Not Quite Dead
Not Quite Dead official Steam key art
Launch guide · Early Access watch

Not Quite Dead: Open World Survival

A launch-focused survival guide for first-run choices, black-screen save cleanup, zombie pressure, controls, and Early Access caveats.

Choose next survival stepSteam page

Pick a player problem

Start survivingHandle first-run loot, stamina, and zombie pressure before pushing deep.Redeem codesCheck survivor, BUILDER, and THANKYOU with source dates, expiry notes, and quest caveats.Fix black screenUse the old playtest save cleanup path only when the symptom matches.Plan Prison lootPrepare for weapon parts and higher-risk Prison runs without trusting stale maps.

First-run priorities

First Run Survival Checklist

A practical checklist shaped by Steam's confirmed survival loop: loot, base, vehicle travel, threat control, and launch-week caveats.

19 checked pages
Solo
Low
Secure food, medical supplies, ammunition, and crafting materials first.Loot
Solo
Medium
Avoid pulling groups, save stamina, and break line of sight when chase pressure spikes.Zombies
Co-op
Low
Treat the base as storage and expedition prep before chasing rare gear.Base
Solo
Medium
Save weapon parts until an upgrade solves a real survival problem.Weapons
Co-op
High
Check host and client reward claims before grinding zombie milestones.Rewards

Troubleshooting first stops

Known Launch Issues

AreaSignalSeverityStatus
Black screen / old saveOfficial Steam news points previous playtest players toward old local save data.
High
Workaround
Combat registrationThe September 4 update improved weapon accuracy and zombie hitbox/collision.
High
Improved / recheck
Loot and enemy balanceThe September 4 balance update changed Plastic Scrap, explosive zombie placement, and enemy counts.
High
Changed / recheck
Vehicle handlingThe September 1 update marked car driving much more stable.
High
Fixed / recheck
Prison FPS / navigationThe September 1 update marked Prison FPS, optimization, and zombie navigation fixed or improved.
High
Fixed / recheck
Infinite spawningThe main infinite zombie spawning bug is marked fixed, but fresh live-build reports still matter.
Medium
Fixed / recheck
Co-op progressHost/client quest and reward checks matter before long multiplayer sessions.
Medium
Watch

Confirmed systems and caveats

Survival Systems Map

These cards show current evidence status, so planned features do not blur into current guidance.

Looting

Confirmed

Weapons, ammunition, food, medical supplies, crafting materials, and rare survival gear.

Base building

Confirmed

Store loot, craft equipment, and prepare for dangerous expeditions.

Vehicles

Confirmed

Vehicles help with distance, cargo, and dangerous zones, but fuel is scarce.

Co-op

Confirmed

Steam lists multiplayer, co-op, and online co-op support.

Radiation and progression

Confirmed

Radiation zones and progression are current Early Access systems.

Factions

Watch

Faction Safe Zone information is current; token and reward tables need build-dated proof.

Early Access Update Watch

Latest Source Signals

Steam Community / SteamDBWeapon accuracy and zombie hitbox/collision were improved; recheck ranged combat and moving headshots before relying on older hit-registration complaints.Steam Community / SteamDBPlastic Scrap was made easier to find, explosive zombies were concentrated toward high-risk locations, and enemy counts were rebalanced.Steam Community / SteamDBBoth September 4 updates are tracked as source-dated recheck items before old combat, loot, or enemy-density advice is repeated.Steam storeNot Quite Dead lists September 1, 2026 release timing and Early Access status.Steam CommunityVehicle stability, Prison FPS/optimization/navigation, and the main infinite spawning bug were marked fixed or improved.Steam CommunityThe official launch-window code set now tracked on this wiki is survivor, BUILDER, and THANKYOU, with no official expiry stated and survivor still carrying a quest-progress caveat.

Older launch-day guides should be rechecked against the September 4 build before repeating advice about weapon accuracy, zombie hit registration, Plastic Scrap scarcity, explosive zombies, or enemy density. Review the full tracker, known issues, first-run route, and weapon guidance from the linked rows above.