Project Zomboid hit 121,000 concurrent players over the weekend, a new record for the title that has remained in early access for 13 years, according to PC Gamer. The peak coincided with the release of build 42.20, the first major update since 2021, which brought significant changes to Knox County.
The update overhauled seven towns in the game with new art, giving each settlement its own distinct architectural style, unique buildings and improved landscaping. The map's surface area was doubled, reaching 35,000 tiles total, bringing new locations including a boy scout camp, an entirely new prison, and 400 procedural basements, as detailed on the game's official blog.
According to PC Gamer, this surge in players happened despite a price increase coinciding with the build's launch. The Indie Stone, the studio behind the title, appears more focused on continuing to expand the game than finalizing it with an official 1.0 release.
