The words that appear at the start of any new run of Project Zomboid are “This is how you died.” A rather grim introduction that seems to suggest there is no way to win. But is that actually the case? Today we answer the question, “Can you beat Project Zomboid?”

Can You Beat Project Zomboid?

You can not officially beat Project Zomboid in current builds. There are no hidden exits, escape helicopters, or scripted endings for the game. Every run of Project Zomboid continues until the player character dies. However, that does not mean there are no goals to be had. Many players consider reaching a fully self-sufficient late game “beating” Project Zomboid. Others load into a new run with specific challenges in mind, such as surviving on a map with only sprinters. It is ultimately up to each individual to decide when they feel they have beaten Project Zomboid, if ever at all.

‘Til Death Us Do Part

During the Alpha, Project Zomboid could arguably be beaten in the game mode that doubled as a tutorial called “’Til Death Us Do Part”, complete with various endings. Players took on the role of Bob Smith, caring for his wife Kate, who broke her leg during the outbreak. While most endings featured Bob and/or Kate dying, resulting in tragic conclusions to the tutorial, there was one “good” ending where both Bob and Kate lived, and the reward for beating it was the ability to continue playing as Bob while caring for Kate. But much like the modern game, there was no way of winning after that point. This game mode was eventually removed in build 0.2.0r RC1, but Bob and Kate remain on the home screen of Project Zomboid to this day, forever holding each other. They were also teased to be returning by developers in the article “2022 and Beyond,” but it is unknown when or whether this will occur.

Future Possibilities

The developers have an eventual goal for Project Zomboid to contain narrative experiences like “‘Til Death Us Do Part” in the future. At that point in time, it may be possible to beat those. As for the sandbox experience that we know and love now, there is always the possibility they add something that does not go against the famous line “This is how you died.” A sacrifice to develop or deliver a vaccine, or an escape ending where the player’s death is from old age. We will just have to make sure our characters survive forever in case such an update comes along.