State of Decay
News, coverage and analysis tracking State of Decay across the outlets.
Microsoft is Having Discussions About Xbox Exclusives, Ecosystem and Publishing – RumorMicrosoft executives are reportedly engaged in significant discussions regarding the future of Xbox, including its exclusivity strategy, ecosystem approach, and publishing model. These conversations are prompted by concerns over the rising cost of Game Pass and the desire to define Xbox's identity as either an ecosystem-first or publisher-first company. Internal memos suggest a need to re-evaluate Game Pass's value proposition for players and explore more flexible system designs.
State of Decay 3 is back from the dead, with new playtest to sign up too with development insightUndead Labs has announced an alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, with sign-ups now available on the game's website. Development insights shared on the Sunny Games podcast reveal a shift towards more makeshift crafting and base building as the game progresses. The co-op experience has also been enhanced with server-based gameplay allowing for more seamless player integration and scaling difficulty.
State of Decay 3: New Trailer Teases Upcoming Closed AlphaUndead Labs has announced a closed alpha test for State of Decay 3, with sign-ups now open. A new trailer revealed that while some elements from the initial concept trailer, like zombie animals, may not be included, the game will feature enhanced combat and base-building mechanics based on community feedback from State of Decay 2. The studio also addressed the early reveal of State of Decay 3, admitting it was shown before significant development had begun.
State Of Decay 3's Announcement Trailer Wasn't Actually The GameUndead Labs studio head Philip Holt clarified that the 2020 announcement trailer for State of Decay 3 did not feature actual gameplay, as the game was in its very early stages of development. He explained that the trailer represented a concept and was created by an external VFX studio. Holt also confirmed that zombie animals shown in the trailer will not be in the final game, which is coming to PC and Xbox Series X|S.
State of Decay 3 Mixes the Second Game’s Systemic Features With the “Heart and Soul” of the FirstUndead Labs studio head Philip Holt discussed State of Decay 3, stating it will combine the systemic features of State of Decay 2 with the 'heart and soul' of the original. The game is set years in the future with more dangerous zombie threats and will feature a larger, shared open world. Alpha playtests are scheduled to begin next month.
It only took 6 years, but Xbox's open-world zombie game State of Decay 3 is back from the dead with "a series…Undead Labs has announced that State of Decay 3 will begin a series of alpha playtests starting in May, allowing players to experience four-player co-op, base building, and combat. This marks a significant update for the game, which was initially announced six years ago. While the majority of the team has been focused on State of Decay 2, a dedicated portion has been working on the next installment.
State of Decay 3 Alpha playtests have been announcedState of Decay 3 has announced alpha playtests will begin next month for players who sign up on the official website. Future playtests are planned throughout 2026, featuring 4-player co-op, base building, and combat mechanics. The zombie survival game was initially announced six years ago for Xbox Series X and PC, with a major re-reveal in 2024.
A State of Decay 3 playtest is finally happening, after almost two years of radio silenceUndead Labs has announced that a technical alpha playtest for State of Decay 3 is coming soon, marking the first significant update on the game in nearly two years. Players can sign up via the official website by connecting their email and Discord accounts and completing a questionnaire. The developer emphasized that while the initial wave of playtests will be limited, more opportunities will be available throughout the year, and community feedback is crucial to the game's development.- State of Decay 3 Alpha Starts in May With 4 Player Co-op, Base-Building and “Lots” of CombatUndead Labs has announced that alpha playtests for State of Decay 3 will begin in May, featuring 4-player co-op, base building, and extensive combat. Franchise co-creator Brant Fitzgerald confirmed that sign-ups are open, with more opportunities planned throughout the year. Despite earlier development hurdles and rumors of a PS5 release, the game is progressing well with Unreal Engine 5.
Game Pass Might Get New Subscription Tier With Only Xbox Game Studios Titles – RumorA rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a new, lower-priced Game Pass tier codenamed 'Triton' that would exclusively feature titles from Xbox Game Studios. This potential tier aims to attract a broader customer base by focusing solely on first-party content. The article also touches on past criticisms of Game Pass price increases and potential partnerships with services like Netflix.- Dataminers suggest Xbox is about to launch a neutered Game Pass tier with only first-party gamesDataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting Xbox is planning to introduce a new, more limited tier for its Game Pass subscription service. This tier would reportedly only offer access to older first-party Microsoft titles, excluding day-one releases, and is codenamed 'TRION'.
Dataminers think they've found evidence of an unannounced Game Pass tier showing only older first-party gamesDataminers have discovered evidence of a potential new Xbox Game Pass tier codenamed 'Trion' that may exclusively feature older first-party titles from Xbox Studios. The rumored tier's listed games include titles like Doom Eternal, Dishonored 2, and Halo 5, notably excluding newer releases. This potential change comes as Asha Sharma settles into her role as Xbox's new CEO.
Big Game Pass Rumor Could Make The Service Even More ConfusingA new rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a "Triton" tier for Xbox Game Pass that would exclusively feature first-party games from Xbox Game Studios. This potential change comes as Microsoft aims to make Game Pass more enticing to a broader audience, with reports of lower-priced tiers and potential collaborations with services like Netflix. The company has also recently adjusted Game Pass pricing and is undergoing a brand identity reset under new CEO Asha Sharma.
Bullets, bravado, and brazen lies - Vaunted is the score of a lifetimeHooded Horse announced Vaunted, a new sci-fi tactical RPG from Lost Lake Games, founded by industry veterans including James Phinney. The game features tactical combat blending turn-based planning with real-time action, squad management, and deep RPG mechanics. Vaunted is set to release on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, and will be available day one on PC Game Pass.
The 16 Best Horror Games On Xbox Game Pass In 2026This guide highlights the 16 best horror games available on Xbox Game Pass, catering to various tastes within the genre, from multiplayer zombie survival to single-player space horror. It includes titles like DayZ, Dead by Daylight, The Evil Within 2, and the Dead Space remake, offering a comprehensive look at the scariest experiences on the service.