Undead Labs has confirmed that State of Decay 3 will enter a closed beta phase before the end of 2026, offering players an opportunity to test the game. The studio previously conducted an alpha test earlier this year, which provided valuable feedback on combat, cosmetics, visuals, and movement, leading to improvements in the product. The upcoming beta aims to further refine the game.
"We’re going to be expanding our alpha and then closed beta to more players over time, this is our largest map ever and with untethered multiplayer, we really need to take the opportunities to stress-test and fine-tune," said Kevin Patzelt, Creative Director at Undead Labs. He added that players who do not gain access immediately will have subsequent opportunities throughout the year.
State of Decay 3, first announced in 2020, was re-revealed in 2024 and is now targeting a 2027 release. The game's development has coincided with a significant restructuring at Xbox, which includes layoffs and studios becoming independent. Undead Labs is in the process of transitioning away from Xbox, although its future direction remains unclear.
While there were reports that Undead Labs might not be obligated to release State of Decay 3 on Xbox Game Pass after leaving Xbox, the developer's blog post about the closed beta indicated that a Game Pass release is still planned. The game is slated for release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.