Mod «NPC Crew» for Project Zomboid

NPC Crew is a survivor crew overhaul for Project Zomboid (Build 42) that functions as an extension to the Bandits mod. It allows players to meet neutral survivors, recruit them, and manage a shared base in both singleplayer and multiplayer modes.

The mod requires the Bandits mod (Mod ID: Bandits2) to function. However, hostile bandit spawns can be disabled entirely via the «No hostile bandits» option in the sandbox settings, providing a pure survivor-management experience without raids or assaults. Note that this setting only prevents new hostile groups from spawning; existing bandits in the world remain until dealt with.

Crew Features:

• Orders: Command crew members to follow, stay, guard, patrol, relax at base, or ride in vehicles.
• Base Management: Build a Crew Beacon (found in the Furniture build menu) to define base areas and zones.
• Automated Storage: Sorters automatically file loot from an intake crate into specific category crates (food, fresh food, drinks, weapons, ammo, clothing, medical, tools, materials, vehicle parts, books).
• Vehicle Unloading: Mark a car unload zone at your base to have sorters automatically empty vehicle trunks and seats into storage.
• Professions: Assign crew members to workstations for crafting and tasks, including cook, farmer, builder, tailor, reloader, blacksmith, hunter, and scientist.
• Resource Gathering: Activities include fishing, forestry (planting, growing, felling, bundling), water carrying, and boiling.
• Needs: Crew members require food, drink, sleep, and hygiene.
• Interface: Features name tags, minimap dots, a crew window (F6), gear management, and 3D portraits.

Controls:

• V: Talk to the targeted survivor.
• F6: Open crew window.
• F7: Zone legend.
• F8: Crew Beacon window.
• F9: Forestry overlay.
• All keys are rebindable in Options.

Multiplayer Notes:

• Each player should build their base at a distance from others. Crew performance is tied to the recruiting player's machine. If another player is closer to a crew member, control shifts to that player's machine, causing the worker to pause until the owner returns.
• Crew members belong exclusively to the recruiter. Other players cannot command, loot, or dismiss them. Use the 'Release' option to free a survivor for recruitment by others.
• Crew members log out with the player and respawn nearby upon login, retaining their inventory.
• A red name tag indicates that another player is closer to the crew member, temporarily pausing their tasks. This is intended behavior.
• Neutral survivors are non-hostile and cannot be killed by players.
• Server admins can adjust spawn rates, protection, and need rates via sandbox settings.

Getting Started: Locate a neutral survivor (spawning near a Crew Beacon or via sandbox settings), press V to interact, and recruit them. Construct a Crew Beacon, define base areas, set up intake and category crates, and assign sorter orders. Add workstations to enable professional tasks.

Planned Features:

• Fishing rework.
• Animal Keeper profession: Managing livestock (feeding, watering, milking, shearing, egg collection) with animals no longer fleeing from crew.
• Real Farmer profession: Automated field preparation, sowing, watering, tending, and harvesting with direct storage deposit.

Note: NPC Crew is actively developed and may contain bugs or incomplete features.

Technical Information:

• Workshop ID: 3800132623
• Mod ID: NPCCrew