Is Project Zomboid multiplayer? The complete rundown

Yes, Project Zomboid is very much multiplayer, and that's where the survival game truly comes into its own. Surviving Kentucky's zombie apocalypse alone is one thing; doing it as a group, managing everyone's resources, injuries and panic, is another. Here's how multiplayer works and the two ways to play it.

The two multiplayer modes

• Player-hosted co-op: from the menu, one player hosts the game and invites their friends. Simple and free, but the game only exists while the host is connected, and their machine takes on the entire load.
• The dedicated server: a machine stays on 24/7 and hosts the world permanently. Survivors connect whenever they want, and the save persists even when nobody is around. This is the option for serious communities.

How many players on a Project Zomboid server?

Co-op plays comfortably with a handful of friends. A properly sized dedicated server easily hosts dozens of simultaneous survivors, depending on the RAM and the power of the processor. The more the map is explored and the more players there are, the more resources the server consumes: hence the importance of the hardware.

Co-op from the menu is enough for an evening with friends. As soon as you want a persistent world available around the clock, the dedicated server becomes essential.

Why the dedicated server changes everything

On a dedicated server, your world no longer depends on a single player's connection: the base you fortified, the repaired vehicles, the food stockpiles all stay put. The server also manages the configuration files like servertest.ini and the sandboxvars, which let you fine-tune the difficulty and the zombie population for the whole community.

To launch your own server, follow our step-by-step guide How to make a Project Zomboid server.

The simplest solution

Rather than leaving your PC on permanently, a host runs the server for you, without interruption. That's what Fly-Serv's Project Zomboid server offer provides, from 3,99 €/month, with instant delivery and Anti-DDoS included. You get a persistent world in a few seconds, ready to welcome your friends. To choose the right configuration, also see our Project Zomboid hosting plans.