State of Decay 3 Sets Closed Beta for Later This Year Amid Studio Transition
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Undead Labs is launching a closed beta for State of Decay 3 later this year to test its massive new map and multiplayer systems, even as the studio navigates a transition away from Xbox.
Undead Labs has officially confirmed that a closed beta for State of Decay 3 will kick off before the end of the year, giving the community its first hands on time with the ambitious survival title. Following an earlier alpha phase that helped the team fine tune combat, visuals, and movement, this upcoming test aims to stress test the largest map in franchise history alongside its new untethered multiplayer systems. Creative director Kevin Patzelt noted that expanding the testing pool is a crucial step for the studio, and players who miss out on the initial wave can expect more opportunities to jump in as development ramps up toward the planned 2027 release across PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
The upcoming beta arrives during a period of massive operational changes for the development team. Undead Labs is currently in the process of transitioning away from Xbox following recent corporate restructuring that has seen several studios shift toward independence or new acquisitions. While initial reports sparked community concerns regarding the game's future and its rumored departure from day one subscription models, the team's recent updates still point toward a multiplatform launch that includes a Game Pass release. For a project first revealed back in 2020, the road has certainly been winding, but the shift toward transparent community testing shows the studio is committed to landing the plane.
As survival crafting games continue to dominate community attention and streaming spaces, State of Decay 3 has a real opening to redefine the genre if its cooperative mechanics deliver. The move to open up testing early proves that developers are relying heavily on direct player feedback to shape the core experience. We will be keeping a close eye on how the upcoming beta rolls out and what it means for the game's final polish.
Tags: State of Decay 3, Survival Games, Xbox, PC Gaming, Multiplayer
Original article: IGN South Africa