If there is already a mod that does what I am asking for them please direct me to it.

Ultimately, I hope this idea inspires someone to come up with something similar. I don't need it to be exact, I just would like something to give my character a reason to live beyond just survive another day.

One of the problems I have with games such as this is that there is no goal to aspire toward. for me survival, base building, looting, skilling are not goals, they are a means to achieve goals. after I have cleared out the zombies from around the starting area and have a good source of food and water the game gets stale; I have no further reason to explore because I have already "survived" and since I know I am doomed to death, then why bother?

what I am looking for is the following:
1. a new recipe to build a device that when assembled and powered will destroy all zombies on the map allowing one to "win" the game.
2. this device will require high levels of skills to build; mechanics, electronics, metalworking, welding, carpentry, etc.
3. the device will require multiple unique items that are scattered around the map in multiple zones. the point of this is to reward and encourage exploration and getting into trouble.
4. The device will require a large amount of power and fuel which would need to be stockpiled while searching for the items. perhaps it needs multiple generators or a bunch of car batteries, etc.
5. There could be various stages of the device; perhaps a smaller version/prototype that clears our zoms in the local area preventing re-spawning; perhaps a hand held device that requires a portable battery pack that kills zombies quickly. this is to give a sense of progression.
6. The "quest" could begin with a special scientist zombie in a lab coat that spawns near the players location. the zombie would have a diary on them that talks about the experimental device. Perhaps the first diary is just a hint that the player needs to go to a laboratory first to get all the information and power up a computer and log in to figure out how to build it.



Other similar ideas:
new skill of bio chemistry - research a cure by taking samples from different kinds of zombies in different locations - then administer the cure one by one or figure out how to weaponize it and administer the cure in larger areas to clear the map.

build a high powered transmitter/receiver (requiring lots of high level skills and rare components) and contact a distant military base that has not been overrun yet. let them know you are alive and convince them that Knox county is safe by reducing the zombie population to a reasonable number, then get rescued. while you are clearing the map you can request air support and supplies which provide good loot but also summon large hordes.