Sleep In 7 Days To Die: Is It Possible?

Sleep is a contentious issue in the video game '7 Days to Die'. While some players wish there was a sleep mechanic, the game developers have stated that there will never be a time-skip function in the game. This means that players have to stay awake and alert throughout the night, when zombies are at their most dangerous. However, there is a way to shorten the night or skip it entirely by adjusting the night cycle settings or using the settime admin command. Interestingly, while players cannot sleep in the game, they can make a bed, which acts as a spawn point when they die.

You can't sleep in 7 Days to Die

Sleep is an important part of survival, but in 7 Days to Die, your character doesn't sleep. Instead, the game mechanics centre around staying awake through the night and surviving until dawn. This is a key feature of the game's pacing and horror elements.

When you start a new game, one of the first tasks is to create a Bedroll using 10x Plant Fibres. However, this bedroll is not for sleeping—it acts as a spawn or respawn point when your character dies. You can choose to spawn on the bedroll or nearby. Without a bedroll, your respawn point will be a random location, which could be on the other side of the map from your base.

The bedroll also has other functions. Laying it down stops zombies from spawning nearby. It can also stop loot from respawning if you place it in a cleared POI. Some mods, such as Starvation Mod, give the bedroll additional functions, such as healing you when you stand on it.

While there is no sleep function in the game, there are ways to shorten or skip the night. You can set the night cycle to its minimum setting so that it passes more quickly, or you can use the "settime" admin command to permanently make it daytime. However, the latter option only works in single-player mode or if you're a server administrator in multiplayer.

So, while you can't sleep in 7 Days to Die, there are ways to manage the night and survive until morning.

The bedroll is a respawn point

In the survival horror video game 7 Days to Die, your character does not sleep. Instead, you make a bed, which becomes a spawn point for when you die. When you die in the game, you go to a death screen and get two options: "Spawn on Bed" or "Spawn nearby Bed". The latter will put you randomly 80 blocks away from your bed.

The bedroll is a type of bed that can be crafted using plant fibres or found around the map. It makes a single spawn point at the location it was placed. Its location will be highlighted on the map, marked as an icon of a bed. It is recommended to place a secure storage chest with some basic loot nearby in case you die and lose all the items in your toolbar and/or backpack.

You can also use the "Spawn near Bedroll" option to spawn close to your spawn point. Do not confuse this with the "Spawn on top of Bedroll" button. A placed bedroll will block zombie spawns in a rectangular area of 31x31 meters from bedrock to sky. This is useful to "claim" a prefab so zombies no longer spawn there while you are away. However, this only works for your bedroll, not just any bedroll.

When you place a bedroll on the ground, an icon appears on your HUD so that you can navigate back to it. The bedroll doesn't do anything else unless you die. Just place it and leave it, don't pick it back up. If it is placed somewhere and you die, you will be given the choice to respawn there.

Players can shorten or skip the night

Players of 7 Days to Die can shorten or skip the night by adjusting the game settings. Before starting a game, players can define the day and night settings in the menu. They can choose how many in-game hours are in each day (12, 14, 16, or 18 hours) and how long a 24-hour cycle lasts (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, or 120 minutes in real time). Shortening the length of a 24-hour cycle will make both the day and night shorter. Additionally, players can set the night cycle to its minimum setting to make the night pass faster.

Another way to skip the night is by using the "settime" admin command on the in-game command console, which allows players to set the current time of day or night. This method will make it permanently daytime in the game world without adjusting the map settings. However, the "settime" command only works in single-player mode or if the player is the server administrator in multiplayer mode.

While it is possible to shorten or skip the night in 7 Days to Die, it is important to note that night is a crucial part of the game. During the night, zombies are more dangerous and have the ability to run (except for crawlers). Additionally, the player's vision is heavily reduced at night, making it more challenging to navigate and fight zombies. Therefore, players who choose to shorten or skip the night may miss out on certain gameplay experiences and challenges that are unique to the nighttime setting.

Some players may prefer to use the night time in the game to craft items, mine, or perform other tasks that can be done indoors. Adjusting the game settings to shorten or skip the night allows players to customise their gameplay experience according to their preferences and playstyle. However, it is worth noting that the developers of 7 Days to Die have stated that there will never be a way to fast forward or skip nights entirely in the game, as it is intended for players to experience and play through the nights.

Players can lose inventory items when they die

In the video game 7 Days to Die, players can lose inventory items when they die. This is a common concern among players, as losing hard-earned supplies and equipment can be frustrating.

By default, players will drop their inventory items upon death, with the option to spawn either on their bed or nearby it. However, there are modifications or "mods" that can alter this setting. In the game files, players can find the entityclasses.xml file and make changes to the DropInventoryBlock property. Disabling this property will prevent players from dropping any items upon death, allowing them to keep their inventory.

Additionally, some game settings allow players to choose what they drop upon death. There are options to drop only the toolbar, only the backpack, or everything in the inventory. Players can also choose the "Death is Death" option, which deletes all items upon death and requires players to start a new game.

It is important to note that the game mechanics and settings may vary depending on the platform used, such as PC or PS4, and the type of game, such as single-player or multiplayer. Players should carefully review the available options and settings to understand how death and inventory management work in their specific game version.

While losing inventory items upon death can be frustrating, it adds an element of risk and encourages players to strategize and make careful decisions to protect their valuable items and equipment.

Tips to survive the first few nights

The first few nights in 7 Days to Die can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can make it through safely. Here are some tips to help you survive:

• Find a secure location: Before night falls, make sure you have a safe place to stay. You can either build a small shelter out of wood or find an existing building, preferably an isolated one as zombie spawns are lower in these areas. Clear out any zombies in the area during the day, and fortify windows and doors with wood or stone to prevent zombies from breaking in.
• Gather resources: Collect essential resources such as wood, stone, and plant fibers. These will be crucial for crafting tools and weapons. Punch trees and bushes for wood and grass for plant fibers. Small stones can be found on the ground or by punching rocks and boulders.
• Craft essential tools and weapons: Use the resources you've gathered to craft a stone axe, which will help you harvest wood and stone more efficiently. You can also craft a primitive bow and stone arrows for defence. A wooden club is another useful melee weapon.
• Scavenge for supplies: During the day, explore abandoned buildings, cars, and backpacks to find useful items such as food, water, weapons, and ammunition. Be cautious and use stealth to avoid attracting zombies.
• Avoid unnecessary risks: Do not engage zombies unless necessary. Try to stay out of towns and cities, as they have higher zombie spawn rates. If you encounter zombies, try to stun them and sprint away rather than fighting.
• Establish a base: If possible, start building a more permanent base near a source of water and lootable towns. Keep your base small at first and expand as needed. Upgrade your defences by reinforcing walls and placing spikes or traps outside.
• Stay indoors at night: Nighttime is when zombies are most dangerous. Avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary. Use the cover of darkness to craft, sort your inventory, and plan for the next day.
• Be productive at night: Nighttime is an excellent opportunity to craft ammunition, medical supplies, and other necessary items. Just be mindful that excessive noise and light can attract zombies, so try to stay crouched and avoid fighting unless absolutely necessary.
• Manage your stamina: Stamina is crucial for survival. Keep yourself well-fed and hydrated to maintain your stamina. Conserve your energy by running only when necessary and resting when possible.
• Prioritize headshots: When fighting zombies, always aim for the head. Headshots deal significantly more damage and can help you take down zombies more quickly. This is true for both melee and ranged attacks.
• Use traps and explosives: Setting traps and luring zombies into them can be an effective way to thin out their numbers. You can also lure zombies to cars or oil barrels and shoot them to cause an explosion, taking out multiple zombies at once.

Frequently asked questions