- Steam Deck Verified - 8 July 2026
Following the last update in early June and the latest compatibility test from Valve, the game has been verified using the latest stable Proton 10 build. For more information about the latest update, check out the last news release here: Steam Deck & Controller Support, UX Overhaul If you want to give feedback or share your experience of the game with other plays, join our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/njdxZJtWGW
- Steam Deck & Controller Support, UX Overhaul - 4 June 2026
It’s been just over a year since the last ZOMBETES update. Today I am releasing the biggest update yet, with a complete overhaul on the games’ UX, and full controller support. ContentThree new curated levels that continue the story (7 of 10 released). 35 new items, including new special items: BINOCULARS, COMPASS, ZOMBULIN Steam Deck & Controller supportThe game is now entirely playable using only a controller.I will be applying for a Steam Deck compatibility review following this update; aiming for a fully ‘Verified’ rating.Mini Games!Attack, dodge, and other outcomes are now determined by short mini game eventsBlunt weapons: hold the input and time the release perfectlyBladed weapons: aim and click on the four dots that appearGun weapons: aim and shoot at the target. Each weapon has a different reticule sway. Head shots are instant kills.Dodging: avoid the red dots in the allotted tim…
- Beta Build Released - 16 May 2026
The latest update to the game has been uploaded to the beta branch! You can access it by going to the game properties, 'Game Versions & Betas', and then selecting 'beta'. WARNING : The latest update changes how saved games are managed. There is a built-in legacy save loader that updates your save into the new system, and backs up your old save. Still, it is recommend to back up your save by going into the local game files, and copying all of the *.dat to another location on your drive. If you decide to go back to the Main branch before the next update, you can restore this earlier save.This update brings pretty much all of the changes I have planned for the next patch. The reason I am releasing this first in beta is because there is still work to be done on editing the narrative, some missing imagery for new items, and some UX things I want to tweak. Still, the game is coming along real…
- Resuming Development - 9 May 2026
The last update to ZOMBETES was about a year ago.At the time, I had planned to release another update soon after, with the goal of reaching full release by the end of summer 2025. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make good on that promise.That said, I’m still committed to finishing this game.Over the past while, I’ve resumed development and have been doing a major refactor aimed at improving the overall experience.Here are a few things planned for the next ZOMBETES content update:3 new story mode levelsItem craftingController supportUX / UI overhaulI've been refactoring the game for controller support, and generally to improve the user experience and gameplay flow. I’m also planning localization for the final release, with initial translations planned for French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Polish.Thanks to everyone who has played, followed, or checked in on the game. I know it’s bee…
- ZOMBETES Anniversary Sale! - 12 September 2025
ZOMBETES is one year old! To celebrate, we're offering an 80% discount on the game!Currently in early-access, when you buy now you get immediate access to:Story mode (4 levels available)Non-linear procedurally generated endless modeRoguelike 'Perpetual' modeAsynchronous multiplayer features (share notes, find other players' dead bodies)Fully fledged gameplay loop with interactable NPCs, variety of item types and locations Two major updates are planned for full release, with the first coming by the end of the year. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Join our Discord server!Your feedback will directly impact the game's features, balance, and overall experience. Your suggestions can lead to new content, gameplay improvements, and enhanced mechanics.
- Content Update #2 - Story Mode, Asynchronous Multiplayer - 24 May 2025
The second major content update 'Story Mode' is out now for ZOMBETES! New Gameplay Mode: Story - Three new curated levels that continue the narrative. Asynchronous Multiplayer Features - Find and loot the bodies of players that have died in ZOMBETES - Use 'POSTPADS' to write messages for other players to find in the world Performance Optimizations - Drastically reduced CPU usage - Status window updates much quicker - Text posts faster Perpetual Mode Updates - Add 'Third Eye' upgrade; JOURNAL reveals items in unlit rooms - Add 'Prestige' upgrade; resets upgrades, increases Prestige level UX Improvements - Better recognition of written items & rooms. - Autoscroll more consistently Balance Updates - Chance of missing attacks globally reduced - 'Thrown' items always break (50% chance to distract NPC increased from 25%) - NPCs can always be dodged; warn the player of risk when attempting to…
- Upcoming Content Update #2 - Story Mode - 9 May 2025
The next major update for ZOMBETES is almost here! 'Story Mode' Content Update #2 will bring a slew of new features & improvements including: - Story mode; 3 new levels - Online features - 'Armor' item type - 'Prestige' in 'Perpetual Mode' - Gameplay balancing - UX Improvements - Bug fixes The update will release on the weekend of May 25th. ZOMBETES is still in active development. Full release is planned summer of 2025.
- Hotfix - Perpetual Mode - Fix infinite carb loop with the Honeymooner perk - 16 April 2025
Fixed an issue that caused the Honeymooner perk to erroneously increase blood sugar continuously when ingesting food items with an odd number of carbs.
- Early Access v1.13 - Early Game Balance, QoL updates, Bug Fixes - 19 March 2025
This update is aimed at improving first impressions of the game; preventing overly-challenging experiences from occurring early on, and adding 'Quality of Life' updates along with some other bug fixes. Added early game balancing in Normal mode: - Clamp level sizes until surviving over 3 days - Hostile encounters increase progressively until max spawn rate at 10 days survived Improve application 'Fullscreen' behaviour at launch Prevent player 'favorite food' from matching non-food items in the items dictionary Fix crash when using 'GAME CONTROLLER' item on an NPC Fix ammo not properly depleting when shooting NPCs with a gun Prevent 'take' from sound playing when no items were actually taken Minor improvements to tutorialization tips Added more NPC dialog
- Fixed 'Readables' crash and barricade command logic - 10 March 2025
Fixed crash when loading a level after having read a LETTER or BOOK Improved auto-using barricade items when simply typing 'barricade'
- Content Update #1 - Perpetual Mode - 29 September 2024
The first major content update 'Perpetual Mode' is out now for ZOMBETES! New Gameplay Feature: Perpetual Mode Roguelite mode where progress is retained after death Earn currency by surviving the night, defeating foes, and curing infections or wounds Spend currency in the 'After-Life' store to gain permanent buffs that will improve your survivability Progress is auto-saved and can be continued when restarting the game (cloud saves supported) Access 'Perpetual Mode' by typing 'I am alive' when prompted to 'Wake up'. New Command: 'Drive' Vehicles can now be used to 'drive' to the next level Requires using GASOLINE and an item for the ignition (e.g. SCREWDRIVER) Can no longer 'rest' in vehicles Context Window Updates The 'Context Window' can now be resized, and the ASCII image will scale with it Added new ASCII imagery for humans, animals, animal zombies, commands, and items Updated ASCII i…
- First major update coming September 30 - 16 September 2024
ZOMBETES has been in Early Access for a few weeks now, and development hasn’t slowed down! Our first major update is coming on September 30, focusing on significant improvements to the ASCII display and the introduction of a new roguelike mode: Perpetual Mode. In Perpetual Mode, players can earn and spend cash across multiple lives, enhancing their survivability through each run. The ASCII updates will improve how images are displayed for better consistency, and you’ll now be able to resize the window to scale images dynamically, providing a more immersive experience. Overall, the context window will now better reflect the action taking place in your journey. With development ongoing, you can expect monthly content updates like this until the full release, planned for 2025. Stay tuned- and join our Discord server to offer your feedback and help influence the game!
- Update notes for Early Feedback Fixes - 3 September 2024
Stability - Fix KeyboardInterrupt crashes when pressing CTRL+C during input prompts UX - Allow Status window to be resized - More consistent flow for input confirmation prompts - Add more alternate commands Context Window - Fix revealing NPC when entering a dark room - Fix displaying wrong NPC when using the 'retreat' command Narrative - Add more secondary room descriptions
- ZOMBETES out now! - 30 August 2024
You can now pick up the game- try it out, join our discord, let us know what you think! In its current state, you can expect a full experience with: - A tutorial level to get you started - Procedural levels built using over 100 locations and items - Interactable NPCs - Automated travel logging so you can easily share your journey with other players - 25 minutes of original music produced by Meat Analogue Development will continue over the coming months. Come share your feedback and help shape the experience!
