All articles tagged with #state of decay 3
A Gamescom preview portrays State of Decay 3 as a welcoming, community-driven zombie survival title that blends procedural survivors, settlement-building, and an open-world sandbox, with dynamic Plague Nests and Hearts guiding strategy—made even more engaging in co-op play.
State of Decay 3 will begin a closed beta playtest before the end of 2026, with registration open now. The beta, building on May’s alpha, will stress-test a larger map with untethered multiplayer and improvements to combat, lighting, SFX, weather, visuals, and character movement, with access expanding to more players over time. The game, announced in 2020, is planned for a 2027 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, amid Microsoft’s studio restructuring and sell-offs.
State of Decay 3 will move from its alpha phase into a wider closed beta later in 2026, expanding access to more players and platforms ahead of its 2027 launch. Sign-ups at playtest.stateofdecay.com are free, and the game will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud, Steam, and PlayStation 5 (with Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere). The testing emphasizes a larger shared open world, untethered multiplayer for up to four players, and a permadeath system, using community feedback to fine-tune combat, visuals, and progression before release.
State of Decay 3 could miss its day-one launch on Game Pass after Microsoft announced it would sell Undead Labs; the deal frees the studio from Xbox-controlling terms, meaning Game Pass inclusion would depend on a separate agreement with the new owner, whose identity is expected to be revealed later this summer. The game, developed since 2020, is scheduled for 2027 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, occurring against a backdrop of wide Xbox layoffs and ongoing industry shifts.
An opinion piece by Jez Corden arguing that Microsoft’s cost-cutting and studio divestitures at Xbox reflect short-sighted management, noting that State of Decay 3 is currently higher on Steam wishlists than Halo campaigns or Gears of War, and could have been a flagship Xbox release; the article recounts the game’s long development, near-cancellation, and Undead Labs’ struggles as a case study of missed opportunities and impatience at the top.
After Xbox's restructuring, Undead Labs is being sold, and State of Decay 3 may no longer be contractually required to launch on Xbox Game Pass. The new owner could decide whether or not to release the game on Game Pass, making its day-one availability on the service uncertain despite the studio's ongoing operation.
Undead Labs has split from Xbox as part of Microsoft's broader studio reshuffle, with the developer being sold to new owners to finish and grow its projects, including State of Decay 3. Xbox says none of its first-party games are being canceled, and other studios like Ninja Theory are moving toward independence.
Microsoft‑owned Undead Labs, maker of State of Decay and State of Decay 3, is reportedly at risk of closure as part of a broad Xbox studio reset that could trigger hundreds of layoffs if buyers aren’t found; Undead Labs alone could see around 110 jobs cut, with additional cuts at other studios, with layoffs expected to begin in early July.
Despite trailers and a positive alpha, State of Decay 3 is at risk of cancellation as Microsoft reportedly seeks buyers for Undead Labs and contemplates more studio closures amid Xbox cost-cutting, with Game Pass deals paused and trust in upcoming Xbox announcements eroding.
A GamesBeat report claims Undead Labs, the Xbox game developer behind State of Decay 3, could be closed if a buyer isn’t found. The 17-year-old studio reportedly faces layoffs of up to about 110 employees, with Microsoft reportedly seeking a buyer to keep the studio alive. State of Decay 3 was announced in 2020 and, after a lengthy wait, had its first gameplay trailer shown at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase; it’s slated for a 2027 release on Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC. Microsoft has not commented on the rumors, which come amid wider industry chatter about studio layoffs.
The 60-minute Xbox Games Showcase unveiled a flood of exclusives and updates, including Gears of War: E‑Day as a Series X/S and PC launch on Oct 6, 2026, Fable’s new footage with a Feb 23, 2027 release, Halo: Campaign Evolved with a July 28, 2026 date, and additional reveals across titles like State of Decay 3, Sea of Thieves Season 20, Metro 2039, and more, plus a 25th‑anniversary Xbox console bundle.
At Xbox Games Showcase 2026, State of Decay 3 revealed a shared-world co-op survival experience built on Unreal Engine 5, featuring a much larger open world with up to three settlements, Enclaves NPCs, and a revamped combat system with extra melee options and distinct zombie types; maker-culture weapons like serrated machetes are part of the customization, while Plague Nests offer challenging, dynamic encounters. Alpha tests are underway with signups, and the game is targeting a 2027 release on Xbox Series X|S, PC (including Game Pass/Play Anywhere) and Steam/PlayStation 5.
Eurogamer's live blog covers the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 led by new Xbox head Asha Sharma, with expectations of a Gears of War: E-Day deep dive, no Helix news, and potential reveals like Clockwork Revolution, State of Decay 3, and possible teases for Elder Scrolls 6 or a Spyro reboot as the event kicks off at 6pm BST.
The article humorously expresses disappointment over the absence of several anticipated Xbox and PC games at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, including Everwild, Fable, REPLACED, Forza Horizon 6, and State of Decay 3, highlighting the author's enthusiasm and expectations for these titles.
Insider teases that State of Decay 3 may be revealed at the June Xbox Showcase, hinting at a potential update for the game, which has been quiet since its 2020 announcement. Fans are hoping for gameplay footage after only seeing a cinematic trailer. Phil Spencer expressed excitement for the game's advancements. Rumors also suggest Gears 6 will make an appearance at the showcase, building anticipation for the event.