After nearly two years of silence, Undead Labs has finally provided an update on the development of the highly anticipated game, State of Decay 3. The developers have announced the imminent start of alpha testing, scheduled for next month, with registration now open for interested participants.
Brant Fitzgerald, a co-founder of the franchise, shared key details: players can expect a four-person cooperative mode, enhanced base building and resource management systems, and a significantly improved combat mechanic. To register, hopefuls must use Discord and an email address. While spots for the initial phase are limited, additional testing waves are anticipated throughout the year.
The team promises to regularly release new development insights, showcase innovations, and provide information on future opportunities to join the alpha test in the coming months.
It’s worth recalling that the game was first announced in 2020, at which point the project was in its earliest stages. State of Decay 3’s development has not been without its challenges: progress slowed amid accusations of a toxic work environment and discrimination within the studio. Microsoft also faced criticism for its inadequate response to employee complaints, and Undead Labs experienced staff reductions last year.
Despite these obstacles, a new in-engine trailer was unveiled in 2024, and the decision was made to cease support for State of Decay 2 to fully concentrate on the sequel. Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, expressed confidence, stating that development is “going very well.”