The September 15, 2026 update for VEIN says 0.025 is close and should arrive soon, barring major bugs; a hotfix can follow if needed. Its features are not on the main release yet and are live on the experimental Steam beta branch, opt-in through the game's Steam properties. The team discourages treating it as a regular run: it is bleeding-edge, breaks often, and shows content before internal testing, but remains accessible for transparency.

8z has finished and integrated VEIN's ragdoll systems. Players could previously only be conscious, unconscious, or dead, with no in-between; now players and zombies can fall over and get back up, GTA-style. A car hitting a player or zombie is no longer an instant death sentence. Zombies slow the car, running them over damages the vehicle, and unless you are moving fast enough, the victim is likely to get back up. Exiting a car at high speed ragdolls you, crashing a motorcycle flings you out, and combat can knock zombies over based on weapon, strength, and other factors. It still needs testing and tuning.

With 0.025 close, there will be no more 0.024 hotfixes. The update includes:

• Fixed procedural ADS and animation code, including misaligned ADS on newer weapons like the 870 and Fifty-Seven pistol, plus an infinite reload animation on the double-barrel shotgun.
• Performance work on distant building, terrain, and foliage rendering (HLODs), and fixes for them appearing sporadically or vanishing.
• Font rendering for signs in non-Latin alphabets such as Cyrillic and most Asian languages.
• Networking work to speed up multiplayer load-in; it remains WIP. The fully dynamic world makes it hard, but a building proof-of-concept is holding up in testing.
• Fixed indestructible yard decorations and salvageable yard props stuck in place.
• Zombie fixes: they can now climb fences and guard rails when stuck, and they no longer block each other's swings while attacking you.
• UI polish.
• A major multiplayer vehicle hitching fix for handbrake desync. If you disengaged the handbrake and towed, it might work on your screen while the server still had it engaged, causing stuttering and the towed vehicle to rear-end you on the server and deal damage.

Zombies can now have strength stats. Stronger zombies deal significantly more damage to players and fortifications, can appear shirtless if male, and show musculature when strong. Those near fitness centers tend to be stronger.

DLSS is updated to 4.5 for the next update. Most furniture and containers can crumble when destroyed, pending performance testing. New decorative prop support allows raised platforms on fences and wood slats using support beams; these should work as roofs while standalone buildable buildings come later.

Yan added exit and save-confirmation prompts, admin teleportation to custom map markers, an improved Utility Cabinet flag placement system, stress reduction from custom-movie TVs, and PgUp/PgDown map zoom. Multiplayer permission zones get a "no damage (except players)" setting so admins can run fight clubs or combat arenas without risking props.

Preliminary gamepad/Steam Deck work can now operate the main menu, character creation, and other screens with just a gamepad. It is not close to the goal, but should make further support easier. Adam is continuing to remove the taped box from crafting items, with a couple of metal sheet pieces now in experimental. Skyler is continuing new character hair, hoping to preview some in 0.026; clothing and zombie art still need work, but the code side is being prepared.

Zoe refreshed Redford and Saranac with extra detail, adding yard decorations, fences, and exterior touches. She will next work on new Champlain Valley areas intended for the next update.

801 finished new props for standalone buildables: houses or cabins built from fortification tiers, with finishable and paintable interiors plus stairs, hatches, ladders, and more. The target is 0.026, though it is just a goal. The team is still considering how to stop mansions being built in the middle of town roads, and says a server option or special permission zone settings should be enough for multiplayer players and admins wanting a more realistic or immersive experience.

VEIN is hiring an experienced programmer and UI/UX designer; email [email protected] with a portfolio or resume. Bilingual players who spot translation errors or want VEIN in their own language can use https://crowdin.com/project/vein. The official wiki at https://vein.wiki.gg/ also needs volunteers.