(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
State of Decay 3 might be slipping further from our grasp. Initially announced in 2020, it was followed by an enhanced gameplay reveal at the Xbox Game Showcase 2024. This horror game promises players a nightmarish post-apocalyptic survival experience.
As the sequel to the 2018 blockbuster State of Decay 2, the third installment aims to enhance the series’ signature features. Co-op gameplay is set to become more engaging, and the impact of losing a survivor will feel more significant, making State of Decay 3 one of the eagerly anticipated titles for the Xbox Series X.
Under the banner of Xbox Game Studios, developer Undead Labs is crafting a robust and thrilling experience. Without a confirmed release date, we continue to gather news about this exhilarating new game. From rumored launch dates to intriguing trailers, you’ll find all current updates here.
The release date for State of Decay 3 remains elusive. Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020 with a trailer following in 2024, there’s still no official timing for when we might see this new entry hit the shelves.
The game is expected for release on Xbox Series X and PC. True to the pattern for Xbox Game Studios titles, it will be accessible on launch day through the Xbox Game Pass, and like its predecessor, available via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Initially unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase at E3 2020, the announcement came with a cinematic trailer depicting a solitary figure armed with a knife and crossbow in a snow-covered wasteland.
Fast forward four years, and the Xbox Game Showcase 2024 delivered another look at this survival zombie epic. This time, there were snippets of gameplay, emphasizing the survivors’ stories and the series’ famous permadeath element, highlighting memories of lost companions.
Despite not seeing much of the gameplay, the developers aim to offer an unmatched zombie survival simulation. The game, developed with Unreal Engine 5, is benefiting from a collaboration with Gears of War developer, The Coalition, ensuring maximum platform potential.
State of Decay 2 allowed players to craft their own community amid a zombie apocalypse, managing resources and fending off the undead. For those needing a refresher on this engaging survival sim, you can check out more about it here.
The game builds upon previous foundations to offer a more expansive and shared open world. Classic features return with a significant spotlight on permadeath, reinforcing the idea of community loss.
Creative director, Kevin Patzelt, emphasized the emotional weight of losing a community member in his Xbox Wire interview. “It’s vital that both players and characters recognize the loss,” he states, explaining the narrative systems designed to echo these sacrifices.
June 2024 updates on Xbox Wire also highlighted a partnership with Obsidian Entertainment, known for Grounded, to enhance shared worlds and flexible online co-op.
Patztel described the focus on fun co-op combat, detailing the improvements in level design to maximize enjoyment as players tackle the open world brimming with zombies.
State of Decay 3 was proclaimed in 2020, yet it was uncovered that the project was still in pre-production by 2022. This followed an investigation into Undead Labs’ workplace culture, revealing serious allegations. Despite a period of silence, a fresh trailer emerged at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, revealing a revamped logo and insight into team expansion, now six times its original size.
While awaiting further updates, don’t miss the upcoming horror games set to thrill in the near future.