State of Decay 3 is an upcoming survival horror video game developed by Undead Labs and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the third main installment in the State of Decay series and a sequel to State of Decay 2 (2018).[1][2] The game was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020. Its first gameplay trailer was shown at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026. It is scheduled for release in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.[3][4]
| State of Decay 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Undead Labs |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Series | State of Decay |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platforms | |
| Release |
|
| Genre | Survival horror |
| Modes | |
Gameplay
editState of Decay 3 is an open-world survival game in which players control a community of survivors after a zombie apocalypse. Players build and maintain settlements, scavenge for resources, fight zombies, recruit survivors, and make decisions about how their community develops.[1][5]
The game can be played alone or in online shared world cooperative multiplayer for up to four players.[1][2] In the shared world mode, players are planned to be able to build facilities, expand settlements, move story progress forward, and affect the same saved world. Players may also claim multiple settlements, with up to three bases that can be expanded over time.[1]
The game introduces Plague Nests, which are dynamic enemy hubs that build on the Plague Hearts system from State of Decay 2. According to creative director Kevin Patzelt, Plague Nests can change their behaviour and react to player actions.[1][2] The game world is planned to be larger than previous entries; Patzelt said that the playable area is "about four times the size of a single State of Decay 2 map" and that players will be able to access the entire map from the start.[1][2]
Combat includes melee and ranged encounters with zombies. The sequel adds separate quick and power melee attacks, expanded enemy behaviour, and weapon crafting elements based on repurposed or modified materials.[1] Scavenging remains a core part of the game, with dangerous areas such as Plague Nests offering greater risks and rewards.[1]
Development and release
editState of Decay 3 was first announced by Microsoft and Undead Labs during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020.[3][6] Following several years with limited public updates, Undead Labs showed the game's first gameplay trailer at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026.[4][7] In April 2026, Undead Labs revealed that the 2020 trailer only showcased the initial concept of the game. Development of the game had not begun when the trailer was released, and the game at the time existed as a "Word document".[8][9]
The game is being developed in Unreal Engine 5.[1] Patzelt said that the 2026 gameplay trailer used in-game footage rather than computer-generated imagery, and that the studio planned to show more of the game's systems after the initial gameplay reveal.[1][2]
Before the gameplay reveal, Undead Labs had begun an alpha testing phase for selected players. Patzelt said in June 2026 that the studio was expanding alpha and beta testing over time.[1][7]
The game is scheduled for release in 2027 for Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PlayStation 5. It is planned to be available through Xbox Game Pass at launch, with support for Xbox Play Anywhere on Xbox consoles and PC.[1][10][11]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Nelson, Mike (June 7, 2026). "State of Decay 3: Answering the Biggest Questions After the First Gameplay Reveal". Xbox Wire. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Makuch, Eddie (June 7, 2026). "State Of Decay 3 Finally Resurfaces With New Trailer, And It's Coming To PS5". GameSpot. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Livingston, Christopher (June 7, 2026). "State of Decay 3 just gave us a release year, and at least that's something?". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Harte, Charles (June 7, 2026). "State Of Decay 3 Is Coming To Xbox, PC, and PS5 in 2027: Check Out Its New Gameplay Reveal". Game Informer. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ "State of Decay 3". Xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Gerblick, Jordan (June 7, 2026). "6 years on, Xbox's open-world survival game State of Decay 3 is set for release in 2027". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Scullion, Chris (June 7, 2026). "New State of Decay 3 trailer confirms 2027 release date". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Maker, Connor (April 7, 2026). "State of Decay 3 reveal trailer wasn't reflective of the actual game, says studio head". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
- ↑ Livingston, Christopher (April 7, 2026). "There wasn't really a game or team when Undead Labs made the now 5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: 'The game was in a Word document'". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
- ↑ Peters, Jay (June 7, 2026). "State of Decay 3 launches in 2027". The Verge. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Lavoy, Bill (June 7, 2026). "State of Decay 3 gets new trailer and 2027 release window". Shacknews. Retrieved June 8, 2026.