Undead Labs has shared new details about State of Decay 3, including plans for a console beta, expanded survival mechanics, and major combat improvements. Studio head Philip Holt also revealed that the game currently has around 8,000 beta testers, up from approximately 2,000 during its initial alpha testing phase.
Speaking in an interview with SabiansLastWatch on YouTube, Holt confirmed that testing will continue expanding as the team collects player feedback and works through technical issues.
Console players will also have an opportunity to test State of Decay 3 before release. Holt confirmed that a console beta is planned, with crossplay functionality expected to be included. The studio is still discussing whether to hold an open beta, while cross-progression remains a development priority without a confirmed availability window.
The upcoming sequel will introduce several changes to its survival systems. Players will be able to establish multiple settlements and build communities larger than the previous 12-survivor limit. Base management, outposts, resource gathering, and character progression are also being expanded.
Combat has been completely reworked, including melee attacks, ranged weapons, and throwables. According to Holt, encounters will require more tactical decision-making, and players may sometimes need to retreat rather than engage enemies directly.
Despite the increased focus on multiplayer, Undead Labs is continuing to prioritize solo players. Holt explained that the studio expects a considerable portion of its audience to play alone, with multiplayer designed to offer essentially the same experience when playing with friends.
Difficulty settings are also being revised. The team is working on dynamic difficulty scaling that adjusts according to the number of active players, along with more flexible options for customizing individual survival challenges.
Holt also discussed potential content additions after launch, including new Freak zombie variants. Several additional enemy types have already been designed, but they have not yet been implemented. Their inclusion remains a possibility for future updates rather than a confirmed launch feature.
Weather will have a relatively limited effect on gameplay initially, with conditions influencing vehicle handling and zombie perception. More extensive survival mechanics, such as heavy rainfall damaging crops or droughts reducing water supplies, are being considered for future development.
The interview also addressed Undead Labs’ position following its separation from Microsoft. Holt confirmed that the studio now owns the State of Decay intellectual property and its back catalog. A publishing partner has already been secured.
Undead Labs plans to support State of Decay 3 for as long as financially possible, building on its experience releasing 38 updates for State of Decay 2. The studio has not announced a release date or pricing, and further details about its publishing arrangement and post-launch plans will be shared later.
