You can create hundreds of different types of characters with all sorts of silly traits that are both beneficial and detrimental in Project Zomboid. However, developer The Indie Stone doesn’t think this is enough and has expressed plans to bring ideas like a full vegetarian playthrough to life once Build 42 has settled.
While you could craft your own self-imposed vegetarian playthrough in Project Zomboid, The Indie Stone has plans for all sorts of benefits and debuffs that would come with the trait or role. Fans have immediately latched onto the idea and shown that they’re eager for more food and health-related traits or playthrough options. I thought the game was open enough already, but these options have shown me just how wrong I am.
Vegetarian playthroughs in Project Zomboid could add a sadness debuff for a character forced to eat meat
The Indie Stone posted on Twitter about its ideas for a vegetarian playthrough in Project Zomboid. It explains how characters gain a sadness debuff if forced to eat meat just to survive. The concept is wrapped up in a planned food/cooking overhaul for the future. Fans will also need to wait for it once Build 42 has been released and any bugs are patched.
In a display of support and enthusiasm, the complete opposite of the community backlash that once made the developer consider selling off the IP, fans jumped into the replies to the post explaining how excited they are for Build 42 and suggesting other food/cooking-related overhauls Project Zomboid would benefit from.
User Cassie-Trion is elated about the news that cooking and food will be getting a decent look-in. “Omg like two days ago was thinking there should be a Vegan trait that makes you happier when eating vegan foods and depressed when eating meat.”
User Andrey Syroyezhkin went much darker than was necessary with their thoughts. “I play on Apoc with a Cannibalism mod. Human intestines 10/10.” But my favorite reply is from user Babydactyl. “could u add a lactose intolerant trait as well?? I think it’d make for a fun challenge as well! A lot of new possibilities with a new food system.”
I’m lactose-intolerant and have to say that I’m not looking forward to the food in the zombie apocalypse. It would certainly make for a hardcore Project Zomboid playthrough, though maybe not as hardcore as what user Markverb1 has suggested. “diabetic trait would be cool.”
It’s astonishing just how much this game could still be added to based on what players are asking for in this one Twitter thread alone. At over a decade old, Project Zomboid still shows no signs of losing popularity. In fact, it’s almost certainly going to see a massive influx of new and returning players when Build 42 eventually releases, and this food/cooking update will just be icing on the cake after that.
