Following mass layoffs across the gaming industry, one of the notable events was Undead Labs parting ways with Xbox. In September, the studio, known for the State of Decay series, officially gained independence and retained full rights to the zombie franchise. At the same time, the third installment will still be released on Xbox Game Pass.
Studio head Philip Holt reassured fans in an interview: work on State of Decay 3 is in full swing, and there are no production issues. The team has found a new publishing partner. The parties seem to have agreed on terms of cooperation, and the publisher’s name will be announced in the near future.
The game’s concept will also change. The developers have stepped back from their previous emphasis on online co-op and will pay much more attention to the single-player experience. Playing together with friends will remain, although the most meticulously crafted experience will be designed for those who prefer to survive alone. For example, a full pause feature during single-player games, which fans had asked for, will return.
The combat system was built virtually from scratch to make battles more tactical. Camps will also be expanded: they will now be able to accommodate up to several dozen survivors. Dynamic weather will play a significant role. It will affect vehicle traction on the road, crop yields, water supplies, and zombies’ ability to spot and hear the player.