‘There wasn’t really a game or team’ when Undead Labs made the now-5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: ‘The game was in a Word document’
April 7, 2026
In a recent conversation with YouTuber Sunny Games, Philip Holt of Undead Labs shed light on the early development of State of Decay 3, a title that has intrigued fans since its announcement in 2020. The reveal, which prominently featured a zombified deer, sparked speculation about the inclusion of undead wildlife in the game. However, Holt clarified that at the time of the trailer’s creation, the project was still in its infancy, existing primarily as a concept documented in a Word file.
Insights from Undead Labs
Holt’s comments provide a fascinating glimpse into the development process at Undead Labs. He noted that the studio had not intended to announce State of Decay 3 when they did, as they were still grappling with the game’s direction. This unexpected reveal was largely influenced by Microsoft’s strategy to generate excitement for the upcoming Xbox Series X/S, leading to requests for trailers from key studios.
As the gaming community eagerly awaited updates, the silence surrounding State of Decay 3 stretched for six long years. Now, however, the project is progressing towards a tangible form. Undead Labs has recently opened sign-ups for an alpha playtest, offering fans a much-anticipated opportunity to engage with the game. While the undead deer may not make an appearance, players can look forward to features such as:
Four-player co-op gameplay
Innovative base-building mechanics
Enhanced resource management strategies
Intense combat scenarios
As anticipation builds, the gaming community watches closely to see how State of Decay 3 evolves from its humble beginnings into a fully realized experience. The journey from a simple Word document to an interactive game is a testament to the creative process and the dedication of the team at Undead Labs.
‘There wasn’t really a game or team’ when Undead Labs made the now-5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: ‘The game was in a Word document’
In a recent conversation with YouTuber Sunny Games, Philip Holt of Undead Labs shed light on the early development of State of Decay 3, a title that has intrigued fans since its announcement in 2020. The reveal, which prominently featured a zombified deer, sparked speculation about the inclusion of undead wildlife in the game. However, Holt clarified that at the time of the trailer’s creation, the project was still in its infancy, existing primarily as a concept documented in a Word file.
Insights from Undead Labs
Holt’s comments provide a fascinating glimpse into the development process at Undead Labs. He noted that the studio had not intended to announce State of Decay 3 when they did, as they were still grappling with the game’s direction. This unexpected reveal was largely influenced by Microsoft’s strategy to generate excitement for the upcoming Xbox Series X/S, leading to requests for trailers from key studios.
As the gaming community eagerly awaited updates, the silence surrounding State of Decay 3 stretched for six long years. Now, however, the project is progressing towards a tangible form. Undead Labs has recently opened sign-ups for an alpha playtest, offering fans a much-anticipated opportunity to engage with the game. While the undead deer may not make an appearance, players can look forward to features such as:
As anticipation builds, the gaming community watches closely to see how State of Decay 3 evolves from its humble beginnings into a fully realized experience. The journey from a simple Word document to an interactive game is a testament to the creative process and the dedication of the team at Undead Labs.