State of decay 3: zombie deer gone, alpha test looms

Six years after its initial splash, State of Decay 3 is finally edging closer to public hands. But the hype generated by that early trailer—featuring a rather memorable zombie deer—won’t be fully realized. Undead Labs has confirmed the iconic creature is deceased, so to speak, a casualty of the game's long development cycle.

The trailer's a concept, not a promise

During a recent interview with Sunny Games, Philip Holt, Head of Undead Labs, offered a candid explanation. “No zombie deer,” he stated plainly. The trailer, it turns out, was conceived during a very early phase of development, essentially a concept piece whipped up by Blur Studios when the game existed primarily as a Word document and a small team of roughly five individuals. It was, as Holt put it, “a concept, our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore.” The team’s ambitions exceeded the nascent state of the project; a bold visual statement that ultimately didn’t translate into a feasible game mechanic.

The shift highlights the challenges inherent in long-term game development. Initial ideas, however alluring, often prove impractical when confronted with the realities of engineering and design. While the absence of zombie deer might disappoint some, Holt assures that other elements from the original trailer will endure.

A shared world and a focus shift

The development of State of Decay 3 became the studio’s sole focus in September 2023, marking a significant shift away from ongoing support for State of Decay 2, which received nearly 40 content updates over six years. A collaborative effort with Obsidian Entertainment, known for titles like Fallout: New Vegas and Grounded, is introducing a “shared world feature,” leveraging Obsidian’s experience with shared save technology to deliver a more flexible online co-op experience. Microsoft previously hinted this would allow multiple players to own and shape a persistent game world, a feature promising increased player agency and emergent gameplay.

With an alpha test slated for May, the game's direction is becoming clearer. The initial excitement surrounding snow and camping mechanics, also teased in the trailer, remains to be seen if they will fully materialize. The alpha will provide crucial feedback on those elements and the broader gameplay loop.

Undead Labs' journey hasn't been without its shadows. Allegations of a toxic workplace and a lack of clear direction have surfaced, adding a layer of complexity to the game’s impending release. But as the alpha test nears, the focus remains on delivering a compelling survival experience, even if it lacks the novelty of a zombie deer. The real test for Undead Labs begins now: can they transform a promising concept into a lasting franchise?