Indie game publishing platform indie.io, in partnership with developer Shotx Studio, has announced the official 1.0 release date for The Dead Await, a zombie apocalypse survival RPG fused with deep deck-building mechanics. The game will fully launch on May 18, 2026, and is currently available in Early Access on Steam and the indie.io Store, where players can begin their journey ahead of the full release. 

The Dead Await immerses players in a vast open world, torn apart by a zombie apocalypse. As the leader of a caravan of survivors, players must navigate derelict cities and new settlements, managing resources, sanity, and the constant threat of both zombies and human adversaries. Build your deck, experiment with character builds, and engage in card-based combat as you strive to rebuild civilization.

What sets The Dead Await apart is its unique blend of deck-building mechanics within an open-world survival RPG framework. Players can expect a strategic experience that challenges them to manage scarce resources while evolving their characters through a robust skill and perk system.

Players embark on a harrowing journey, making critical decisions that impact their caravan’s survival and the potential to rebuild society. The satisfaction of overcoming challenges and progressing through a richly detailed world promises an engaging long-term experience.

With its full 1.0 launch, The Dead Await will expand on its Early Access foundation, delivering a more refined and complete survival experience shaped by player feedback with its final act. The journey ahead promises new challenges, deeper systems, and even greater stakes in a world where every choice can mean life or death.