We’ve spent the last couple of weeks tackling a huge concept feature and probably the most requested feature from the community. Vehicle improvements, fortifications, tire punctures and replacement along with a lock system are being introduced in 1.27.

NOTE: This version requires a database wipe. If you’re hosting a server the system should handle the creation of a new DB automatically.

Vehicle Locking System

Until this update vehicles were not securable beyond the ability to remove a couple (or all) of the parts. The lack of fortifications and locking systems made it difficult for players to hold onto a vehicle for very long. In 1.27 we’ve introduced a basic locking system, owners of vehicles (those that first get them running) will have the UI option to lock that vehicle when looking at the doors.

Along with the lock feature, car alarms now only arm when the vehicle is locked. Vehicles found in the wild will not have their alarms set off by a shot/hit any longer.

Vehicle Fortification System

We have wanted to introduce vehicle fortifications since our original concept videos. 1.27 finally introduces the base system we’ll be able to build from. It has been much requested and a long time coming but as you might notice from the last few updates, we’re finally having the chance to get to introducing some fun features now that core gameplay is in decent shape.

Vehicle fortifications work somewhat like freeplaced and structure fortifications. The player can “place” fortifications directly from the inventory now. They can placed on any of our vehicles and on most parts of the vehicle.

Fortifications add their strength to the vehicles base strength. All fortifications must be destroyed from a vehicle before the vehicle is vulnerable to damage. The combination of our freeplaced system and the ability to bolster the strength of vehicles with freeplaced fortifications should allow you all to create some really unique designs.

We plan on expanding on vehicle fortifications and variants. Keep an eye out in the next build for our RV Nomad, a stripped out RV setup for life on the road.


Zombie plow


New vehicle fortifications


RV fortifications


Vehicle fortification placement


Zombie plow on the 4x4


Buggy forts - you can get as crazy as you’d like ːsteamhappyː

Placement Collider Expansion

Along with the fortification additions Andre has spent some time this update cycle working on expanding placement colliders. Players can now place items on top of most vehicle roof tops along with being able to place all over the RV interiors.


Roof Placement


Roof placement and pickup fortification

Tire Functionality

Tires have not up until now been actual vehicle parts. All vehicles spawned with them intact and inflated. This didn’t add too much realism or add to the post apocalyptical atmosphere. Starting in 1.27 you will see vehicles spawns produce vehicles with all kinds of different tire states. Missing tires can be scavenged from other vehicles. There are small and large tires, they can also spawn in punctured. If tires a punctured players will need to find a tire repair kit, found at hardware stores for the time being. We will likely be expanding on this feature and the ability to repair tires in coming builds.


Tire replacement

Flare Gun Improvements

We have heard you and we agree, flare gun was useless and not bright enough. We’ve taken a bit of time and tweaked brightness and distance for the flare light. Making the weapon far more useful for seeing around dark corners and throughout the woods.

The Christmas Event

We’ve updated the event this year, the tree is brighter there’s a firework show if you make it through and we’ve added a few new goodies to the gifts received if you manage to kill all the zombies. Have a watch of the video below as James and Andre take on the challenge (cheating most likely, as they tend to do).

Holiday Movie

We’ve updated the drive-in movie theater movies for the holidays. You can receive the film case as a reward for completing the tree event. This years movie is the cult classic “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” a confusing and quite frankly insane Christmas sci-fi/comedy flick from 1963.

Community Spotlight

We’ve had some great content come in from all kinds of folk, some on our discord, some on YouTube and our workshop. With every update we’ll try to feature some community content for everyone to check out.

Video of the Week
TAS (The Accidental Survivor) has a series of great videos and his latest STN video is no exception. We had a blast watching, go check it out.



Screenshot of the Week
This updates screenshot comes from Erick over on the steam community. It’s a snowy shot in front of one of the islands churches. We should see a few more season themed screenshots with this update and the Christmas event.



Workshop Scenario
There are some fantastic scenarios on Steams workshop currently and we’ve had a good play over most. Today we’d like to feature Steam user WOLFMAN’S “28 Days Later” scenario. As he puts it himself..

• “Zombies run and the world is screwed!”
  
• BEST PLAYED ON THE SETTINGS I LEFT IT ON FOR THE REAL AUTHENTIC FEEL OF 28 DAYS LATER.
  
• ZOMBIES ARE FAST AF BOY
  
• DAY & NIGHT RUNNER 100%
  
• ZEDS STRENGTH VISION AND HEARING IS MAXED AS IS THEIR FORTIFICATION DAMAGE
  

Patch Notes - 1.27

NOTE: DATABASE WIPE WITH THIS VERSION

Vehicle Fortification

• Vehicle fortification base implementation
  
• Added vehicle zombie plow variants.
  
• Added spiked vehicle fortification.
  
• Added barb wire vehicle fortification.
  
• Removed trunk storage from pickups and 4x4 (place your own)
  

Vehicle Wheels

• Added ability to remove vehicle wheels
  
• Tires can now be punctured.
  
• Punctures can now be repaired.
  
• Added puncture repair kit
  

Vehicle Locks

• Owned vehicles can now be locked.
  
• Unlocked vehicles no longer have alarm.
  

Vehicle General

• Improved smoothing to vehicle movement when others are driving.
  
• Improved physics on vehicles.
  
• Velocity of vehicle is now lowered when running into zombies
  

Christmas Event

• Large Christmas tree event in town centers. Kill the zombies and get presents!
  
• New Christmas movie at the drive in theatre.
  
• Christmas trees in houses
  

Crafting Recipes

• Added recipe for Zombie Plow
  
• Added recipe for Zombie Plow (Large)
  
• Added recipe for Spiked Wall
  
• Added recipe for Barbed Wire Wall
  

If you're enjoying the game and our recent updates, please consider leaving a review. Thanks for your support and happy holidays! :)

Links
Discord: https://discord.gg/survivethenights

Patreon: https://patreon.com/a2zinteractive

Changelog: https://changelog.survivethenights.net

Twitter: https://twitter.com/STNgame

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STNgame

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/a2zinteractive

Website: https://www.survivethenights.net

Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/a2zinteractive