Project Zomboid Build 42.20 hits stable July 29, save-branch switches explained
Project Zomboid's Build 42.20 will go direct to the stable branch on Wednesday, July 29. The update arrives with a new Steam Store trailer and a list of confirmed fixes, but existing saves from Build 41 or Unstable 42.19 will not carry over—players will need to switch beta branches to stay on their current version.
Beta branch instructions:
- To remain on Build 41: right-click PZ in Steam Library > Properties > Game Versions & Betas > select "legacy41".
- To finish an Unstable 42.19 game: select the "42.19" beta branch instead.
A blog early next week will detail the new content added in 42.20, accompanied by an interview with Art Director Ayrton recorded by MrAtomicDuck, similar to the recent Design Director interview. Watch the new Build 42 trailer here.
Confirmed fixes in 42.20 include:
- Character spawns
- Controller support
- Meat yield from butcher hooks
- Vehicle towing
- Zombie culling in multiplayer
After launch, the team will release necessary hotfixes, then a patch focused on late-game adjustments based on player feedback. Following that, The Indie Stone will release mapping tools (WorldZed, TileZed) and the animation editor AnimZed, plus an extensive modding guide. Community localization work continues via the #localisation_feedback channel on the official Project Zomboid Discord server.
Through the rest of 2026, a Build 42 Support Update will target optimization, additional modding support, and player-requested polish that missed the stable cutoff. Multiplayer and controller improvements will also continue throughout the B42 patching cycle.
Design Director Christian Allen recently sat down with BigBadBeaver for a survival session and interview about Build 42 and future plans—check it out here.
