Undead Labs to launch State of Decay 3 closed beta in 2026

Undead Labs has announced that State of Decay 3 will enter a closed beta testing phase before the end of 2026. This follows an initial alpha testing period that began in April 2026. The studio aims to use these expanded tests to conduct stress tests on the game’s largest map to date and to fine-tune the “untethered” multiplayer mode, which allows players to explore the world independently.

Creative Director Kevin Patzelt noted that the testing will be rolled out to more players over time, providing opportunities for both series veterans and newcomers. Feedback from previous alpha tests has already influenced development, specifically regarding combat balancing, character customization, lighting, and visual fidelity.

Despite recent organizational shifts and the studio’s separation from the Xbox ecosystem, development continues. State of Decay 3 is scheduled for a 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is expected to be available on Xbox Game Pass on its launch day.