重點資訊
Following Microsoft's July announcement to divest five studios, State of Decay developer Undead Labs transitioned into an independent, employee-owned company. CEO Philip Holt described the three-month period following the news as harrowing, marked by significant uncertainty regarding the studio's future and the development of State of Decay 3.
To stabilize the studio, Holt maintained transparent weekly updates with staff. While initial efforts to find a buyer or outside investor proved difficult due to the studio's pre-revenue status, Undead Labs eventually secured publishing funding. This agreement, combined with existing cash reserves, allows the team to complete State of Decay 3 without external equity investors.
The studio underwent a restructuring, including a significant number of layoffs in September to ensure sustainability. Holt, who retains voting control through a multi-class stock structure, emphasized that the new model prioritizes employee equity and long-term commitment over the aggressive growth demands often imposed by external financiers.
State of Decay 3, which pivoted away from an earlier MMO vision, is currently slated for a 2027 release. The studio is focusing on broad hardware compatibility rather than cutting-edge technical requirements, aiming to serve its existing community directly as an independent entity.
