It only took 6 years, but Xbox's open-world zombie game State of Decay 3 is back from the dead with "a series of alpha playtests" starting in May

When State of Decay 3 was announced, the Covid-19 pandemic was in its infancy, Gary Whitta was hosting an Animal Crossing talk show, and everyone was watching Tiger King. It feels like an eternity ago, and other than a trailer in 2024, it's the last we saw anything substantial from the project. Today, that finally changed, as the game has risen from the dead with the promise of "a series of alpha playtests" starting next month.

Xbox Game Studios lead Craig Duncan said we'd be seeing more of State of Decay 3 this year, and he wasn't lying. In a two-minute video published on the official State of Decay YouTube channel today, series co-creator Brant Fitzgerald says "most of the team" at developer Undead Labs "has been doing updates for State of Decay 2." That's interesting, as you'd think after six years the studio's main focus would be on the next game. "The rest of us have been creating cool [censored] for State of Decay 3," he adds.

State of Decay 3 Alpha Announce - YouTube

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Fitzgerald says the studio has been listening to feedback from State of Decay 2, and that at some point, "it became clear that community is survival, and that we need your help." That's why Undead Labs is letting players check out what it's been cooking with alpha playtests starting in May.

It's not clear how many tests will happen this year, but Fitzgerald says not to worry if you don't make it into this first one, as there will be "plenty of other opportunities" throughout the year. He doesn't "spoil" anything about the test in the video, but he does confirm invitees will get access to "four-player co-op, some new base-building and resource strategies, and a whole lot of combat." Yup, that sounds like State of Decay.

I'm excited to see how State of Decay 3 is shaping up, especially now that it's a much bigger studio with access to Microsoft's deep pockets. State of Decay 2 is a lovable mess of a game that I always enjoy messing around in with some friends, but I hope the next game better lives up to the expectations set by the genuinely excellent first game.

You can sign up for the State of Decay 3 alpha here.

You won't find State of Decay on our list of the best zombie games, but I love it nonetheless.