The zombie apocalypse isn’t over yet. Dambuster Studios has officially confirmed that Dead Island 3 is in active development, with financial documents revealing a targeted release window of Q1/Q2 2028. After years of waiting for Dead Island 2, fans finally have concrete news about the franchise’s next chapter.
The confirmation comes from Dambuster’s latest financial report, which was spotted by industry insider Timur222. The documents reveal that Dead Island 3 has become the studio’s primary focus following the release of Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition in October 2024. All 194 employees at the Nottingham-based studio are now assigned to the project, with the entire QA team set to join once the Mac and Amazon Luna versions of Dead Island 2 are complete.
Development moving at full speed
According to the financial documents, parts of Dead Island 3 are already in early production. The studio is actively working on feature design, character design, world design, and narrative elements, with development reportedly “moving at pace.” This marks a significant shift from Dead Island 2’s troubled production history, which saw the game bounce between multiple developers over nearly a decade before Dambuster finally delivered it in 2023.
The targeted 2028 release would put roughly five years between Dead Island 2 and its sequel, a much more reasonable development cycle compared to the nine-year gap between the first and second games. For perspective, the original Dead Island launched in 2011, meaning the franchise will be approaching its 17th anniversary by the time the third installment arrives.
What this means for fans
Dambuster Studios proved they could handle the franchise with Dead Island 2, which became a surprise hit with over 20 million players across PC and console. The game earned praise for its visceral combat system, grotesque zombie dismemberment mechanics, and the impressive FLESH system that added brutal realism to every encounter.
While 2028 might seem distant, the fact that development is progressing smoothly without the chaos that plagued Dead Island 2 is encouraging news. The studio has the experience, the full team committed, and a clear vision moving forward. Plus, launching in early 2028 could position Dead Island 3 as a potential cross-gen title for both current and next-generation consoles.
For now, zombie slayers will need to exercise patience, but at least we know Dambuster is hard at work ensuring the next outbreak delivers the gore-soaked action fans expect.
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