Summary
- Following alpha playtests, State of Decay 3 is expanding to closed beta playtests this year – register now for a chance to be selected.
- Leading up to launch, the playtests will continue to expand to more players and platforms.
- State of Decay 3 is available to wishlist now, launching in 2027. It will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, cloud, and included with Game Pass. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere. Also available on Steam and PlayStation 5.
Survivors, start stocking up on supplies because you’re going to want to be ready. Closed beta playtests for State of Decay 3 are on the way before the end of 2026, giving the community its biggest hands-on look yet at the next chapter of the zombie survival series ahead of its 2027 launch.
The Undead Labs team is building on a playtesting program that kicked off in April 2026, when we opened sign-ups for the first wave of alpha testing. That initial round was intentionally limited in scope, but it gave us a first real look at how players interact with State of Decay 3‘s systems in the wild and we have been overwhelmed by the positivity and feedback. Some of the key highlights we’ve heard directly from alpha testers includes engaging combat against multiple freaks, the improvements to the world’s lighting, SFX, weather and overall visuals, cosmetic changes like varied clothing options and additions of glasses and beards, and smoother and more reactive character movement.
Now, with that early feedback in hand, we’re ready to widen the circle. We’ll be expanding to include more players and more platforms as we get closer to launch.
“We’re going to be expanding our alpha and then closed beta to more players over time, this is our largest map ever and with untethered multiplayer, we really need to take the opportunities to stress-test and fine-tune,” said Kevin Patzelt, Creative Director at Undead Labs. “If you don’t get access right away, rest assured there will be more opportunities throughout the year for players familiar and brand new to the series.”
That openness has been core to the game since day one. Undead Labs has built its development process around a simple idea: Community is Survival. Every playtest wave is designed to feed directly back into development, from balancing co-op combat encounters to fine-tuning how the game’s new permadeath systems ripple through a community of survivors. State of Decay 3’s narrative systems are being built specifically to support the weight of those losses, so that when a longtime survivor falls, it actually means something.
For players who haven’t been following along, State of Decay 3 sends players into a much larger, truly shared open world than previous entries, set against a harsh wilderness. The team has been heavily emphasizing managing many more communities and survivors, alongside deeper building and systems management.
In the meantime, the door is open. Players who want a shot at joining future playtests can register now at playtest.stateofdecay.com, and follow us at stateofdecay.com and our social channels. It costs nothing to sign up, and as we always says, there’s no such thing as too many survivors.
State of Decay 3 is available to wishlist now, launching in 2027. It will be available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, cloud, and included with Game Pass. Play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere. Also available on Steam and PlayStation 5.
State of Decay 3
Xbox Game Studios
The zombie apocalypse nearly wiped out humankind. Years after the initial outbreak, carve out a life for yourself in a world gripped by blood plague. Play as a community of survivors, build up your settlements with friends, and destroy zombies in State of Decay 3, the latest in the franchise from developer Undead Labs.
Push Back Against a New Threat
· Equilibrium has been broken. A new zombie evolution threatens to take over the landscape.
· Reclaim territory, scavenge, build, and fight to create safety for your community.
Your Choices Matter
· It’s your story – make tough decisions about where to live, what to build, and who to recruit into your community
· Permadeath is an ever-present danger to your community: Every risk must be weighed against the reward.
Expand and Thrive
· Claim multiple settlements to create a community network.
· Build to survive. Reinforce defenses, expand your arsenal, craft homemade explosives, and heal injured characters to boost morale.
· Discover enclaves of survivors, build trust, and recruit them to your community.
Survive and Build with Your Friends
· Online multiplayer mode with up to four people brings you a new, shared world.
· Start a community together from scratch and combine your strategies.
· Develop and expand a shared community that reflects your choices.
Continue Your Legacy
· Future content will unlock new features and challenges.
Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription that includes online multiplayer (sold separately).
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