Launching the game

Windows

No launch options in windows but just make sure you know the folders where it’s installed for later tutorials because the files paths given in other guides will be for default installation location.

Linux

From steam there will be two options when launching the game. Project Zomboid does have a native linux build and steam also allows for compatibility mode.

Note

When using compatibility mode you should make sure to consider the compatibility layer chosen in Steam > settings > compatibility. Proton is the Steam linux compatibility layer and my recommendation is go for proton experimental if you want to have all new proton features (this is what steam defaults to) but can sometimes act weirdly with games because of unpatched bugs. Or pick the newest full release of proton for the most stability but you will need to manually choose a new version if new features aren’t pushed to your selected release.

From my experience native linux mode is more stable, I run on Debian with KDE plasma so it may run differently on different distros.

When first launching into the game there will be multiple options in the title screen, here is a rundown of all of them.

Menu options

Continue

This button is to play your last played single player world.

Load

This shows your past single player worlds titled by date and time it was last played.

Tutorial

This is a simple tutorial world that can show you the basics of movement and mechanics of the game.

Solo

This is the button to create a single player world.

Multiplayer

This lets you connect to dedicated servers created by other players.

Host

This hosts a dedicated server on your local mechine. This is not the same as co-op play.

Options

These are your settings for the game.

Mods

Here is where you enable/disable/reorder downloaded mods.

Workshop

This is where you go to upload content to the workshop like mods and maps you have created.

Credits

The people who went into creating Project Zomboid.

Quit

Exits to desktop