Undead Labs has finally brought State of Decay 3 back into focus after years of silence, as the studio confirmed that playtests will run throughout the year and players can sign up now for a chance to try the game early.
The announcement came through a new developer vlog that also showed brief gameplay glimpses, giving fans their first real look at the project since its reveal in 2020. Interest surged immediately, with many players rushing to register as soon as sign-ups opened.
The studio explained that the upcoming playtests will give selected players access to an early alpha build, where core gameplay systems will already be in place. Players will need to log in through Discord to register, although heavy traffic has already caused some access issues on the official server. Even if players miss the first round, the studio confirmed that more opportunities will continue throughout the year.
What to expect from the playtest
Undead Labs confirmed that the alpha will include four-player cooperative gameplay, along with updated base building and resource management systems that expand on earlier entries. The game will continue to focus on survival during a zombie outbreak, but with deeper systems and more intense combat scenarios that push players to plan and adapt constantly.
The setting takes place years after the previous games, where the infection has evolved and created more dangerous threats, including mutated animals that add new challenges to exploration and combat. The studio also received support from other Xbox teams, which suggests a larger and more ambitious experience.
While there is still no confirmed release date, the game is already available to wishlist on Steam, and more updates are expected at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026.
