Undead Labs reveals first release title, and it's not the zombie MMO [Updated]

Back in November 2009, ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain left the company to create a new development studio named Undead Labs. His plans included the development of a zombie-survival console MMO, an idea that has had fans of zombie apocalypse games excited ever since. In August 2010, Undead Labs graced the news once again when four more of ArenaNet's developers left to join the new studio and work on the upcoming zombie MMO. It wasn't long until we began to see the first details released of the impending zombie apocalypse, with a huge section in EGM Magazine. Most notable was the revelation that the game would be a console-only open-world sandbox.

Undead Labs unveiled its first officially planned release title today, and fans of the upcoming zombie MMO won't be disappointed. While the company's first release won't be the zombie MMO we all want so badly, the studio plans to first release a smaller-scale online zombie survival game on XBox Live Arcade. This game, code-named "Class 3" for now, will showcase the gameplay, setting and technology that will be used to develop the as-yet untitled zombie MMO. The team at Undead Labs plans to then use the game as a kind of training ground to help develop better gameplay experiences for the MMO that will follow. Although that means we'll have to wait a while to get our hands on that zombie-survival sandbox world we've all been dreaming of, the result should be a game that appeals more to players.

Jeff Strain, founder of Undead Labs, released the following statement: "Our mission is to create original online games that truly feel at home on the console platform, and Xbox 360 is a fantastic platform for online console gaming. We plan to create an ambitious open world XBLA game and use its gameplay, setting, and technology as the foundation for a full online world game."

[Update: Jeff Strain's also released a tongue-in-cheek "Rude Q&A" on Undead Labs' blog. It discusses the team's plans and goals for the new game as well as aims to stave off any misconceptions about both upcoming titles.]

Reader Comments (20)

Nice! I love these guys!

Man, that looks like a kitchen from 'Hoarders.' That or Cold Case Files.

They really need to add in the option for when you die to either Rez back at basecamp or wherever OR give you the option of returning as a zombie so that you can play as the undead and go after other players.

This would give players 2 characters that you can level, 1 your main thats running around in the world and then your zombie alter ego who can also level by attacking other players and gaining special abilities, like speed or aggression.

Having other players being able to come back as the undead if they happen to die while out questing would also add a sense of uneasiness when out and about in the world as that bunch of mindless A.I. zombies you have to pass through may happen to be hiding a smart zombie that could suddenly sprint from the crowd at you causing panic..

This is the sort of mechanic id put in place if i was making a zombie mmo and one which with a bit of tinkering would make the game brilliant fun to play and just add a lot of tension which a game set in a zombie world should do.. i also have a shit ton of other ideas as well as i love me some zombies

I'd love to play a Zombie Apocalypse survival fpsmmo that requires scavenging for food,water,ammo and building materials. Where the combat is like Left4dead.

I wish these guys the best of luck. I'm just disappointed to find out that it won't be released for the PC. I'm not a console gamer and don't intend to turn into one any time soon.

So they're using 'Class3' to gain interest in 'Class4' (the MMO) while maximizing their technology. 'Class3' is exclusive to the Xbox 360 so that makes it sound like 'Class4' will be as well.

This is from the Q&A: "Cross-platform development, particularly when you’re pushing technical boundaries as hard we intend to, is complicated and time consuming, and we’d rather focus on gameplay and polish. Focusing on a single platform — particularly one that has a thriving online community — allows us to stay focused on making a great game, rather than wading through the technical and business challenges of supporting multiple platforms."

Alas, as much as I admire the devs involved here, none of these games interest me much at all.

Now, if they decided to make a Guild Wars 1-style zombie apocalypse game for the PC, well, then I'd be interested.

I would rather see it on ps3 because it has free online play.

console only games make me want to smack the developers around a bit...

@eLdritchZ - Well if they announced another post-apocalyptic MMO for the PC people would be saying "another post-apocalyptic MMO for the PC!?!? Those idiots!"

There isn't a single 'next-gen' MMO on the Xbox 360. The only two available are PS2 ports. So this is a brilliant idea.

@HokieKC

The reason why is because Microsoft's closed network. Even if they did plan a PS3 version, there's no way the two could play together because MS won't allow it.

They made an exception for FFXI, but they've since revised their rules for the worse.

No PS3 version is disappointing. I was looking forward to their MMORPG, but since I don't own a 360 I won't be playing it.

@Veplerion - Oh I agree MS hasn't been MMO friendly in years. I'm just glad they finally woke up and realized Sony was going to leave them in the dust in terms of console MMOs if they didn't act.

@HokieKC can't really agree with that... Yes it is post apocalyptic in a broader sense but the fact that it's a zombie MMO sets it waaaayy apart from titles like Fallen Earth... Also the success of L4D and L4D2 should be a tell tale sign as to how many people love zombie shooters...

@eLdritchZ - Here's the official answer to your question: "I think most of you would agree that so far, attempts to create online world games that feel equally at home on console and PC have not resulted in excellent game experiences for either community...By focusing on console from the start, we get to instead view it as a set of opportunities to create new online game experiences based on the unique strengths that the console hardware and gamer culture can provide, such as shared-screen cooperative play, ubiquitous voice chat, and a game controller designed for sweet action."

@HokieKC DCUO is good on the PC... and I hear it's alright on the PS3.... look, in the end, I don't give a submarining phoque, what platform they release their game on... It's not going to end my life if I don't play their zombie MMO - the next one will come. I'm just saying they are missing out on a lot of cash by making it platform exclusive...

@eLdritchZ - I would argue they are dead on (no pun intended) in their quote. You brought up DCUO...a game that has received a PC Metacritic score of 73 and a PS3 score of 67.

Like you said it's doing 'alright' but it would have done better had they chosen to develop it solely for the PS3 or PC. The biggest problems that exist for the PC version are due to the fact it was released on the PS3 as well and vice versa.

By releasing DCUO to both they created a decent but not excellent game. Undead Labs isn't going to let the happen with Class4.

@eLdritchZ

I've never owned a console - but if they deliver what they've promised then I would buy one to play this game.

Maybe this will be a wake up call for Sony to start making their console more community friendly.

@SaintV I guess you didn't read the earlier post where it was mentioned Microsoft isn't great with MMOs because their closed network. Now you're saying Sony needs to be more friendly.

Me thinks consoles in general are the problem, neither companies are willing to share compatibility and would rather fight over exclusivity. Meanwhile Windows-based games are getting easier to run on Apple's OS as time goes by. Proof of this is the inclusion of Steam on Macs.

I haven't bought a console since Sega Genesis, and don't regret or feel like I've missed anything consoles have done.

Would definitely like to see schematics/items you can build from garbage found in the environment (like in Fallout 3 building nuka-cola grenades from coke, paint cans, turpentine, etc). They did say there would be crafting and such (upgrading base defense and such) maybe gadgets/weapons could be part of that.

Undead Labs reveals first release title, and it's not the zombie MMO [Updated]

Reader Comments (20)

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 3:08PM SaintV said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 3:08PM Degu said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 3:53PM Bongo123 said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 4:26PM Rhazes said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 4:48PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 4:50PM HokieKC said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 5:25PM Tom in VA said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 5:51PM badpenny said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 6:15PM eLdritchZ said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 6:31PM HokieKC said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 6:48PM Veplerion said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 7:05PM HokieKC said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 10:18PM eLdritchZ said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 10:29PM HokieKC said

Posted: Feb 4th 2011 5:31AM eLdritchZ said

Posted: Feb 5th 2011 9:53PM HokieKC said

Posted: Feb 7th 2011 4:39AM DancingCow said

Posted: Feb 3rd 2011 7:46PM SaintV said

Posted: Feb 4th 2011 8:02PM cray said

Posted: Feb 20th 2011 11:42AM hockeybrianboy said

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