Undead Labs Expands Ambitions: A New Era for State of Decay 3

The development landscape has shifted significantly for Undead Labs since the release of its first open-world zombie survival title over ten years ago. As the studio gears up for State of Decay 3, it has revealed impressive growth metrics that indicate they are operating at a much larger scale than before. This expansion is expected to enhance the production and quality of the next installment in the franchise.

Recently, Undead Labs shared insights from a developer diary that coincided with a rebranding earlier this year. While the rebrand mainly involved a new logo transition from a quirky green design featuring a zombie hand in a jar to a more subdued and minimalist look, it also symbolizes the studio's aspirations and substantial growth. Phillip Holt, the studio head, highlighted the contrasts between the original games and the current development team.

The first State of Decay launched with a team of approximately 20 people, while its sequel was developed by around 60 to 65 team members. Presently, the studio's workforce has expanded to over 120-130 developers engaged in the creation of State of Decay 3—six times the number involved in the initial game, which became a notable success, ranking as the second-fastest selling XBLA game after Minecraft. The studio’s acquisition by Microsoft has provided additional support and resources essential for this growth.

Holt emphasized that being part of Microsoft's extensive content-producing organization has allowed them to aim higher with their projects. State of Decay 3 is supported not only by Undead Labs but also by other Xbox studios like The Coalition and Obsidian, further enhancing its shared open-world concept. The promotional developer vlog primarily focuses on the new branding rather than groundbreaking developments, which may not be particularly captivating for casual viewers.

Nevertheless, it offers an intriguing look at how the acquisition has transformed this once independent studio, which harbored ambitions of creating a zombie MMO from its inception. The latest State of Decay 3 trailer has raised expectations, showcasing a more polished production while maintaining the series' reputation for impactful storytelling—whether that resonates subtly or through intense scenes, such as the ultimate fate of beloved characters facing formidable threats.