7 Days to Die V3.0 B259 Experimental Update Released - Sandbox Improvements and Gameplay Fixes

The Fun Pimps have released another V3.0 Experimental update for 7 Days to Die. Build b259 continues polishing the recently introduced "Dead Hot Summer" update by adding new sandbox features, improving server administration, rebalancing several gameplay mechanics, and fixing numerous issues reported by the community.

New Sandbox Features for Players and Server Admins

One of the highlights of build b259 is the continued expansion of the new sandbox system. The game now logs all active sandbox settings when a world starts and introduces the new getsandboxoptions (gso) console command, allowing players and server administrators to quickly view every available configuration option.

The update also adds a new WebAPI endpoint for sandbox settings, making it easier for external tools and server managers to retrieve current game settings and SandboxCodes.

Another welcome addition is a dedicated Crouch Run Speed sandbox option, giving players even more control over movement mechanics. Interface creators also benefit from new XUi functionality, including support for displaying the current local system time within custom UI elements.

Gameplay Balance Adjustments

Several weapon mods have been rebalanced to improve overall gameplay balance. The Tempered Blade and Ergonomic Grip mods now provide lower bonuses, reducing their effectiveness from 10–60% to 5–30%.

Meanwhile, the Fortifying Grip, Siphoning Strikes, and Bar Brawling Vol. 5 perks now require players to have sufficient food and water before their bonuses activate, preventing unintended exploit combinations.

Loot distribution has also received minor improvements, with updated industrial loot tables and better compatibility between ammunition tags, Lucky Looter Vol. 2, and the new sandbox options.

Numerous Bug Fixes

Build b259 resolves a variety of bugs affecting both gameplay and sandbox mechanics. Among the most notable fixes are:

• Fixed Global Loot Stage sandbox settings not affecting loot progression correctly.
• Resolved issues with "Drop on Death" sandbox options.
• Fixed crafting behavior when crafting costs were disabled.
• Corrected movement speed calculations for sandbox modifiers.
• Fixed problems with item usage after interrupted game sessions.
• Resolved an exploit allowing free forge recipes under specific sandbox settings.
• Fixed player-placed objects that could not be picked up inside trader claims.

Experimental Development Continues

While Build b259 doesn't introduce major new gameplay features, it represents another important step toward a stable V3.0 release. The developers continue refining the new sandbox system while responding quickly to community feedback with frequent Experimental updates.

Players interested in testing the latest features can access the Experimental branch through Steam by selecting the latest_experimental beta branch.

Changelog V3.0 B259:

Added

• Print Sandbox settings to log on game start and provide a console command to list options (getsandboxoptions / gso)
• WebAPI "sandboxsettings" allowing looking up the current settings and custom codes, including all the sandbox settings details the UI provides
• Sandbox Option for Crouch Run Speed
• XUi system_time binding returning the current local DateTime to allow showing real world time on the UI
• XUi methods to register XML attribute/binding handlers for existing controllers and views

Changed

• Reworked Tempered Blade mod to have the same values as other block damage mods. 10-60% reduced to 5-30%.
• Reworked Ergonomic Grip mod to prevent stacking issues with other perks and items. 10-60% reduced to 5-30%.
• Reworked Fortifying Grip with logic to prevent it from working without food or water
• Siphoning Strikes and Bar Brawling Vol 5 will no longer work without food or water
• Updated tags on ammo to support Lucky Looter Vol 2 and Sandbox Options
• House_construction_02 replaced bear sleeper placement with animal boar for difficulty balancing
• Updated loot in industrial_strip_03 to have more automotive loot

Fixed

• Cannot use items from inventory after previous game session was interrupted
• Sandbox option Global Loot Stage does not affect loot stage
• Sandbox option Crouch Speed 300% is faster than Walk Speed 300%
• Sandbox setting Drop on Death Delete all does not work
• Sandbox setting Global Game Stage to Low will set starting game stage to zero
• Forge allows free recipe when Sandbox smelter type is selected
• Cannot pick up user-placed items at claimed trader
• Minimum speed was not using the speed modifier sandbox options correctly
• Crafting materials limit production of items when crafting cost is set to none
• Crafting Input not working for None
• Wrong tag on Cooking Grill allowing it to influence cook times when holding an additional grill
• XUi Color values outside of the allowed 0-255 range were not properly clamped but rather truncated
• Turret corrupts block space for other devices
• Replaced missing box collider on bat_Prefab