Undead Labs recently revealed that the concluding free upgrade for State of Decay 2 is on the horizon, marking the 38th update since the game’s inception. Following this final update, the developer based in Seattle will shift its attention exclusively to crafting State of Decay 3. Update 38 is poised to address persistent bugs, introduce several quality-of-life enhancements, and notably, permanently unlock all seasonal content.

Highlighted below are snippets from the official FAQ shared on the game’s portal:

• Q: Is this the conclusion of State of Decay 2? What will change?
  A: Update 38, the forthcoming update, will serve as the ultimate content addition for State of Decay 2, while ensuring continuous availability for all players. Following Update 38, no further content creation or game support is planned.
• Q: Why opt to cease updates for State of Decay 2 now?
  A: After thorough deliberation, the studio has chosen to concentrate on enhancing State of Decay 3 for all enthusiasts.
• Q: Will my preferred feature or bug be addressed/incorporated?
  A: Feedback via support tickets and the Wishlist is invaluable, although it’s not feasible to accommodate every proposal. Efforts will prioritize changes and fixes benefiting the majority of players for prolonged game stability and enjoyment.
• Q: How will this impact my saved games or communities?
  A: Saved games and communities will remain unaffected post-update. Players can continue enjoying their progress without disruption.
• Q: Is State of Decay 2 being phased out?
  A: No, the cessation primarily pertains to content development and developer assistance. The game will persist on all existing platforms and be accessible to all owners and GamePass subscribers.
• Q: Will bounty cycles continue?
  A: Yes, bounty packs from the Bounty Broker will automatically cycle as per schedule. Specifics can be found here.

Initially launched in May 2018, State of Decay 2 encountered some fun but notably glitchy and unfinished aspects, as highlighted in numerous reviews. However, consistent post-launch maintenance and enhancements spanning over six years have significantly refined the gameplay. This accumulation of updates has transformed the game into a far more polished and captivating experience, making it an opportune moment to delve into if it had previously eluded your radar. Notably, the game is accessible via Game Pass, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Undead Labs in June 2018.

On the other hand, State of Decay 3 was officially announced in July 2020 when it was still in its early pre-production stages. Although a recent trailer was unveiled during Summer Game Fest, projections lean towards a potential release in 2026 rather than 2025.