Project Zomboid 42.22 Adds Ladders and Crowbars: How to Play the New Pre-Release Branch and Everything That Changes

Project Zomboid 42.22 is out for testing now, and it finally lets you climb ladders and force doors open with a crowbar. The Indie Stone released it on 27 October on a brand-new Pre-Release branch, which replaces the old Unstable branch. It also fixes the multiplayer clone bug, moves PvP damage to the server and saves your rabbits from starving.

Most players don't need to do anything: the default Stable branch stays on 42.21 while 42.22 is tested for at least a week. Here's what's in it and how to try it early.

Project Zomboid 42.22 at a glance

What is the Project Zomboid Pre-Release branch?

It's the new name for early testing. The Indie Stone renamed the Unstable branch to Pre-Release because the old name "was causing some confusion among players". From now on, new updates go to Pre-Release first, are tested for at least one week, then move to Stable. Urgent hotfixes may still go straight to Stable.

The studio says that for the average player this changes "absolutely nothing". It's aimed at modders, multiplayer server admins and players who like testing things before everyone else.

How do you play Project Zomboid 42.22 now?

1. Back up any saves you want to keep.
2. Right-click Project Zomboid in your Steam Library.
3. Select Properties.
4. Under Game Versions & Betas, choose Pre-Release.

The Indie Stone strongly warns against moving a long-term single-player save to Pre-Release without a backup: it "cannot guarantee" the save will work, or that you can use it in the final release.

How do ladders work in Project Zomboid 42.22?

You can now interact with ladders placed on the map using the E key. The Indie Stone calls it the "first rung" of ladder support, so expect more later. Two examples from the developers: you'll be less stuck in empty swimming pools, and you can finally reach the top floor of the Rosewood Fire Station. With ladders all over Knox Country, the team is asking Pre-Release players to climb every one and report any that don't work.

How do you use a crowbar to open doors in Project Zomboid?

In 42.22, right-click with a crowbar to force open locked windows, doors, garage doors and gates. A few things to know:

• Not everything can be forced. Security doors and jail cell doors are too strong.
• Burglars are better at it, and quieter, than the average survivor.
• Strength helps, just as it does with jammed windows. Weaker characters will struggle more.
• Failing damages your crowbar. The more times you fail to force a door, the higher the chance of damage.

What else changes in Project Zomboid 42.22?

General gameplay:

• Trees: better XXL tree rendering while driving, so you can see more without losing the foliage.
• Pushing: you can push with both hands full of heavy items, but you'll drop anything that would stop you pushing.
• Sleep: you can't sleep with the Bad Smell moodle.
• Ammo boxes: you can now open them while walking.
• Animals: fixes for animals dying when their cell unloads, rabbit kits starving because their mothers weren't producing milk, and chickens vanishing from full hutches.

Multiplayer:

• Character duplication: fixes for the duplicate, "doppelganger" or cloned character bug.
• PvP damage: now calculated on the server, to fix damage not being applied properly.
• Stability: fixed crashes when characters left a chunk while chickens were in a nest box, and faster server backups.
• Trailers: several fixes for trailer behaviour and physics.
• Map knowledge: the "All Known on Start" sandbox option works again, and notes written on map items now save.
• Anti-cheat: updated measures, plus more multiplayer fixes.

The full 42.22 patch notes are on The Indie Stone's forums.

When will 42.22 come to the Stable branch?

"Soon", says The Indie Stone, once it has spent at least a week in Pre-Release. If testers find bugs that need another revision, the studio says it will post updates on its forums, Reddit and Discord.

Should I switch to Pre-Release?

Only if you're a modder, a server admin, or you're happy to hit bugs. Everyone else should stay on Stable 42.21 and wait a week or so. If you do switch, back up your saves first.

Watch the Project Zomboid Build 42 showcase

More Project Zomboid on iGame Magazine

• Project Zomboid Build 42.21: Disappearing Zombie Fix, XXL Trees and Patch Notes: the previous update, 42.21
• Are Project Zomboid Java Mods Safe? The Indie Stone Warns Players and Ends Support: The Indie Stone's warning about Java mods
• Project Zomboid Build 42 Stable Releases Today: when Build 42 went stable

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