Since its major acquisitions, Xbox has mentioned how studios within its ecosystem would be able to collaborate on projects and generally help each other out. We've already seen this before with some games in the past, and it seems the developer behind State of Decay 3 has also had some assistance crafting the next entry in its zombie-themed survival series.
As highlighted on Xbox Wire, Undead Labs is "collaborating" with the Gears of War developer The Coalition and Avowed creator Obsidian. It's been working with Obsidian on the game's "shared world feature" which will enable "more flexible online co-op" (the teams previously collaborated on Grounded with "shared save technology") and it's called on the expertise of The Coalition to "help harness the power" of Unreal Engine 5.
Undead Labs has also had some assistance from co-development partners Blind Squirrel Entertainment and Wushu Studios, which bring even more experience in this field to the project. So, State of Decay 3 really is a team effort! This follows a report earlier this year in May that Avowed's team was also getting support from The Coalition.
As for the release date of this third game, we don't actually have a date yet, but when it does arrive it will be a "day one" release on Xbox Game Pass. You can see the new trailer in our previous coverage here on Pure Xbox:
Are you excited about State of Decay 3? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 13
It looked good and I was excited to see this but I really wanted a proper gameplay reveal and a date. Feels like it's been cooking forever.
The Coalition and Obsidian are becoming incredible support and UE5 experts. Great to see so much synergy between Xbox teams. It makes a lot of sense as not every role is needed the same amount throughout development of their studio's game, so if they can assist elsewhere it helps prevent layoffs and retains staff. Great for both experience and morale if handled well.
MS said they wanted to create a Great network for Developers to get the support and expertise they need to create the Games they want to create.
You don't want Xbox Management dictating to Studios what Games they should make - then you get Live Service games like Gotham Knights, Suicide Squad, Marvel Avengers or Redfall. Ideally, you want the Studios making the Games they want as they'll have more passion for the Project, and if you have a great Support network, they can make the Games they want knowing that they can get help/support from more experienced Studios.
The Coalition seem to be the go to Studio for everything UE5 so ANY studio making a UE5 game is likely to have some Support from the Coalition.
@themightyant I believe Xbox will reveal less and less specific dates from now on, just the release window and then reveal the date only when closer to launch like we've seen during the showcase. My guess this is a strategy to prevent people subscribing just to play a game on a specific month and then cancelling the sub.
@Foxx_64740 Interesting theory, I hadn't considered that. It's probably a combination of factors, including that with so many games cooking they quite sensibly want to WAIT to see if the games will actually hit their deadlines so that they don't end up tripping over each other, or other 3rd party releases, if delayed. Give each space to breathe. But while it makes a lot of sense, personally I quite like to know when a game is coming in advance, somehow I get more excited.
Yes! My biggest complaint about SoD 2 is the awful guest style co-op. Grounded's shared world is perfect.
that dude has some long hair, is that practical? in the walking dead game we learn its better to have short hair around zombies.
Love to see it! Whatever gets games out at the highest quality (e.g. polished and performant) is something I support.
@BAMozzy The Coalition has a lot of ex-Epic employees working for them - which has led to a very close relationship with Epic itself (hence why they are consider Unreal Engine wizards). It's almost like having Epic working internally for Microsoft.
It's also why The Coalition was tapped to help optimize UE5 for both Series consoles AND DirectX (and was part of the team getting The Matrix Awakens demo working on Series X|S). So, it makes sense why they are the "go to" studio for everything UE5-related.
@GamingFan4Lyf Oh I know full well about the Coalition and their Unreal experience. I was merely making a comment about the Coalition being the 'go to' Studio within the 'MS' group (Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda & ABK.
The point I was trying to make though is that MS has all these Studios - inc the Coalition - for ALL their Studios to get any help/support they need. If making an UE5 game, I'd expect the Coalition to provide some assistance as the UE5 experts. The fact they can reach out to other Studios for help - maybe reach out to Ninja Theory for Mo-Cap assistance.
The 'more' Studios they have, the more 'experience' they have as well as a 'bigger' network to help/support each other etc. If a Studio wants to make a Shooter for example, they have ABK CoD devs and id Software to help. I heard that id software help Bethesda with their combat in Starfield to 'improve' it beyond what Bethesda themselves could and have done with Fallout - Starfield combat does feel better..
I think that MS want these Studios producing the Games they want to make - have their own 'identity' and style. Those Studios should be 'networking' with other Studios to get any help/support they need to make their Passion Project.
MS don't want to be 'dictating' and Forcing Studio's to make games they aren't passionate about or out of their expertise. If they don't want to make a Live Service game, MS won't force them.
The Studio heads should be keeping on top of the Staff to ensure Deadlines are met and/or seek help from other studio's if/when they need. They can even seek feedback from Gamers too with Game Pass Early Access to get players in to 'feedback' as well as get feedback from other studios and MS's play testers. It shouldn't be Phil Spencers job to chase Studio's, to kick Devs backsides etc, it should be the Studio Head.
Excited to play this. As much as enjoyed the other two, I got bored with them very, very, very fast due to being overwhelmed by zombies constantly. Odd how too much action (and the difficulty of dealing with that) bored me, I know.
Still holding out how they release a mode where all the special zombies are turned off and just have "walker" zombies. That would be huge step in my enjoying of the game and longevity in playing it.
@Foxx_64740 I agree. But it is incredibly annoying and counterproductive to show a trailer of what holds promise to be a great game followed by. Coming 2047.
The 6 month rule is by far the best and most sensible delivery.
@GuyinPA75 I definitely agree with you, I would also prefer a date to be excited about.
I believe dates will be revealed only 3 months before release.
I thought Phil said he wanted state of decay 3 to take graphics to a next level with realism but I don’t see it it has cartoonish vibes like redfall .. would’ve been nice to get a resident evil / hellblade level of graphics
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