Dead Island Returns: The Third Installment Is Already in Development

Dead Island 3 is officially in development, with its release currently projected for the first half of 2028. According to a recent report, the estimated launch window extends through the end of June that year, placing the release approximately five years after the arrival of Dead Island 2.

Current development status

The project is being developed by Dambuster Studios, the studio behind Dead Island 2. Based on the available information, the game is in an early stage of production, with initial progress already underway in several key development areas.

To support this effort, the studio has fully reorganized its internal resources. After completing the Luna and Mac versions of Dead Island 2, the entire staff—including the Quality Assurance (QA) team—was integrated into the development of the third installment.

As of the end of March 2025, Dambuster Studios employed 194 people, all of whom are currently assigned to the Dead Island 3 project.

A highly anticipated sequel following the success of Dead Island 2

The existence of Dead Island 3 does not come as a surprise. In September, the studio shared an image accompanied by the message “the next outbreak is already brewing,” indirectly confirming the continuation of the franchise.

The series debuted in 2011 with Dead Island, set on the fictional island of Banoi. More than a decade later, Dead Island 2 shifted the action to HELL-A, a post-apocalyptic version of Los Angeles, where the game surpassed 20 million players worldwide.

Possible new setting and early clues

An image shared by the studio shows a character hitchhiking, which has sparked speculation about a potential change in setting. Among the most discussed theories is the possibility that the story could move to Las Vegas, although there is currently no official confirmation regarding the location of the new game.

Release window and upcoming announcements

If the current development schedule holds, Dead Island 3 would launch in 2028, five years after Dead Island 2, a title that went through a long and complex development process before becoming a commercial success.

At this time, there is no trailer or formal presentation of the game. According to the report’s estimates, 2026 could be the year when the first official preview is released, although this information has not yet been confirmed by the studio.

Dead Island 3 is progressing through its early development stages with the full Dambuster Studios team dedicated to the project. With a release window set for the first half of 2028, the new installment aims to continue the evolution of the franchise following the success of Dead Island 2. Pending official information, details regarding its setting, gameplay, and narrative remain undisclosed.