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Gameplay

The game

Zombies, weapons, base building, power, vehicles, farming: what's inside Ardem – and how solid each claim is.

Ardem is an open-world zombie survival game about getting the world running again, piece by piece: power, vehicles, houses, fields. Every claim below carries its status – much is still in progress, and the studio is open about that.

Status of claim ConfirmedIn progressPlannedUnknownDropped

Zombies

Slow but dangerous in numbers – more “The Walking Dead” than action game. According to the studio, the most complex system in the whole game.

  • In progressZombies grab and bite instead of punching, similar to Project Zomboid. Getting grabbed slows you down.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedMostly slow walkers, plus occasional sprinters with visible tells. Against sprinters, climbing onto a roof is your best bet.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedAll zombies are simulated permanently (Unreal Mass AI), even with no one nearby – simplified, but keeping position and state.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedDie of the infection and you turn into a zombie yourself – without special abilities.Studio
  • ConfirmedZombies wear real clothes and carry an inventory: a soldier zombie may have useful gear on them.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedLoud voice chat is meant to attract zombies.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • UnknownLarge hordes: the studio is testing what performance allows.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • DroppedSpecial or boss zombies like in Dying Light – deliberately not planned.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • DroppedRobots and drones as enemies (until 2025) – cut for good.Studio

Weapons & combat

Weapons are modelled on real ones but get made-up names – for licensing reasons.

  • In progressFirst set of five weapons, modelled on the Glock 17, AR-15, Remington 700, AK-74 and M1911. Around 10 to 15 weapons in total at Early Access, a shotgun in the second set.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedBallistics: bullets fly on a parabola, with drop, drag and their own muzzle velocity per weapon and calibre. Glass slows them a lot.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedSupersonic crack: you can hear whether a shot was supersonic – a hint at weapon and distance.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedAttachments change weapons; some need further parts. Magazines are reloaded by hand.Studio
  • In progressMelee and movement get a completely new animation system; the old one felt “too arcadey”.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedBow and arrow (already in, needs new animations), handcuffs, force-feeding.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedDismemberment – most likely not at Early Access.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedHitboxes are the same for every body shape.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Base building

Two ways: build freely on claimed land, or occupy and barricade existing houses.

  • Confirmed3 × 3 m foundations are split into 5 × 5 sockets – walls can be placed freely on them.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedFrame first, then panelling – each side its own material, e.g. wood inside and stone outside.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedProgress through materials: raw wood, then sawn wood (needs power and a saw), later stone with cement. Stone stops bullets.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedLand claim system for your own building area.Studio
  • ConfirmedOccupying houses: board up windows and doors, hang curtains to hide light.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • In progressLocking houses – in design.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedAlmost every object can be picked up and moved (carried as a box); only players and vehicles have physics.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedTraps against raiders, underground bases or stashes. No terrain digging.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedTrash indoors should be removable, debris outside probably not.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Electricity

The centrepiece: with power you get light, cooling, tools – and you get noticed.

  • ConfirmedSources: solar panels, wind turbines, fuel generators, batteries.Studio
  • ConfirmedConsumers: lamps, floodlights, garage doors, sockets, fridges, security systems.Studio
  • ConfirmedThe world's power grids can be restored – the world changes permanently.Studio
  • ConfirmedThe grid only recalculates on events (device plugged in, battery empty) – easy on the server.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Vehicles

Every vehicle should have a purpose and a trade-off.

  • ConfirmedFive vehicles in the current build, including a box truck (hauling), a campervan (jack of all trades) and a fast muscle car with little space.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedCampervan “Evertrail”: generator, water tank, fridge and freezer, lots of cupboards, a bed as spawn point – a mobile base everyone can see.Studio
  • ConfirmedMany trailer types (storage, enclosed, tank, heavy-duty); some vehicles need a hitch ball found first.Studio
  • In progressRepairs, fuel, breakdowns and a visible damage system.Studio
  • PlannedBoats, planes, helicopters and horses – “further down the roadmap”.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Survival

Hunger, thirst, cold and hygiene – the weather hits your body directly.

  • ConfirmedDynamic weather: rain soaks you, wind and night chill you, shelter and warmth matter.Studio
  • ConfirmedHygiene: washing yourself and your clothes lowers the risk of illness.Studio
  • ConfirmedSome water sources are dirty and need purifying.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedFood spoils; fridges and freezers slow it down. Drying is planned.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedWildlife from rabbits to bears, harmless and hostile; hunting, fishing, animal and fish traps.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedClothing in three layers (shirt, jacket, vest), hood up or down, wraps as headband, mask or scarf.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • ConfirmedMaps only show your position with a GPS device. A lost map can lead others to you.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Farming & cooking

  • ConfirmedPlants need water, fertiliser and sunlight – the better the care, the faster they grow. So far zucchini, tomato and potato.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedPlanters for growing inside your base.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • In progressGrilling works already; a free-form cooking system is planned that turns ingredients into a dish, such as a veggie stew.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026

Character & progression

  • ConfirmedEditor with body types, face presets, age, around 50 sliders, hairstyles and a shareable “DNA code”.Studio
  • ConfirmedFirst- and third-person view, switchable by key (servers can enforce one).Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedA skill system that crafting will later be tied to – not at Early Access, more likely for 1.0.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • PlannedTattoos, more hairstyles, an emote wheel with new animations.Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026
  • DroppedStory mode, quests, traders, missions – don't fit the vision (traders are left to modders).Dev Q&A Oct 9, 2026