Undead Labs has opened alpha signups for State of Decay 3, inviting players to test the open‑world zombie survival game ahead of any full release.

The alpha will feature four‑player co‑op, base building, new resource strategies, and more intense combat, as described by co‑creator Brant Fitzgerald.

The project has announced alpha tests planned for May, marking renewed development activity after years of limited updates and no set release date.

While no release window is fixed, a 2026 launch seems unlikely and a 2027 debut is considered plausible given upcoming Xbox first‑party titles.

State of Decay 3 was first revealed in 2020 and again shown in 2024, with limited public updates since, fueling fan curiosity about its status.

Undead Labs has kept developing while other Microsoft titles were canceled, signaling perseverance but also risk if live‑service plans miss the mark, hence early player input is being sought.

The broader context of Xbox division challenges is noted, but not the focus of the playtest news.

The franchise history includes the original 2013 game, the 2018 Xbox One release, and ongoing State of Decay 2 updates, setting the stage for State of Decay 3 as a long‑awaited successor.

State of Decay 3 was announced in 2020 with PC and Xbox Series X plans, and recent substantial updates in 2026 indicate renewed momentum.

The project has been updated irregularly since 2020, but statements from Xbox leadership suggest it is progressing well.

Brant Fitzgerald said the team is listening to fan feedback from State of Decay 2—Discord, gameplay clips, and YouTube—to guide development.

Not all applicants will be selected for the first round, but names will be kept for potential future opportunities later in the year.