State Of Decay 3 Dev Explains Why It’ll Be On Game Pass Despite The Company Leaving Xbox
Undead Labs, developer of State of Decay 3, has recently transitioned to independent studio status after separating from Xbox Game Studios. However, the studio has reaffirmed its commitment to launch State of Decay 3 on Xbox Game Pass as a day-one release in 2027.
In recent discussions with media, studio head Philip Holt addressed the decision to maintain the Game Pass partnership despite the studio’s independence. According to Holt’s comments, the reasoning centers on player engagement and retention, with the statement “Of the players we capture, we capture for a long time” indicating that Game Pass remains strategically valuable for building a lasting player base.
The development represents a notable shift in publisher-developer relationships, showing how independent studios can continue collaborating with major platforms and services outside of corporate ownership structures. The arrangement suggests that Game Pass remains an attractive avenue for developers launching new titles, regardless of their organizational independence.