If you finally caught your breath after the gore-soaked romp of Dead Island 2, it is time to start sharpening your machetes again. But don’t pack your bags just yet. New leaks suggest the next installment in the franchise, Dead Island 3, is officially in the works with a target release window set for early 2028.
For a series famous for its decade-long “development hell,” a three-year wait sounds like a dream. Here is everything we know about the leak, the developer’s plans, and what this means for the future of zombie slaying.
The Leak: Financial Docs Spill the Beans
This isn’t just a random 4chan rumor. The news comes straight from Dambuster Studios’ financial filings, spotted by hawk-eyed industry analyst and Twitter user @bogorad222. The documents explicitly state that the studio’s primary focus has shifted entirely to the next sequel.
According to the report, the “current predicted release window for the project is Q1/2 2028.”
This puts the game roughly five years after the launch of Dead Island 2. Considering it took the previous game nearly 10 years and three different studios to see the light of day, this timeline suggests a much smoother, more confident production cycle under Dambuster’s leadership.
All Hands on Deck at Dambuster
The documents reveal that Dambuster is not wasting any time. Now that the Dead Island 2: Ultimate Edition and recent DLCs like SoLA are out the door, the studio is moving its resources to the new project.
- Full Focus: “All developers are assigned to the project,” the report notes.
- Moving Fast: Production is described as “moving at pace,” with core teams working on world design, characters, and narrative.
- QA Transition: Once final ports for macOS and Luna are wrapped up, the QA team will also migrate fully to Dead Island 3.
Why This is Great News for Fans
Dead Island 2 was the comeback kid of 2023. Against all odds, it sold over 3 million copies and attracted more than 10 million players (thanks to Game Pass). It proved that people still want good, mindless zombie fun with a robust “FLESH” gore system.
With Dambuster returning at the helm, we can expect them to build directly on that successful foundation rather than reinventing the wheel. They have the engine, they have the gore tech, and they have the trust of the publisher, Deep Silver.
Comparison: The Wait Then vs. Now
| Game | Development Time | Studios Involved |
| Dead Island 2 | ~9 Years (2014-2023) | Yager, Sumo Digital, Dambuster |
| Dead Island 3 | ~5 Years (Target 2028) | Dambuster Studios (Solo) |
Where Will the Outbreak Go Next?
While the financial docs didn’t drop lore bombs, a teaser image from September 2025 hinted that “the next outbreak is already brewing.” Fans are already speculating on locations. Will we leave the sunny streets of HELL-A (Los Angeles) for a new locale? Rumors have swirled about settings ranging from a return to tropical roots to entirely new European cities.
Conclusion
2028 might feel far away, but for Dead Island fans, having a confirmed date and a stable developer is a luxury we aren’t used to. Dambuster Studios earned their stripes by saving the franchise; now they get to shape its future from day one. We will be keeping our eyes peeled for more leaks as production ramps up.
FAQs
1. Is Dead Island 3 officially confirmed?
Yes, financial documents from Dambuster Studios have confirmed the game is in active development with a full team assigned to it.
2. When is the release date for Dead Island 3?
The studio is currently targeting a release window of Q1 or Q2 2028.
3. Who is developing Dead Island 3?
Dambuster Studios, the same team that successfully developed and launched Dead Island 2, is handling the sequel.
4. Will Dead Island 3 be on PS4 and Xbox One?
Given the 2028 release window, it is highly unlikely. The game will almost certainly be exclusive to current-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) and possibly next-gen hardware.
5. Is the game a direct sequel to Dead Island 2?
While narrative details are scarce, it is expected to follow the events of the second game or at least exist in the same continuity, given the “next outbreak” teasers.