A new zombie survival game is preparing to enter the crowded survival genre, but THE DEAD WE KNEW: Open World Survival is hoping to stand out by combining large-scale exploration, base building, farming and cooperative gameplay into a single post-apocalyptic experience.
Developed and published by MAY19 STUDIO, the game is currently targeting a PC release on Steam in August 2026.
Set in a world devastated by a zombie outbreak, players must do far more than simply fight the undead. Survival revolves around scavenging abandoned locations for valuable resources, constructing and upgrading a secure shelter, and creating a self-sufficient base capable of supporting long-term survival.
Players will be able to gather materials, craft essential equipment, hunt wildlife for food, grow crops, and cook meals to stay alive while venturing deeper into the dangerous open world. According to the Steam page, managing supplies and preparing for changing conditions is just as important as combat.
One of the game’s more interesting mechanics is its dynamic weather system. Alongside a full day and night cycle, heavy fog can roll across the landscape, dramatically reducing visibility while making zombies significantly more aggressive. This transforms bad weather into more than just a visual effect, forcing players to decide whether to risk exploring or stay safely behind their fortified walls.
THE DEAD WE KNEW also supports both solo play and online co-op for up to four players. Friends can work together to gather resources, expand their base, defend against zombie attacks and explore the world as a team.
The game won’t just pit players against the infected either. Hostile human survivors are also expected to threaten your progress, creating situations where resource management and tactical decision-making become just as important as firepower.
Visually, the game draws inspiration from several well-known survival titles, blending third-person exploration with systems reminiscent of games like State of Decay 2, 7 Days to Die and The Forest. While it remains to be seen how deep those mechanics will be at launch, the combination of base management, farming, hunting and weather-driven survival gives it a promising foundation.
With zombie survival games continuing to enjoy strong popularity on PC, THE DEAD WE KNEW is shaping up to be another title worth watching for fans of open-world crafting and cooperative survival experiences. Whether it can carve out its own identity will ultimately depend on how polished its gameplay systems are when it launches later this summer.
