State of Decay 3 receives encouraging news as playtests are set for 2026.
Undead Labs has just dropped some exciting news for fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in the State of Decay series. Players can look forward to getting their hands on State of Decay 3, with alpha playtests set to kick off in May. It’s been nearly six years since the announcement of State of Decay 3, and updates about this co-op zombie survival game have trickled in over time. This latest news sheds light on the development process.
Brant Fitzgerald, the art director and co-creator of the franchise, shared that a significant portion of the Undead Labs team has been dedicated to enhancing State of Decay 2 in recent years. However, the rest of the team has been hard at work on State of Decay 3. After gathering community feedback through Discord and YouTube gameplay, Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “it became clear that community is survival, and we need your help.”
To foster this collaboration, Undead Labs will be conducting a series of alpha playtests featuring four-player co-op gameplay, new base-building mechanics, resource strategies, and plenty of combat. Fitzgerald mentioned that there will be numerous chances for fans to participate in these alpha sessions throughout the year.
Players eager to join the alpha testing for State of Decay 3 can sign up on the franchise’s official website, but they will need a Discord account to register. At the time of this announcement, the Undead Labs Discord was experiencing a surge of interest, making the registration process a bit challenging.
State of Decay 3 was first revealed during the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase, with plans for release on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Over the years, Undead Labs has shared several updates on its progress, including a gameplay trailer expected to drop in 2024. Although development reportedly faced some delays after the initial announcement, it seems that Undead Labs and Microsoft are finally ready to showcase significant advancements in 2026.
With the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase scheduled for June 7, fans are hopeful for more insights into State of Decay 3 soon.
The original State of Decay launched in 2013 for Xbox 360, followed by the sequel on Xbox One in 2018. State of Decay 2 has seen numerous updates throughout its life cycle, including the narrative-driven Heartland campaign and the Juggernaut Edition, which expanded the open-world experience and introduced various graphical enhancements.
