We’re not ready for what Xbox is preparing with its open world of zombies. With six times more developers, State of Decay 3 is set to make waves. The team at Undead Labs has revamped its brand, confirming significant studio expansion and a renewed vision.

For those who fell in love with the original State of Decay, the excitement for the third installment is still palpable. State of Decay 3 remains on the horizon as Undead Labs completes the final touches on the second game and pivots to this ambitious open-world endeavor. With State of Decay 2 behind them, Xbox is now fully backing this project, bringing in a workforce six times larger than that of the first game.

In a recent developer update, Undead Labs shared details on its rebranding, introducing a fresh, more refined logo. Moving away from the iconic zombie hand in a green jar, the new design represents the studio’s ambition and evolution. Studio head Phillip Holt explained that this branding shift aligns with the company’s expanding goals and growing team size. “When we launched the first State of Decay, we had about 20 team members. For State of Decay 2, we had around 60 to 65 people working on it. Now, we’ve more than doubled in size,” Holt said.

State of Decay 3 Gains Support from The Coalition

Part of this growth stems from Microsoft’s acquisition of Undead Labs, which has given the studio access to broader resources and support. Founded by World of Warcraft co-creator Jeff Strain, Undead Labs now belongs to the Xbox family of studios. This acquisition not only boosted the developer count but also facilitated collaboration with other Microsoft teams, such as The Coalition (Gears 5) and Obsidian (Avowed), both of which are contributing to the open-world development for State of Decay 3.

Holt noted that being part of a global powerhouse in content production has created unprecedented opportunities for Undead Labs, enabling them to approach State of Decay 3 with unmatched ambition and support. While the rebranding and resource expansion reflect this growth, the team is committed to preserving the core of the series, characterized by its atmospheric storytelling and high-stakes survival narratives.

The latest trailer for State of Decay 3 showcases a game with richer visuals and more complex mechanics, raising the bar for what fans can expect. Despite these advancements, the team promises to keep the franchise’s hallmark emotional intensity and gripping survival elements intact, setting high expectations among players.

Source: 3djuegos