New multiplayer details for State of Decay 3 have been revealed by YouTuber Brian Menard after spending time with the game alongside developers at Undead Labs.
One of the biggest changes is the complete removal of the tether system used in State of Decay 2. According to Menard, players will no longer be required to stay within a set distance of the host or one another. Instead, all four players can travel anywhere on the map independently, allowing one player to manage the base while others clear infestations, scavenge for resources or pursue different objectives.
Menard also claims State of Decay 3 introduces what he describes as a “true shared world multiplayer” system. Rather than joining a host’s save, players create a shared game where everyone belongs to the same community. Any member of the group can log in and continue progressing the settlement even if the other players are offline, with progress no longer tied to the original host.
The shared community reportedly features persistent progression, allowing players to gather resources, clear infestations and prepare the settlement between multiplayer sessions. This means friends can contribute to the same community whenever they are online.
Another major addition is the ability to manage up to three settlements. Each settlement can support as many as 12 survivors, giving players a maximum community size of 36 survivors. Menard says settlements can be specialised, with one producing food and water, another focusing on ammunition and explosives, and a third generating fuel.
Despite being spread across multiple locations, all settlements remain connected. Resources are pooled across the community through a shared supply locker, allowing every player to access common equipment while still maintaining some personal assets, including their own vehicles.
The system is also said to be highly flexible. Groups can choose to divide responsibility for different settlements, assign individual survivors to each player or simply allow everyone unrestricted access to the entire community. According to Menard, these arrangements are left entirely to players rather than being enforced by the game.
Survivor management has also been expanded. Players can reportedly recruit survivors independently and even trade community members with friends, making it easier to build specialised settlements together.
Menard notes that the three-settlement system is not exclusive to co-op. Solo players can also establish up to three settlements and manage all 36 survivors if they wish, although smaller communities remain a viable option.
The new multiplayer structure is designed to let players spend extended periods apart before regrouping for major objectives. Friends can independently explore different regions, manage separate settlements or complete individual tasks before meeting for larger missions.
According to Menard, the game’s significantly larger world supports this design. He claims the map is around four times the size of Meagher Valley from State of Decay 2, giving players enough space to spread out without the need for tethering.
