The long-awaited State of Decay 3, first announced in 2020, has left fans yearning for more information. Despite a brief trailer released by Undead Labs and Microsoft over the summer, updates have been scarce, leading to growing anticipation and speculation about the game’s release.
State of Decay 3‘s development journey has been shrouded in some mystery. While some reports suggest development began as early as 2018, the official timeline remains unclear. The involvement of other studios, including The Coalition (Gears of War) and Obsidian Entertainment (Avowed, Fallout: New Vegas), highlights the project’s ambition. Xbox has also emphasized its commitment to delivering a visually stunning experience that surpasses similar titles.
Matt Booty, Head of Xbox Game Studios, stated, “We want that game [State of Decay 3] to compete, we want it to compete visually…One of the things that the team there is really focused on is animation, animation technology, being able to really up—for State of Decay 3—the interactivity between the player and the environment.”
This ambitious goal presents significant challenges for Undead Labs. Having grown from a 60-person indie studio during State of Decay 2‘s development to a larger team within the Xbox Games Studio group, they’ve faced new hurdles. A 2022 investigation into toxic workplace culture further complicated matters, with reports suggesting the game hadn’t even left pre-production at the time. High staff turnover can undoubtedly contribute to development delays.
Fan Theories and The Game Awards 2024
Fan speculation continues to build, particularly around The Game Awards 2024. Scheduled for December 12th, the event has become a prime venue for game reveals, trailers, and updates. Given the anticipation surrounding State of Decay 3, its potential availability on Xbox Game Pass, and Geoff Keighley’s penchant for surprises, The Game Awards seems like a fitting platform for a major announcement.
While there’s no official confirmation, the potential for a State of Decay 3 reveal at The Game Awards is a tantalizing prospect. With Hazelight Games (It Takes Two) already confirmed to reveal their next project, it’s likely other surprises await.
The Long Wait for State of Decay 3
The four-year wait since the initial announcement has understandably left fans eager for concrete information. The lack of recent updates has fueled concerns and speculation, but the potential for news at The Game Awards offers a glimmer of hope. Whether a release date, gameplay footage, or simply an update on development progress, any information would be welcomed by the dedicated community.
The collaborative efforts with experienced studios, Xbox’s emphasis on visual fidelity, and the growing anticipation all point to State of Decay 3‘s potential to be a significant release. The Game Awards 2024 may finally provide the answers fans have been waiting for.
