State of Decay 3 sign-ups for its May 2026 alpha tests are now open. Check out how players can join the playtest and what fans can expect with the third installment of the zombie survival series.
State of Decay 3 Alpha Tests Announced
Begins May 2026; Sign Ups Open Now
State of Decay 3, the latest entry in the zombie survival horror franchise, will begin its series of alpha tests in May 2026. As announced by developer Undead Labs through a trailer on April 3, players can now sign up on the game’s official playtest website.
According to State of Decay co-creator Brant Fitzgerald, the alpha test will feature "4-player co-op, some new base-building and resource strategies, and a whole lot of combat." Those who will not be included in this round of testing will still have plenty of opportunities throughout the year, as Undead Labs noted that they will keep their names on the waiting list.
Fitzgerald promised fans to share more information about the game’s development in future updates.
The Evolution of State of Decay
Following the alpha test announcement, Sunny Games spoke with Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt on April 3 to discuss new details. Holt revealed that State of Decay 3 will take place years after the initial outbreak, pushing the setting deeper into the timeline of the apocalypse than previous titles.
In terms of systems, the upcoming sequel will feature a mix of State of Decay 1’s storytelling and State of Decay 2’s sandbox experience. "We talk about State of Decay 3 of like delivering on the systemic features of State of Decay 2 with a little bit more of the heart and soul of State of Decay 1," Holt explained.
The zombies will also be significantly more dangerous, evolving and posing a much greater threat than in the first two games. Subsequently, players will have a wider range of makeshift items, allowing them to be more creative and strategic when combating the undead.
State of Decay 3 Was Only a Word Document When Its First Trailer Dropped in 2020
Six years ago, State of Decay 3 was first revealed through a cinematic trailer during the July 2020 Xbox Games Showcase. One of the highlights of the video was a zombified deer, which, unfortunately, will not make it into the final game, as Holt confirmed there will be no zombie animals.
The studio head admitted that at the time of the trailer’s release, the game didn't even exist yet, and the development team consisted of only three or four members.
"The game was in a Word document. It was really the very beginning of [the] software. The trailer was done by Blur, it was all pre-rendered, it represented, I think, a concept - our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore in State of Decay 3. And as we've had a chance to build a team and get going on the game, some of those elements I think are gonna persist in the game that we deliver and some of those things are just, like, we're not doing zombie animals." Holt said.
While not much is known about the game, the upcoming alpha tests in May will shed light on the long-awaited sequel. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the project as it moves out of the shadows and toward a full release.
State of Decay 3 is currently being developed for Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, with its release date still unknown. To stay up-to-date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below.
Sources:
State of Decay 3 Alpha Announce
State of Decay 3 Playtest Website
State of Decay 3 Studio Head REVEALS EXCLUSIVE NEW DETAILS
