This is a future feature.This article is about an item or mechanic that is currentlyunimplementedand planned for a future version.It has either been previewed or found in the game files and does not exist yet.

**Metagame** consists of the off-screen simulation of events and interactions
of survivors and zombies between themselves and their environment.

For example, the gunshots heard, and the helicopter passing overhead are
metagame events. Currently, however, the player can't find who fired the gun
or where the helicopter went. The dead will still follow the sounds, sometimes
passing (or eating) the player, originating from somewhere off-screen.
Metagame events' frequency can be changed in the sandbox settings.

### Helicopter

In build 33, the helicopter event was added to the game[1] as a physical
object that is unable to be seen but can be heard. The helicopter can be heard
overhead and, if the player is outside, will follow the player around leading
hordes of zombies towards the player. If the player is inside or in a forest
when the helicopter arrives and does not leave, the helicopter will not follow
the player. However, if the player is spotted outside and the player hides
from the helicopter by moving indoors (or into a forest), the helicopter will
still hover overhead, thus still attracting zombies. After approximately one
hour of the helicopter being unable to find the player, it may leave and come
back approximately one hour later.[verify]

Newer players are advised to stay indoors for the entire day of the helicopter
event, as it can be unclear if the helicopter is returning and the large
numbers of zombies that the helicopter attracts can be difficult to deal with.
The event can be detrimental to players with secluded bases, as it can very
quickly lead large hordes to locations they wouldn't usually go to. Even if
the player avoids being spotted by the helicopter, the helicopter will still
cause zombies to migrate slightly, so beware.

The player can determine if the helicopter is coming on a given day by
listening to the AEBS which can be tuned to on a radio and listening for the
phrase "Air activity detected".

The helicopter can arrive on Day 6-9, from 9 AM to 7 PM. Once the helicopter
arrives, it will attempt to find the player for 1-4 hours. On default
settings, the helicopter will only come on one day, however it can come more
than once a day. Sandbox settings can be adjusted to make the helicopter come
every 6-9 days or every 10-15 days, at randomized times of day, for added
challenge.

In multiplayer, the helicopter can switch between hunting various players,
however in single player mode the helicopter only has one target (the player).

### Meta event

Up to once a day, the player may hear gunfire or screams in the distance. It
is not currently possible to locate the source of these "meta sounds", but
they will cause zombies to migrate. The developers have indicated that in the
future, these events may also trigger physical events on the map such as loot
spawns.[2]

### Sleeping event

The sleeping event occurs randomly when the player is asleep. The player will
wake up in a panic when not fully rested and a zombie can also spawn in the
room.

### Water and electricity shutoff

The water and electricity will shut off at some point during the game. The
power shutoff is announced on the radio on the Automated Emergency Broadcast
System (AEBS) two days before it occurs as "Knox Power Grid: Power
fluctuations detected.", and the day before as "Knox Power Grid: Systems
failing. Network compromised.". The channel for the AEBS is randomized, unlike
other pre-set channels. The shutoff will require the player to utilize
generators for electricity. Gas must be collected with gas cans from gas
stations, vehicles or found as a loot. It is also important to note that once
the electricity shuts off, the gas station must be connected to a functioning
generator for the player to be able to collect the gas, assuming the
"Generator Working In Exterior" sandbox option is enabled. A way to work
around this is by siphoning gas from left over vehicles. The player must also
remember that they will need to read 'How To Use Generators' or be an
electrician to work the generator. The generator will also poison the player
if it is running inside.

The water shutoff is not announced on the AEBS. The player can construct rain
collector barrels outside to gather water. Alternatively, there will be water
left in basins of sinks, baths, toilets etc. Naturally, a body of water or
well can be used to collect water, in addition to some water containers such
as mugs, saucepans or cooking pots that could be left outside to gather water
when it rains. Remember that the water from rainfall and bodies of water is
tainted, so it must be boiled over a heat source to avoid poisoning.

### Annotated maps

The player can find annotated maps on zombie corpses that can indicate bits of
lore about what the survivors have experienced, as well as tell the player
what they might find in certain areas. Additionally, these can indicate a
"Survivor House" which will have boarded windows and stockpiles of items such
as canned food and weapons. Be careful as these houses might still have the
survivors (now zombies) inside. Sometimes these can also tell a story, such as
a non-zombie corpse surrounded by weapons or alcohol and pills that they used
to prematurely end their lives to not succumb to the Knox Infection. Make sure
to inspect the entirety of these houses as some of the items can be stored in
hidden stashes.

### Future

The metagame will become concrete when the simulated characters and events
come "on-screen."

In the future, the metagame could involve complex interactive storylines,
influenced by the environment, random events, NPCs, or the player. Most NPCs,
however, would just be random survivors just trying to make their way. But
certain NPCs would have storylines in which they make AI decisions and have
scripts; the decisions and scripts would change depending on random chance or
input from other NPCs, the environment, or even the player. For example, in
the Kate and Bob story, the player could take the position of the raider.
Presumably, the raider-player could threaten Kate, kill Bob (or do something
else). In other words the player takes part in the storyline, becoming a
participant in the script and thus changing the script, NPCs, and the
metagame.[verify]

## See also

  * NPC
  * Survivor
  * Zombie

## External links

  * "Everyone’s Infected" update Mon, October 5, 2015
  * Tales from the metaverse
  * Sheet ropes & old friends
  * A metagame forum post
  * Project Zomboid – How to Survive the Helicopter Event, Gamer Empire

## References

  1. ↑ Project Zomboid - Everyone’s Infected - Steam News
  2. ↑ Well Ztocked - Project Zomboid

  *[UI]: User-Interface
  *[AI]: artificial intelligence
  *[RMB]: Right Mouse Button
  *[RPM]: Revolutions Per Minute
  *[MPH]: Miles Per Hour
  *[FPS]: frames per second
  *[Grow time]: Average grow time (days)
  *[Condition lower
chance]: 1 in (x + maintenance × 2)

  *[Base durability]: Condition × break chance
  *[?]: Chance of poisonous
  *[(2)]: Non-perishable until opened
  *[(4)]: Non-perishable until opened
  *[(3)]: Non-perishable until opened
  *[(5)]: Non-perishable until opened
  *[(7)]: Non-perishable until opened
  *[RMC]: Right Mouse Clicking
  *[LMC]: Left Mouse Clicking
  *[HUD]: Heads-up Display
  *[LMB]: Left Mouse Button
  *[MSW]: Mouse Scroll Wheel
  *[Temp.]: Temperature
  *[PVP]: Player Versus Player
  *[Icon]: As represented on the "Investigate Area" window

Metagame