project zomboid survival guide- steam version

8/11/2019 Project Zomboid Survival Guide- Steam Version

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S

URVIVAL

GUID

E


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This guide is written for the Steam Early Accessversion of Project Zomboid, and therefore is subject tochange at any time. For the latest news andinformation, check here:http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=108600

Welcome to Muldraugh Kentucky - population 3566

and West Point Kentucky population 1100. Just

how many of that number are still alive is another

story but were definitely in the minority

Dont let the title of this guide fool you youll be

joining the dead soon enough the

only

question is

the how and the when. Will you go down fighting off

a Zombie horde guns blazing or will you succumb to

sickness thirst or starvation first?

This guide will give you some basic information and

if youre careful play smart and plan ahead then

maybe just

m y e

youll survive a little longer

THIS IS HOW YOU DIED

PLEASE NOTE:
http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=108600http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=108600


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SURVIVAL, SANDBOX, or LAST STAND?

Survival is the standard and official way to play the game. It isdesigned to be extremely difficult to survive for long periods oftime, and doing so should be a massive achievement. After dyingyou will get the you survived for message.

Sandbox mode gives you additional options, allowing thoseplayers looking for different experiences, or with different tastes

or skill levels, the option of customizing the gameplay in amultitude of ways.

Last Stand modes will be covered later in the manual.

TITLE SCREENFrom the main title screen you can choose Options, allowing youto change various game preferences like screen resolutions, keybindings, and more. The title screen is also where you can choosethe Survival, Sandbox, or Last Stand game modes.

The Title Screen:


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Display:Choose your screen resolution, and enable or disable

fullscreen mode.

You can also choose whether you have a single-core or multi-core system, enable video shaders, choose the lightingquality, lock the framrate to 30, 45, or 60 frames per second,and choose your display language.

*NOTE*: If you are experiencing game performance issues, trylowering your resolution, lighting quality, and locking the FPSto 30.

Display Options:

OPTIONS MENUThis is where you can change various options for the game,including display settings, key bindings, and reloadingdifficulty.


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Zoom in and Zoom out are notavailable when runningthe game in safe/compatibility mode.

PLEASE NOTE:

Key Bindings:Change/edit the default keybindings to suit your playingstyle. The default keyboard commands are shown below:

Key bindings:


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Reloading:This option sets the default difficulty for the technique usedwhen reloading pistols in the game. The three options are Easy,Normal, and Hardcore. The default mode is set to Easy.

In Easy mode, if you have a pistol and suitable ammunition inyour inventory, you can right-click on the pistol and choosereload. (If you already have the pistol equipped as your primaryweapon, you can press the R key to perform this function).

In Normal mode, you need to right-click the pistol and eject the

magazine first. Then, you can right-click on the magazine andchoose reload. Finally, you can right-click on the pistol andchoose insert magazine. (If the pistol is already equipped,pressing R will eject/insert the magazine).

In Hardcore mode, as well as having to eject the magazine to

reload it, then insert the magazine into the pistol, you also haveto rack the slide to chamber a round before firing with a freshmagazine. This is done by pressing the space bar.

Reload O tions:


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SURVIVAL*NOTE*: Survival and Sandbox games both use the samebasic gameplay mechanics. We will be looking at the Survivalmode, but will cover some of the differences in the Sandbox

mode later in this guide.After Clicking on Survival, you will have the option to eitherload a previously saved game or, or start a new game. Tostart a new game, first type a name for the Save Game, andchoose which town to start the game in before clicking next:

Save Game Screen:

How to save a game? You cannot quick save yourprogress. Instead, when you exit Project Zomboid, yourgame will be automatically saved. When you die in the

game, your world will stillbe saved when you exit. Thismeans that you can reload that world again, but you willneed to start as a new character.

PLEASE NOTE:


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CHARACTER MENUThe Customise Character and Select Occupationand Traits screens allow you to generate or create a

new character, choose an Occupation, and assignthem extra traits.

Customise Character Screen:

Customise Character

Type a name for your character; choose your gender, bodytype, hair type and colour, and facial hair as required.Alternatively, you can keep clicking on Random to have acharacter generated for you, and then make any changesto suit. You can use the left and right arrows below theimage of your created character to rotate and view them

from different angles.


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Occupation and Traits Screen:

Occupation and TraitsYou can choose from several occupations. Each has one ormore base traits, which offer specific benefits in-game.For Example, the Fire Officer has the Axeman trait offering faster axe swing and door-breaking speed.

Once you have chosen your occupation, you can eitherstart the game, or choose from additional traits. Forexample, the Athletic trait gives you faster runningspeed, andyou can run for longer without tiring. Have alook through the traits, and their description to see whataffect they will have on your character.

All traits, both good and bad, have a cost associatedwith them. You CANNOT start a game if your total pointsare in negative figures. For example, the Athletic trait will

cost you -6 points, so you would need to choose somenegative traits, (like Weak), that add up to at least 6points before you could start the game.

PLEASE NOTE:


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Hide fight scavenge build its all up to you now. If

theres one piece of advice I can give you its find a

weapon and

f st

. If all you can find is a damn pen

its

still

better than trying to kill one of those things

with your bare hands although running might be

better still

Welcome to Knox County

A Fresh Start:

THE GAME WORLD

Your character will spawn in a random location inyour chosen town, Muldraugh or West Point. (Bothtowns are in the same map, but its a long walk!)You will start the game with little or no supplies, sobefore venturing outside, search your spawn housethoroughly. A weapon might be a good start


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LISTEN TO SPIFFO!When the game starts, you will notice the Zomboid Survival Guidewill be open. This guide is filled with essential information for newplayers, presented by Project Zomboids community Mascot,

Spiffo!The guide covers the basics, such as movement, combat, craftingand more. If youre new to Project Zomboid its recommended toclick on the More Info button of each section and go throughSpiffos tips. The guide can be toggled off and on using the F1 key.

Learn from Spiffo:


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HUD Elements:

GAME HUDThe main game HUD consists of the main world view, and severalscreen elements displaying information about your character andhis/her surroundings, including any weapons or items equipped, the

date and time, health, inventory, and Moodles.

1 Primary Weapon/item 2 Secondary Weapon/Item

3 Main Inventory 4 Health/Skills

5 Inventory Window 6 Loot all Window

7 Current Date and Time

8 Time Control

9 Moodles

HUD Elements:


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MOODLESMoodles offer a graphical indication of the currentemotional and/or physical state of your character.For example, the Tired moodle lets you know that

your character needs to rest, or sleep.

Most moodles have several levels of severity. TheTired moodle for example, may range from Drowsy,to Exhausted. When you see a moodle, hold yourmouse over the icon for more detailed information.

Moodles:

Youll discover various other Moodles while playing. Wewont go into depth in this guide, as theyre easy tounderstand, and to remedy. For example, for the HungerMoodle, eat something, Tired Moodle, rest or sleep etc.

PLEASE NOTE:


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MOVEMENTMove your character using the WASD keys. This willmake your character walk in the relevant direction.To run, hold down the shift key while moving. Tosneak/aim, hold down the RMB of your mouse whilemoving - your character will move slower, butquieter, which can assist avoiding detection.

You can also use mouse controls to move yourcharacter. Right-click on a location where you wouldlike your character to go, and choose the Walk Tocommand from the menu option. If there is a doorbetween you and the destination, your character willautomatically open the door, (assuming its unlocked),

on their way to that point.

PLEASE NOTE:

ClimbingSometimes, you will need to climb, such as to getover a short fence, or to enter/exit a buildingthrough an open window. To climb, when facing a

fence or window, press and hold the E key for amoment.

Climbing a fence:


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The trade-off with equipping a weapon in both hands isthat it then uses your primary andsecondary slots. Theonly bag you could then equip would be one on your back.

PLEASE NOTE:

No matter how safe you play it how quiet or careful you are

youre going to have to fight at some stage. Whether its a

couple of Zombies that you stumble upon while searching a

house or a horde shambling into view as you turn a corner

youre going to need skill tactics and a fair amount of luck

to save your skin. Sometimes running is the smarter option

Fight or flee?

WEAPONSTo equip an item to use as a weapon, right-click on it and select

Equip Primary. Some weapons are more effective when equippedtwo-handed, eg: baseball bat, axe, golf club. These items will have anadditional option to Equip in both hands when you right-click onthem, as below:

Equip Options:


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An alternative to holding RMB for aiming/charging,(as well as sneaking), is to hold the left Ctrl key.

NOTE:

Combat Mode:

COMBATHolding RMB, (right mouse button), will put the player into acombat stance with whatever weapon is equipped in the primary

slot. Clicking the left mouse button will use the weapon, (swing abat, stab with a knife, or shoot a firearm etc.)You can charge your weapon, (except firearms), by holding theRMB for longer beforeleft clicking. This will cause more damage toyour target.You need to aim with the mouse pointer where you want to strike.

TIP: If you knock a Zombie to the ground, you can finish them offbefore they can get back up by standing over them and attacking.


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Knock them down:

Finish them off:


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Knife Kill Up Close and PersonalKnives generally are not very effective weapons, and it can takenumerous stabs to kill a Zombie. However, you can perform aspecial move if close enough, often resulting in a one-hit kill. Youneed to be standing extremelyclose to a Zombie to perform thismove, so although it is very powerful, the trade-off is that is alsoquite risky, as you are easily within scratching/biting range. Forthis reason, it may be safer to attempt the close-kill attack frombehind the target. If successful, you will perform the specialmove, thrusting the knife upwards into the Zombies skull.

Get in Close

Thrust and Kill!


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Kick em when theyre downWhile finding a weapon is highlyrecommended, there will be timeswhen you may have to face a zombie with nothing but your barehands.

Fortunately, you canstill despatch a zombie without a weapon.Charge your attack as per normal, then when the zombie is inrange, your attack will push the zombie back, and you can pushthem to the ground, although it can take a few attempts. Onceon the ground, you can attack the zombie with a stomp!

Push them down

Stamp them out!


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INTERACTIONTo interact with objects or items in the game world, you can useseveral techniques:Left-click with your mouse, pressing the Action key, (defaultedto E), or right-clicking and choose an option from the context-sensitive menu. For example, if you are in front of a closed door,you can left-click to attempt to open it, press E to try and openit, or right-click and choose Open Door from the options.

NOTE:Right-clicking with the mouse will also offer other options

not otherwise available with objects. If you right-click on a lockedwindow for example, you will see this option:

Breaking and entering:

Another way to smash a locked window is to rapidly tapthe E key. Be aware, if you smash a window without aprimary weapon equipped, you will cut yourself.

PLEASE NOTE:


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Manipulating itemsTo use or manipulate items in your inventory, right-click theitem and choose from the available actions. To drop anitem, highlight it and click on the drop button, (or drag theitem(s) to another continer, such as the floor):

INVENTORYYou can open your main inventory from the window near the topof your screen. If this window is closed, you can open it again bypressing I, or clicking on the box icon at the left of your HUD:

Inventorywindow

Open or closeInventory window

Right-click options: Drop option:


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Multiple itemsTo select multiple items, shift-click on the items you want, orclick and drag a box around them. *NOTE*: When drag-selecting,click and drag from an empty space besidethe items you want toselect. If you have stacked objects of the same type, you canexpand the stack by clicking on the arrow to the left of the item.

Shift-select: Drag-select:

Weight LimitsAll items have an associated weight, e.g. an apple has a weight of0.2, whereas a baseball bat weighs 2.0. At the start of the game,you can carry a maximum weight of 8, (Unless you chose theStrong trait which starts with max weight of 16, or Stout with12). Once you go past this figure, you wont be able to run, and your

speed will be heavily reduced:

Heavy Load Moodle:Weight limit Exceeded:

Click

Drag


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Sharing the loadIf you have exceeded the maximum weight limits, you can eitherdrop/use some items, or if you are carrying a bag, move someitems to it. There are several types of bags to be found in game,

ranging from a basic plastic one, up to a big hiking pack. Somebags can be equipped on your back, saving you having to carry it inyour secondary slot. The better bags will let you carry heavierloads/more items. To use them, you just drag items from yourinventory or other containers directly to the bag:

New icon:When you have a bag in your inventory, you will have a new iconbeneath your main inventory icon. Select this to display andmanipulate the contents of the bags inventory:

Drag items to the bag icon:

Show bag inventory:


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LOOTINGYou will find various items essential to prolonging your survivalscattered around Muldraugh. You can search and loot mostcontainers you discover cupboards, crates, refrigerators,drawers, even the bodies of dead Zombies. To loot a container,

left-click on them, and any contents should be shown in theLoot all window. Alternatively, when standing near containers,you can click on the various container icons that will appear inthe Loot all window. This can be helpful when severalcontainers are grouped together, e.g. a row of cupboards .Totake an item, either drag it to your inventory, click the Grab or

Grab All button, double-click the item, or right-click for other

Loot all window:Container icons:Select fromdifferent objectsto search.

Contents of

Refrigerator

The blue and white chequered icon represents thefloor/ground. Selecting this icon will display any itemsavailable there.

PLEASE NOTE:


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ALL GOOD THINGS TAKE TIMEMany actions in the game take a set amount of time toperform: eating, drinking, sorting/moving items in yourinventory, reloading firearms etc. A small progress bar will

appear over your characters head as this is happening.

Some actions will take longer if the item is currently not in yourmain inventory. For example, to eat an item that is in your bag,you can right-click on the food item and choose eat, which willautomatically unpack the item first before consuming.

Moving items to bag:

Action progress bar:


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BUILDINGOnce you have the appropriate items in your inventory, theright-click function will give you access to the Build Menu,which has options to build items, such as a simple wooden

fence, staircases, tables, and much more. Select the item,and place in the game world with left-click. Press R torotate the item before placing. Press Esc to cancel.

The Build Menu:

Building InfoThe different items you can build each have their ownrequirements to craft them, and can be seen in the info panelfor that item. If you dont currently have the required items,

or skill level, the item name will be displayed in red. In theexample above, you still need 3 planks, 2 hinges, and a doorknob to craft the wooden door.


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If the pile of items is not close enough to where youwant to build, you will not be able to use them.

PLEASE NOTE:

Back-breaking workSome of the materials used in building items are very heavy,and trying to carry too much in your main inventory willquickly exhaust, and possibly injure you. However, you can

drop items on the ground, and as long as they are close towhere you want to build, will be available for that item. Eg:place a pile of planks on the ground and they will be availableto build and item with, even though not in your inventory.

Piles of planks:

Too far away Items available


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FARMINGSimilar to building, once you have the appropriate items inyour inventory, the right-click function will give you access tocommands to allow you to sow, plant, grow, and harvest a

variety of vegetables. The first item you need is the Trowel,to dig/plough a plot of land. Once you have the trowel, right-clicking on the ground will give you the option to dig.*NOTE*: The trowel will automatically be equipped in yourprimary slot when you dig.

Can you dig it?

Choose locationChoose where youwant to placeyour plot, then

left-click to dig atthat location.

Ploughing:


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Seeds and SowingBefore you can plant any seeds, you will need the seeds inyour inventory. To do this, you need to open a packet of seedsby right-clicking on them from your inventory. Once done, you

can right-click the plot of ploughed lad and sow the seed.Some basic information regarding the plant, and waterrequirements will be displayed.

Open seed packet:

Sow seed and info panel:


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Plant info and WateringNow that you have sown the seeds, if you right-click on theplot, and choose Info you will see some informationregarding the plant, such as last time watered, health,

growing phase, and more. As your farming skill increases, theinformation displayed will be more detailed.

Plant info Panel:

Watering your plantTo water your plant, youmust have a container ofwater in your inventory, eg: awatering can. Right-click onthe plot and select theamount of water to use.

Watering menu:


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SKILLSAs well as the base traits you choose when starting a newcharacter, you can level-up several skills during the course ofplaying the game. To upgrade/level-up your skills, you need to

gain experience, or XP points. To gain XP points in a particularskill, all you need to do is actively use it. For example, toupgrade you skill in combat using blunt weapons, (such as thebaseball bat, rolling pin etc), then you just need to kill Zombieswith that weapon. There is one other way to upgrade skills bystudying that subject. For example, if you find a book on

Carpentry, reading that book will help level up that skill.

To bring up the Skills window, pressthe C key. The various skills will belisted, under the main categoriesof Combat, Crafting, and Agility.

Current progress toward the nextlevel will be displayed, as well asany available skill points, and howmany remaining XP points arerequired before the next skill point.

Once you have an available skillpoint, you can level-up any skillthat has reached the required XP,displayed as a +, as below:

Skill window:

Skill level up:


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There may be times that you have met the requirementsto level-up one or more skills, but have only one skill

point available. Once you use that skill point, you willneed to wait until you have another to level-up theremaining skill.

PLEASE NOTE:

Availableskill points

Remainingxp until next

skill point

This skill has

reached levelone

These skills canbe levelled up


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INFO and HEALTHYou may have noticed two other tabs when looking at theSkills window: Info and Health. The Info tab, (Hot-Key J),displays information about your current character, such asName, age, traits, favourite weapon, number of Zombies killed,and survival time.

The Health tab, (Hot-Key H), displays the current overallbody status of your character, and any damage/injuries.(Another way to display the Health information is to click on

the heart icon from your main HUD.)

Info window:

Health window:


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SANDBOX MODEThis Sandbox Mode is basically the same in gameplay as theSurvival Mode, except that you can tweak many core settingsto suit your style and/or skill level:Finding it too hard to find enough loot/supplies? You canincrease the rarity levels of loot.Are the Zombies too hard or too easy for you? Change theirnumbers, perception, speed, intelligence, and many othersettings as required.After choosing a game save name in the same way as in

Survival mode, you are next taken to a screen with the variousoptions you can change for Sandbox Mode. Once you arehappy with the settings, you can proceed to the Charactercreation screen as you did in the Survival Mode.

Sandbox Mode Options:


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Choose your ZombiesThe Zombie Lore options allow you to change fundamentalparameters for what type of Zombies you will encounter inthe game. The default setting is to use Proper Zombies,

which closest resemble what the PZ team envision howZombies should behave. (These are the same settings used inthe Survival Mode)

To change these settings, un-tick the Proper Zombies box.You can now change various options to alter the defaultZombie behaviour do you want stupid, slow, and weak

Zombies? Maybe youd prefer to take on super-fast,intelligent, and tough Zombies? Its up to you!

Zombie settings:


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LAST STAND MODESThese modes are basically a quick game, where your mainobjective is to see how long you can survive holding out

against increasing waves of Zombies.

There are currently two games available in Last Stand Mode:Challenge 1, and Challenge 2.

Both options will take you to the Character creation screen,just as in Survival mode. After you have created your

character, and chosen your occupation and traits, you willstart the challenge.

In both challenges, you will have a set amount of time

between waves of Zombies. Make the most of that time

to prepare before the next wave arrives!

Make Your Stand:


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Challenge 1You start Challenge 1 in a pre-defined house, with variousweapons and items available to assist with your survival.There is a crate near where you start with various weapons

and items. More items are scattered through the house, andsurrounding area. Grab your weapons, barricade the doorsand windows if you can, and hold out as long as you canGood luck!

Prepare yourself

Hold your ground


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Challenge 2You start Challenge 2 in a pre-defined house, but weaponsand items are very scarce. You start with $100, and canpurchase weapons, and items. Press the O key for a list ofavailable items to purchase, and their costs.

As you survive each wave, and kill more zombies, you will earnmoney to spend on better weapons, items, or for repairingweapons. You can also earn XP points, and use those to buylevel ups for skills, and permanent bonuses. Press the P keyto see the skills and bonuses options.

Spend wisely!

Show me the money!


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The Hot-key V, will turn off all of the HUD elements formaximum visibility. This can be toggled back on whenrequired.

PLEASE NOTE:

HUD Icons7: Displays the current time in the 24 hour clock format,

and the date and month.

8: These controls allow you to pause, play, and speed upthe in-game time. Useful when you want to skip-forwardseveral hours quickly. For example, if when you wake up itsstill dark outside, and youre not ready to venture out yet.

The HUD - MISCELLANEOUSHere are some HUD components/options not specificallycovered earlier in the guide.

HUD Icons


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All information in this manual is subject to changewithout notice, as Project Zomboid is still in active

development, and features may change at any time.

DISCLAIMER:

LINKS and Disclaimer

Steam Forum

http://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/discussions/

Support Forum

http://theindiestone.com/community/viewforum.php?f=22

Project Zomboid About and Contacts

http://projectzomboid.com/blog/about-us/

The Project Zomboid Wiki

http://pzwiki.net/wiki/Main_Page

Thanks to The Indie Stone for developing THE

Zombie Survival RPG game and thanks to the great

Thanks!
http://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/discussions/http://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/discussions/http://theindiestone.com/community/viewforum.php?f=22http://theindiestone.com/community/viewforum.php?f=22http://projectzomboid.com/blog/about-us/http://projectzomboid.com/blog/about-us/http://pzwiki.net/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://pzwiki.net/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://pzwiki.net/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://projectzomboid.com/blog/about-us/http://theindiestone.com/community/viewforum.php?f=22http://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/discussions/

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