It’s been a week since Build 32 broke the barricade of IWBUMS public testing [information here] and so far we’ve been hearing lots of happy noises. Well, amidst the renewed screaming. EasyPickins’ new zombie management system has brought the average player lifespan down significantly, and with it most reports suggest playing the game is more tense and enjoyable.

That’s not to say, however, that it’s job done. From this point onward in Build 32 EP will be tweaking and experimenting with the new system until we hit a point that we’re happy with. We need a difficulty and population numbers that don’t necessarily lock off survival content [farming, fishing etc] for experienced players, but still throws in some migration curveballs. Then again, through making the challenge surmountable we don’t want to lose the added feeling of danger that we’ve reintroduced to the game. So this is…

WHERE YOU COME IN

We need to find quite a tricky biting point, and as such we need your reports from the game, generally from a few weeks/months into your playthroughs. Don’t just play in Survival mode either, but experiment with the new sandbox options – having more/less zeds in your game, and increasing and decreasing spawn times. Report your findings here, making sure to state what gameplay settings you have selected. Then, soon, the sweet spot will be sounded out.

We’d also like feedback on the new Challenges so we can fix them up, adjust rules, timings etc to provide maximum fun. For that we’ve created a separate thread here.

In terms of general Zombie Population experiments and tweaks, one current concern is that after meta-game noises some cells may get a huge surplus of zombies while others become fairly deserted. We’ll be addressing that, and also have had an idea about migrating zombies from the overpopulated cells to the underpopulated ones. There’s also a concept that EP has discussed with RJ that would see the total population rising as time goes by to make things tougher. It’s all heavily dependent on community feedback though, so let us know your thoughts.

So that’s the current stuff, but what of Build 33 content? Well…

TURBO MOVES OFFICE

The delectable TurboTuTone has been working on a system that lets you put previously immobile objects (furniture, paintings, flooring tiles etc) into your inventory and carry them elsewhere. You can also rotate them to your liking. As such, base customization will now be a thing. Here, for example, is a [long] video of Turbs moving office in West Point:

“Many single tile objects can now be picked up.” Turbo explains from his underground lair in the Netherlands. “Some can be picked up right away, like chairs and other non-fixed objects, but others require tools and certain skills to be picked up. A good example is perhaps that to dig out plants you’ll need a shovel and a skill level in Farming. Likewise, for a counter you’ll need a hammer and experience in Carpentry.”

“I also currently have it that multiple tools will sometimes be needed – like a window that requires a crowbar to try and break it out from its fitting, and a hammer that’s required to put it back into an empty window frame. All moveable objects are generally quite heavy so you’ll only ever be able to hold a few, not unlike the way you currently carry corpses. In fact, larger objects can be extremely heavy and will require a certain strength. If a tool is required, then there’s also a chance of breakage – and of leaving debris behind.”

“Now, most objects are purely cosmetic to pimp up your safehouse, however some retain functionality: like container objects, and the barbecue. Objects with water pipes attached will lose functionality when moved too, but can be made operational again when one or more water barrels are placed in the 3×3 surrounding the sink (or one level above) and will draw water from them, if they have any.”

So what’s the potential end-point of this new system, especially if you’ve got a team of players with Grand Designs in MP? Well, something like this if you’ve got the time and the inclination…

“This base was constructed with a building cheat mode on, and several cheats for the moveables on – like severe weight reduction and fast pick up – and it still took me eight to ten hours to build and decorate”, explains Turbo.  “Still though, it shows what the system can do.”

“The structure was set up with plain carpentry, floors, walls and doors. I then plastered and painted the walls, before heading all over Muldraugh collecting various objects and floors etc after which the interior design phase began.”

“Sadly, I died once while laying tiles on the roof, which is why there’s a corpse somewhat ruining the atmosphere in the Zen garden.”

FRENCH APZDITSA NEXT WEEK!

Are you a member of the French Community, and would you like the opportunity to Ask Project Zomboid Developers The Indie Stone Anything? Well next Mondoid you can. Or you could just use Google Translate and fool us all. Up to you. Thread found here!

That’s it for now. Until next week, Mondoiders of Mondoidton!

Today’s Featured Image from Minus_Kot over on Steam . If you’d like nonsense like this delivered in a more personal manner, why not supply the fine fellows [and lady] at The Indie Stone with your electronic mailing address?