Dead Island 3 Confirmed as Dambuster Targets Long-Term Sequel Release

A Franchise Once Left for Dead Finds Its Future

Few franchises have endured a development history as turbulent as Dead Island. After years of delays, studio handovers, and prolonged silence, Dead Island 2 spent much of its life cycle as a cautionary tale. For a long time, it genuinely felt as though the series might never recover, let alone move forward.

That perception changed dramatically with the release of Dead Island 2 by Dambuster Studios. The game exceeded commercial expectations, reestablished trust in the brand, and quietly ensured the franchise’s future. That future has now been confirmed.

Dead Island 3 Confirmed Through Financial Filings

Dambuster Studios has officially confirmed Dead Island 3 via its latest financial report. While publisher Deep Silver has not made a public announcement, the document directly states that the sequel is in active development.

According to the filing, following the July 2025 launch of Dead Island 2 on Mac, Dambuster reassigned its entire Quality Assurance team to Dead Island 3. The studio notes that work across central development pillars is already underway, including features, characters, world design, and narrative structure.

While the confirmation is understated, it removes any remaining doubt about the franchise’s continuation.

Development Progressing, But Release Remains Distant

Despite steady progress, Dead Island 3 is not a near-term release. Dambuster has framed the project as a long-term undertaking, with several years of development still ahead.

Current internal projections indicate a Q1 or Q2 2028 release window. That places the sequel firmly in the next generation transition period, suggesting the studio is taking time to properly evolve the formula rather than rushing out another entry.

Platforms and Publisher Plans Still Unclear

At the time of writing, neither Dambuster Studios nor Deep Silver has confirmed which platforms Dead Island 3 will target. Given the franchise’s strong performance on current-generation consoles and PC, a multi-platform release is likely, though nothing has been officially stated.

With development now confirmed and progressing, further details are expected to emerge gradually as milestones are reached.

For a series that once looked destined to collapse under its own history, Dead Island’s survival now feels well earned.