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State of Decay 3 closed beta playtests are planned before the end of 2026, and the game is targeting a 2027 launch. Undead Labs has opened registration for a chance to participate, but signing up does not guarantee access. The studio has named Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5 as planned platforms; it has not announced which platforms will be supported in each beta wave.
When does the State of Decay 3 beta start?
Undead Labs announced on August 26, 2026 that closed beta playtests are planned before the end of 2026. The studio has not given an exact start date. Its announcement says playtests will expand to more players over time, so the beta may arrive in waves rather than as one broad opening. Undead Labs’ announcement does not give a platform-by-platform schedule.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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State of Decay 2 - Ultimate Edition - Xbox One | $100.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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State of Decay- Year-One Survival Edition | $35.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Desperados 3 - Xbox One | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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No More Heroes 3 – Day 1 Edition - Xbox Series X | $21.79 | Buy on Amazon |
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The studio says the tests will help stress-test the game’s large map and untethered multiplayer. Feedback will also inform development, including co-op combat balance and permadeath systems.
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How to sign up for the playtest
- Go to the official State of Decay 3 playtest signup site.
- Register for a chance to be selected. Xbox Wire says signup is free; participation is limited, so registration is not a guarantee of access.
- Watch for updates about future playtest waves. Undead Labs says people who signed up for earlier alpha testing remain on the list for future playtests.
The initial signup wave had limited participation, and the studio says more opportunities are planned. Creative Director Kevin Patzelt said players who do not get access immediately should expect additional opportunities during the year, for both returning players and newcomers.
#1 Best Overall
- State of Decay 2 Ultimate Edition includes early access to the full game, a code for the original State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition on console, and a code for two add-on content packs: Independence Pack and Daybreak Pack
- Build your community and invite up to three friends to explore an open world filled with hostile zombies Four Player Co-Op Multiplayer Establish a base, develop your characters and manage resources to survive in a post-apocalyptic world
- Model Compatibility: Xbox One;Xbox One X Enhanced with higher resolutions, steadier framerates and better effects
- Pre-order now to get the Amazon exclusive Survivor’s Pack Includes the Zed Swatter melee weapon, an exclusive vehicle and an assortment of survival supplies and abilities - Codes will be received within 7 days of release
Which platforms are planned?
Undead Labs names Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5 for the game. Xbox Wire also lists cloud play and Steam, and says the game is included with Game Pass at launch. The Xbox product listing specifies Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11.
| Platform or access route | What official sources say |
|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | Planned platform; listed on the Undead Labs announcement and the Xbox product page. |
| PC | Planned platform; Xbox lists Windows 10/11, while Xbox Wire also names Steam. The available announcements do not establish whether all PC storefronts will participate in every beta wave. |
| PlayStation 5 | Named as a planned game platform by Undead Labs; beta-wave availability has not been specified. |
| Cloud play | Listed by Xbox Wire among the game’s planned ways to play; beta availability is not stated. |
| Game Pass | Xbox says the game is included at launch in 2027; this does not establish beta access. |
These are planned game platforms, not confirmed beta platforms. Xbox says playtests will expand to more players and platforms over time, but has not published which platforms will be in each wave. Do not assume PS5, cloud, Steam, or every Xbox and PC option will be available in the first test.
Rank #2
- Unlocking Heroes: Lifeline Roster
- New weapons: Under-barrel attachments and Incendiary Ammo
- New Music
- Community Improvements
When is State of Decay 3 coming out?
State of Decay 3 is targeting a 2027 release. No exact launch date has been announced in the official materials reviewed as of October 7, 2026. In a June 2026 Xbox Wire interview, Patzelt said, “We’ve been working on this for a while and we’re aiming for a 2027 release.”
What kind of game is it?
Xbox describes State of Decay 3 as a survival game built around zombie combat, settlement building, solo play, and shared-world co-op for up to four players. The focus on a large map and untethered multiplayer helps explain why Undead Labs is using playtests to check how the experience works at scale; the studio has not published specific performance results or a complete feature list in these announcements.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition contains a 5.3” x 7.3” softcover 70-page art book, a CD featuring select songs from the soundtrack, and a 7” x 4” Santa Destroy commemorative biker license plate, all in a custom box with an original illustration
- Grow Your Galactic Legend - In classic No More Heroes style, the Galactic Superhero Rankings are packed with outrageous boss battles, each oozing with personality; Soar through the ranks and prove you're the baddest in the universe
- Old Dog, New Tricks - From beam katana boss to wrestling pro, Travis can do it all; Take violence to new extremes with the customizable Death Glove, and punish those deadly invaders with combat that suits your style
- Superheroic Side Hustles - Explore Santa Destroy on Travis’ Demzamtiger to pick up odd jobs, from Coast Guard missions to toilet cleaning, then hit the road to unique locales like Neo Brazil and Thunderdome to keep the cash rolling in
- Bolder, Badder, and Better Than Ever - Thanks to sharper visuals, No More Heroes 3 has never looked better; Add in improved load times and better responsiveness, and you’ll be dishing out eye-popping ultra-violence in no time
Rank #3
- Command up to five desperados and use their lethal skills to stealthily thin out the enemy rows
- Approach each mission with a variety of different solutions and paths
- Resolve seemingly impossible large enemy setups with careful planning and perfectly timed execution of the team's special skills
- Witness the glory of classic Wild West scenarios like frontier towns, desert canyons, Mississippi swamps, sprawling modern cities and many more by day and night
- Defeat your foes choosing between deadly and non-lethal options, stealth and blazing guns and further adjust the game to your playstyle
What is not confirmed yet
- The exact beta opening date and the exact 2027 launch date.
- Which platforms, storefronts, or regions will be included in each beta wave.
- Whether beta participation will carry over between platforms, or whether cross-play and cross-save will be supported.
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