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	<title>State of Decay 3 &#8211; Video Game News, Reviews, Walkthroughs And Guides | GamingBolt</title>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 Developer Could Face Closure With Impending Xbox Layoffs &#8211; Rumor</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-developer-could-face-closure-with-impending-xbox-layoffs-rumor</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ravi Sinha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:02:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ps5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=647375</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Like Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games, Undead Labs may shut down if it doesn't find a buyer soon.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As layoffs near for Xbox, with studios like <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/south-of-midnight-studio-has-been-hit-by-mass-layoffs-rumor">Compulsion Games</a>, Double Fine Productions and Ninja Theory reportedly on the chopping block, a new studio has seemingly entered the discussion: Undead Labs, makers of <em>State of Decay</em>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://gamesbeat.com/cwa-represented-workers-at-xbox-criticize-microsoft-management-and-pending-layoffs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GamesBeat&#8217;s Dean Takahashi</a> named it while discussing the above studios and how it could also be saved if a buyer emerged. If not, 110 employees could face layoffs. The report is all the more damning because, like <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/microsoft-planned-closure-of-ninja-theory-before-senuas-reveal-rumor">Ninja Theory&#8217;s <em>Senua</em></a>, Xbox leadership has marketed <em>State of Decay 3</em> as a major upcoming title. It even has closed alpha tests ongoing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Accounting for all of the above, the total number of layoffs could total about 435. Takahashi also mentioned &#8220;percentage layoffs&#8221; at Blizzard Entertainment and Bethesda, adding to <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/several-development-teams-owned-by-publishers-to-face-major-layoffs-studio-closures-soon-rumor">previous reports</a> that the latter is in trouble. Other reports <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/anyone-not-working-on-the-elder-scrolls-or-fallout-at-bethesda-is-being-laid-off-rumor">indicated</a> that employees not working on <em>The Elder Scrolls</em> or <em>Fallout</em> would allegedly be made redundant.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, the Communications Workers of America, which represents 3,500+ employees at Microsoft since 2002, decried the same. “Multiple reports in the press indicate that in the days ahead Microsoft may initiate layoffs across its Xbox division, the very people who build its best-selling games. We’re here to say this plainly: those workers will not be traded as disposable,” said CWA District 9 vice president Frank Arce.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/xbox-leadership-outlines-five-realities-faced-by-the-company-going-forward" data-type="post" data-id="646129">committed</a> to this big reset for the brand, it may not ultimately matter. Given <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/bungies-recent-layoffs-affect-292-employees-in-washington-state">recent mass layoffs at Bungie</a> and the <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/star-wars-eclipse-simply-cannot-be-completed-if-quantic-dream-proceeds-with-layoffs-say-devs">ongoing strike at Quantic Dream</a>, the games industry is set for some dark days.</p>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 Gets 72-Minute Gameplay Showcase of Early Alpha Build</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-gets-72-minute-gameplay-showcase-of-early-alpha-build</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joelle Daniels]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:34:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ps5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=646637</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The video gave us a good look at all of the gameplay aspects you would expect, from scavenging to sneaking around and fighting off zombies.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While Undead Labs has finally given us <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-gets-new-trailer-showcasing-gameplay-coming-to-pc-and-consoles-in-2027">our first look at the gameplay from <em>State of Decay 3</em></a>, we now have a closer look at the title courtesy of YouTuber Brian Menard, who got to spend some time with the title’s early alpha build. Menard has uploaded a lengthy video, clocking in at almost 72 minutes, showcasing what some early-game gameplay for <em>State of Decay 3</em> will look like.</p>
<p>The video features a mix of the different kinds of gameplay that players will get to engage with, from sneaking around through zombie-infested wrecks to scavenging for resources in dilapidated buildings. The early minutes of the video focus largely on showing off just how extensive the zombie infestation has gotten, with spore-spewing pustules.</p>
<p>Menard then comes on-screen to explain that the gameplay is from an incredibly early build of <em>State of Decay 3</em>, which means that there will be plenty of issues to be noticed all over the place, ranging from performance hitches to strange behaviours with player and enemy hitboxes.</p>
<p>Fans of <em>State of Decay 2</em> will be happy to find that much of the survival-centric gameplay will return in <em>State of Decay 3</em>, including gameplay aspects like needing to repair your vehicle from spare parts that you might have found while exploring. The title will also seemingly retain its predecessor’s free-form player exploration, where it is left completely up to the player to figure out where they want to go next and how they might want to tackle the ever-growing zombie threat.</p>
<p>When it comes to dealing with zombies, stealth and melee skills will continue to play a major role, since ammunition for guns will be rare resources until the player becomes capable of creating their own ammo.</p>
<p>Further in the video, we also get to take a look at Menard taking on a zone with a Plague Heart, leading to intense action sequences with plenty of regular and special zombies, all while the player had to deal with their own dwindling resources.</p>
<p>While <em>State of Decay 3</em> already seems quite a bit more polished than <em>State of Decay 2</em> was at launch, the fact that the footage is from an early build of the game is quite evident. Throughout the video, we spotted things like some lighting effects not showing, leading to flat textures due to a lack of shadows.</p>
<p>Despite this, however, the video does a good job of showcasing what Windows Central’s Jez Corden meant <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-nails-the-aaa-aspect-might-show-up-during-june-7th-xbox-showcase-rumor">earlier this month</a> when he noted that Undead Labs “really, really nailed the ‘AAA’ feel that was absent from <em>State of Decay 2</em>.” Despite it being an early build, the game looked quite smooth to play. And while we didn’t get to see any multiplayer gameplay, the co-op experience has also likely been tightened up to give players more options and reasons to team up together.</p>
<p><em>State of Decay 3</em> is being developed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release in 2027. Let’s just hope that Undead Labs isn’t hit by the layoffs that are <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/xboxs-july-layoffs-could-involve-studio-closures-rumor">reportedly going to hit the Xbox division in July</a>.</p>
<p><iframe title="72 Minutes of EXCLUSIVE State of Decay 3 Gameplay" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OCDnTUl7y7k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 Gets New Trailer Showcasing Gameplay, Coming to PC and Consoles in 2027</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-gets-new-trailer-showcasing-gameplay-coming-to-pc-and-consoles-in-2027</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joelle Daniels]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:32:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ps5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=645748</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The trailer gave us a look at how State of Decay 3 will focus on zombies actively hunting for survivors rather than just wandering around.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Undead Labs has finally showcased the gameplay for its upcoming zombie survival game <em>State of Decay 3</em>. The gameplay was showcased with a new trailer during XBOX Games Summer Showcase 2026. The trailer clocks in at just over 3 minutes in length, and you can check it out below.</p>
<p>Along with the various ways players can take on hordes of zombies throughout <em>State of Decay 3</em>, like homemade traps rigged to bombs that can take out massive groups, the trailer also showcases how the zombies are going to be much more dangerous this time around. As the narrator notes, the dead aren’t just wandering around anymore; they have started actively hunting for survivors.</p>
<p>This indicates that, rather than focusing on purely building out their base by getting their hands on supplies like in the earlier <em>State of Decay</em> titles, <em>State of Decay 3</em> will instead force players to be more proactive in taking out zombie nests to ensure that hunting packs don’t get too close to survivor camps.</p>
<p>The trailer also indicates that <em>State of Decay 3</em> will have even stronger support for co-op multiplayer, rather than the simplistic system that we had last seen in <em>State of Decay 2</em>. The protagonist often seems to be accompanied by a couple of other characters that seemingly behave in more intelligent ways than NPC-controlled characters would.</p>
<p><em>State of Decay 3</em> is slated for a 2027 release, and will be coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. As is the case with titles made by studios under the XBOX Game Studios banner, <em>State of Decay 3</em> will also be available through Game Pass.</p>
<p><iframe title="State of Decay 3 Official Gameplay Reveal | XBOX Games Showcase 2026" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eoLOzgHvKxQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 &#8220;Nails the AAA Feel&#8221;, Might Show Up During June 7th XBOX Showcase &#8211; Rumor</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-nails-the-aaa-aspect-might-show-up-during-june-7th-xbox-showcase-rumor</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joelle Daniels]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:40:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clockwork Revolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Double Fine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[InXile Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ninja Theory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toys For Bob]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=645490</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A report has indicated that State of Decay 3 might be getting close to wrapping up development and has entered alpha testing.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Among the many first-party games that have been in development at studios under the XBOX Game Studios banner, Undead Labs’ <em>State of Decay 3</em> has perhaps been the one most shrouded in mystery. The title was first announced <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-announced-for-xbox-series-x">all the way back in 2020</a>. Since then, however, few details about the project have been revealed. According to <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-games-showcase-2026-predictions-hopes-dreams-and-what-i-think-you-should-expect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Windows Central’s Jez Corden</a>, <em>State of Decay 3</em> is likely to show up at the <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/xbox-games-showcase-and-gears-of-war-e-day-direct-confirmed-for-june-7th">upcoming June 7th Xbox Showcase</a>.</p>
<p>According to Corden’s report, <em>State of Decay 3</em> has progressed far along in development that it is undergoing private alpha testing with parts of the franchise’s community. Along with this, he has also indicated that the title will be well polished, especially when compared to <em>State of Decay 2</em>.</p>
<p>“It&#8217;s almost certain we&#8217;ll see <em>State of Decay 3</em> at the showcase too, given that it&#8217;s already in private alpha testing with a small subset of the community alongside some YouTubers,” wrote Corden. “And from what I&#8217;ve heard &#8230; it sounds like Undead Labs really, really nailed the ‘AAA’ feel that was absent from <em>State of Decay 2</em>.”</p>
<p>If you’ve been wondering why <em>State of Decay 3</em> has been taking so long to develop, studio head Philip Holt revealed back in April that, back when the announcement trailer was released, the game <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-was-a-word-document-when-its-first-trailer-debuted-wont-have-zombie-deer">only really existed as a Word document</a>.</p>
<p>“So that trailer – there really wasn’t a game or game team when we were working on that trailer, like, it was so early,” he said in an interview. “You know, the game was in a Word document. It was really the very beginnings of software.”</p>
<p>The trailer itself was pre-rendered, created completely by Blur, and was meant to be a way for Undead Labs to show its vision for what it wanted <em>State of Decay 3</em> to be.</p>
<p>As for other development teams part of XBOX Game Studios, Corden doesn’t believe that we will see much in the way of announcements from studios like Rare, Obsidian, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, or Double Fine. He did, however, note that Ninja Theory and Double Fine have been working on projects described as “more ambitious” than their recent outings – <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/senuas-saga-hellblade-2-developer-reports-a-profit-of-around-5-million-until-june-30th-2025"><em>Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2</em></a> and <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/kiln-review-half-baked"><em>Kiln</em></a>, respectively. However, these projects are still quite early in development, and it is unlikely that either studio will be unveiling it just yet.</p>
<p>Similarly, Blizzard is also expected to sit the June 7th showcase out, since it tends to unveil its major projects during its own yearly event – BlizzCon. Among these is expected to be a shooter based on the <em>StarCraft</em> universe, which rumors have indicated will be <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/starcraft-shooters-art-style-to-be-closer-to-starcraft-2-cinematics-than-overwatch-rumor">closer in visual style to <em>StarCraft 2</em>’s cinematics</a> than <em>Overwatch</em>’s more stylized look.</p>
<p>As for other projects that might be unveiled at the showcase, Corden believes that we might finally get to see what Toys for Bob has been working on – a project that is rumored to be a brand-new entry in the <em>Spyro</em> franchise. InXile is also expected to show off more of its in-development game, <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/clockwork-revolutions-avalon-reacts-to-changes-in-ways-unseen-in-many-other-games-says-director"><em>Clockwork Revolution</em></a>.</p>
<p>On the hardware side of things, while Project Helix is unlikely to make an appearance at the June 7th Xbox Showcase, <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/xbox-controller-refresh-detailed-in-latest-xcloud-files-rumour">recent leaks</a> have indicated that Microsoft might be getting closer to finally unveiling its rumored third iteration of the Xbox Elite Controller.</p>
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		<title>30 Biggest Potential Announcements from the Summer of Gaming</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/30-biggest-potential-announcements-from-the-summer-of-gaming</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ravi Sinha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:32:52 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Star Wars Zero Company]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=645152</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[It's a packed week of gaming regardless of your platform of choice. Here are some of the biggest announcements that could happen.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="bigchar">I</span>t&#8217;s that time of the year again. The time when we let hype take the wheel, and where major publishers put on a show, both for our entertainment and the sake of our gaming calendar.</p>
<p>Following State of Play, it&#8217;s the Summer of Gaming with one major showcase after another, starting with the Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. It&#8217;s followed by the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on June 6th and a double feature on June 7th with the Xbox Games Showcase and PC Gaming Show. There&#8217;s also the possibility of a new Nintendo Direct to outline what&#8217;s coming this year (and potentially beyond), but here are our picks for some of the biggest announcements that you could see, and it all begins with the return of a beloved franchise&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Gears of War: E-Day Release Date</strong></p>
<p><iframe title="30 Biggest Game Announcements Expected To Drop This Week" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jd_nuGn_2wA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Say what you will about XBOX, all caps or not, they know that fans are hungry for more <em>Gears of War</em>. Hence, the dedicated Direct for <em>E-Day</em> will feature its first-ever gameplay and other details. Since it&#8217;s allegedly out in the second half of 2026, all eyes are on The Coalition to finally announce a release date, which is looking to be September based on recently announced sponsorships. Either way, it&#8217;s been far too long without the king of cover-based shooters, and we&#8217;re looking forward to beginning the fight anew.</p>
<p><strong>Fable&#8217;s “Major New Look”</strong></p>
<p>Now, this one is interesting, especially since XBOX has already confirmed a delay to February 2027. So what could this “major new look” hold? Perhaps a walkthrough of a quest? The return of a beloved character? Showcasing the extent of consequences that are possible with increasingly hilarious results? It may end up just showcasing another well-known British actor in the game, but hey, we&#8217;ll take it if there&#8217;s solid gameplay.</p>
<p><strong>Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Date</strong></p>
<p>Halo Studios has been rather mum on this remake, which is odd for several reasons. Yes, it recently confirmed there&#8217;s no in-game store, but&#8230; that&#8217;s pretty much it. There&#8217;s been no new gameplay since its reveal at the last <em>Halo</em> World Championship, and it&#8217;s reportedly launching next month. Will marketing kick into overdrive after the showcase? Time will tell, but from every angle, it seems fans won&#8217;t have to wait long to go hands-on.</p>
<p><strong>Phantom Blade Zero Gets New Trailer</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-641796" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02.jpg" alt="Phantom Blade Zero_02" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02.jpg 1920w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Phantom-Blade-Zero_02-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></a></p>
<p>Launching in September, being in the “intense, final stages of development” according to the developer, only one other big showcase until its launch – if ever there was a time to start marketing for <em>Phantom Blade Zero</em>, it would be at Summer Game Fest. As always, the question of what could be showcased always pops up – obviously, you want to get the people excited without spoiling too much. Alternatively, if S-Game wanted to drop that demo promised long ago, next week wouldn&#8217;t be the worst occasion to do so.</p>
<p><strong>Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 3</strong></p>
<p>Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has said that marketing won&#8217;t begin until Summer, clarifying that it won&#8217;t be for another few weeks. However, it doesn&#8217;t exclude the possibility of a new trailer, and it certainly doesn&#8217;t stop Rockstar from opening pre-orders. Could it stop short of the latter and release a new teaser, hyping up a reveal in the coming weeks? Sure. Does it need to do it at any of the upcoming showcases? Probably not, but it would be cool. Either way, expect to hear a lot more about the title this month, even if it&#8217;s when you least expect it.</p>
<p><strong>Onimusha: Way of the Sword Release Date</strong></p>
<p>We&#8217;ve seen more than enough gameplay, know more than enough the story – so if the long-awaited <em>Onimusha</em> revival doesn&#8217;t get a launch date at some point in the coming days, I may lose it. Granted, the developer could always pull the patented, “Tune in to the Online Special Program later in June for more,” but like <em>Pragmata</em> at last year&#8217;s The Game Awards, it&#8217;s probably just going to cut through the noise and announce a date with pre-orders.</p>
<p><strong>Monster Hunter Wilds Expansion Reveal</strong></p>
<p>Now this is a classic example of potentially debuting a trailer and revealing more information later. <em>Monster Hunter Wilds&#8217;</em> expansion is confirmed to receive more details this Summer, and given the franchise&#8217;s history at Keighley&#8217;s shows, a title reveal seems very likely. We could then see a proper <em>Monster Hunter</em> Showcase next month or in September, right before the so-called Summer period ends.</p>
<p><strong>OD Update</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-628325" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-scaled.jpg" alt="OD" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/OD-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s been a year since Hideo Kojima took the Summer Game Fest stage, promoting <em>Death Stranding 2</em>. With how close he is to Keighley, and the fact that there hasn&#8217;t been any update on its next title, <em>OD</em>, since September 2025, a new teaser would hardly be surprising. Then again, since Xbox Game Studios is the publisher, it may even appear at the upcoming Xbox Showcase. The real question is: Will Kojima attend both? It&#8217;s certainly not impossible, even if it would be excessive.</p>
<p><strong>Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Release Date Reveal (or Delay)</strong></p>
<p>It really doesn&#8217;t hit you just how many games could be released between June and October, simply to avoid “competing” &#8211; which is already a strong word – against <em>Grand Theft Auto 6</em>. I&#8217;m not sure that Amazon Game Studios would want to take the risk, even after announcing a 2026 release window, and rumors of a delay to 2027 may feed into that. An appearance certainly seems on the cards, but for now, it&#8217;s a toss-up on whether it launches this year or next.</p>
<p><strong>Resident Evil &#8211; Code: Veronica Remake Announcement</strong></p>
<p>Rumors have circulated about this remake since June 2024. <em>Resident Evil Requiem</em> was announced in June 2025, at the Summer Game Fest no less. With a supposed launch in the first half of 2027, odds are looking good that Resident Evil could steal the show once more with the long-awaited <em>Code: Veronica Remake</em>. Get your &#8220;welcome back, Claire Redfield&#8221; signs ready in advance.</p>
<p><strong>Virtua Fighter Crossroads Reveal</strong></p>
<p>Call it a mistake, an accident or just an honest-to-goodness leak, the new <em>Virtua Fighter&#8217;s</em> gameplay has seemingly leaked. The final name is apparently <em>Virtua Fighter Crossroads</em>, and admittedly, it looks quite good. Is Sega saving the announcement for a big show like Summer Game Fest, especially since it was announced at The Game Awards 2024? Possibly – it&#8217;s not like there&#8217;s any other shows it could fit in.</p>
<p><strong>Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition Announcement</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-546998" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13.jpg" alt="Sonic Frontiers_13" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13.jpg 1920w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sonic-Frontiers_13-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></a></p>
<p>Add another game to the potential Nintendo Direct, as Sega seeks to bring <em>Sonic Frontiers</em> to Nintendo Switch 2 at long last. While previous rumors suggested a rewritten story, the <em>Definitive Edition</em> is allegedly closer to a standard port, complete with all updates, except that it should run better than the Switch 1 version. Again, if it&#8217;s indeed real, expect an announcement and release date soon.</p>
<p><strong>Metro 2039 Gets More Gameplay</strong></p>
<p>After its surprising reveal and the even more surprising First Look, <em>Metro 2039</em> seems poised to appear at the Xbox Games Showcase. Not for the sake of filling up time, mind you – rather, to showcase more of the horrors that players will allegedly face. I&#8217;m skeptical about a release date, especially since 4A Games still has time to narrow things down – and decide whether it wants to fall on the 2026 or 2027 side of its Winter release window – but stranger things have happened at an Xbox show.</p>
<p><strong>State of Decay 3 Gameplay and Updates</strong></p>
<p>Meet one of the stranger things. I know, I know – Undead Labs is conducting closed tests, and it&#8217;s seemingly making progress after years and years of nothing. And while it could outright say “2027” as a release window, something tells me the team will simply provide new gameplay, an update from recent tests, and the assurance of providing more opportunities in the coming months. Playing things safe before it really decides to commit to something.</p>
<p><strong>Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Release Date</strong></p>
<p>Launching this Summer and already unveiling everything that sets it apart from the original, <em>Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2</em> seems like a lock for Summer Game Fest. A release date seems a given, but it feels like something else is needed – a little je ne sais quoi. Maybe a brand new big bad that would replace the Queen as a major threat? Hard to say, but I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if it arrives as soon as next month.</p>
<p><strong>Valor Mortis Release Date</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-642474" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="valor mortis" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2.jpg 1920w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/valor-mortis-screenshot-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></a></p>
<p>A first-person Souls-like set in an alternate 19th-century Europe focused on fighting Napoleon&#8217;s zombie soldiers after returning from the dead, developed by the team behind <em>Ghostrunner 2</em>? Sign us up, and more importantly, give us a release date, since it&#8217;s already confirmed for Fall. That may end up closer to October than November for the obvious reason, but I&#8217;m more interested to see if a demo or open beta ends up happening, especially with all the closed testing done so far.</p>
<p><strong>Ananta Trailer and Launch Window</strong></p>
<p>Geoff Keighley&#8217;s showcases have a thing for games – see the frequent appearances by <em>ZZZ, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves</em>, and, more recently, <em>Arknights Endfield</em>. <em>Ananta</em> is interesting because it&#8217;s foregoing a character system while retaining the urban open-world fantasy we&#8217;ve seen thus far. It may not launch this year, but with most of its competition, particularly <em>NTE</em>, already released, a new trailer at least seems a given.</p>
<p><strong>Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Release Date</strong></p>
<p>What should have been rated recently by PEGI, but Bandai Namco&#8217;s next <em>Ace Combat</em>? Smarter minds will probably be able to tell you why its pre-release date is May 30th on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, but it&#8217;s further proof of a potential release announcement. And honestly, with how good <em>Wings of Theve</em> has looked, both the first-person cutscenes and the actual combat, we&#8217;re hoping it drops sooner than later.</p>
<p><strong>The Duskbloods Release Month</strong></p>
<p>Say what you will about its recent multiplayer focus – FromSoftware generally does a good job convincing millions to try its next game, regardless. The same will hopefully hold for <em>The Duskbloods</em>, and with rumors of a launch later this year (and not this Summer, apparently), it could appear at that alleged Nintendo Direct set for mid-June. Maybe <em>Elden Ring Tarnished Edition</em> will be shadow-dropped in the meantime.</p>
<p><strong>New 3D Mario Announcement</strong></p>
<p>Nintendo isn&#8217;t above announcing big names a good while before they actually launch – just as it has no qualms holding back finished titles, waiting for the right launch window. And with insider NateTheHate claiming that a new 3D <em>Mario</em> would be announced for 2027, that supposed mid-June Direct isn&#8217;t the worst place to announce it, especially after the success of <em>The Super Mario Galaxy Movie</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Pokémon Wind and Waves Release Window</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-638139" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves.jpg" alt="Pokemon Wind and Waves" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves.jpg 1920w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pokemon-Wind-and-Waves-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></a></p>
<p>Perhaps one of the safest possible bets for the Direct is the release date announcement for <em>Pokémon Wind and Waves</em>, especially with listings spotted on Amazon Germany. If it follows, say, <em>Pokémon Legends: Arceus</em>, then January/February 2027 aren&#8217;t outside the realm of possibility. Again, a safe bet, unless Nintendo goes in another direction (like saving the info for a <em>Pokémon</em> Showcase in July).</p>
<p><strong>Hollow Knight: Silksong — Sea of Sorrow Gameplay</strong></p>
<p>Geoff Keighley loves his <em>Silksong</em> teases, but that was for one of the most-anticipated games of all time. What are the chances the trend repeats at this year&#8217;s show, revealing the first gameplay for <em>Sea of Sorrow</em>, its free DLC? Probably low, but don&#8217;t forget about XBOX – they&#8217;ve featured <em>Silksong</em> on numerous occasions, and would probably jump at the opportunity to feature the title on their showcase, complete with a release date.</p>
<p><strong>Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Update</strong></p>
<p>Game delays can be funny, especially when something like <em>Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra</em> – the next big game from <em>Uncharted</em> creator Amy Hennig – announced a delay beyond early 2026. That doesn&#8217;t mean 2027, but at this rate, with very little to actually show for it, we wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if it appears with a new trailer confirming it&#8217;s skipping 2026 entirely. Which is fine, but you&#8217;d have to expect a closer look at the game at some point.</p>
<p><strong>Star Wars Zero Company Release Date/Delay</strong></p>
<p><em>Star Wars</em> crossed with <em>XCOM</em> sounds like a dream come true, and based on previews, it makes for an excellent tactical strategy experience. But there&#8217;s otherwise been relative silence – not even a peep during this year&#8217;s May the 4th. If it&#8217;s meeting that 2026 release window, then a new trailer at either the Xbox Games Showcase or Summer Games Fest is possible. Then again, EA could choose not to foot the bill and just drop these details at some random time.</p>
<p><strong>Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Title Reveal</strong></p>
<p><em>Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth</em> was first announced during the original&#8217;s 25th Anniversary Celebration livestream in June 2022. So close enough to the Summer of Gaming at the time, but still nothing. However, its gameplay trailer would appear at the Summer Game Fest in 2023, followed by another trailer at The Game Awards, and so on. With director Naoki Hamaguchi already claiming more than 40 playthroughs and promising to share more updates on the overall project than ever before this year, a <em>Part 3</em> reveal – if not a release window, then perhaps its name – seems very likely.</p>
<p><strong>Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Release Date</strong></p>
<p>Oh, look – another game that appeared at last year&#8217;s Summer Game Fest with a release window of 2026. Asobo Studio offered a substantial update last April, confirming “final tweaks, last recording sessions, the closing notes of the score,” and much more as it focuses on refining the prequel. It&#8217;s been four years since <em>A Plague Tale: Requiem</em>, yet the developer is focused on delivering “an experience as challenging as it is unforgettable.” We could thus see <em>Resonance</em> appearing next week to announce a delay to next year, if only to allow it to shine all the brighter.</p>
<p><strong>Palworld 1.0 Release Date</strong></p>
<p>With all the big announcements, I think back to <em>Palworld</em>, which exited early access this year. Pocketpair already said that Version 1.0 wouldn&#8217;t just be randomly revealed on Discord, and it has a history of featuring on these big shows. So what better time to reveal all the new content and a release date than Summer Game Fest, with further info dumps planned for the coming months? Again, there&#8217;s kind of a time limit given the elephant in the room called <em>GTA 6</em>, so it wouldn&#8217;t be surprising if Pocketpair decides on January 2027 of all months.</p>
<p><strong>Nivalis Release Window</strong></p>
<p>At this time, developer ION LANDS posted a new update for its cyberpunk restaurant management title, going over level design, visuals, how it&#8217;s handling simulating thousands of characters, and so on. However, one little bit stood out – the shift towards “final polish” ahead of release. From bug fixes to localization and optimization, the team has been busy. It will share a release date when it&#8217;s ready, so a shadow drop seems unlikely, but at this stage, a release date still seems very possible, especially in the coming week.</p>
<p><strong>Light No Fire Appearance</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-574124" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting-1024x576.jpg" alt="light no fire crafting" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/light-no-fire-crafting.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></p>
<p>Of all the studios and publishers sweating about November and finding the right days to release their titles, Hello Games has it made. <em>No Man&#8217;s Sky</em> continues to succeed, and it continues to receive quality free updates that deepen the experience. So when it comes to <em>Light No Fire</em>, a small teaser could be released at Summer Game Fest with very little context, much less a release window, and stand out. And if no one wants to feature an indie title that simply wants to remind people that it still exists, well, that&#8217;s alright then, because development will roll on until something concrete. The point is, at the end of it all, Sean continues to hold all the cards.</p>
<p><strong>Minecraft Dungeons 2 Release Date</strong></p>
<p>As if its first-party line-up for the coming months wasn&#8217;t enough, Mojang&#8217;s <em>Minecraft Dungeons 2</em> is also launching in 2026. It&#8217;s not a huge title by any means, but the original had 25 million players, so the prospect of new locations and a brand new threat could be appealing&#8230;and you just know it&#8217;s going to be at the Xbox Games Showcase, showcasing its various new zones that totally weren&#8217;t leaked a year ago.</p>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 Mixes the Second Game&#8217;s Systemic Features With the &#8220;Heart and Soul&#8221; of the First</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-mixes-the-second-games-systemic-features-with-the-heart-and-soul-of-the-first</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ravi Sinha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:47:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=640862</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Undead Labs confirms that the sequel occurs "years into the future," with the zombie menace "presenting itself in a new way."]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you&#8217;re a <em>State of Decay</em> fan, there are some non-negotiable elements when it comes to the gameplay loop, including co-op, a thriving sandbox focused on survival, moral dilemmas, and, of course, zombies. Of course, you would also hope for a sequel like <em>State of Decay 3</em> to meaningfully evolve on the same, even if it <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-was-a-word-document-when-its-first-trailer-debuted-wont-have-zombie-deer">was only a Word document when the first trailer debuted</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt touched on this in an interview with Sunny Games, and the good news is that it isn&#8217;t fixing what isn&#8217;t broken about the previous games. &#8220;So we talk about <em>State of Decay 3</em> delivering on the systemic features from <em>State of Decay 2</em> with a little bit more of the heart and soul of <em>State of Decay 1</em>. So maybe that&#8217;s a way to sort of think about how the franchise is evolving.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, the setup is different as well, with <em>State of Decay 3</em> taking place &#8220;years into the future.&#8221; The de facto survivors are a &#8220;little bit more hardened&#8221; &#8211; whether that&#8217;s a good or bad thing, it will come in handy.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;The zombie menace is now presenting itself in a new way,&#8221; says Holt. &#8220;Curtains up on <em>State of Decay 3</em>, and your group of survivors has to really adapt to what they&#8217;re seeing in a more dangerous way. Much more dangerous way. So, yeah, the threats are real. They&#8217;re lethal, and they&#8217;re coming after you. So, that&#8217;s sort of the time setting.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That would certainly feed into the rumored heavier narrative elements, especially if, like before, you must kill anyone who ends up infected. While alpha playtests for the title <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-alpha-starts-in-may-with-4-player-co-op-base-building-and-lots-of-combat">kick off next month</a> and feature four-player co-op, base-building and combat, Undead Labs has <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-features-a-much-larger-truly-shared-open-world-says-undead-labs">touted a &#8220;much larger, truly shared open world&#8221;</a> in the past.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">How will that play out in the actual game? Time will tell, and there isn&#8217;t even a release date, but it&#8217;s shuffling along, not unlike the terrifyingly relentless undead. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="State of Decay 3 Studio Head REVEALS EXCLUSIVE NEW DETAILS" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HOkaGz7KBcw?start=168&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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		<title>State of Decay 3 Was a &#8220;Word Document&#8221; When Its First Trailer Debuted, Won&#8217;t Have Zombie Deer</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-was-a-word-document-when-its-first-trailer-debuted-wont-have-zombie-deer</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ravi Sinha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:16:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=640851</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The pre-rendered trailer represented "our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore," says Undead Labs head Philip Holt.]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Smoke and mirrors in the gaming industry are nothing new. The first trailer for <em>Killzone 2</em>, <em>Halo 2&#8217;s</em> infamous Earth City demo &#8211; the list goes on. None of those made it into the actual game (except the latter as a playable prototype in <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection</em>), and the same rings true for <em>State of Decay 3&#8217;s</em> first trailer.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">You may not remember it. Debuting <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-announced-for-xbox-series-x">at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020</a>, it showcased snow-covered environments and a lone human, who peers through the scope of their rifle to see a zombie deer. Pretty chilling stuff…except there wasn&#8217;t really any game at the time, according to Undead Labs head Philip Holt.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;So that trailer &#8211; there really wasn&#8217;t a game or game team when we were working on that trailer, like, it was so early,&#8221; he revealed in an interview with Sunny Games. &#8220;You know, the game was in a Word document. It was really the very beginnings of software.&#8221; At the time, Undead Labs had four to five people on the sequel. Shortly after the trailer, the studio <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-is-in-early-pre-production-undead-labs">confirmed</a> that it was in early pre-production.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;The trailer was done by Blur, it was all pre-rendered, it represented, I think, a concept &#8211; our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore in <em>State of Decay 3</em>. And as we&#8217;ve had a chance to build a team and get going on the game, some of those elements I think are gonna persist in the game that we deliver, and some of those things are just, like&#8230;we&#8217;re not doing zombie animals.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In case that wasn&#8217;t clear enough, Holt repeats it for those in the back. &#8220;No zombie deer. No zombie deer. No zombie deer.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thankfully, we won&#8217;t have to wait much longer to see what <em>State of Decay 3</em> actually offers. Undead Labs announced <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-alpha-starts-in-may-with-4-player-co-op-base-building-and-lots-of-combat">alpha playtests starting in May</a>, with sign-ups currently available. Participants can expect base-building, four-player co-op and plenty of violence. Those who don&#8217;t make the cut will have other opportunities to look forward to this year, though a release date remains pending.</p>



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		<title>State of Decay 3 Alpha Starts in May With 4 Player Co-op, Base-Building and &#8220;Lots&#8221; of Combat</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-alpha-starts-in-may-with-4-player-co-op-base-building-and-lots-of-combat</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ravi Sinha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:30:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=640751</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Franchise co-creator Brant Fitzgerald also promises "plenty of other opportunities" throughout 2026 for those interested.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-receives-new-in-engine-trailer">remaining radio silent for nearly two years</a>, Undead Labs has resurfaced to announce alpha playtests for <em>State of Decay 3</em>. Franchise co-creator Brant Fitzgerald said in a new video that they would begin next month with <a href="https://playtest.stateofdecay.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sign-ups currently available</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Listen, I&#8217;m not going to spoil the surprise for you, but I can say that it will feature 4-player co-op, some new base building and resource strategies, and a whole lot of combat.&#8221; You&#8217;ll need to register your Discord and email address to join, and while slots are limited, don&#8217;t worry. Fitzgerald said that it will have &#8220;plenty of other opportunities&#8221; throughout the year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But that&#8217;s not all. As the months go on, Undead Labs will share &#8220;more updates&#8221; during development, ensuring players know &#8220;what&#8217;s new, what we&#8217;re learning,&#8221; and when they can have their chance at the alpha.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-announced-for-xbox-series-x">announced in 2020</a>, <em>State of Decay 3</em> was <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-is-in-early-pre-production-undead-labs">actually in &#8220;early pre-production&#8221;</a> at the time. Since it <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/undead-labs-to-open-up-a-new-studio-in-orlando-state-of-decay-3-to-use-unreal-engine-5">utilizes Unreal Engine 5</a>, <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-the-coalition-is-helping-development-with-its-unreal-engine-5-expertise">The Coalition would assist with their expertise</a>, and rumors indicated <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-has-better-visuals-heavier-narrative-elements-than-its-predecessor-rumor">&#8220;heavier&#8221; narrative elements and improved visual fidelity</a>. Unfortunately, development stalled after allegations of workplace toxicity and sexism, with Microsoft (which owns the studio) blamed for not responding to complaints quickly enough.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nevertheless, a new in-engine trailer debuted in 2024, and though it <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-might-be-targeting-a-2025-release-rumour">didn&#8217;t end up releasing last year as rumored</a>, Undead Labs would <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-2-developer-is-ending-content-updates-to-focus-on-state-of-decay-3">stop content updates for <em>State of Decay 2</em></a> to focus on the sequel. The developer would <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-studio-undead-labs-faces-layoffs-rumor">face an unknown number of layoffs last year</a>, but despite all these hurdles, Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3s-development-is-coming-on-really-well-says-xbox-game-studios-head">says it&#8217;s &#8220;coming on really well.&#8221;</a> </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As always, stay tuned for more updates, including whether it will <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/gears-of-war-e-day-and-state-of-decay-3-are-coming-to-ps5-rumor">allegedly launch for PS5</a> alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="State of Decay 3 Alpha Announce" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5iBYOVNC9Uw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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		<title>20 Upcoming Xbox Series X &#124; S Games To Watch In 2026 And Beyond</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/20-upcoming-xbox-series-x-s-games-to-watch-in-2026-and-beyond</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Usaid]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:13:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Slider]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beast of Reincarnation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clockwork Revolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forza horizon 6]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gears of War: E-Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[halo campaign evolved]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kiln]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marvels blade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Replaced]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starfield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Elder Scrolls 6]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[towerborne]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=635622</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[With this feature, we will be taking a look at 20 of the most promising Xbox games of 2026 and beyond.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="bigchar">X</span>box’s first-party lineup might not have been the strongest for a while, but it has been steadily gaining momentum this generation &#8211; and the years ahead look set to reinforce that upward trajectory in a big way. From cinematic action adventures to expansive RPGs and experimental narrative projects, the near future holds an interesting lineup that’s both diverse and increasingly confident in its creative direction. To that end, we take a closer look at 20 upcoming Xbox titles that fans should look out for.</p>
<p><strong>Forza Horizon 6</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-635326" src="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6.jpg" alt="Forza Horizon 6" width="720" height="405" srcset="https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6.jpg 1920w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6-15x8.jpg 15w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Forza-Horizon-6-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></p>
<p><em>Forza Horizon</em> 6 looks set to continue Playground Games’ mastery of open-world racing, building on one of the most consistently polished franchises in the genre. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Japan, <em>Forza Horizon 6</em> takes players across an even more dynamic map, deeper seasonal systems, and expanded social features &#8211; and of course, plenty of race events. With stunning visuals and an ever-growing roster of cars, Forza Horizon 6 feels like a dream of motorheads come true.</p>
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		<title>State of Decay 3&#8217;s Development is &#8220;Coming On Really Well,&#8221; Says Xbox Game Studios Head</title>
		<link>https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3s-development-is-coming-on-really-well-says-xbox-game-studios-head</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joelle Daniels]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:19:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State of Decay 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Undead Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox game studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox Series X]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://gamingbolt.com/?p=635628</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Craig Duncan said that while he wasn't yet ready to reveal more details about State of Decay 3, he is excited about the franchise.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While we got quite a few details about upcoming games during the recent Xbox Developer_Direct, one of the notable absences was Undead Labs’ <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-announced-for-xbox-series-x"><em>State of Decay 3</em></a>. Speaking to <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival/xbox-game-studios-lead-cant-say-when-state-of-decay-3-will-rear-its-head-again-but-he-will-certainly-see-a-lot-more-of-it-in-the-coming-year/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GamesRadar</a>, head of Xbox Game Studios and former head of Rare, Craig Duncan has said that we will see more of the still-in-development zombie game this year.</p>
<p>While he noted that he wasn’t yet allowed to talk about <em>State of Decay 3</em> for now, he did note that development has been coming along quite well, and that he got the chance to play development builds “a bunch of times”.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think the [PR] in this room will murder me if I give you the answer to that,&#8221; he said. &#8220;So, here&#8217;s what I&#8217;ll say: I have done a number of visits to that studio in the last six to eight months. I have sat and played the game with the team a bunch of times. It&#8217;s coming on really well. We&#8217;re very excited about the franchise and its potential.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;So I will certainly see a lot more of it in the coming year… is that a good answer to your question? [laughter]&#8221;</p>
<p>Undead Labs has been quiet about its work on <em>State of Decay 3</em>, and the last time we got to see anything about the third-person survival zombie game was an <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-receives-new-in-engine-trailer">in-engine trailer all the way back in 2024</a>. The studio itself has been the subject of controversy, however, with reports from back in 2022 indicating that the working conditions were rife with sexism and toxicity. This eventually led to several departures from the studio, which in turn had a notable impact on the game&#8217;s development progress. July 2025 also saw Undead Labs <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-3-studio-undead-labs-faces-layoffs-rumor">hit by lay-offs</a>.</p>
<p>More recent rumours about <em>State of Decay 3</em> have indicated that it will follow suit with other games under the Xbox Game Studios banner and <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/gears-of-war-e-day-and-state-of-decay-3-are-coming-to-ps5-rumor">will also come to PS5</a>. Whether this means its PS5 version will launch on the same day as its PC and Xbox Series X/S release, or if this will happen at a later date, is currently unknown.</p>
<p>The <em>State of Decay</em> series originally started back in 2013 as a game on Xbox Live Arcade. The game is set in a town where the dead have risen, and revolves around their efforts to rally the local survivors to form a new community. Along with third-person combat, <em>State of Decay</em> also had an emphasis on survival mechanics, which meant that your community&#8217;s food and water were important things to track.</p>
<p>Its—2018&#8217;s <em>State of Decay 2</em>—upped the ante by introducing a host of different small-town settings of varying difficulty to choose from. The sandbox elements were also expanded on, along with the addition of 4-player co-op. While it also enjoyed post-launch support with new updates, including an updated re-release in 2020 dubbed the<em> Juggernaut Edition</em>, Undead Labs had announced back in 2024 that it was <a href="https://gamingbolt.com/state-of-decay-2-developer-is-ending-content-updates-to-focus-on-state-of-decay-3">stopping development on more updates for <em>State of Decay 2</em></a> to instead focus its teams on making <em>State of Decay 3</em>.</p>
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