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Closed Alpha Playtest - Version 10 vs Version 11
Jun 7, 2026, 03:06 PM
Updated the Xbox Games Showcase note to reflect that the June 7 2026 broadcast aired without a State of Decay 3 segment, and refreshed the status date
Jun 13, 2026, 08:40 AM
Replaced the incorrect showcase no-show note with the confirmed June 7 2026 first gameplay reveal (2027 window, PlayStation 5, in-game footage)
11Overview22Undead 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.44Quick Facts66DetailConfirmed InfoSign-up OpenedApril 4, 2026First Wave BeginsMay 2026First Invitations SentMid-May 2026Sign-up PageOfficial State of Decay playtest portalSign-up RequirementLinked Discord accountSlot CountLimited; not all sign-ups will be selectedFuture WavesPlanned throughout the year, additional opportunities to comeCostFree for selected participantsTested FeaturesFour-player co-op, new base-building, new resource strategies, combat focus88What the Alpha is Testing1010The 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.1212How to Sign Up1515Sign-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.1717Invitation Rollout1919Beginning 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.2121What the Alpha is Not2323The 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.2525What Players Can Share2727The 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.2929What's Next3131Undead Labs has said that selected sign-ups who did not get into the May 2026 wave remain in the pool for later waves, and the team plans to continue running playtests throughout the rest of the year. The Xbox Games Showcase took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, but State of Decay 3 was not part of the lineup, despite pre-show expectations from parts of the community that it might appear. No new gameplay, trailer, or release window for the third game was shared at that broadcast, and Undead Labs has not announced when the next public look will come.32+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.3333By 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.3535Status3737Information 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.
