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Project Zomboid getting multiplayer with persistent player-run servers
The Indie Stone has announced multiplayer is coming to its scavenge and survival-focused isometric zombie game, Project Zomboid. "Is this some kind of elaborate hoax? No it's not," an excited post on The Indie Stone's blog begins, before exclaiming, "Online multiplayer with persistent player run servers! Yes!" The developer won't commit to a timeframe for the additional feature, but promises it won't be next year, as some in its community have postulated. "Though 'not far off' doesn't necessarily mean this week, or next week. But then again that's in the realm of remote possibility none-the-less," the post noted. "It all really depends on how well future tests go and what new issues crop up, but it's certainly not months away – or 'next year' as per previous community estimates." The final version will allow anyone with a copy of the game to launch their own moddable, dedicated server. The Indie Stone has yet to etch the finer details for the mode, saying that it's still unclear on a maximum player count. "Bugs aside, it managed 10-12 or so on a domestic cable connection pretty effortlessly though, and could probably have gone higher and whatever the limit can definitely be optimized further." The current development plan also calls for a splitscreen mode to be added, possibility allowing for up to four players on a single machine. Project Zomboid's development has been a grueling one, suffering code loss at the hands of thieves in 2011. The game, which allows players to explore a massive city in search of shelter and supplies while fending off hordes of zombies and other scavengers, is currently available on Steam in Early Access for $14.99.
The Indie Stone is burgled, loses code for latest Project Zomboid update
The homebase of Project Zomboid developer The Indie Stone was broken into last night, and two computers containing much of the code for the latest update were stolen -- this wouldn't be as serious a problem had the code been backed up externally. Unfortunately it wasn't, and The Indie Stone has been set back months. Many Project Zomboid fans, some of whom have invested personally in the game's development, were miffed at The Indie Stone's "unprofessional" approach to managing its code, and how it publicly handled the break-in. "Homebase" is the apartment where Chris Simpson and Andy Hodgetts, two of The Indie Stone devs, live and work, making the burglary personal on a deep level. Intense emotional stress is not the time to turn to Twitter, but Simpson did, expressing his fears and sense of violation openly. It didn't end well and Simpson has since removed his account from Twitter and has written a formal apology. Writer Will Porter has explained the situation in full on the Project Zomboid blog, saying the game will "come back stronger." "During this time we will clearly be asking for the understanding and patience of our community," Porter wrote. "We are gutted, we are despondent and -- most of all -- we are sorry that this has thrown yet another bump into the road towards PZ completion. We also REALLY want to wring the neck of the arsehole that did this to us." If you have any information that could help The Indie Stone wring some necks, contact the Northumbria Police. If you don't, remember what mommy always said: If you don't have anything nice to say.... [Thanks, @unff!]
