One of the best action games I’ve played on Xbox Game Pass just teased a sequel — the devs are “already drenched in the work”

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According to announcements, the creators responsible for one of my favorite action games on Xbox Game Pass, Dead Island 2, hinted at the development of a new sequel to their comedic cooperative zombie game, expected to release in 2023.

On Tuesday morning, news broke out via social media that, on the 14th anniversary of the original 2011 Dead Island game, publishers Deep Silver and developers Dambuster Studios have confirmed the development of a new installment in the series, which appears to be Dead Island 3.

It’s worth mentioning that more than 20 million players have dived into the sunny pandemonium of HELL-A in Dead Island 2, with this number being made up of those who purchased the game as well as those who played it through Game Pass.

Fourteen years ago, Dead Island first unleashed its grisly mayhem. Today, Dead Island 2 has drawn 20 million players into the sun-soaked chaos of HELL-A, according to the official Dead Island account on X (Twitter). With another outbreak seemingly imminent, the team at Dambuster is already knee-deep in work. The saga continues…

Significantly, the post included an illustration featuring Jacob, a character from Dead Island 2 who can be played, standing by the roadside as a hitchhiker. His backpack and luggage were adorned with numerous assorted stickers, among them was one bearing the Dambuster Studios logo.

Among these labels are names of settings from the Dead Island series games, such as the made-up island chain of Banoi featured in the first game, along with Los Angeles (LA) from Dead Island 2. Interestingly, one label on Jacob’s suitcase indicates Ireland.

It appears there might be hints pointing towards the next Dead Island game potentially being set in Ireland, an unexpected change of scenery if true. On the other hand, a portrayal of a boxing kangaroo suggests that Australia could also be a possible location.

It appears there might be hints indicating that the upcoming Dead Island game could take place in Ireland, an unexpected turn given past installments. Yet another clue features a sparring kangaroo, suggesting Australia could also be a potential setting.

It appears that there are hints suggesting the setting for Dead Island 2’s sequel. When questioned directly, the developers responded cryptically with, “I’m not sure, but isn’t that a lovely image we included in our post?

In the artwork, I scrutinized the relatively unremarkable backdrop for hints, but I didn’t find any except for the labels on Jacob’s luggage. So, for the time being, Ireland and Australia seem to be the most plausible destinations.

As for the release date of Dead Island 3, that largely hinges on the length of time they’ve been working on the sequel. If Deep Silver and Dambuster have been developing it since Dead Island 2 launches in 2023, we could potentially see it by 2027, or maybe as early as next year. However, if development began later, a release date closer to 2030 seems more probable.

While it’s possible that the project could take that much time due to factors like the size of the project and the development process within Deep Silver and Dambuster, it’s highly improbable we’d see another nine-year cycle similar to Dead Island 2’s notorious “development purgatory,” during which the game switched studio hands on four occasions between 2014 and its eventual release in 2023.

Regardless of how much time it might take for its release, Dead Island 2 is anticipated to be a sensational action game if it delivers anything similar to its precursor. To me, Dead Island 2 offers the most captivating melee-focused zombie action in gaming, featuring intensely vivid animations, exceptionally gory dismemberment systems, and an abundance of enjoyable weapons to discover, craft, enhance, and combine for potent character development.

As an observer, I can tell you that the release date for Dead Island 3 remains uncertain due to the length of its development. If Deep Silver and Dambuster have been working on it since Dead Island 2’s 2023 launch, we might expect to see it as early as 2027 or possibly even next year. However, if development started later, a release date closer to 2030 seems more likely.

The story is also filled with humorous satire, but don’t expect a deep narrative from Dead Island. Instead, you’re playing for the intense action – or the ‘carnage’ as it’s often called. And if that’s what you’re after, Dead Island 2 delivers in abundance, featuring a diverse range of zombie types, environmental dangers to exploit, and other exciting elements.

On platforms such as the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Windows PC, Dead Island 2 originally retails at a price of $49.99. However, an outstanding offer is currently being provided by Loaded (previously known as CDKeys), allowing you to purchase it for only $13.49 on your PC. On the other hand, Xbox and PlayStation users can grab it for $14.99 due to amazing discounts. Plus, it’s accessible through Xbox Game Pass as well!

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2025-09-10 00:10