Network History

NPCZ has been around for nearly 7 years, and has seen significant change. This article serves as a timeline for major events during the network's existence.
== Network name variations ==
=== Previous/current names ===
*2020: NPC Zombies Vs. Players (NZVP)
* 2021: NPC Networks (NPCN)
* 2022: NPC Servers (NPCS)
*2023: NPC Servers (NPCZ)
=== Unused/considered names ===
* Outerhaven
* Safehouse
*Safehaven
* Safezone
* Outpost
* Charity Server Networks (CSN)
= Network Timeline =
== 2016 ==
The network was founded under the name of, The Ratcage, by then owner, Brushrat.
== 2017 ==
(info needed)
== 2018 ==
(info needed)
== 2019 ==
(info needed)
== 2020 ==
Charity took ownership on July 22, 2020.
After the ownership transition, multiple long-time staff members resigned and left the network. 
== 2021 ==
The network hit a "hiatus" state at around May 9, due to degrading server performance and former lead developer and moderator, Gamerfox, being removed from his positions and permanently banned.
The server returned on June 18, and rebranded to NPC Networks.
The server went down and began migration to a different hosting provider on July 6.
On July 7, March became co-owner of the network.
Following multiple issues including data loss, the server returned using a new host on July 18.
For an optimization update, the server went down, and was placed under maintenance on September 22, and returned October 11.
The NPC Aftermath Island map was originally set for release November 28, but due to complications with the original developer, a new mapper took over its development.
== 2022 ==
A server roadmap was released on January 23, detailing what was planned for release during year's first quarter.
Paloma joined the network as the Community Manager on May 25, and the NPC overhaul was announced. The Wiki shortly after was created.
On May 28, the NPC overhaul was released.
On June 30, the NPC Aftermath Island project was restarted in an end-of-month-announcement. Additionally, Paloma was removed from the Community Manager position. The network also opened a donation platform using the Discord Memberships feature. 
In November, NPCZ's in-house PVP/PVE system and NPC Spawner were implemented.
In December, the NPC Aftermath Island project was canceled.
== 2023 ==
On January 8, an announcement was released regarding plans for the year. The announcement detailed new weapons, zombies, maps, LFS aircraft, and a web overhaul. 
In February, new zombies were introduced, replacing VJ Base NPCs. Additionally, a weapon overhaul was released, utilizing a heavily modified version of ArcCW base. A Project Zomboid server was released managed by Sandy under the name Sundown.
== 2024 ==
Several large changes and frankly bold changes were made
The gunbase for the server was changed from TFA to M9K this change was controversial yet needed due to optimization
ZombieTown a fan favorite map was removed due to optimization
Zombies got a massive update adding several new types.