Since there is no separated solo/squad modes, solo players will be up against teams who can aid each other. The arena mode grants a massive advantage to teams in arena mode. The game will also spawn vehicles, which can enable players to avoid the border or roadkill other players. These items are essential, as the game has an intense bleeding out mechanic that can finish a player without medical supplies. The game will also spawn helpful items like armor, attachments for guns, and the 3 types of health items. Players may die due to being slain by other players or by crossing the boundaries of the map. The winner is the last person, or the last team, alive. Players are spawned in the middle of a map with supplies and weapons scattered around. However, although the game supports mods, the game's files are closed source and players cannot add new categories of assets, they instead must place their creations in an already existing category. Many popular user-created maps are curated, and many custom skins for items in the base game are added with updates. Players can purchase keys, cases, and other items from the Steam Market.The game supports the use of the steam workshop to add custom items, vehicles, armor, and weapons to either enhance or change the basic experience. The game has a chance to give players a cosmetic item, like clothing or effects for their character, or camouflage or skins for weapons. The game's multiplayer option has created a platform for multiple kinds of gameplay, such as survival, roleplay, creative, paintball and battle royale style arena matches where Nelson first started his development career.
Radiation damage can be obtained from getting hit by zombies or entering 'deadzones' without proper hazmat protection. Players must keep up their health, food and water, and radiation levels. The greater aim is to survive, but the players may team-up or fight each other. Survival mode is also available in multiplayer.
As the player progresses through the game, they gain experience points which can then be used for upgrades. Players must find weapons and supplies to survive against the zombies. In the survival game mode, the player's character is spawned on a game map with clothes depending on their skill set.