State of Decay 3 Closed Beta Launches October 13 on PC

Despite its recent split from Xbox, Undead Labs is pushing State of Decay 3 forward, and the studio has now locked in the start date for a closed beta that opens up the survival game to a broader audience than ever before.

Beta Kicks Off October 13, PC Only

According to Xboxygen, Undead Labs published a blog post confirming that the State of Decay 3 closed beta will launch on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and will be available on PC only. The studio is framing the test as a chance for more players to shape the game before it ships, gathering feedback while there is still time to act on it.

Players should go in with realistic expectations. Undead Labs has been transparent that this is a work-in-progress build. Some character dialogue currently uses synthetic placeholder voices while full recording sessions continue, and several UI screens are temporary. Settings and values remain subject to change throughout the testing period.

What the Beta Includes

The closed beta builds on the earlier alpha and introduces several upgrades, Xboxygen reports. Interface improvements include inventory sorting by category and quick access to each survivor’s personal inventory. Performance has also been optimized since the alpha phase.

Content-wise, players will be able to tackle the game’s core survival loop, managing resources, developing their colony, and fighting back zombie hordes. The beta features plague heart networks along with four distinct nest types to explore: Chem Plant, Slaughterhouse, Aeronautical, and FEMA. A new tutorial has been added for newcomers, and the build also brings more missions, fully furnished buildings, and additional map locations.

Both solo and cooperative play will be supported during the beta.

How to Sign Up

Existing alpha testers do not need to take any action. Undead Labs will automatically carry them over into the closed beta. Anyone who wants to join for the first time can register at playtest.stateofdecay.com and complete a short questionnaire. A new wave of invitations will go out on October 13. Players who do not receive an invite immediately are encouraged to stay registered, as Undead Labs plans to run additional test phases and expand access progressively.

Release Plans and Game Pass Status

State of Decay 3 is still targeting a 2027 release window on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. As Xboxygen notes, even though Undead Labs is no longer part of Xbox, the game will still launch day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

Sources: Xboxygen