State of Decay 3 lives on after studio’s separation from Xbox, with a closed beta promised for this year
Undead Labs has announced that State of Decay 3 will receive a closed beta playtest before the end of 2026, marking continued progress on the long-awaited zombie survival game. The announcement comes weeks after Microsoft sold the studio to a mystery buyer, separating it from Xbox ownership.
The game has been in limited alpha testing since April, with the expanded closed beta representing the next step in development. Undead Labs emphasized the need for extensive playtesting, citing the game’s largest map to date and untethered multiplayer functionality as reasons to stress-test and fine-tune the experience. Players can register for the beta now through the official playtesting portal.
Despite the studio’s separation from Microsoft, State of Decay 3 remains committed to releasing on Xbox Game Pass, addressing concerns among fans that the game might be canceled or deprioritized following industry turmoil. The announcement reaffirms the game’s status as an upcoming title for the Xbox ecosystem, providing reassurance after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the project.
Sources
- State of Decay 3 lives on after studio’s separation from Xbox, with a closed beta promised for this year
- Following Xbox Breakup, State Of Decay 3 Will Return With A Closed Beta Playtest
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