Developer Undead Labs is preparing to host a series of playtests for State of Decay 3, a highly anticipated sequel to State of Decay 2. The studio says this first wave will be limited, but it is treating the test as a starting point for wider feedback that will continue to roll out through the year.

According to the developers, the community has never been a side note. Over the years, player feedback has helped shape updates, systems, and features across the series, and Undead Labs is leaning into that idea again as it begins the next game’s testing phase.

The first playtests are set to begin next month and will give selected players an early look at what State of Decay 3 is building. The test will include four player co op, new base building ideas, resource strategies, and a strong focus on combat. That mix suggests the game is still holding closely to the survival roots the series is known for while expanding on the team based systems that have always defined it.

What stands out most is the studio’s focus on community involvement from the start. Rather than waiting until much later in development, Undead Labs wants players in early, even if only in small numbers at first. Those who are not picked for this round are not being left out either, since more chances to join the playtests are planned later in the year.

This is a long-awaited moment for fans of the series, with sign ups now live for the game’s first community playtests. State of Decay 3 has been quiet for a long time, so even a limited alpha test gives a clearer sign that the game is moving forward and that the developers are ready to let players help shape what comes next.