Overview
Undead Labs is running a closed alpha playtest for State of Decay 3. The first wave began rolling out in May 2026, and selected sign-ups have started receiving invitation emails as of mid-May 2026. The alpha is the first time members of the public will be able to play State of Decay 3 in any form. The team has stated that more playtest waves are planned throughout the year, so missing the May wave does not mean missing every test.
Quick Facts
Detail | Confirmed Info |
|---|---|
Sign-up Opened | April 4, 2026 |
First Wave Begins | May 2026 |
First Invitations Sent | Mid-May 2026 |
Sign-up Page | Official State of Decay playtest portal |
Sign-up Requirement | Linked Discord account |
Slot Count | Limited; not all sign-ups will be selected |
Future Waves | Planned throughout the year, additional opportunities to come |
Cost | Free for selected participants |
Tested Features | Four-player co-op, new base-building, new resource strategies, combat focus |
What the Alpha is Testing
The May 2026 wave focuses on four pillars: four-player online co-op with untethered movement, the new base-building system, new resource strategies, and a heavy focus on combat. Undead Labs has described the alpha combat layer as rewritten from scratch with improved animations, tactile weapon response, and dynamic encounters with the infected. The build is a slice of these systems rather than a complete campaign experience, and Undead Labs has been clear that it is a work-in-progress meant to gather feedback.
How to Sign Up
Sign-ups are handled through the official State of Decay playtest portal on the official State of Decay playtest portal. The flow asks players to link a Discord account, which Undead Labs uses for playtest communication and invitation routing. After linking, players fill in the playtest survey and wait to see whether they are selected for a wave. Selection is not first-come-first-served beyond hitting the cap, and sign-ups remain on file for later waves even if a player is not picked for May.
Invitation Rollout
Beginning in mid-May 2026, selected players have started receiving emails confirming participation in the first wave. Receiving an invitation email is the official confirmation that a sign-up has been picked; the email contains the specific instructions for that wave. Players who did not get a May invitation remain in the pool for later waves and do not need to sign up again. Undead Labs has emphasised that subsequent waves will continue across the year, with the team sharing insights and feedback with everyone as the rollout progresses.
What the Alpha is Not
The alpha is an early test of in-progress systems. It is not a demo, it is not a complete campaign, and it is not a final-quality build. Performance, stability, and content scope are all expected to evolve before launch. Undead Labs has also clarified that elements from the original 2020 reveal trailer, including infected wildlife such as zombie animals, will not be in the game.
What Players Can Share
The terms of the closed alpha control what testers can publicly post about it. Players who get into the wave should read the official terms before posting clips, screenshots, or detailed write-ups. Embargo and streaming policies are set by Undead Labs and are subject to change between waves.
What's Next
The Xbox Games Showcase took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, and State of Decay 3 returned with its first gameplay reveal. The studio confirmed the game is aiming for a 2027 release, is also coming to PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X|S and PC, and that the reveal trailer is built entirely from in-game footage. Undead Labs has said it will keep expanding the alpha and beta playtest waves as the game moves toward launch.
By early June 2026 the first wave was already underway, with a limited group of selected community members and content creators playing the build hands-on ahead of any wider reveal. Further waves remain planned across the rest of the year, so the program is ongoing rather than a single one-off test.
Status
Information on this page reflects the publicly announced details of the May 2026 wave as of June 7, 2026. Invitation rollout for the first wave began in mid-May 2026. Specific dates inside the May window, the exact number of slots, and the schedule for follow-up waves will be filled in as Undead Labs publishes them.