In the ongoing reshaping of Microsoft's gaming empire, Undead Labs — the studio behind the State of Decay franchise — has quietly stepped out from under the Xbox umbrella and reconstituted itself as an employee-owned company. The separation, conducted with apparent goodwill on both sides, reflects a broader industry reckoning with what it means to own a creative studio versus simply partnering with one. Even as the studio claims its independence, State of Decay 3 remains tethered to Game Pass, reminding us that in the modern gaming landscape, autonomy and interdependence are rarely mutually ex
Undead Labs Spins Off From Xbox as Employee-Owned Studio
Undead Labs announced layoffs as part of the transition to independence.