Dead Island 2 has now joined the exclusive club of games that hit the 20 million player mark, cementing its unexpected status as one of Deep Silver’s biggest success stories. 
What started as a troubled project that bounced between studios has ended up as a franchise revival, and today’s news comes with an even bigger surprise: Dead Island 3 is officially in development.
When Dead Island 2 launched in April 2023, few could have predicted such longevity. Development stretched nearly a decade, with Yager first taking charge in 2012 before being dropped in 2015. Then Sumo Digital picked up the reins in 2016, only for that partnership to stall as well. The project was finally handed to Dambuster Studios – Deep Silver’s internal Nottingham-based team – who steered it across the finish line during the pandemic. Given the history of delays, fans were skeptical that the game would ever even arrive, let alone thrive. Yet, against all odds, the sequel didn’t just survive, it thrived.
Part of the growth can be attributed to smart distribution. Initially selling two million copies within two months, the momentum continued as Dead Island 2 later landed on Xbox Game Pass, opening the floodgates to new players who may not have risked buying it outright. More recently, the Epic Games Store’s 2025 MEGA Sale gave the game away for free – a controversial but undeniably effective move that catapulted its player count into the tens of millions. For some, this raised eyebrows about whether raw player numbers reflect actual engagement, but there’s no doubt the game is now firmly lodged in pop culture conversations.
The Los Angeles setting, with its exaggerated satire of celebrity culture and sun-soaked chaos, was a highlight for many. However, the teaser for the next entry hints at a different locale altogether, potentially offering a fresh spin on the formula. Deep Silver has yet to reveal specifics, but fans are already speculating about settings ranging from tropical islands to urban sprawls outside the U.S.
Of course, not everyone was blown away by the game itself. Critics like Wccftech’s Francesco De Meo praised the polish and fun factor but criticized the repetitive combat loop and shallow mechanics, ultimately giving it a 7.5/10. Many players echoed similar feelings: enjoyable in bursts but lacking the depth to keep them hooked for the long term. Still, the fact that people keep downloading and dipping into it suggests that the core formula – a bloody, over-the-top sandbox of zombie mayhem – retains undeniable appeal.
Looking ahead, the announcement of Dead Island 3 feels less like a gamble and more like an inevitability. With a player base this large, Deep Silver and Dambuster have every incentive to refine the combat, expand on open-world systems, and double down on the irreverent tone that sets the series apart. Whether the new installment will address past criticisms or simply lean further into mindless fun remains to be seen, but the franchise is back in the spotlight after years of doubt. And this time, it doesn’t seem likely to fade away quietly.