The State of Decay franchise has captivated players since its first release in 2013, offering a unique blend of zombie survival and open-world strategy. After the success of State of Decay 2 in 2018, fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. Now, with State of Decay 3 in development for Xbox and PC, excitement is building as more information comes to light. In this article, we’ll go over everything we know so far about State of Decay 3, including its release date, platforms, trailers, and the latest updates from the developers at Undead Labs.
When Will State of Decay 3 Be Released?
State of Decay 3 was officially announced in 2020, but as of now, there is no confirmed release date. The developers, Undead Labs, and publisher, Microsoft, have kept details about the game relatively under wraps, which has left fans in anticipation. Given that the development team has recently wrapped up work on State of Decay 2 and is now focusing fully on the third game, we can expect more updates on the release date soon. While there’s no confirmed launch window yet, a 2025 release seems plausible based on the current timeline.
State of Decay 3 Trailers
The first trailer for State of Decay 3 was released alongside its announcement in 2020. This cinematic teaser gave players a chilling glimpse into the new world of State of Decay 3. The trailer follows a lone survivor tracking blood trails in a snowy forest, only to come face-to-face with a terrifying zombified deer. While the trailer didn’t showcase any gameplay, it did set the tone for a more intense, eerie experience in the upcoming installment.
A second trailer was released in 2024, providing a deeper look into the game’s atmosphere and world. Once again, the trailer focused on cinematic elements rather than actual gameplay footage, but it was still visually impressive and heightened the excitement for the game’s eventual release.
You can watch both trailers below for a taste of what’s to come.
Platforms: Where Can You Play State of Decay 3?
Like its predecessors, State of Decay 3 will be available on Xbox consoles and PC. Since Microsoft acquired Undead Labs after the release of State of Decay 2, it’s highly likely that State of Decay 3 will remain a console exclusive to Xbox, though it will still be available on PC for those who prefer to play there.
While Microsoft has brought some of its titles to PlayStation, no information has been released about State of Decay 3 being available on other platforms. For now, Xbox and PC seem to be the confirmed options for players looking to dive into this post-apocalyptic world.
Can You Preorder State of Decay 3?
As of now, State of Decay 3 is not available for preorder. However, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can look forward to playing the game at launch for free as part of their subscription service. This has become a key feature of Microsoft’s Game Pass, and it’s a great perk for fans of the franchise who want to jump into the game on day one without having to pay extra.
What Do We Know About State of Decay 3?
Since the game’s announcement in 2020, details about the actual gameplay and features of State of Decay 3 have been limited. However, the developers at Undead Labs have expressed their ambition to make State of Decay 3 the “greatest zombie survival sim” in the franchise. This bold statement hints at big changes and improvements coming in the third installment.
One major update came in September 2024, when Undead Labs announced that they were shifting their focus away from State of Decay 2 to fully concentrate on the development of State of Decay 3. The studio acknowledged the ongoing support from the community and shared their excitement about delivering a better experience in the next game.
“We’re devoting ourselves to making the next game even better,” Undead Labs said in a statement. “Our ambition is to create the greatest zombie survival sim in the franchise, and to do so, we’ll be shifting our focus and resources to the upcoming third installment, State of Decay 3.”
Although no specific gameplay details have been revealed, it’s expected that the game will continue to build on the open-world, survival-based mechanics that the series is known for. Players will likely once again be tasked with managing a community of survivors, scavenging for supplies, and fending off increasingly dangerous zombie threats.
Controversies and Studio Changes
In 2022, a report by Kotaku raised some concerns about the development of State of Decay 3 due to alleged issues within Undead Labs. The report highlighted claims of a toxic workplace environment, including allegations of sexism, bullying, and burnout among employees. These issues reportedly affected the studio’s direction and slowed down progress on State of Decay 3.
In response, Xbox’s Matt Booty acknowledged the situation, stating that Undead Labs has since undergone several positive changes to improve the workplace culture. He expressed confidence in the studio’s new direction and the development of State of Decay 3, assuring fans that the team is focused on making one of the most ambitious open-world zombie games to date.
What to Expect in State of Decay 3
While we wait for more concrete details, there are a few things we can speculate about based on the franchise’s history. State of Decay 3 is expected to continue evolving the survival mechanics that made the previous games popular, but with improvements to the AI, more complex interactions between survivors, and perhaps new types of threats.
The trailers suggest that State of Decay 3 may be exploring more extreme environments, like snowy landscapes, which could add new challenges and elements to the gameplay. Additionally, the introduction of zombified animals, as seen in the 2020 trailer, might suggest that players will face more unpredictable and dangerous foes than ever before.
Conclusion
State of Decay 3 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated zombie survival games on the horizon. With its promising trailers, commitment from the developers to improve the series, and the potential for new gameplay mechanics, fans of the franchise have a lot to look forward to. While the game doesn’t yet have a release date, it’s clear that the team at Undead Labs is dedicated to delivering a thrilling and immersive experience for players. Keep an eye out for more updates as State of Decay 3 continues to take shape.
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