Undead Labs has finally confirmed that a State of Decay 3 playtest is on the way, and I’m starting to feel the buzz again. First unveiled way back in 2020, it’s been nearly two years since we heard anything of note on the long-anticipated zombie game. After all that time, the developer has finally emerged with good news: the promise of an upcoming technical alpha. The tests will start the process of getting the game into our hands and massaging it into the best form possible for its full release.
State of Decay 3 is a game we’ve been waiting a long time for, and with good reason. Its predecessors strike that tense balance that defines the best survival games. Rather than focusing on a single character, it has you build a community of survivors, using each of them to their strengths to help your town grow and thrive. The ever-present threat of permadeath means that each decision matters, and the individual personalities make every loss hurt. Long-term support has also been a cornerstone of the series, with the final State of Decay 2 update arriving in October 2024, after 38 major patches across a full six years of continued polish and upgrades.
“You’ve all been super patient, and we hope you’re as excited as we are that the moment has arrived to start sharing State of Decay 3 with you,” the developer writes in a new blog post. “We want to be upfront that this first wave of playtests will be limited, but we plan on sharing insights and feedback with everyone as we go, and if you don’t get into this first group, rest assured there will be more opportunities throughout the year.”
“‘Community is Survival’ isn’t just a tagline, a gameplay mechanic, or a strategy,” Undead Labs continues, “it’s our mindset. Over the years, the State of Decay community has had so much influence on updates, mechanics, and features that make the game we all love come alive. So it’s only right we kick off State of Decay 3 with a good old-fashioned community playtest.”
The playtest will feature “four-player co-op, some new base-building and resource strategies, and a whole lot of combat,” series co-creator Brant Fitzgerald explains. “Over the last few years, most of the team has been doing updates for State of Decay 2. The rest of us have been creating cool **** for State of Decay 3.”
You can sign up now to take part in the upcoming State of Decay 3 playtest, which begins in May. Head to the official website to put your name in the hat. In order to take part, you’ll need to connect with your email and Discord account, and will then be sent a short questionnaire, which you must complete. “Slots are limited, and we’ll only select players who have filled out the survey,” Undead Labs emphasizes.
The technical alpha will include “multiple testing windows.” Undead Labs stresses, so if you don’t make it in for the first round there will be more chances to join as the year rolls on. Once you’ve signed up, there’s also the option to refer a friend, although there’s no indication whether this will give them a better chance to get in.