of 'none' when appropriate - Disabled Welcome Text Box ##### BALANCE - Occupation Balance Pass -- Overall: Generalized increase in skill points added for core profession competency -- Rebalanced Occupation cost and adjusted included skills affecting most Occupations -- Occ Affected: Police Officer, Park Ranger, Construction Worker, Security Guard, Carpenter, Chef, Rancher, Farmer, Electrician, Fishing Guide, Doctor, Nurse, Welder, Blacksmith, Mechanic -- Renamed Fire Officer to Firefighter -- Renamed Angler to Fishing Guide - Trait Balance Pass -- New Traits Added: Tinkerer: +1 Maintenance, Target Shooter: +1 Aiming -- Renamed Wilderness Knowledge to Bushcrafter -- Increased cost for Cat's Eyes and Wakeful -- Decreased cost for First Aider and Iron Gut -- Increased bonus for Illiterate and Reluctant Fighter -- Decreased bonus for Weak Stomach -- 'Start fire speed with Bow Drill' bonus removed from Outdoorsey and added to Bushcrafter and Former Scout -- Desensitized trait now also provides immunity to Discomfort - Game Mode Balance Pass -- Minor Loot Spawn adjustments & Decreased Erosion Speed in Apocalypse, Outbreak, and Rising -- Extinction: Removed Day/Night Speed Effect that was stopping day Sprinters -- Extinction: Increased Erosion Speed, Decreased Zombie Door Opening %, Decreased Rally Group Size, Increased Maximum Follow Distance -- Removed unused Zombie Door Opening % in Apocalypse, Outbreak, Rising that was causing confusion - Tailoring Skill Tree Rebalance -- XP granted reworked to reward crafting items rather than grinding patches -- Rebalanced Skill Level requirements with progression through complexity of items created -- Increasing XP reward based on complexity of item crafted - Firearms Adjustments -- Weapon Attachment Visual Update - New models and textures (DB Shotgun Choke is placeholder) -- Increased capacity to MSR700 and MSR788 to reflect IRL counterparts -- Additional attachment availability for Double Barrel Shotgun, L94 Rifle and MSR7 Tactical Rifle -- Both Sawed-Off Shotguns variations now have stock removed -- Adjusted Sawed-Off Shotgun encumbrances to reflect smaller size -- Removed Recoil Pad from Sawn-off Shotgun & M16 attachment -- Removed Scopes from JS-2000 attachment -- Fixed MSR700 icon -- Repositioned Weapon Attachments for correct alignment - Controller Rework: -- Added PowerA generic XBOX controller -- Added an option to throw corpses over fences and through windows, needed when using a controller -- Fixed sluggish cursor when unarmed or using melee -- Gamepad aiming reticles now render correctly for all players in split-screen -- Gamepad aim and movement rebindings. Revamped the way IsoPlayer handles input keys. Now shared _[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/108600/view/533253197651772556]_