What’s New in 7 Days to Die 1.3? A Breakdown of Updates and Fixes

Is 7 Days to Die 1.3 Worth the Hype? Key Changes You Need to Know

The latest update for 7 Days to Die, version 1.3, rolled out this week with a focus on the Japanese PlayStation 5 Store and minor gameplay tweaks. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new, what went wrong, and what’s next.

Key Highlights of Version 1.3

Japanese PS5 Release

After delays and challenges, 7 Days to Die finally launched for PS5 in Japan on February 13, 2025.

To meet local regulations, the developers reduced gore levels in this version.

However, the launch wasn’t smooth—Sony temporarily pulled the game from the store for rating validation but reinstated it quickly.

Reduced Gore Option (Now on PC Too)

For players sensitive to blood and dismemberment, a reduced gore setting is now available.

PC users can enable this by typing tcc in the command panel (F1).

Enhanced Dismemberment Animations

Prefer chaos over calm? This update adds more dramatic zombie death animations for those who enjoy a gory spectacle.

Console-Friendly Random World Generator

Console players often faced crashes when generating worlds with high preview settings.

The update reduces preview quality, minimizing crashes and improving stability.

PS5 Crash Fixes

A bug causing crashes when starting or exiting the game has been resolved, ensuring smoother gameplay for PS5 users.

Molotov Cocktail Lighting Adjustments

Molotovs now emit less light, preventing visual distractions in tight spaces while maintaining immersion.

Grover High Bug Fix

A frustrating bug that prevented players from clearing Grover High missions has been fixed, making late-game quests more rewarding.

What Went Wrong?

The Japanese PlayStation 5 launch didn’t go as planned. After initial approval, the game was temporarily removed from the store due to rating validation problems. While it caused frustration for players in Japan, the developers acted quickly to resolve the issue.

What’s Next?

For most players outside Japan, version 1.3 won’t bring significant changes. The real excitement lies in the upcoming “Storms Brewing” 2.0 update, expected in Q2 2025 (though it was initially promised for Q1). This major update is rumored to include:

• Crossplay support on dedicated servers.
• New gameplay features and mechanics.

If you’re not in Japan, version 1.3 might feel underwhelming, but it’s a step toward broader accessibility for 7 Days to Die. While we wait for the more substantial updates in version 2.0, this patch ensures smoother gameplay with fewer crashes and minor quality-of-life improvements.