State of Decay 3 Trailer Was 'Just a Concept,' No Zombie Animals in Final Game

Developer Undead Labs says the 2020 announcement trailer did not reflect the actual game in development.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:08am

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A detailed 3D illustration of a zombie deer's head emerging from a swirling mass of neon-lit cybernetic tendrils, representing the abandoned concept of undead animals in the State of Decay universe.The abandoned concept of zombie animals in State of Decay 3 is brought to life in a glowing, high-tech illustration.Seattle Today

The 2020 announcement trailer for State of Decay 3 featured a zombie deer eating a wolf, exciting fans about the prospect of battling undead animals in the upcoming survival game. However, Undead Labs head Philip Holt has now revealed that the trailer was just a 'concept' created when the game was still in the earliest stages, with only a few developers and no actual game to speak of. As the team has worked to bring State of Decay 3 to life, they've decided to forgo zombie animals, focusing instead on the traditional zombie threat.

Why it matters

The State of Decay series has built a dedicated fan base by offering a unique take on the zombie survival genre, and the prospect of facing off against zombie animals had many players eagerly anticipating the next installment. The decision to abandon that idea, even if it was just a concept at the time, may disappoint some fans who were hoping for that additional challenge. However, it also signals that Undead Labs is focused on delivering a polished, cohesive experience for State of Decay 3 rather than adding features that may not ultimately fit the game.

The details

In an interview with Sunny Games, Undead Labs head Philip Holt explained that the 2020 trailer for State of Decay 3 was created when the game was still in its earliest stages, with only a small team of around four or five people and the project existing primarily as a Word document. The trailer, created by the studio Blur, was meant to represent 'a concept' and 'our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore' rather than an accurate representation of the final game. As Undead Labs has continued development on State of Decay 3, they've decided that zombie animals, including the iconic zombie deer, won't be making an appearance.

  • State of Decay 3 was first announced in 2020 with an eye-catching trailer.
  • Undead Labs ended updates for State of Decay 2 in September 2024 to focus solely on State of Decay 3.
  • The State of Decay 3 alpha test is scheduled to launch in May 2026.

The players

Philip Holt

Head of Undead Labs, the developer behind the State of Decay series.

Undead Labs

The game development studio responsible for creating the State of Decay series.

Blur

The studio that created the 2020 announcement trailer for State of Decay 3.

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What they’re saying

“No zombie deer. So that trailer, there really wasn't a game or a game team when we were working on that trailer. It was so early. There were like four or five people. The game was in a Word document. There was really like the very beginnings of software.”

— Philip Holt, Head of Undead Labs

“The trailer was done by Blur. It was all pre-rendered. It represented, I think, a concept, our thoughts at the time of what might be cool to explore in State of Decay 3. And as we've had a chance to build the team and get going on the game, some of those elements, I think, are going to persist in the game that we deliver. And some of those things, we're just like, yeah, we're not doing zombie animals.”

— Philip Holt, Head of Undead Labs

What’s next

The State of Decay 3 alpha test is scheduled to launch in May 2026, giving players their first chance to experience the game and see what features and mechanics have made it into the final product.

The takeaway

While the prospect of battling zombie animals had many State of Decay fans excited, Undead Labs' decision to focus the game on the traditional zombie threat signals a commitment to delivering a polished, cohesive experience rather than adding features that may not ultimately fit the game. As the studio continues to build out State of Decay 3, fans will be eager to see how the final product compares to the early concept trailer.