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🚨 Warning: Oxygen Low 🚨
― Tagline used in tweet to promote the teaser trailer for Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2 is an open world survival game currently being developed by Unknown Worlds and the first full sequel to the original Subnautica. Early Access for Subnautica 2 was announced on October 17th, 2024, with its release slated for 2026 on PC and Xbox.[1] It is unlikely that Subnautica 2 will be available for Playstation ahead of its full release, as Playstation does not offer previews like Xbox or Early Access titles like PC. The Early Access period is expected to last 2-3 years,[2] and will follow the same update structure as the previous two entries in the series.[3]
Unlike its Unity-based predecessors, Subnautica 2 will be made in Unreal Engine 5.[4] It will also be the first in the franchise to feature an official, optional[3] multiplayer mode, with support for up to four players[2] and no PvP.[5]
There are currently no plans for Subnautica 2 to have VR support.[6] Season passes, battle passes, subscriptions, and/or microtransactions will not be added to the game at any point.[3][7][8]
Not much is currently known about Subnautica 2's setting, other than that it takes place sometime after the events of both Subnautica: Below Zero and Natural Selection[9] on the all-new planet of Zezura;[10] characters, locations, creatures, and vehicles from previous entries will not return.[11]
Store Description
Subnautica 2 is an underwater survival adventure game set on an all-new alien ocean world. It is the next chapter in the Subnautica universe, developed by Unknown Worlds.
New World, New Adventure
A new world awaits alongside an all-new story. You are a pioneer traveling to a distant world, but something is amiss. The ship's AI insists you carry on the mission. This world is too dangerous for humans to survive… Unless you change what it means to be human. What creatures, intelligent or otherwise, await your arrival?
Explore with Friends
Play alone or with up to three friends in online multiplayer co-op. Whether exploring mysterious ruins, building custom bases, or adventuring deeper into the world… The challenge of this planet will test your ingenuity and ability to adapt, in unexpected and curious ways.
Craft Submersibles, Tools, and Bases
Survival depends on utilizing the right tools. Alongside basic items such as your Scanner and Flashlight, you’ll find recipes for more advanced tools, equipment, and submersibles. Bases are more customizable with an overhauled building system. New tools allow for greater adaptation to the world.
Uncover Diverse New Biomes
From towering underwater cliffs to lush coral fields, this aquatic alien world is brimming with vibrant and breathtaking biomes, each teeming with diverse ecosystems and unique creatures. But something isn’t right. The world is out of balance. What happened here? What happened to you? And more importantly, where are you?
Study Mysterious Lifeforms
Uncover a rich world full of mysterious lifeforms, from the smallest fish to the largest Leviathans. Scan creatures to learn more about them. Use your bio sampler to take samples for study. As you learn more about this world, evolve your genetics to adapt your body for survival.
Survive Terrifying Depths
This world is vast and deep. Venture beyond the safety of shallow waters, descending into a dark unknown. Wonder and danger lurks around every corner. To survive this planet, you’ll need to push beyond your boundaries and unlock the secrets of this strange world.
About the Team
Subnautica 2 is being created by Unknown Worlds, a fully remote studio that traces its roots back to the 2002 Half-Life mod Natural Selection. It is the same studio that created the original Subnautica. The team is scattered around the globe, from the United States to the United Kingdom, France, Iceland, Austria, Australia, Canada, India, and many more places.
Early Access Development
Subnautica 2 will be an Early Access game meaning it will be in active development at release. You may encounter bugs, in-development features, and performance issues. We will be adding additional biomes, creatures, craftables, and narrative as we proceed. Join us in Early Access and help shape the future of Subnautica 2."
Gallery
Store Screenshots
Development Screenshots
Time Capsule Screenshots
Promotional Material
Dev Vlogs
![Concept art of the Collector Leviathan[12] in an unknown biome.](/wiki/File:Subnautica_2_-_Leviathan_Art.png "Subnautica 2 - Leviathan Art.png (8.36 MB)")
Promotional Art
![A render of a fish currently known as a "Marrowbreach."[13]](/wiki/File:Marrow.DYQ3APbq.png "Marrow.DYQ3APbq.png (10 KB)")
![A render of a fish currently known as a "Nibbler Mango."[14]](/wiki/File:Nibblershark.adj-gxEz.png "Nibblershark.adj-gxEz.png (24 KB)")
System Requirements
| Minimum |
|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 cores) |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1660 / RX 5500 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection |
| Storage | 50 GB available space |
| Recommended |
|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or later |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700 / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores) |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Geforce RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5600 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband Internet connection |
| Storage | 50 GB available space |
External Links
Trivia
- Subnautica 2's Early Access release was originally slated for 2025, with an Unknown Worlds blog post announcing the delay to 2026 in July of 2025.[1] According to the post, the decision was made to delay the game after internal playtests revealed several areas still in need of improvement.
- Community concerns regarding Subnautica 2 potentially featuring monetization strategies (battle passes, subscriptions, microtransactions, etc.) first arose when publisher Krafton listed the game as following a "Game-as-a-Service" model in one of its financial reports. Shortly after, the developers released a blog post that stated the following: "In reference to “Games-as-a-Service,” we simply plan to continually update the game for many years to come, just like the previous two Subnautica games. Think our Early Access update model, expanded. No season passes. No battle passes. No subscription."[3]
- These concerns were raised once again when it was reported that Unknown Worlds would be undergoing leadership changes in July of 2025,[15] prompting another developer response. In addition to easing concerns regarding these changes, it was also reiterated that "[Subnautica 2] will remain a single-player first experience, with optional co-operative multiplayer. No subscriptions. No loot boxes. No battle pass. No microtransactions."[7]
- At least one developer has gone on to say that this delay should not shorten the projected Early Access length of 2-3 years.[16]
- A number of developers have been confirmed to return for Subnautica 2.
- Concept artist Alex Ries, known for designing many of Subnautica: Below Zero's fauna.
- Song artist Ben Prunty, who composed the soundtrack for Subnautica: Below Zero.[17]
- Several tracks composed by Ben for Subnautica 2 can already be heard in the background of the game's Dev Vlogs.[18]
- Beginning in July of 2024, multiple new Time Capsules were discovered by Subnautica players, each seemingly featuring a close-up screenshot of an unknown creature from Subnautica 2. These Time Capsules were soon acknowledged by developer Scott MacDonald on the Steam forums.[19]
- Each time capsule features the hashtag "PEEPERSRULE" in their description.
- Each time capsule has the name "TC" followed by a string of numbers. When these numbers are converted to text through the use of a hexadecimal translator, the creature's apparent name is revealed: "WATERSLUG." The name was later confirmed directly by Scott MacDonald.[20]
- On December 15th, 2024, a post was made on all major social media platforms, as well as the Unknown Worlds blog,[21] announcing a giveaway of 200 Subnautica 2 themed T-shirts.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 An Update on Subnautica 2 Early Access Dated July 9, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Subnautica 2 Steam store page
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 An Update About the Next Subnautica Dated February 8, 2024
- ↑ Krafton Earnings Report - Strategic Titles for 2024 Dated February 8, 2024
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/d6aj0af Dated June 12, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/eNNHs0w Dated September 16, 2025
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Letter to our Community Dated July 3, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/H5MoMdo Dated July 11, 2025
- ↑ Subnautica 2 Dev Vlog - Building Unknown Worlds Dated June 19, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/Pj012Vt Dated July 10, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/Uc5k1ug Dated April 23, 2025
- ↑ Subnautica 2 Dev Vlog - Creating the Collector Leviathan Dated September 16, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/hPK51oz Dated June 14, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/hwaOasF Dated June 14, 2025
- ↑ KRAFTON ANNOUNCES GAMING INDUSTRY VETERAN STEVE PAPOUTSIS AS NEW CEO OF UNKNOWN WORLDS Dated July 2, 2025
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/WEN93rE Dated July 9, 2025
- ↑ https://twitter.com/benprunty/status/1755745946179149927 Dated February 8, 2024
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/kyTDwPa Dated June 27, 2025
- ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3286537881 Dated July 10, 2024
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/BEYbIjx Dated October 19, 2024
- ↑ Subnautica 2 T-Shirt Giveaway Dated December 15, 2024