Project Zomboid Build 42 drops July 29 as price rises

Project Zomboid's Build 42 officially launches Wednesday, July 29, 2026, as 42.20 hits Stable — the update that brings the big map "glow-up" detailed yesterday. Ahead of launch, the team has posted a checklist covering save compatibility, the creator embargo, a price rise, and localization.

Build 41 saves won't be compatible with Build 42. Players and server owners who want to stay on Build 41 should move to the legacy41 beta now: right-click Project Zomboid in Steam, choose Properties, and under Game Versions & Betas select legacy41.

Existing Unstable 42.19 saves also won't carry over to 42.20 because of the added map content. To keep playing that version, select the 42.19 beta instead using the same steps.

Streamers and YouTubers with early access to the 42.20 map overhaul can post and broadcast from 10AM BST / 5AM EDT / 11AM CEST / 12PM EEST on Wednesday, a few hours before official launch. If you fancy spoiling it all, keep an eye on YouTube, Twitch, and wherever else creators post.

As with Build 41's launch, Build 42 brings a price rise — though the team says it isn't one many would consider huge, and the game will stay reasonably priced for the gameplay on offer. The increase applies across storefronts and regions once 42.20 launches to Stable. Anyone who wants the game at the current price, or as a gift, can act now on Steam.

Community Localization continues past launch, with feedback later in the #localisation_feedback channel on The Official Project Zomboid Discord Server. Build 42 adds Czech, Indonesian, Spanish (Argentina), and Spanish (Mexico). Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Catalan have known font issues the team is working on, to be addressed in a future update. Catalan, Romanian, and Spanish (Chile) still contain a lot of English vocabulary for now.